He can inspect the Historical Cabinet, which includes a segment of Napoleon’s intestine—now believed to be perfectly genuine—a chastity belt, the mummy of the first Mrs. Van Butchell, and pieces of the skin of England's foes once nailed to the doors of parish churches.

[…] the custom [of female infibulation], I think, does not appear in Greek or Roman life, and the virgin girdles of antiquity have nothing in common with the chastity belts, although certain of the customs clustering around the use of these sashes suggest ideas allied to the notion of a forcible closure of the private parts.

There can be little doubt that the imposition of chastity belts upon women in order to allay masculine jealousy, and the operation of infibulation upon male slaves by their mistresses for the sake of lust, are two of the most remarkable customs ever devised by mankind in its efforts to control the intricacies of the erotic life.

Chastity belt

Meaning

Noun