Probably the most prolific cause of sexual hyperesthesia, and the overt sexual acts of which it is so productive, is chronic alcoholism. Almost all the cases contributed by Lentz,1 Trilat,* Magnan,* Em-minghaus,4 and Krafft-Ebing ,* to the records of sexual psychopathology, have this, either as a primary or secondary condition. The overt sexual acts resulting from distinct cerebral neuroses, such as dementia, senilis and paralytica, are necessarily as rare as the lesions themselves; but the priapism, and trithisme general, which are induced by prolonged stimulation of the sexual-center, are as common provocatives of sexual crime as drinking itself is common as a custom. Fortunately, however, the law is so definitely framed, with regard to drunkenness, as a defence in criminal prosecutions, as to require little comment here. It has been repeatedly ruled to be an entirely compatible concomitant of criminal intent in all cases, but more especially in those of a sexual nature, so that it may be properly dismissed from any extended medico-legal consideration in the present connection.

1 It must be admitted, however, in strict justice to the learned jurist, that legal Opinion has acquitted him of deliberate intent in the statement, viewing it in the light of a Bimple mistake. Vid. Eng. and Am. Encyclop. of Law, Art. "Rape." Comp.. also, Hale, Anon., 12 Coke 37; and i Hale's C. P. 628.