Psychology of sex - Total No. of Records in System :: 2032

SEXUAL DEVIATIONwho isencouraged to practice nudity among men andwomen who, being themselves completely nude, accepthim as a matter of course is at once to gratify his narcissisticdesires so far as they are innocent and to deprive themof their morbid intensity. If his impulses cannot be rerstrained within innocent limits, he faces the certainty thathe will be deprived of the privilege conferred uponA him.wholesome and socializing channel isprovided for animpulse which otherwise becomes isolating and degrading.The first advice to give to an exhibitionist who has notyet attracted the attention of the police is that he shouldnever go out alone. Hirschfeld, who recognizes the importanceof this rule, remarks that the advice isalways takenin good part, for the exhibitionist tends to be in terror ofarrested andhis own impulses. When he is actuallythe sensible and humanebrought before the magistrate,course on a first offense is to dismiss him with a warningon condition that he seeks medical advice. In many largetowns there are now special clinics which are at the disposalof magistrates, police surgeons, and social workersat a negligible cost, and these should be oftener used. Onthe second offense there should be compulsory detentionfor at least a month in a Home for examination and treatment.This is in line with the opinion of Forel that exhibitionistsare not dangerous, and (unless when weakminded)should not be detained for more than a shortperiod for treatment in a Mental Home.BIBLIOGRAPHYKRAFFT-EBING, Psychopathia Sexualis.HAVELOCK ELLIS, Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Vol. V,"Erotic Symbolism."W. NORWOOD EAST, "Observations on Exhibitionism,'*Lancet, Aug. 23, 1924.