e, in his
case, was not a method of cure, but of psychic hygiene, of what Hirschfeld
would call "adaptation-therapy." There can be no doubt that--even if we
put aside all effort at cure and regard an invert's condition as inborn
and permanent--a large and important field of treatment here still
remains.

As we have seen in the two previous chapters, sexual inversion cannot be
regarded as essentially an insane or psychopathic state.[255] But it is
frequently associated with nervous conditions which may be greatly
benefited by hygiene and treatment, without any attempt at all to overcome
a homosexual attitude which may be too deeply rooted to be changed. The
invert is specially liable to suffer from a high degree of neurasthenia,
often involving much nervous weakness and irritability, loss of
self-control, and genital hyperesthesia.[256] Hirschfeld finds that over
67 per cent. inverts suffer from nervous troubles, and among the cases
dealt with in the present _Study_ (as shown in chapter v) slight nervous
functional disturbances are very common. These are conditions which may be
ameliorated, and they may be treated in much the same way as if no
inversion existed, by physical and mental tonics; or, if necessary,
sedatives; by regulated gymnastics and out-of-door exercises; and by
occupations which employ, without overexerting, the mind. Very great and
permanent benefit may be obtained by a prolonged course of such mental and
physical hygiene; the associated neurasthenic conditions may be largely
removed, with the morbid fears, suspicions, and irritabilities that are
usually part of neurasthenia, and the invert may be brought into a fairly
wholesome and tonic condition of self-control.

The inversion is not thus removed. But if the patient is still young, and
if the perversion does not appear to be deeply rooted in the organism, it
is probable that--provided his own good-will is aiding--general hygienic
measures, together with removal to a favorable environment, may gradually
lead to the development of the normal sexual impulse. If it fails to do
so, it becomes necessary to exercise great caution in recommending
stronger methods. Purely "Platonic association with the other sex," Moll
points out, "leads to better results than any prescribed attempt at
coitus." For even when such attempt is successful, it is not usually
possible to regard the results with much satisfaction. Not only is the
acquisition of the normal instinct