Today’s Mortifying Yet Truly Morbid Fact!
The chastity belt dates back to 1400 when it appeared in Italy under Francesco II from Carrara. It was mostly used in Italy but it quickly spread all over France as well. There have always been three different interpretations about its possible use. Some historians even state that the chastity belt was not at all an instrument aimed at inflicting suffering, but, on the contrary, that it was a device aimed at reducing the risk of rape (for example, during long trips when women could run into rapists).
Because chastity belts were mostly made of precious materials (inlaid silver with engravings), some historians assert that, when men needed to go away for long periods of time, they gave chastity belts as presents to their wife or lover to encourage them to be faithful.
However, the tale of the chastity belt being a mere defense instrument is a disgraceful justification aimed at hiding the nature of a real instrument of torture that was designed and intended for female victims. As an instrument of torture, the chastity belt worked very efficiently progressively inflicting greater pain and damage to the wearer. Even minimal, normal movements would lead to the flesh rubbing against he instrument and causing wounds. These wounds would then fester because of infections due to contact with the victim’s excrement. The logical consequence is that this instrument was used to inflict punishment by mortifying the flesh in those body parts involved in carrying out the alleged crime of adultery or sodomy and, as usual, the torment was automatic, progressive and could be controlled.
Furthermore, the chastity belt could be hidden from the sight of those who were not supposed to see, and served to inflict very harsh psychological torture as well, besides mortifying the flesh.
Culled from: Torture – Inquisition – Death Penalty
Here’s a fancy rich person’s chastity belt:
And here’s the bargain basement poor person’s flesh mortifier:
Aghast!
This ghastly photo is of a shotgun suicide. It’s pretty messy. And it’s culled from Trauma Code : On the Scene with Fire and Rescue
