Krafft-Ebing regarded shoe-fetichism as, in large measure, a more or less latent form of masochism, the foot or the shoe being the symbol of the subjection and humiliation which the masochist feels in the presence of the beloved object.  Moll is also inclined to accept such a connection.

“The very numerous class of boot-and-shoe-fetichists,” Krafft-Ebing wrote, “forms the transition to the manifestations of another independent perversion, i.e., fetichism itself; but it stands in closer relationship to the former....  It is highly probable, and shown by a correct classification of the observed cases, that the majority, and perhaps all of the cases of shoe-fetichism, rest upon a basis of more or less conscious masochistic desire for self-humiliation....  The majority or all may be looked upon as instances of latent masochism (the motive remaining unconscious) in which the female foot or shoe, as the masochist’s fetich, has acquired an independent significance.” (Psychopathia Sexualis, English translation of tenth edition, pp. 159, et seq.) “Though Krafft-Ebing may not have cleared up the whole matter,” Moll remarks, “I regard his deductions concerning the connection of foot-and-shoe fetichism to masochism as the most important progress that has been made in the theoretic study of sexual perversions....  In any case, the connection is very frequent.” (Kontraere Sexualempfindung, third edition, p. 306.)

It is quite easy to see that this supposed identity of masochism and foot-fetichism forms a seductive theory.  It is also undoubtedly true that a masochist may very easily be inclined to find in his mistress’s foot an aid to the ecstatic self-abnegation which he desires to attain.[20] But only confusion is attained by any general attempt to amalgamate masochism and foot-fetichism.  In the broad sense in which erotic symbolism is here understood, both masochism and foot-fetichism may be cooerdinated as symbolisms; for the masochist his self-humiliating impulses are the symbol of ecstatic adoration; for the foot-fetichist his mistress’s foot or shoe is the concentrated symbol of all that is most beautiful and elegant and feminine in her personality.  But if in this sense they are cooerdinated, they remain entirely distinct and have not even any necessary tendency to become merged.  Masochism merely simulates foot-fetichism; for the masochist the boot is not strictly a symbol, it is only an instrument which enables him to carry out his impulse; the true sexual symbol for him is not the boot, but the emotion of self-subjection.  For the foot-fetichist, on the other hand, the foot or the shoe is not a mere instrument, but a true symbol; the focus of his worship, an idealized object which he is content to contemplate or reverently touch.  He has no necessary impulse to any self-degrading action, nor any constant emotion of subjection.  It may be noted that in the very typical case of foot-fetichism which is presented