On the Causes and Symptoms of Acute Diseases (2.12)

THE Satyrs, sacred to Bacchus, in the paintings and statues, have the member erect, as the symbol of the divine performance. It is also a form of disease, in which the patient has erection of the genital organ, the appellation of Satyriasis being derived from its resemblance to the figure of the god.

It is an unrestrainable impulse to connection; but neither are they at all relieved by these embraces, nor is the tentigo soothed by many and repeated acts of sexual intercourse. Spasms of all the nerves, and tension of all the tendons, groins, and perineum, inflammation and pain of the genital parts, redness of countenance, and a dewy moisture. Wrapped up in silent sorrow, they are stupid, as if grievously afflicted with their calamity. But if the affection overcome the patient’s sense of shame, he will lose all restraint of tongue as regards obscenity, and likewise all restraint in regard to the open performance of the act, being deranged in understanding as to indecency; for they cannot restrain themselves, are thirsty, and vomit much phlegm. Afterwards, froth settles on their lips, as is the case with goats in the season of rutting, and the smell likewise is similar. The urine, after long retention, is white, thick, and like semen; bowels constipated; spontaneous titillations of the sides and arm-pits; they have convulsions, loathe food, or, if presented to them, they snatch it confusedly.

But if the illness tend to death, they become flatulent, belly protuberant, tension of the tendons and of all the muscles, difficulty of movement, contraction of the limbs, pulse small, weak, and irregular.

All these symptoms have been sometimes removed by copious discharges from the bowels of phlegm and bile, and by

The affection, for the most part, is formed in spring and summer. Of the periods of life, it occurs principally in boys and striplings, more especially in such as are naturally prone to sexual intercourse. It is a most acute, disgusting, and unseemly ailment. For the most part, the patients die on the seventh day. It is said, that women also suffer from this affection; that they have the same impulse to venery, and the other symptoms the same. I believe, indeed, that lust is engendered in women of a humid temperament, so as to induce a copious discharge of the superfluous humours; but I do not at all believe that they are affected with Satyriasis, for their nature, being cold, is not adapted to it. But neither, also, has woman the parts necessary for erection, like those of a Satyr, whence the affection derives its name; and neither also are men subject to suffocation from the womb, because men have not an uterus.