Summary
This extensive medical treatise by Dr. E.
Heinrich Kisch, a prominent 19th-century Austrian gynecologist and professor, explores the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of female sexuality.
It was one of the first detailed attempts in Western medicine to document and analyze the sexual life of women from puberty through old age.
Kisch divides the book into three major aspects:
Physiological – covering anatomy, reproductive cycles, libido, and sexual development.
Pathological – addressing disorders, diseases, and deviations related to sexual function and reproductive health.
Hygienic – offering guidance on maintaining health, proper sexual conduct, and social norms concerning women’s sexuality.
The work is written in a scholarly tone typical of its time and reflects both the medical understanding and the cultural biases of the era, including Victorian attitudes toward morality, gender roles, and female desire.