Masochism corresponds to the
passivism of Stefanowski, and is the opposite of sadism, in which
the pleasure is derived from inflicting pain on the object of
affection. Krafft-Ebing cites several instances of masochism.
Although the enjoyment and frenzy of flagellation are well known,
its pleasures are not derived from the pain but by the undoubted
stimulation offered to the sexual centers by the castigation. The
delight of the heroines of flagellation, Maria Magdalena of Pazzi
and Elizabeth of Genton, in being whipped on the naked loins, and
thus calling up sensual and lascivious fancies, clearly shows the
significance of flagellation as a sexual excitant. It is said
that when Elizabeth of Genton was being whipped she believed
herself united with her ideal and would cry out in the loudest
tones of the joys of love.
There is undoubtedly a sympathetic communication between the
ramifying nerves of the skin of the loins and the lower portion
of the spinal cord which contains the sexual centers. Recently,
in cases of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea dysmenorrhagia, and like
sexual disorders, massage or gentle flagellation of the parts
contiguous with the genitalia and pelvic viscera has been
recommended.
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