FIRST APPEARANCE OF HOMOSEXUAL INSTINCT.—­Out of 72 cases, in 8 the instinct veered round to the same sex in adult age or at all events after puberty; in 3 of these there had been a love-disappointment with a woman; no other cause than this can be assigned for the transition; but it is noteworthy that in at least 2 of these cases the sexual instinct is undeveloped or morbidly weak, while a third individual is of somewhat weak physique, and another has long been in delicate health.  In a further case, also somewhat morbid, the development was rather more complicated.

In 64 cases, or in a proportion of 88 per cent., the abnormal instinct began in early life, without previous attraction to the opposite sex.[185] In 27 of these it dates from about puberty, usually beginning at school.  In 39 cases the tendency began before puberty, between the ages of 5 and 11, usually between 7 and 9, sometimes as early as the subject can remember.  It must not be supposed that, in these numerous cases of the early appearance of homosexuality, the manifestations were of a specifically physical character, although erections are noted in a few cases.  For the most part sexual manifestations at this early age, whether homosexual or heterosexual, are purely psychic.[186]

SEXUAL PRECOCITY AND HYPERESTHESIA.—­It is a fact of considerable interest and significance that in so large a number of my cases there was distinct precocity of the sexual emotions, both on the physical and psychic sides.  There can be little doubt that, as many previous observers have found, inversion tends strongly to be associated with sexual precocity.  I think it may further be said that sexual precocity tends to encourage the inverted habit where it exists.  Why this should be so is obvious, if we believe—­as there is some reason for believing—­that at an early age the sexual instinct is comparatively undifferentiated in its manifestations.  The precocious accentuation of the sexual impulse leads to definite crystallization of the emotions at a premature stage.  It must be added that precocious sexual energy is likely to remain feeble, and that a feeble sexual energy adapts itself more easily to homosexual relationships, in which there is no definite act to be accomplished, than to normal relationships.  It is difficult to say how many of my cases exhibit sexual weakness.  In 6 or 7 it is evident, and it may be suspected in many others, especially in those who are, and often describe themselves as, “sensitive” or “nervous,” as well as in those whose sexual development was very late.  In many cases there is marked hyperesthesia, or irritable weakness.  Hyperesthesia simulates strength, and, while there can be little doubt that some sexual inverts (and more especially bisexuals) do possess unusual sexual energy, in others it is but apparent; the frequent repetition of seminal emissions, for example, may be the result of weakness as well as of strength.  It must be added that this irritability of the sexual centers is, in a considerable proportion of inverts, associated with marked emotional tendencies to affection and self-sacrifice.  In the extravagance of his affection and devotion, it has been frequently observed, the male invert resembles many normal women.