Aphrodisiaque externe, ou Traité du fouet et de ses effets sur le physique de l'amour : $b Ouvrage médico-philosophique, suivi d'une dissertation sur tous les moyens capables d'exciter aux plaisirs de l'amour

Written by an anonymous physician, this early modern treatise investigates how external stimuli—particularly the use of a whip—affect the physical sensations associated with love. Drawing on contemporary medical knowledge and philosophical argument, the author balances careful observation with a willingness to question prevailing prudish attitudes. The opening pages set a tone of curiosity, suggesting that even modest pleasures can have measurable effects on the body.

The work is organized into successive chapters: the first describes the immediate physiological reactions to flagellation, the second examines the underlying mechanisms, the third dispels common misconceptions, and the fourth proposes reforms to the punitive practices imposed on children and adolescents. A concluding essay synthesizes these points into a practical guide for healthier, more mindful expressions of desire. Readers gain a window into a period when medical inquiry and moral debate intersected in surprising ways, offering a thoughtful, if controversial, perspective on the relationship between pain, pleasure, and love.