The physician Julius Rosenbaum has investigated whether the disease known as "Lustseuche" (pleasure disease) existed in antiquity. He analyzes numerous sources, draws parallels to other genital diseases, and questions rituals such as the Venus or phallus cults. Since Rosenbaum also presents the concept of disease in general before focusing on his main topic, his work is not only of interest to medical professionals or medical historians but also offers folklorists and historians an intriguing and unusual perspective on antiquity. This is a carefully edited reprint of the original edition from 1904.