Crazy Like Charlie Sheen

Last week, a friend of mine gave me a short story to read. The title is Hysteria, written by Eva Gale. I have no idea who the writer is, so I don’t have a clue of what it’s about. Of course, the title being Hysteria, I immediately assume it’s going to be about a crazy girl screaming that she’s seen her dead grandmother (or the frozen face of Joan Rivers floating ala Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland) sulking around the house. Imagine my surprise when I found that it’s about a girl who goes to a doctor to get her monthly ‘treatment’ for ‘hysteria’. The treatment in question basically involves the attending doctor to stimulate orgasm in the patient. Using their hands. Done. Hahaha. At first I was like, “Hoi kawan aku ni bagi erotica short story ke kat aku? Ingat aku pervert ke?” (Defensive org lain tau aku pervert). But then towards the end it is mentioned that back in the 19^th century orgasm was thought as the actual cure for hysteria among women. 

Yes, only women get hysterical apparently (sexist bastards). Somehow I suspect this was a ploy by the male doctors – they get to grope and touch women’s private parts and get paid. Genius. Disgusting, but genius. But alas, they had the scientific evidence that was not only sufficient enough to back their claim, but also accepted by the society (Gee…I wonder why?). I guess orgasm does calm people down because it essentially satisfies their sexual needs/urges/frustrations. But must it be done that way? Also, did the women really have hysteria? Ntah2 saja. Hoho. 

Scary

I looked it up on the internet and they actually have the advertisements for vibrators back then. How weird is that? I always thought vibrators were invented in 1960s or something. So yeah, I kid you not. Women back then (not in Malaysia la) actually let male doctors touch.them.down.there. They also bought vibrators like they’re toothbrushes, a common routine. I doubt most women who bought them even had hysteria.

This topic makes a great study for feminism in the 19^th century, no?

Even scarier

Did I blow your mind?