determine the psychological character of the perversion. Krafft-Ebing
believed that the desire to be trodden on, very frequently experienced by
masochists, is absolutely symptomatic of masochism.[22] This is scarcely
the case. The desire to be trodden on may be fundamentally an erotic
symbolism, closely approaching foot-fetichism, and such slight indications
of masochism as appear may be merely a parasitic growth on the symbolism,
a growth perhaps more suggested by the circumstances involved in the
gratification of the abnormal desire than inherent in the innate impulse
of the subject. This may be illustrated by the interesting case of a very
intelligent man with whom I am well acquainted.

C.P., aged 38. Heredity good. Parents both healthy and normal.
Several children of the marriage, all sexually normal so far as
is known. C.P. is the youngest of the family and separated from
the others by an interval of many years. He was a seven-months'
child. He has always enjoyed good health and is active and
vigorous, both mentally and physically.

From the age of 9 or 10 to 14 he masturbated occasionally for the
sake of physical relief, having discovered the act for himself.
He was, however, quite innocent and knew nothing of sexual
matters, never having been initiated either by servants or by
other boys.

"When I encounter a woman who very strongly attracts me and whom
I very greatly admire," he writes, "my desire is never that I may
have sexual connection with her in the ordinary sense, but that I
may lie down upon the floor on my back and be trampled upon by
her. This curious desire is seldom present unless the object of
my admiration is really a lady, and of fine proportions. She must