ABSTRACT
Sadism and masochism were unknown medical terms until the late nineteenth century, when
the psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing introduced these labels to refer to the very parti-
cular, and indeed sometimes quite peculiar, behaviors of some of his patients. Later still,
Freud (1905) brought the terms together to produce the label of sadomasochism, which
remains in widespread use today to describe sexual activity involving bondage and/or the
infliction or receipt of pain or humiliation: a sadist preferring to bind the other, inflict pain
and/or humiliation, whilst a masochist preferring to be bound, receive pain and/or humi-
liation. These acts of description had a much more profound impact than simply drawing
public attention to behaviors that have been known for many hundreds of years, however.
For with recognition by the medical profession, the people engaged in these practices were
at once demonized and subject to the control of the state through the twin arms of the
medical and legal professions. Of course, some of the behaviors described by Krafft-Ebing
and Freud were non-consensual acts of violence, perpetrated on unwilling victims. But
others were not, instead being fully consensual acts sought out for the pleasure they afforded.
This crucial distinction remains at the heart of the dispute over the legitimacy of sadomasochism
as a sexual practice/identity that may be pursued by consenting adults.
