psychophor

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ, “soul”) From New Latin -phorus, from Ancient Greek -φόρος (-phóros, “bearing”), a derivative of φέρω (phérō, “to bear, to carry”).

Noun

psychophor (uncountable)

1. (historical) A metal device that sits against the prostate and perineum, through which cold water is run, used to treat impotence and excessive masturbation.
   • 1892, Charles Loomis Dana, Text-book of nervous diseases, page 459:

     Locally cold-steel sounds may be introduced and allowed to remain for ten minutes three or more times a week, or the psychophor or Ultzman's short catheter may be used.

   • 1906, Dr. C. W. Allen, “Impotency in the Male”, in New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, page 878:

     Occasionally the use of Winternitz's psychophor or cooling sound may be useful. This is particularly likely to be so if there is any neuralgia associated with the hyperesthesia. Injections of cold water into the urethra are sometimes a benefit, but in cases where this is thought to be useful the psychophor is to be perferred, for in addition to the cooling influence produced by the water circulating through the sound, we have its mechanical influence the same as with an ordinary bougie, and its cooling effects can be regulated according to the duration of the application from a stimulating effect when very short to a depressing or antiphlogistic action if longer continued.