Aphrodisiacs and Anti-aphrodisiacs: Three Essays on the Powers of Reproduction Part 6

"The Sultan still kept them in his palace, and, to celebrate their triumph, caused them to live upon a diet equally _recherche_, but consisting entirely of fish. A few days afterwards they were again subjected to the united powers of youth and beauty, but this time nature was too strong, and the too happy cen.o.bites forgot, in the arms of voluptuousness, their vows of continence and chast.i.ty."

This peculiar property in fish has been attributed to the presence of phosphorus, which is known to exist somewhat plentifully in their substance, and has also been discovered in their roes in a simple state of combination. Now, phosphorus is one of the most powerful stimulants: it acts upon the generative organism in a manner to cause the most violent priapisms; but this principle does not act alone, and there must also be taken into account the different seasonings and condiments which form the basis of most culinary preparations to which fish are subjected, and which are all taken from the cla.s.s of irritants.

The prolific virtues of fish have, no doubt, been greatly exaggerated, and it is certain that too much importance has been given to the observation made (rather upon slight grounds) by travellers as to the abundant population of ichthyophagic nations; nor would it be difficult to adduce facts to prove to the incredulous that the continuous use of fish excites lasciviousness in such persons only as are const.i.tutionally inclined thereto.

The following instances sufficiently establish the aphrodisiacal qualities of phosphorus. A drake belonging to a chemist having drunk water out of a copper vessel which had contained phosphorus, ceased not gallanting his females till he died. An old man to whom a few drops only of phosphoric ether had been administered, experienced repeated and imperious venereal wants which he was compelled to satisfy. Leroy and Battatz, two celebrated French physicians of the last century, tried the effects of phosphorus upon themselves, with similar results. Sensations of the same kind are said to be experienced by persons whose occupation requires the frequent handling of this drug. It may thus be considered as satisfactorily proved that the above substance is essentially an energetic stimulant of the genital organs; but, should still further evidence be required, it may be found in the fact that the administration of it, even in small doses, has been productive of the most horrible and fatal results, instances of which are recorded in many medical works both foreign and English, but more particularly in those of Brera, Magendie, and others.

The erotic properties of truffles and mushrooms are considered by most writers as better established than those of fish. The ancient Romans were well acquainted with truffles, and obtained them from Greece and Africa, especially from the province of Libya, the fungi found there being particularly esteemed for their delicacy and flavour. In modern times, also, the truffle is regarded as the _diamond_ of the kitchen, being highly valued for its capability of exciting the genesiac sense, it being a positive aphrodisiac which disposes men to be exacting and women complying.[122]

The following instance of its effects is given by Brillat Savarin,[123]

to whom the circ.u.mstances were communicated, in confidence, by the lady who was the subject of them:

"Je soupai," says she, "un jour chez moi en trio avec mon mari et un de ses amis dont le nom etait V----. C'etait un beau garcon et ne manquant pas d'esprit et venait souvent chez moi, mais il ne m'avait jamais rien dit qui put le faire regarder comme mon amant, et s'il me fesait la cour, c'etait d'une maniere si enveloppee qu'il n'y avait qu'une sotte qui eut pu s'en facher. Il paraissait, ce jour la, destine a me tenir compagnie pendant le reste de la soiree, car mon mari avait un rendezvous et devait nous quitter bientot. Notre souper avait pour base une pet.i.te volaill truffee. Les truffes etaient delicieuses, et quoique je les aime beaucoup, je me contins, non.o.bstant; je ne bus aussi qu'un seul verre de Champagne, ayant quelque pressentiment que la soiree ne se pa.s.serait pas sans evenement. Bientot mon mari part.i.t et me laissa seule avec V---- qu'il regardait comme tout a fait sans consequence. La conversation roula d'abord sur des sujets indifferents, mais elle ne tarda pas a prendre une tournure plus serieuse et plus interessante. V---- fut successivement flatteur, expansif, affectueux, caressant, et voyant que je ne faisais que plaisanter de tant de belles choses, il devint si pressant que je ne pus plus me tromper de ses pretensions.

Alors, je me reveillai comme d'une songe et me defendis avec autant plus de franchise que mon cur ne me disait rien pour lui. Il persistait avec une action que pouvait devenir tout a fait offensante; j'eus beaucoup de peine de la remener, et j'avone, a ma honte, que toute esperance ne lui serait pas interdite. Enfin, il me quitta, j'allai me coucher et dormis tout d'un somme. Mais le lendemain fut le jour du jugement; j'examinai ma conduite de la veille, et je la trouvai reprehensible. J'aurais du arreter V---- des les premieres phrases, et ne pas me preter a une conversation qui ne presageait rien de bon. Ma fierte aurait du sonner, crier, me facher, faire, enfin, tout ce que je ne fis pas.

Que vous dirai je, Monsieur, je mis tout cela sur le compte des truffes, et je suis reelement persuadee qu'elles m'avaient donne une predisposition dangereuse, et si je n'y renonce pas (ce qui eut ete trop rigoureux) du moins je n'en mange jamais sans que le plaisir qu'elles me causent ne soit mele d'un peu de defiance."

The mushroom was also equally well known as the truffle to the ancient Romans for its aphrodisiacal qualities. Thus, Martial says:

"Quum sit a.n.u.s conjux et sint tibi mortua membra, Nil aliud _bulbis_ quam sater esse potes."[124]

"If envious age relax the nuptial knot, Thy food be mushrooms, and thy feast shalot."

This bulb was believed by the ancients to be so decided a stimulant, that it was always served up, together with pepper and pine-nuts, at the wedding dinner.

An immoderate use of chocolate was, in the 17th century, considered so powerful an aphrodisiac that Jean Franco Raucher strenuously enforced the necessity of forbidding the monks to drink it, adding that if such an interdiction had been laid upon it at an earlier period, the scandal with which that sacred order had been a.s.sailed would have been prevented. It is a singular fact that, fearful of losing their character, or, what, perhaps, was dearer to them, their chocolate, the worthy cen.o.bites were so diligent in suppressing Raucher's work that four copies only of it are said to be in existence.

The history of the middle ages abounds with complaints of the lubricity, gluttony, and drunkenness of the monks, vices which are described as being their ruin, in the fallowing pithy distich:

"Sunt tria nigrorum quae vestant res monachorum, Renes et venter et pocula sumpta frequenter."[125]

"Three things to ruin monks combine-- Venery, gluttony, and wine."

A monk who was a great enemy to adultery, was one day preaching against it, and grew so warm in his argument, and took so much pains to convince his congregation of his own abhorrence of it, that at last he broke out in the following solemn declaration:

"Yea, my brethren, I had rather, for the good of my soul, have to do with ten maids every month, than, in ten years, to touch one married woman!"

The celebrity they acquired in the field of Venus may readily be imagined from a quatrain that was affixed in a conspicuous part of the Church of St. Hyacinthe, and which runs thus:

"Femmes qui desirez de devenir enceinte Addressez cy vos vux au grand Saint Hyacinthe, Et tout ce que pour vous le Saint ne pourra faire _Les moines de ceans pourront y satisfaire_.[126]

"You ladies who for pregnancy do wish To great St. Hyacinthe your prayers apply, And what his Saints.h.i.+p cannot accomplish _The monks within will surely satisfy_."

It would have been well had these holy men been contented with these, comparatively, venial indulgences. The following macaronic epigram, however, shows that they were but too much addicted to the _Amour Socratique_:

"Let a friar of some order tec.u.m pernoctare Either thy wife or thy daughter hic vult violare, Or thy son he will prefer, sicut fortem fortis, G.o.d give such a friar pain in Inferni portis."[127]

But the open violation of their monastic vows, especially that of chast.i.ty, sometimes subjected monks to very severe punishment, a singular instance of which is recorded by Thevet,[128] who, on account of the inimitable quaintness of his language and style, must be allowed to tell his own story:

"Phillippus Bourgoin, grad prieur de l'Abbaye de Cluny, voyant l'insolence, ribleres et puta.s.series que menoient certains religieux de l'abbaye de Cluny les fist appeller particulierement, leur demonstra le tort qu'ilz se faisoient et a la sainctete de leur ordre, et appercevant qu'ilz continuoient leur train, en pleine voute ou a.s.semblee, qu'ils font en leur chapitre, leur denonca, pu'estat en son oratoire Sainct Hugues s'estoit apparu a luy, le chargeant de leur fair entendre qu'ilz amenda.s.sent leur vie, ou autremet, qu'ilz tomberoient en son indignation, les ayant en telle verdeure envoya querir des maistres operateurs secretment en son logis et mada querir une nuict tous les plus mauvais garcons de Moynes, les uns apres les autres, qui n'estaient plutot entrez au logis du Prieur qu'o leur badoit les yeux, et apres _les maistres leurs nettiet bragardement_ leurs _pet.i.tes boursettes_ de ce qui les faisoit hennir apres leurs voluptez et apres les renvoiet en leurs chambres, _plus legiers de deux grains qu'ilz n'etoiet auparavant, les ayant chapponez_. Apres telle execution le bruict courut qu'o avoit veu Sainct Hugues se pourmeant pres de l'enfermerie de l'abbaye, qui fist croire aux pauvres Moynes hongres, que par adresse autre qu'humaine, ils avoiet _ainsi este estropiez_ de leur virilite."

To these poor monks may, however, be applied the sly remark of Hume, upon a similar act of cruelty perpetuated, though for a far more innocent cause, by Geoffry, the father of Henry II., upon the prior and chapter of Seez in Normandy, viz., that "of the pain and danger they might justly complain, yet, since they had vowed chast.i.ty, he deprived them of a superfluous treasure."[129]

If the properties of ambergris be less potent than those of phosphorus, they are certainly less fatal. According to Boswell,[130] three grains of the former suffice to produce a marked acceleration of the pulse, a considerable development of muscular strength, a greater activity in the intellectual faculties, and a disposition to cheerfulness and venereal desires. The same author also says that it is a medicine which can, for a short time, restore an effete old man to juvenility.[131] The ancients reposed great confidence in the virtues of this drug, employing it as a renovator of the vital powers and of the organs, whose energy had been exhausted by age or by excess; and throughout the East this perfume still maintains a reputation for life-preserving qualities.

Madame Du Barry,[132] the infamous mistress of Louis XV., is reported to have availed herself of its aphrodisiacal qualities in order to stimulate the jaded appet.i.tes of her royal paramour. "L'attachement du roi pour Madame Du Barry[133] lui est venu des efforts prodigieux qu'elle lui fit faire au moyen d'un bapteme (lavement) ambre dont elle se parfuma interieurement tous les jours. On ajoute qu'elle joignit a cela un secret dont on ne se sert pas encore en bonne societe."

Piquant as is this anecdote, the key to it is equally so. "Les mouches cantarides, i diabolini l'essence de giroflee, les baptemes ambres, etc., sont des inventions de notre siecle dont la debilite eut ete incurable sans ces secours, l'auteur ne peut rendre le _secret de la mauvaise societe_, dont se sert la Comtesse, sans blesser la bonne, tout ce qu'il peut dire decemment est que ce secret est un diminutif des erreurs philosophiques."[134]

The old pharmacopia are amply furnished with formula of which amber const.i.tutes the base. These recipes are generally designated by names which, to a certain extent, indicate the particular use to which they are destined by their makers; thus, France formerly boasted her "_Tablettes de Magnanimite_," or "_Electuaire Satyrion_," and "_Un poudre de joie_." Troches, or odoriferous lozenges, to which the ancients gave the pretty name of "_Avunculae Cypriae_," were, and perhaps are still, sold in Paris under that of "_Seraglio Pastilles_." Ambergris forms the basis of these, as it also does of the Indian pastilles called "Cachunde," and which were equally in repute. Zactus Lusita.n.u.s[135]

states that they were composed of bole Tuccinum, musk, ambergris, aloes-wood, red and yellow sanders (pterocarpus santalinus) mastic, sweet-flag (calamus aromaticus) galanga, cinnamon, rhubarb, Indian myrobalon, absynth, and of some pounded precious stones, which, however, impart no additional quality to the composition. Speaking of this composition, the Encyclopdia Perthensis describes it as "a medicine highly celebrated among the Chinese and Indians; it is composed of ambergris and several other aromatic ingredients, perfumes, medicinal earths, and precious stones. It imparts a sweetness to the breath, is a valuable medicine in all nervous complaints, and is esteemed as a prolonger of life and _an exciter to venery_."[136]

Riviere[137] gives us the following formula for a potion whose virtue is indisputable. "Take of amber, half a drachm; musk, two scruples; aloes, one drachm and a half; pound them all together, pour upon the ma.s.s a sufficient quant.i.ty of spirits of wine so that the liquor may cover it to the height of about five fingers' breadth; expose it to sand heat, filter and distil it, close it hermetically, and administer it in broth in the dose of three or five drops. This liquor is also advantageous when mixed with syrup, prepared as follows:--Take of cinnamon water, four ounces; orange and rose water, each six ounces, and sugar candy q.s.

Musk taken internally is said by many physicians to be almost equal to ambergris for its aphrodisiacal qualities. Externally applied, this substance produces very singular phenomena. Borelli details the case of a man "qui s'etant frotte le p.e.n.i.s avec du musc avant de se livrer a l'exercise des fonctions genitales, resta uni avec sa femme sans pouvoir s'en separer. Il fallait, dans cette position lui donner une quant.i.te de lavements afin de ramoller les parties qui s'etaient extraordinairement tumifiees."[138] Diermerbreek and Schurigius gave similar instances. The effects of musk are, therefore, almost equal to those produced by certain plants, as recorded by Theophrastus: "Esse herbas quae vel ad _s.e.xagesimum coitum_ vim praestant sed at demum secernitur sanguis."[139] Weickard says that by means of this drug he resuscitated the genital power in a man who had nearly completed his eightieth year.

But, of all aphrodisiacs, the most certain and terrible in its effects are cantharides, commonly known as Spanish flies. That they exercise a powerful and energetic action upon the organization and stimulate, to the utmost, the venereal desire, is but too true. The effects, however, which these insects, when applied as a blister upon the skin, are known to produce, are insignificant when compared with their intense action upon the stomach when taken internally; nor is it the stomach only which is affected by them: the bladder experiences an irritation exceeding even that caused by the severest strangury. To these succeed perforation of the stomach, ulcers throughout the entire length of the intestinal ca.n.a.l, dysentery, and, lastly, death in the midst of intolerable agonies. Medical works abound with observations concerning the fatal effects of cantharides when unduly administered, whether from ignorance or for exciting the venereal appet.i.te. The two following cases are recorded by Pabrol in his "Observations Anatomiques":

"En 1752 nous fumes visiter un pauvre homme d'Organ en Provence atteint du plus horrible satyriasis qu'on saurait voir et penser. Le fait est tel. Il avait les quartes, pour en guerir prend conseil d'une sorciere, laquelle lui fait une potion d'une once de s.e.m.e.nces d'orties, de deux drachmes de cantharides, d'une drachme et demi de caboule et autres, ce qui le rendit si furieux a l'acte venerien que sa femme nous jura son Dieu, _qu'il l'avait chevauchee, dans deux mois, quatre vingt sept fois, sans y comprendre plus de dix fois qu'il s'etait_ corrompu lui-meme. Dans le temps que nous consultions, le pauvre homme spermatisa trois fois a notre presence, embra.s.sa le pied du lit, et agitant contre lui comme si c'eust ete sa femme. Ce spectacle nous etonn et nous hata a lui faire des remedes pour abattre cette furieusse chaleur, mais quel remede qu'on lui eust faire, se pa.s.sa-t-il le pas."

"Un medecin a Orange, nomme Chauvel avait ete appelle en 1758 a Caderousse, pet.i.te ville proche de sa residence, pour voir un homme atteint d'une maladie du meme genre. A l'entree de la maison il trouve la femme du dit malade, laquelle se plaignit a lui de la furieuse lubricite de son mari, _qui l'avait chevauchee quarante fois pour une nuit_, et avait toutes les parties gonflees, etant contrainte les lui montrer afin qu'il lui ordonnast les remedes pour abattre l'inflammation. Le mal du mari etant venu d'un breuvage semblable a l'autre que lui fut donne par une femme qui gardait l'hopital, pour guerir la fievre tierce qui l'affligeoit, de laquelle il tomba dans une telle fureur qu'il fallait l'attacher comme s'il eust ete possede du diable. Le vicaire du lieu fut present, pour l'exhorter a la presence meme du Sieur Chauvel, lesquels il priait le laisser mourir avec le plaisir, les femmes le plierent dans un linsseuil mouille en eau et en vinaigre, ou il fut la.s.se jusqu'au le lendemain qu'elles allaient le visiter, mais sa furieuse chaleur fut bien abattue et eteinte, car elles le trouverent roid mort, la bouche beante, montrant les dents, et son membre gangrene."

Pare also relates that a courtezan, having sprinkled the meat given by her to one of her lovers, with pounded cantharides, the wretched youth was seized with a violent priapism and loss of blood at the a.n.u.s, of which he died.

Ferdinand the Catholic, of Castile, owed his death to the effects of a philter administered to him by his queen, Germaine de Foix, in the hope of enabling him to beget an heir to the crowns of Aragon, Navarre, and Naples. "Plusieurs dames," says Mignot,[140] "attachees a la Reine, lui indiquerent un breuvage qu'il fallait, disoit on donner a Ferdinand pour ranimer ses forces. Cette princese fit composer ce remede, sous ses yeux, et le presenta au roi qui desirait, plus qu'elle, d'avoir un fils.

Depuis ce jour, la sante de Ferdinand s'affaiblit, au point qu'il ne la recouvra jamais."

The life of the celebrated Wallenstein, one of the heroes of the "Thirty Years' war," was far a long time endangered from the effects of a potion administered to him by his countess. "De retour dans sa patrie, il (Wallenstein) sut inspirer une vive pa.s.sion a une riche veuve de la famille de Wiezkova, et eut l'adresse de se faire prefere a des rivaux d'un rang plus eleve; mais cette union fut troublee par l'extreme jalousie de sa femme; ou pretend meme qu'elle fit usage de philtres que penserent compromettre le sante de son mari."[141]

Cardinal Dubois,[142] the favourite and minister of Philip Duke of Orleans, Regent of France, during the minority of Louis XV., gives the following amusing account of a love potion, to the powerful effects of which he considered himself indebted for his existence. "An old bachelor, of Brivas, had engaged to marry a young lady of only sixteen years of age. The night before the wedding he a.s.sembled the wise heads of his family for the purpose of consulting upon the best means of enabling him to perform his part creditably in the approaching amorous conflict. Opinions were divided; some maintained that nature was adequate to the occasion at any age, while others recommended a certain preparation in the Pharmacopeia, which would amply supply the defect of youth in a s.e.xaginary husband. The old gentleman chose, without hesitation, the surest and speediest of these two chances of success.

The prescription was sent to the shop of my worthy father, who was an apothecary in the town, and he accordingly immediately set to work, and made up a draught which would have awakened desire even in Methusaleh himself. This valuable philter was not to be sent to the party till the next day. It was late, and my mother," continues the Cardinal, "desired her husband to retire to rest and he, tired with his day's work, quickly undressed himself, blew out his candle, and deposited himself, like a loving husband, by the side of his dear spouse. Awakening in the middle of the night, he complained of being excessively thirsty, and his better half, roused from her slumbers, got up in the dark, and groping about for something wherewith to quench his thirst, her hand encountered the invigorating philter, which it truly proved to be, for I came into the world precisely nine months after that memorable night."[143]

Although love-potions and philters, as well as the other preparations had recourse to, for animating and arousing the organs for reproduction frequently owe, as we have shewn, their advantages to cantharides, and are, but too often productive of terrible effects, yet it cannot be denied that when administered by a skilful, cautious, and experienced physician, they have restored the desired vigour when all other means have failed.

The flesh of the Schinck (scincus), an amphibious animal of the lizard species, and sometimes of the land lizard, or crocodile, is said, when reduced to powder and drunk with sweet wine, to act miraculously in exciting the venereal action; it is also prepared for the same object in the form of the electuary known by the name of Diasatyrion. aelius recommends that in order to cause the erection of the virile organ, the flesh of this animal should be taken from the vicinity of its genital apparatus.[144] It is a well known fact that the Egyptian peasants carried their lizards to Cairo, whence they were forwarded, _via_ Alexandria, to Venice and Ma.r.s.eilles. This species of lizard, which feeds upon aromatic plants, was also used as an aphrodisiac by the Arabs, and the well known anti-poisonous quality of its flesh had caused it, in more ancient times, to be employed as an ingredient in the far-famed Mithridates, or antidote to poison. Browne informs us[145]

"that in Africa, no part of the Materia Medica is so much in requisition as those which stimulate to venereal pleasure. The _Lacerta scincus_ in powder, and a thousand other articles of the same kind, are in continual demand." The plant Chervri (_sandix ceropolium_) is also accounted as capable of exciting amorous propensities, so much so that Tiberius, the Roman emperor, the most lascivious, perhaps, of men, is said to have exacted a certain quant.i.ty of it from the Germans, by way of tribute, for the purpose of rendering himself vigorous with his women and catamites; and Venette says that the Swedish ladies give it to their husbands when they find them flag in their matrimonial duties.[146]

But it was upon the plant called Satyrion (_orchis mascula_) that those who required aphrodisiacal remedies rested their most sanguine hopes.

This plant, Theophrastus a.s.sures us, possesses so wonderful a property of exciting venery that a mere application of it to the parts of generation will enable a man to accomplish the act of love twelve times successively. Speaking of this plant, Venette[147] says that the herb which the Indian King Androphyl sent to King Antiochus was that it was so efficacious in exciting men to amorous enjoyment as to surpa.s.s in that quality, all other plants, the Indian who was the bearer of it a.s.suring the king "qu'elle lui avait donne de la vigueur pour soixante dix embra.s.s.e.m.e.nts," but he owned "qu'aux derniers efforts ce qu'il rendait n'etait plus de s.e.m.e.nce."

Matthoile, however, observing that those persons who made use of it did not appear much given to lasciviousness, concluded that we had lost the true satyrion of the ancients; but, it is nevertheless certain, notwithstanding so adverse an opinion, that this plant long preserved its reputation, and was recommended by all botanists for its aphrodisiac potency. Of all the species of this plant the one popularly known as dog-stones is reputed to possess the greatest virtue.

The Turks have also their Satyrion (_orchis morio_), which grows upon the mountains near Constantinople, and which they make use of to repair their strength, and stimulate them to the generative act. From this root is made the salep of which the inhabitants of Turkey, Persia, and Syria, are extremely fond, being looked upon as one of the greatest restoratives and provocatives to venery in the whole vegetable world.

But besides the aphrodisiacal qualities attributed to this plant by the above people, they give it credit for other ones, which good opinion experience has confirmed, and therefore whenever they undertake a long voyage, they never omit to carry it with them as a specific against all diseases. Modern pract.i.tioners likewise commend its restorative, mucilaginous and demulcent qualities as rendering it of considerable utility, particularly in sea scurvy, diarrha, dysentery, and stone or gravel. In addition to this property, salep also possesses the very singular one of concealing the taste of sea water, hence to prevent the dreadful calamity of peris.h.i.+ng by thirst at sea it has been proposed that the powder of this plant should form part of the provisions of every s.h.i.+p's company.

Borax is likewise considered to possess peculiar aphrodisiacal qualities. "Il penetre," says Venette, "toutes les parties de notre corps et ouvre tous les vaisseaux, et par la tenuite de sa substance, _il conduit aux parties genitales_ tout ce qui est capable de nous servir de matiere a la s.e.m.e.nce."[148]

The plant Rocket (_Brasica eruca_) has likewise been especially celebrated by the ancient poets for possessing the virtue of restoring vigour to the s.e.xual organs, on which account it was consecrated to and sown around, the statue of Priapus; thus Columella says:--