both sexes,--since a
certain amount of association between the sexes helps to preserve the
healthiness of the sexual emotional attitude. Association between the
sexes will not, of course, prevent the development of congenital
inversion. In this connection it is pointed out by Bethe that it was
precisely in Sparta and Lesbos, where homosexuality was most ideally
cultivated, that the sexes, so far as we know, associated more freely than
in any other Greek State.[247]

The question of the treatment of homosexuality must be approached with
discrimination, caution, and skepticism. Nowadays we can have but little
sympathy with those who, at all costs, are prepared to "cure" the invert.
There is no sound method of cure in radical cases.

At one time the seemingly very radical method of castration was advocated
and occasionally carried out, as in a case I have recorded in a previous
chapter (History XXVI). Like all methods of treatment, it is sometimes
believed to have been successful by those who carried it out. Usually,
after a short period, it is found to be unsuccessful, and in some cases
the condition, especially the mental condition, is rendered worse. It is
not difficult to understand why this should be. Sexual inversion, is not a
localized genital condition. It is a diffused condition, and firmly
imprinted on the whole psychic state. There may be reasons for castration,
or the slighter operation of vasectomy, but, although sexual tension may
be thereby diminished, no authority now believes that any such operation
will affect the actual inversion. Castration of the body in adult age
cannot be expected to produce castration of the mind. Moll, Fere, Naecke,
Bloch, Rohleder, Hirschfeld, are all either opposed to castration for
inversion, or very doubtful as to any beneficial results.

In a case communicated to me by Dr. Shufeldt, an invert had
himself castrated at the age of 26 to diminish sexual desire,
make himself more like a woman, and to stop growth of beard. "But
the only apparent physical effect," he wrote, "was to increase my
weight 10 per cent., and render me a semi-invalid for the rest
of my life. After two years my sexuality decreased, but that may
have been due to satiety or to advancing years. I was also
rendered more easily irritated over trifles and more revengeful.
Terrible criminal auto-suggestions came into my head, never
experienced before." Fere (_Revue de Chiru