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Critical Introduction - Old Silent
Assumptions |
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1. The Myth of a "Natural" Human
Sexuality
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Masturbation: Good or bad?
In
ancient Rome the great physician
Galen
recommended that therapists masturbate
their female patients in the interest of
natural health. In the 18th century, the
"enlightened" Swiss physician
Samuel Tissot
declared that masturbation was the cause
of many serious illnesses, and in the
l9th century, European and American
women were treated, often by means of a
clitoridectomy, against the unhealthy
and unnatural habit of masturbation. In
the early 20th century,
Wilhelm Reich
again prescribed masturbation for the
purpose of regaining the natural sexual
function, and, as he reports, some of
his psychoanalytic colleagues in Vienna
secretly even followed Galen's advice
and masturbated their female patients in
therapeutic sessions. On the other hand,
at present this kind of therapy is
prohibited in all therapeutic Codes of
Ethics.
Three physicians and their advice
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Galen
(129-201 AD)
recommended
masturbation
as therapy
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Samuel
Tissot
(1728-1797)
warned that
masturbation
caused
serious
illness
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Wilhelm
Reich
(1897-1957)
once more
recommended
masturbation
as therapy
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