***In Gratian’s Decretum, published in 1140, impotence was declared grounds for annulment. Nearly all clerics agreed that nonfunctioning husbands had to be examined. In the “cold water” test, a man’s penis was submerged in ice water after which the veins in his scrotum were checked for constriction. Even more humiliating was a test in which an examiner known as an “honest woman” bared her breasts before the accused man, kissed and fondled him, stroked his penis, and did whatever else she thought might entice an erection. This was typically done in the presence of the man’s wife and priest.
Priest Lie Detector found here
According to the Chirugia Magna, a couple had to lie together on successive days in the presence of a matron used to such procedures. The matron had to administer spices and aromatics, comfort and anoint them with warm oils, massage them near the fire, order them to talk to each other and embrace.
“Ooh Matron” found here
In Book 6 of the Viatacum, Constantinus Africanus recommended this stimulating potion for those in need
“Take the brains of 30 male sparrows and steep them for a very long time in a glass pot; take an equal amount of the grease surrounding the kidneys of a freshly killed billy goat, dissolve it on the fire, add the brains and as much honey as needed, mix it in the dish and cook until it becomes hard. Make it into pills like filberts and give one before intercourse.”
(This advice came from a monk who believed that an erect penis was filled with air not blood)
*** extract from “A Mind of its Own” by David M. Friedman
















































