Dr. King's Eclectic Treatment of Nymphomania

Hemlock to be used for Nymphomania. 

Dr. King prescribed for a widow with her chronic self-abuse many herbal remedies. He wrote that the cause of nymphomania could be increased in women by going to theater, balls, or reading indecent literature. Nymphomania was more common in women who were widows, had strong sexual passion, or had been disappointed in love. He goes on to describe two different kinds of nymphomania causes, one from overexcitation in the brain (like from parties, balls, or indecent books and images) or two, from the elongated clitoris, or itching of the genitals, excessive sex with men.

Depending on which was the primary reason for nymphomania, the treatment varied. If it was from masturbation, the treatment was cold hydrotherapy, on top of the head, and sitting in cold baths. If it was from the brain, avoidance of men, balls, and taking certain plant-based compounds. 

 The plant treatment recommended: "The venereal sense may frequently be diminished by the internal administration of the Inspissated Juice of Conium Maculatum, or by freely partaking of an infusion of Sage, of the leaves of Gnaphalium Polycephalum, (white balsam), or the catkins of  Black Willow, (Salix nigra). But the cultivation of moral strength is the best antiaphrodisiac." Dr. King

Harrowing treatment by this eclectic physician and professor, if this did not work, putting poisonous material on the clitoris was also attempted. Nitrate of Silver should be applied and continued for many days. If the local application does not work, or the clitoris is larger than normal, remove the clitoris. Dr. King goes on to say, removing it may stop masturbation but if due to great cerebral excitement, it may not work.