Written around the turn of the 14th century, the Italian medical text Breviarium Practice suggests that flatulence is the cause of lustful behaviour among members of the clergy, particularly monks:

“In different monasteries and religious places, one comes across numerous men who, sworn to chastity, are often tempted by Satan. The principal cause for this is that every day they eat food that leads to flatulence. This increases their desire for coitus and stiffens their member. That is why this passion is called satyriasis.”

The belief that male erections were fueled by ‘hot winds’ emanating from the bowels was quite common in the late Middle Ages.

Source: Cited in Opera Arnaldi de Villanova, 1504. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use or contact Alpha History.