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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31671-8.txt b/31671-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..00be2e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/31671-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2920 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects, by Henry Newell Guernsey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects + +Author: Henry Newell Guernsey + +Release Date: March 17, 2010 [EBook #31671] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAIN TALKS ON AVOIDED SUBJECTS *** + + + + +Produced by Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + [ Transcriber's Note: + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as + possible, including inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation; + changes (corrections of spelling and punctuation) made to the + original text are listed at the end of this file. + ] + + + + + Plain Talks + on + Avoided Subjects. + + by + + Henry N. Guernsey, M. D., + + Ex-Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the + Homoeopathic Medical College of Penn'a; Ex-Professor of Materia + Medica and Institutes in the Hahnemann Medical College + of Philadelphia and Dean of the Faculty; Author of + Guernsey's Obstetrics, including the Disorders + peculiar to Women and Young Children; + Lectures on Materia Medica, &c. + + Honorary Member of the Hahnemannian Medical Institute of Phila- + delphia; of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New + York; of the Instituto Homeopatico, Mexicano; of the Hahn- + emannian Society of Madris de Tulio, Spain; Member of + the American Institute of Homoeopathy; Consulting + Physician to the West Philadelphia Homoeo- + pathic Hospital for Children, &c. &c. + + + PHILADELPHIA + F. A. DAVIS COMPANY, PUBLISHERS + 1905 + + + + + Copyrighted, 1882, + by + H. N. Guernsey. M. D. + + + + +This little volume is fervently and solemnly dedicated to its Mission. + +Those who conscientiously read and faithfully apply its teachings to +life, cannot fail to become wiser, better and happier members of the +Home circle and of Society at large. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +For many years I have wished that some able pen would place before the +community at large the knowledge contained in the following pages. Some +of this information has appeared from time to time in such books as +"Graham's Lectures on Chastity," "Todd's Students' Manual," and a few +popular works of a similar kind, which have been of immense service to +the human race in preserving chastity and in reclaiming the unchaste. +But all these are now inadequate to the growing demand for more light on +these vital topics. It has been too much the custom for everyone, +parents included, to shrink from instructing their own children, or +those entrusted to their care, on these points; consequently, many young +people _solely from their ignorance_ fall into the direst evils of a +sexual nature and are thereby much injured and sometimes wholly ruined +for life's important duties. + +An experience of forty years in my professional career has afforded me +thousands of opportunities for sympathizing with young men, and young +women too, who had unconsciously sunk into these very evils merely for +want of an able writer to place this whole subject truthfully and +squarely before them, or for some wise friend to perform the same kind +office verbally. The perusal of a work by Wm. Acton, M. R. C. S., of +London, on "The Functions and Disorders of the Reproductive Organs in +Childhood, Youth, Adult Age, and Advanced Life," has, by his purity of +sentiments, which have ever been identical with my own, both inspired +and emboldened me to write a work of similar import. But his is for the +profession while mine is for the profession and the laity, of both sexes +and of any age. May its perusal inspire the readers with a higher +appreciation of the matters herein treated, and with a greater effort to +reformatory measures everywhere. Whenever I advise the consulting of a +"judicious" (a term I use many times) physician, I mean one fully and +practically qualified, both by inherent qualities and education, for the +fullest confidence of his patients. + +I am indebted to my son, Joseph C. Guernsey, M. D., for assistance in +editing and carrying this work through the press. + + Henry N. Guernsey, M. D., + 1423 Chestnut St., Philad'a. + + June, 1882. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER I. + Introductory, 13 + + CHAPTER II. + The Infant, 24 + + CHAPTER III. + Childhood, 27 + + CHAPTER IV. + Adolescence of the Male, 42 + + CHAPTER V. + Adolescence of the Female, 68 + + CHAPTER VI. + Marriage.--The Husband, 84 + + CHAPTER VII. + The Wife, 90 + + CHAPTER VIII. + Husband and Wife, 100 + + CHAPTER IX. + To the Unfortunate, 110 + + CHAPTER X. + Origin of the Sex, 117 + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Introductory. + + +In the creation of the world and all that therein is, we should consider +it an axiom that "Everything was created for use." All individual +substances, or beings, that come to our notice bear certain relations to +one another, have connection one with another, and are dependent upon +and useful to each other; and nothing could possibly exist or subsist +without this co-relation: connection with and use to each other. This is +a law which needs only a little reflection to be accepted as a truth in +every particular--in the greatest as well as in the least created form. +This is more plainly seen in the animal kingdom than in the mineral or +vegetable, because its members associate and finally become conjoined in +pairs. Man and woman, who represent the crown and glory of all created +beings, in whom are embodied all the lower orders, were and are still +created to associate in pairs--each created for the other, the one to +help the other; the two to love and to belong to one another. This +principle, fully carried out, justifies and shows the necessity for the +creation of man and woman precisely as they are, having bodies, parts +and passions, will and understanding. It is my intention in the +following pages to explain the relations existing between the sexes, for +the purpose of showing that the greatest happiness to the human race +will be found in living a life in full accord with these relations. In +order that the subject may be fully understood, let us examine the +physical development of man and woman in detail, particularizing the +different organs of the body as they appear in their order of formation, +from the very inmost or beginning, to the ultimate or end, in their +respective natures. + +Ever since the primal creation of man and woman, the human race has been +perpetuated by a series of births. Children have been conceived in +harmony with the natural order of events, in such matters, and have been +born boys and girls. A boy is a boy to all intents and purposes from his +very conception, from the very earliest moment of his being; begotten by +his father he is a boy in embryo within the ovule of his mother. The +converse is true of the opposite sex. At this very early age of +reproduction the embryo has all the elements of the future man or +woman, mentally and physically, even before any form becomes apparent; +and so small is the human being at the earliest stage of its existence +that no material change is observable between the ovule that contains +the product of conception and a fully developed ovule unimpregnated.[A] + + [A] For fuller particulars see Guernsey's Obstetrics, 3d edition, + pages 79-89, inclusive. + +It is about twelve days after conception before the impregnated ovule, +which undergoes many changes during this time, makes its escape from the +ovary where it became impregnated and enters one of the Fallopian tubes, +thence gradually descending into the cavity of the womb. Here it begins +to mature and become fitted for its birth into the outer world. Soon now +the embryo (for such it is called at this early stage) begins to assume +form. The first indication of formation that it is possible to discover, +even by the help of the microscope, consists of an oblong figure, obtuse +at one extremity, swollen in the middle, blunt-pointed at the other +extremity. The rudimentary embryo is slightly curved forward, is of a +grayish white color, of a gelatinous consistence, from two to four lines +long and weighs one or two grains. A slight depression representing the +neck, enables us to distinguish the head; the body is marked by a +swollen centre, but there are as yet no traces of the extremities. So +much can be observed about the end of the third week after conception. + +At about the _fifth week_ the embryo presents more distinctions. The +head is very large in proportion to the rest of the body, the eyes are +represented by two black spots, and the upper extremities by small +protuberances on the sides of the trunk. The embryo at this stage is +nearly two-thirds of an inch in length and weighs about fifteen grains. +The lower extremities now begin to appear in the shape of two minute +rounded tubercles. Till about this time a straight artery has been +observed to beat with the regularity of the pulse; but now it appears +doubled somewhat into the shape of an adult heart, although as yet it +has but one auricle and one ventricle. As time advances we find the +perfect heart with its two ventricles and two auricles, all developed +from the original straight artery. At this period the lungs appear to +exist in five or six different lobes and we can barely distinguish the +bronchial tubes; about the same time the ears and face are distinctly +outlined, and after awhile the nose is also faintly and imperfectly +perceived. + +At about the _seventh week_ a little bony deposit is found in the lower +jaw. The kidneys now begin to be formed, and a little later the genital +organs. The embryo averages one inch in length. + +At _two months_ the rudiments of the extremities become more prominent. +The forearm and hand can be distinguished but not the arm above the +elbow; the hand is larger than the forearm, but is not supplied with +fingers. The sex cannot yet be determined. The length of the embryo is +from one inch and a half to two inches, and it weighs from three to five +drachms. The eyes are discernible, but still uncovered by the +rudimentary lids. The nose forms an obtuse eminence, the nostrils are +rounded and separated, the mouth is gaping and the epidermis can be +distinguished from the true skin. + +At _ten weeks_ the embryo is from one and a half to two and a half +inches long, and its weight is from one ounce to an ounce and a half, +the eyelids are more developed and descend in front of the eyes; the +mouth begins to be closed by the development of the lips. The walls of +the chest are more completely formed, so that it is no longer possible +to see the movements of the heart. The fingers become distinct and the +toes appear as small projections webbed together like a frog's foot. At +about this period the sexual organs show their development as follows: +On each side of the urinary locality an oblong fold becomes +distinguishable; in course of progress if these folds remain separate, a +little tubercle forms in the anterior commissure which becomes the +clitoris; the nymphæ develop, the urethra forms between them, and the +female sex is determined. If, on the other hand, these folds unite into +a rounded projection the scrotum is formed, the little tubercle above +becomes the penis and hence the male sex. The testicles forming within +the body, descend later into the scrotum, and organs similar to them, +their counterparts, form in the female and are called ovaries. These +ovaries are found attached to an organ called the womb, and this again +is united with the vagina, which leads downwards and outwards between +the labia majora.[B] + + [B] For fuller particulars see Guernsey's Obstetrics. + +At the end of the _third month_ the weight of the embryo is from three +to four ounces and its length from four to five inches, the eyeballs are +seen through the lids, the pupils of the eyes are discernible, the +forehead, nose and lips can be clearly distinguished. The finger nails +resemble thin membranous plates, the skin shows more firmness, but is +still rosy-hued, thin and transparent. The sex can now be fully +determined. + +At the end of the _fourth month_ the product of conception is no longer +called an embryo, but a foetus. The body is from six to eight inches in +length and weighs six or seven ounces. A few little white hairs are seen +scattered over the scalp. The development of the face is still +imperfect. The eyes are now closed by their lids, the nostrils are +well-formed, the mouth is shut in by the lips and the sex is still more +sharply defined. The tongue may be observed far back in the mouth, and +the lower part of the face is rounded off by what a little later will be +a well-formed chin. The movements of the foetus are by this time plainly +felt by the mother, and if born at this time it may live several months. + +At the end of the _fifth month_ the body of the foetus is from seven to +nine inches long and weighs from eight to eleven ounces. The skin has a +fairer appearance and more consistence; the eyes can no longer be +distinguished through the lids, owing to the increased thickness of the +latter. The head, heart and kidneys are large and well developed. At the +end of the _sixth month_ the foetus is from eleven to twelve and a half +inches in length, and weighs about sixteen ounces, more or less. The +hair upon the scalp is thicker and longer, the eyes remain closed, and +very delicate hairs may be seen upon the margins of the eye-lids and +upon the eye-brows. The nails are solid, the scrotum small and empty, +the surface of the skin appears wrinkled but the dermis may be +distinguished from the epidermis. The liver is large and red, and the +gall-bladder contains fluid. + +At the end of the _seventh month_ the length of the foetus is from +twelve and a half to fourteen inches, its weight is about fifty-five +ounces, and it is both well defined and well proportioned in all its +parts. The bones of the cranium, hitherto quite flat, now appear a +little arched, and as the process of ossification goes on, the arching +increases till the vault is quite complete. The brain presents greater +firmness, and the eye-lids are opened. The skin is much firmer and red. +The gall-bladder contains bile. + +At the end of the _eighth month_ the foetus seems to thicken up rather +than to increase in length, since it is only from sixteen to eighteen +inches long while its weight increases from four to five pounds. The +skin is red, and characterized at this period by a fine downy covering, +over which is spread a quantity of thick viscous matter, called the +sebaceous coat, which has been forming since the latter part of the +fifth month. The lower jaw has now become as long as the upper one, and +in the male the left testicle may be found in the scrotum. Convolutions +appear in the brain structure. + +At _nine months_ the anxious time of parturition has arrived. The foetus +is from nineteen to twenty-three inches in length and weighs on an +average from six to eight pounds. Children at birth sometimes weigh as +much as fourteen pounds; but such extremes are very rare. At this period +the white and grey matter of the brain are distinct, and the +convolutions are well marked; the nails assume a horny consistence, hair +upon the head is more or less abundant, the testes are in the scrotum, +and the entire external genital organs of both male and female are well +formed. + +The above particulars respecting the development of the human being have +been narrated to show that one organ is just as important as another, +and that each is really dependent upon the other; no one could exist +without the other and all are to subserve a use. First must be the +_esse_ (the inmost) the vital force imparted to the ovule. A little +later certain changes take place in the ovule, later still other +changes, and finally about the fifteenth day a slight development of the +new human being can just be outlined by the help of the microscope, +which, as before stated, has form at about the third week after +conception. First the vestige of a head and body, a little later the +heart and lungs appear lying in the open chest; then the hands are +protruded from the sides of the trunk, afterwards the forearms, then the +arms, all pushed out from the body; the feet and legs gradually protrude +from the lower end of the trunk, and the chest closes up so that the +heart and lungs can no longer be seen; the face, mouth and eyes take +form, the external genital organs make their appearance in conjunction +with other developments, and in due course of time the boy or girl is +born ready for further developments in childhood, and adolescence. When +the latter development has been attained, if due care has been taken by +all interested parties, we have pure men and pure women fitted to enter +upon the privileges and the _uses_ of a wedded life according to the +design of our Creator. + +How wonderfully and how instructively are all organs in the animal body +disposed and arranged! In the highest place we find the brain to govern +and rule over all below. It is the first organ formed and in an orderly +life should control all the others. Next in order and importance are the +heart and lungs, which put into motion all other parts and enable the +animal frame to continue in motion. So each and every organ is developed +in its proper order, all to obey the commands of the first and most +important--the brain, the seat of the reason and the will. Happy are +they of either sex who will govern themselves by a pure enlightened +reason and a pure affectionate will. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +The Infant. + +Embracing the First Year of the Child's Life. + + +The battle of life really begins as soon as the child is born. Its +cleanliness, its clothing, its temperature and its food are matters for +daily observance and care, as also are the light, sunshine and air which +it is to breathe. Opiates, soothing syrups and cordials, are to be +strictly avoided as being deleterious to health; proper sanitary +measures usually suffice to render all _dosing_ unnecessary. Spirituous +potions and lotions should be avoided as being contrary to the laws of +hygiene as well as for fear the child may learn to love and to become +addicted to their use later in life. Every organ of the body should be +carefully protected even at this early age, so that health may reign +supreme. Particular care and the utmost solicitude should be bestowed +upon the genital organs. No rubbing or handling of these parts should be +permitted under any pretense whatever--beyond what may be absolutely +necessary for cleanliness. The genital organs require just as much +watchful care, if not more, as the stomach, the eye, the ear, &c. I +regret to say that I have known some fathers to tickle the genital +organs of their infant boys until a complete erection of the little +penis ensued, which effect pleases the father as an evidence of a robust +boy. The evil effects of such a procedure are too manifest to require +dilating upon. Fathers take warning! + +Nurses are known to quiet young children by gently exciting pleasurable +sensations about the genital organs both of males and females--practices +which are the most vicious and vice-begetting that can possibly be +invented. Many a young man and young woman has fallen to very low depths +from influences developed by these and similar means. Nurses should be +cautioned in this matter _and carefully watched too_, as even the least +suspected may (innocently perhaps) be guilty of this fault to save +themselves the trouble of quieting their charges in a proper way. Early +impressions upon these animal passions, as well as those made upon other +senses of the young, are very abiding. Mothers be watchful! + +Great care should be exercised in the choice of a diaper for infants and +the material of which it is made. The diaper should fit easily about +the organs which it covers and protects, so as not to cause undue +heating or friction of the parts; and immediately after a babe has +soiled itself either with urine or from a motion of the bowels, it +should be made clean and dry at once to avoid any irritation that would +otherwise ensue upon these delicate parts. The material of which the +diaper is made should not be stiff or harsh, but very limp, soft and +pliable; nor should it be thick and bungling. There are great objections +to the use of oil-cloth, rubber or other impervious materials as they +prevent the escape of perspiration, urine, fecal matter, etc. As soon as +possible, say near the end of the first year, the child should be taught +to use its little chair-commode, thus dispensing with the diaper at an +early age. This is much better for the sexual organs, is more +comfortable for the child and is more healthy; it also favors a more +perfect development of the limbs and joints, the hip joints +particularly. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Childhood. + + +Childhood is that portion of life extending from infancy to adolescence, +which in boys occurs at the age of fourteen to sixteen years; and in +girls at the age of twelve to fourteen years. In very warm climates +adolescence is reached some two or three years earlier. + +Most fortunate the infant who has completed its term of life, thus far, +in accordance with the strictest rules of Hygiene, or the laws of +health. + +"In a state of health sexual impressions should never affect a child's +mind or body. All its vital energy should be employed in constructing +the growing frame, in storing up proper external impressions and in +educating the brain to receive them." Unfortunately this state of health +is not always attained. Impressions may be exhibited in these organs at +a very early age either from inheritance, from improper handling or from +some morbid condition of the child that could show itself in no other +organ of the body and which, like morbid conditions in general, make +their appearance somewhere in the mind or body. + +SEXUAL PRECOCITY.--Many parents who are most particular in all other +respects, as to the moral and physical training of their children, +imagine there is no need to pay any special attention to the genital +organs. This, however, is a grave mistake and needs our careful +consideration. As is well known, some children evince a sexual precocity +which may lead to very serious results. In these it often happens that +the sexual instinct arises long before puberty; such children, if males, +manifest an instinctive attraction towards the female sex which they +show by constantly spying after their nurses, chambermaids, etc.; by +seeking as much as possible to play with children of the opposite sex +and improperly toying with them. [C]"One case is so remarkable that an +abstract of it may be instructive: M. D----, between five and six years +of age, was one day in summer in the room of a dressmaker who lived in +the family; this girl thinking that she might put herself at ease before +such a child, threw herself on her bed, almost without clothing. The +little D---- had followed all her motions and regarded her figure with a +greedy eye. He approached her on the bed, as if to sleep, but soon +became so bold in his behavior that the girl, after having laughed at +him for some time was obliged to put him out of the room. This girl's +simple imprudence produced such an impression on the child that forty +years afterwards he had not forgotten a single circumstance connected +with it." + + [C] Lallemand and Wilson, page 140. + +Parents are remarkably careless on this point. They allow children to +play together for hours at a time without the surveillance of an older +person, provided only they are removed from any danger. It is sufficient +to merely draw attention to such a custom as every reflective mind can +easily draw the inevitable consequences. Habits are indulged in and +marks of familiarity shown which should not for an instant be tolerated. + +CAUSES which commonly produce sexual impressions on young children are, +allowing them to repose playfully on their belly, to slide down +bannisters, to go too long without urinating, constipation or straining +at stool, cutaneous affections, and worms. Also, thoughtless acts of +elder people which are very frequently more closely observed than is +commonly supposed. The sliding down bannisters produces a titillation +which is agreeable to the sexual organs. Children of both sexes will +constantly repeat this act until they learn to become inveterate +masturbators, even at a very early age. + +Among boys a disease called _priapism_ is often developed; this arises +from undue handling of the parts, or from some morbid state of the +child's health. The disorder consists of paroxysms, occurring more or +less frequently, of violent erections of the penis; these sometimes +become very painful and require the attention of a physician. At all +events medical aid should be sought at once, because some functional +derangement is at work which might, if not arrested and cured, give rise +to masturbation. Owing to unknown causes such morbid conditions induce +some little boys to pull frequently at the foreskin of the penis until +their health is seriously impaired; they pine away, lose flesh, and +still continue to worry at the foreskin, till death has been known to +result. These cases require the most careful and skillful constitutional +treatment, until they are cured. + +Sometimes, in other cases, the foreskin becomes inflamed, offensive +secretions may form about the end of the penis, etc. All such disorders +should be submitted to a judicious physician at once, to avoid +irritations which might result in a tendency to sexual excitement--a +calamity truly deplorable to the young. The idea which some writers +advance--that a long prepuce (or foreskin) often proves an exciting +cause of troublesome sensations to the boy, is certainly erroneous. So, +too, it is all wrong to state that particular care should be taken to +wash under the prepuce. That this objection in regard to washing is +true, is proved from the physical fact that in a large majority of boys +the orifice of the foreskin is not sufficiently opened to permit of +these washings. And the objection is still further proved by the fact +that all these unnatural secretions, offensive odors, sensations, etc., +which irritate and worry a boy together with all inflammations of these +parts are soon relieved and permanently cured by the proper medicament. +Needless laving, handling or rubbing the sexual parts should be avoided +as strictly as possible. To show how little good such washings really +do, even though persisted in, I will mention one out of many similar +cases: "In spite of repeated washings every day, a fetid smegma was +deposited in considerable quantity on the glans, causing a tiresome +burning and itching." All such cases are utterly intractable by any +amount of bathing. But the suitable remedy administered internally cures +the trouble permanently in a few weeks and at the same time improves +the general tone and health of the individual. This is so because the +proper remedy removes the morbific cause which produced that condition +of the penis and all concomitant symptoms, at the same time. It must be +remembered that the troubles referred to above come from within, and +that they are but developments of internal morbific causes. In a similar +manner, small pox, measles, chicken pox and all eruptive diseases come +_out_ as products from morbific causes _within_. No sane person ever +thinks of washing off these appearances with the hope of curing the +case! + +All our external parts were made just as they should be and they work in +harmony so long as we are perfectly healthy inwardly. Every blemish upon +the skin, even to a wart, has a corresponding morbid influence within, +which can be removed by proper treatment. Let it be remembered then for +all coming time that a little boy's penis is never to be meddled or +trifled with, nor his foreskin, nor the parts about the generative +organs. All unnatural conditions, appearances or sensations require +prompt and proper medical aid. If erections of his little penis occur +during sleep, or if he cannot urinate promptly on rising in the +morning, because of an erection, let these conditions beget an anxiety +for his welfare and at once seek a judicious physician, who will be able +to prescribe a medicament to arrest all further development of sexual +precocity--an affliction so baneful to the young. + +A little later in life children are liable to ascarides or seat worms, +called by some "pin worms." No applications, purgatives, "vermifuges," +injections or other mechanical means should ever be employed to remove +these, as they are of constitutional origin and should be so treated, +until perfectly cured. Removing the worms by irritants or by mechanical +means does not remove the _cause_ of their existence or reproduction in +the body. The dyscrasia that gives rise to these worms, with the +accompanying itching and tickling, is apt to cause a sexual excitement +which may prove more disastrous than the original trouble itself. +Therefore be sure that this affection is treated constitutionally; so +long as the vital forces work in harmonious order, no abnormal +appearances of any kind can come to light, because they do not exist. + +From the age of nine to fourteen, boys generally acquire very curious +notions about sexual affairs and are naturally, from what they hear, +desirous of obtaining some idea of sexual congress, a knowledge of +where babies come from, etc. This curiosity, of course, causes the mind +to dwell much upon sexual subjects. I fully believe that good +information will, by satisfying this curiosity, free the mind to a great +extent from sexual thoughts. It is from such very thoughts that boys are +led to play with their sexual organs in secret, and to handle them so as +to excite pleasurable sensations; erections of the penis are thus +produced and finally, by this continual excitation with the hand, the +height of sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of semen occurs and +_self-pollution_ is the consequence. This act is called "masturbation" +and becomes a _secret vice of the worst kind_! + +Very frequently and to an alarming extent "masturbation" is taught by +older boys, and by young men even, in nearly all our colleges, boarding, +public and private schools, and by companions under the paternal roof. +This act is repeated time after time until the degrading and destructive +(morally and physically so) habit is confirmed. As a result, the boy +grows thin, pale, morose and passionate; then weak, indolent and +indifferent; his digestion becomes impaired, his sleep short, disturbed +and broken; he sometimes becomes epileptic or falls into a state of +marasmus; in any case he is in great danger of being totally ruined +forever. + +There is a great difference in boys regarding the formation of these +habits. While some may almost insensibly glide into them, others, +intuitively as it were, turn away from all such temptations and banish +all thoughts of a sexual nature from their minds at once. This is right. +So long as a boy's mind refuses to harbor such baleful approaches, so +long he is safe; but the moment he heeds them and allows them to enter +his mind, that moment he is in danger and will most likely fall into bad +habits. He must strenuously resist all such thoughts and going to his +father or mother tell them about his trials and temptations and strive +to forget them until success crowns his efforts. By persistent efforts, +by repeated prayers to the Lord for help, by reading his Bible and good, +pure stories, by running into the open air and indulging in some useful +occupation or joyous, healthful play, he will eventually conquer them +and thus rise to the dignity of a true man. Sometimes, too, it may be +necessary to consult the physician for help. In addition to the +instinctive shrinking which every right minded person generally feels +from putting ideas of impurity into a child's innocent mind, a parent's +pride leads him to hope that _his_ boy would not indulge in any such +mean and disgusting practices. But, bearing in mind the advice of +Herbert Spencer--"that the aim of discipline should be to produce a +_self-governing_ being," the best advice a parent or guardian can, and +ought, to give, is: do not harbor bad thoughts or feelings about +anything; at once turn them away and think of something else, of +something good, true and pure. Indulge in no hatred or revengeful +feelings towards others; plot no evil things; always be true to your +word, faithful to your duties and charitable to all. Treat everybody +kindly and politely. And further, a child should be _taught_ what +"chastity" really is, instead of leaving him to find it out as best he +may. + +It should be clearly explained to him that true chastity requires the +shunning of all indecency and foul language; that he should refrain from +touching his secret parts except when the necessities of nature require +it; that all sexual emotions should be subjugated. When he grows older +every boy should be taught that chastity means continence; and it should +be firmly impressed upon his mind that all lascivious actions are a +drain upon his whole system and weaken the powers which the Lord has +given him to be employed _only_ in the married state. These are +characteristics of a true man and will help him very much to keep out of +sexual difficulties which, as we shall see further on, are among the +greatest curses of life. + +The use of tobacco, wine, coffee or tea by children is well known to be +highly injurious. Never allow a child to use either of these--not even +in small quantities. A too common practice in many families is to allow +a little wine at dinner "to assist digestion!" Others allow coffee or +tea, "because my child is so fond of it." "The after-effects of all +these is to disturb the heart, to cause nervousness and irritability, +and _to weaken the sexual organs in a marked degree_. Tobacco +particularly has this last effect in old and young, besides producing +convulsions, a dulled intellect, etc."[D] + + [D] Lallemand and Wilson. + +Remember where the brain is and the purposes for which it has been +given! Here reside the knowledge and the power to govern all below it. +No matter what the stomach craves or how strongly the appetite begs for +this or that; no matter how much one may be tempted to steal, to lie or +to swear; no matter how much the sexual organs may lead one to think +about or handle them--here is the great and good brain, the home of the +will-power, which says: "Touch not, taste not, handle not." So long as +these commands are listened to and obeyed, one is safe. The desire need +not and should not control the act--but the rational faculty can and +will control, when early taught to do so. The more one is led by this +rational faculty the easier it becomes to follow it, and _vice versa_. + +What has been said above regarding the danger of little boys falling +into bad habits applies with equal force to little girls. Do not forget +this. They too may have sexual thoughts, feelings and curiosity, and +care must be taken to keep their minds pure and bodies healthy. They are +also liable to disorders that require prompt and careful attention, such +as inflammations, excoriations, itchings and swellings of the genital +organs with discharges from these parts resembling leucorrhoea. All such +conditions lead them to more or less rub and scratch these parts--which +should never be touched--for relief. Pleasurable sensations are +experienced and then comes masturbation--_a sin chargeable to the +parent_ for not having given the matter proper medical attention. +"Repeated washings" will no more cure these cases in little girls than, +as shown above, will they cure in little boys. All these are but the +outcropping of some constitutional affection and should be treated +accordingly. No applications or medicated washings of any kind should be +allowed. Such external treatment only palliates the suffering for a +little while without removing the disordered vital force that gave +origin to its appearance. This is simply repressed and may react upon +the child and appear in another form tenfold worse than the first. The +passing of urine or fecal matter may (in either sex) cause irritation +and excoriation; this is another sign that all is not right in the vital +forces and should be mentioned to the physician as a sure index that +medical treatment, but not topical applications, is absolutely +necessary. All abnormal appearances, actions and discomforts of the +child, whether mental or physical, should be submitted to an experienced +and judicious physician. A healthy child should be happy and comfortable +in all respects. + +A very successful plan for keeping children from vice or vicious habits +is to see that their time is fully occupied with amusements and duties +which interest them. They need a great deal of harmlessly conducted +amusement and--do _not_ strive to "keep them quiet." Allow little boys +and girls to play together, under proper surveillance, and let them be +boisterous if they will; let them romp and run, climb fences, trundle +hoops, jump rope, go to dancing school, participate in military drills, +go coasting and skating, take swimming lessons, etc. + +No judicious parents will allow a son or daughter to be alone much; to +seek to be alone is always a bad sign and should be carefully guarded +against without its being known that such precaution is observed. +Furnish them liberally with instructive and innocent story books and let +them read aloud to you or to each other. Take them to walk or ride when +you go, and strive to make companions of them as much as possible, +making whatever sacrifices are necessary to attain this end. Above all, +_encourage their making confidants of you_. Let them feel that they can +come and talk freely on any subject, no matter what its nature may be. +Do this, and you have thrown around them a bulwark of defence that will +withstand the repeated attacks of hosts of evil spirits. When night +comes and they go to bed, let them learn to go to sleep at once; no play +then--they may be read to sleep, but no romping or playing. No strange +children should be allowed to sleep with yours; make them occupy +separate rooms or at least separate beds; be sure that the sleeping +places of your children are sacred to them alone. Nor is it advisable +for children to sleep with a grown person of either sex and particularly +not with servants--all for obvious reasons. + +The observance of all these precautions against influences that might +excite sexual disturbance is most sacred in its character and most +needful even in a religious point of view; for there should be +_chastity_ above all things. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ADOLESCENCE OF THE MALE. + + +Adolescence of the male embraces the period of life from the age of +fourteen or sixteen years to the age of twenty-five. + +At about the age of fourteen years "the period of youth is distinguished +by that advance in the evolution of the generative apparatus in both +sexes, and by that acquirement of its power of functional activity, +which constitutes the state of _Puberty_." At this age the following +great changes take place in the general appearance and deportment of the +male: His frame becomes more angular and the masculine proportions more +pronounced; increased strength and greater powers of endurance are +manifested; the larynx enlarges and the voice becomes lower in pitch as +well as rougher and more powerful; new feelings and desires awaken in +the mind. His deportment becomes more commanding, his frivolity is less +and less apparent, and the boy is lost in the man. If he has been so +fortunate as to escape all the dangers and baneful influences of +childhood, he is manly indeed, and we behold him with an unburdened +conscience, bright intellect, frank address and good memory. His spirits +are buoyant and his complexion clear; every function of his body is well +performed, and no fatigue is felt after moderate exertion. He evinces +that elasticity of body, and that happy control of himself and his +feelings, which are indicative of the robust health and absence of care +which should accompany youth. His time is devoted to his studies, duties +and amusements; as he feels his stature increase, and his intellect +enlarge, he gladly prepares for his coming struggle with the world. + +All boys may come to this condition with proper training through the +period of infancy and childhood; and after arriving at the adolescent +age of their existence as they have the power of mind to _choose_, so +also have they the power to _refuse_. The human race is created above +the animal so that we are something more than mere animals; we are human +beings with human propensities, human passions, human desires and human +tastes, which are subject to the human brain, to the human reason and to +the human will--all elevated and ennobled by the Divine Will. Man must +not let himself down to be governed by animal passions; the moment he +does that, his higher powers suffer and become weakened, and he becomes +more like an inferior animal; if he persists in this downward course, +his lower powers become strengthened until finally they transcend and +rule the higher. Then, to all intents and purposes, such a man's head is +downwards and the lower part of his body is upwards just where his head +ought to be. + +Man is a human being, yet, like the whole animal kingdom, he has +appetites, desires and passions, as it is absolutely necessary that he +should have. He has organs corresponding to these appetites, desires and +passions, and it is necessary that he should have them. A proper +understanding in regard to this matter will convince anyone of the truth +of this assertion. Our Creator doeth all things wisely and well, in the +most perfect manner possible. Consequently, man with all his organs, +parts and passions is just what he should be when he blossoms into +youth, in the perfection of his adolescence as described above. In fact +there could be no other form of creating man, for the Lord always +creates in the most perfect way possible, according to one harmonious +law which He has ordained to govern the creation of all beings. + +Such a man is fully prepared to struggle with himself and the world at +large. In his desires, appetites or passions of any kind, he, in his +humanity, protected by his rational faculties and enlightened by the +Divine Oracle of God, unquestionably has the power to choose between +propriety and impropriety, between the right and the wrong, between the +good and the bad. Take any evil into which a member of the human family +may fall--the love of ardent spirit for instance; he first thinks of it +and desires to partake of some. Finally he takes an opportunity to +gratify his desire, does satisfy it for the time and thinks it very +nice. The next craving is a little more intense, and he cannot overcome +the temptation quite so easily as he could have done before, and at last +he indulges again. So he goes on, step by step, until he may fall very +low. _The same thinking, feeling and desiring precedes the adoption of +every vicious habit that was ever formed._ Nor will anyone pretend to +say that a persistent effort of the will power, at the very outset, when +he first perceived the tendencies of his desires to do what he need not +do, would not have prevented the evil; no argumentation will prevail in +the face of stubborn facts, and the real facts are all on the side of +purity and order. + +These very young men or youths, as they progress through adolescence, +may become tempted in a variety of ways, some to the use of ardent +spirits or tobacco, others to lie, to steal, to forge, &c.; but the +approach to all these evils is gradual and first comes through the mind. +They first think about the action, turn it over and over in their minds +until they come to greatly desire and then, later, to commit the evil +which would not have been ultimated if the mind had been persistently +set against it in the beginning. This is an indisputable fact. + +In this manner many promising youths, just as they are blossoming into +the pride of early manhood, begin to indulge in sexual thoughts and to +allow these thoughts to influence their minds until they commit some of +the evils to which perverted and unchaste passions lead them. If this +evil be masturbation, then they are on the direct road to ruin, as will +be seen described further on. If it be the commission of sexual +intercourse with women, their ruin is still more certain, and in the +latter case they are exposed to one of the worst poisons that can +possibly infect the human race. I do not overdraw the picture when I +declare that _millions of human beings die annually from the effects of +poison contracted in this way_, in some form of suffering or another; +for, by insinuating its effects into and poisoning the whole man, it +complicates various disorders and renders them incurable. When +gonorrhoea is contracted, although frequently suppressed by local +treatment in the form of injections, it is never perfectly cured +thereby. No; the hidden poison runs on for a life time producing +strictures, dysuria, gleet and kindred diseases; finally, in old men, a +horrible prostatitis results from which the balance of one's life is +rendered miserable indeed. If inflammation of the lungs supervenes, +there is often a translation of the virus to these vital organs, causing +what is termed "plastic pneumonia," where one lobule after another +becomes gradually sealed up, till nearly the whole of both lungs becomes +impervious to air, and death results from asphyxia. + +This horrible infection sometimes becomes engrafted upon other acute +diseases when lingering disorders follow, causing years of misery, and +only terminating in death. + +If real syphilis, in the form of chancre, should be contracted, and in +that form suppressed, we have buboes often of a malignant type, +ulceration of the penis and a loss of some portion of this member. +Sometimes the poison attacks the throat, causing most destructive +ulcerations therein; sometimes it seizes upon the nasal bones, resulting +in their entire destruction and an awful disfiguration of the face; +sometimes it ultimates itself in the ulceration and destruction of other +osseous tissues in different portions of the body. Living examples of +these facts are too frequently witnessed in the streets of any large +city. Young men marrying with the slightest taint of this poison in the +blood will surely transmit the disease to their children. Thousands of +abortions transpire every year from this cause alone, the poison being +so destructive as to kill the child _in utero_, before it is matured for +birth; and even if the child be born alive, it is liable to break down +with the most loathsome disorders of some kind and to die during +dentition; the few that survive this period are short lived and are +unhealthy so long as they do live. The very first unchaste connection of +a man with a woman may be attended with a contamination entailing upon +him a life of suffering and even death itself. There is no safety among +impure or loose women whether in private homes or in the very best +regulated houses of ill-fame; even in Paris, where, after women have +been carefully examined and pronounced free from any infecting +condition, the first man who visits one of them, often carries away a +deadly enemy in his blood, which had lurked in concealment beyond the +keen eye of the inspector. A young man, or a man at any age, is in far +greater danger amidst company of this stamp, than he would be with a +clear conscience and pure character in the midst of the wildest forest, +full of all manner of poisonous serpents and wild beasts of every +description. A knowledge of the above facts should be enough to chill +the first impulse and to make any man who respects his own well-being, +turn away and flee from the destruction that awaits him. + +As if the above sufferings were not a sufficient penalty for the +transgression against the law--"Be ye pure," we find yet another. +Coincident with the physical wreck, which syphilis makes of the man who +becomes thoroughly tainted with its poison, comes his moral wreck. He +loses all respect for the truth and all regard for his word; no +dependence of any kind can be placed upon him, and he will not pay his +debts or fulfil any moral obligation; all because he began by +prostituting his mind more and more until, with deadened conscience, +almost literally, his head is dependent and his feet uppermost, ruling +all the better part of his nature. And next come the mental +sufferings--and most agonizing they are. Unhappy to the last degree, he +no longer takes pleasure in life, but, wishing to die, finally commits +suicide. A search in any insane asylum will show that a very large +proportion of patients are made up from those who masturbate or have +syphilis. Stamp out these two evils, or rather _curses_ of the human +race, and the supply that feeds our insane asylums, aye and our +penitentiaries, too, will become vastly lessened. Think of it! So many +of the inhabitants of our prisons, asylums, and our poor-houses, are +composed of men and women who have offended against nature's laws by +violating their own sexual nature. Add to this summary the list of +broken-hearted, deflowered virgins and unwedded mothers, and you have +the picture complete. + +What a contrast with that manliness of character from which he has +fallen! Now he is in an insane condition, blaming everyone for having +contributed to his many misfortunes and his fallen condition, whereas he +alone is the culprit. No one made him commit the first or any subsequent +evil. He allowed his own mind to yield to the first temptation, and then +went on from step to step, he alone being responsible for the result +Yield not the first point, and all is safe. + +The pride of perfect adolescence, as described a few pages back, is due +to purity of thought, to chastity and continence. This purity shines +through every tissue, enkindles the eye with a true expression, makes +bright the countenance and erects the form. It gives elasticity to the +step, causes harmony in the tones of the voice, and adds dignity to the +carriage and deportment. The first step in the paths of vice in any +form, whether in sexual errors or any other, detracts in the exact +degree of the digression from all of the above beautiful and ennobling +characteristics. + +We have spoken in the preceding pages of new feelings and desires being +awakened in the youth after his fourteenth year. This change is wholly +due to his approaching manhood, to the time when he will be fully +prepared to appreciate, to love and protect, guide and support her whom +he makes his wife, and to become the father of happy and healthy +children. But this approach to manhood is not due to the development of +the genital organs, as some writers affirm, for this would be a +reversion of orderly development. The approaching manhood develops in +full accordance to their uses and importance _all_ the organs belonging +to man. As the well-developed infant has all its organs developed in a +condition suitable for its state, and the child has all its organs in +all parts of the body, developed in full accord with its state, so +adolescence follows, and every organ must develop accordingly; and in +this development a new impetus is given to every organ in the body. The +whole man awakens to a newness of life as is seen in the change of his +voice, the spreading out of his frame, the independence and command of +his bearing, the activity of his brain, the soundness of his judgment, +until he becomes in the fullest sense a rational being. Of course the +development of his genital organs keeps pace with that of his brain; but +the brain should lead the way throughout the entire development of the +human race. + +At the time of puberty, then, a new and a different sensation springs up +in the generative organs, which is in perfect harmony with the uses for +which they are intended. We recognize the use of the hands, the fingers, +the feet, the eyes, the ears, the sense of taste, &c., and we use them +accordingly. We should think of the generative organs only in the same +light. They are intended for use, for the highest and holiest use of +procreating human beings to the end that they may become angels in +heaven. These organs were not made to be abused; but they are abused +every time the mind is allowed to dwell upon them improperly. Every +excitation we allow from lewd thoughts or fancies, has a debasing and +deteriorating effect upon that well-developed form, upon that conscience +so free, and upon that countenance so open and bright, which has been +described in the preceding pages. + +If the mere thought and excitation arising therefrom are injurious to +the perfection of the youth, how much more injurious must be the +ultimation of that thought in masturbation, in unlawful sexual +intercourse, or in the loss of seminal fluid by other unnatural means. + +Right here I feel impelled to say something of the + + DIFFICULTY OF MAINTAINING CHASTITY. + +I, in connection with many of our best and wisest men who have given +the subject a lifetime's most earnest consideration, hold that for a +young man whose early education has been carefully looked to, and +consequently, whose mind has not been debased by vile practices, it is +no more impossible mentally, or injurious physically, to preserve his +chastity than to refrain from yielding to any other of the innumerable +temptations with which his life is beset. And every year of voluntary +chastity renders the task easier by mere force of habit. I wish to be +clearly understood in this matter. + +So long as a young man remains chaste in thought and deed, he will not +suffer any bad effects from his continence. It is the _semicontinent_, +the man who knows the right but pursues the wrong, who suffers! Patients +frequently complain that enforced continence makes them restless, +irritable, unfit for mental application of any sort, &c. Sexual +intercourse is then indulged in, and presto: for the time being, what a +welcome change. The now unclogged mind grasps with vigor any subject +presented to it, the spirits are exuberant and the physical frame +buoyant. But, is the trouble cured, is it permanently eradicated from +the system? No! In a short time the symptoms reappear and the same +remedy is again sought. The more the sexual feelings are indulged the +more frequent will be their recurrence, and the result need not be +written; every candid mind can easily see it. To their shame and +confusion be it said, there are many physicians who, when consulted by +their patients for medical assistance in such trials, "deliberately +encourage the early indulgence of the passions, on the false and wicked +ground that self-restraint is incompatible with health. What abhorrence +can be too deep for a doctrine so destructive, or for the teachers who +thus, before the eyes of those whose youthful ignorance, whose sore +natural temptation, rather call for the wisest and tenderest guidance +and encouragement, put darkness for light, evil for good, and bitter for +sweet."[E] + + [E] Wm. Acton, M. R. C. S. + +I declare emphatically that no symptoms of sexual suffering, no matter +how feelingly described or cunningly insinuated, should ever lead a +physician to prescribe for a young man that fatal remedy, illicit +intercourse. Medically as a physician, morally as a Christian, and +sympathizingly as a fellow being, I record a solemn protest against such +false treatment. It is better for a youth to live a continent life. The +strictly chaste suffer comparatively little sexual irritability; but the +incontinent, at recurring periods are sure to be troubled in one or +other of the ways spoken of; and the remedy of indulgence, if effective, +requires repetition as often as the inconvenience returns. No! When thus +consulted, let the physician prescribe the proper medicament, if one be +necessary; and let him direct a plain, nourishing, non-stimulating diet, +physical exertion of any kind carried to exhaustion, and SELF CONTROL. + +Would any young man in his senses listen to a physician, who, for +lowness of spirits, mental despondency, &c., should tell him to drink +plentifully of brandy or eat hasheesh? On the same principle then let a +youth shun the physician, who, for sexual excitement, prescribes sexual +indulgence. + +Again, such complaints coming from young men are very often specious, +and are mere subterfuges--overdrawn pictures of their sufferings--which +are presented as an excuse for indulging the sensual emotions, instead +of manfully and righteously struggling to overcome them. And further, +"if anyone wishes to really experience the acutest sexual suffering, he +can adopt no more certain method than to be incontinent with the +intention of becoming continent again, when he has 'sown his wild oats.' +The agony of breaking off a habit which so rapidly entwines itself with +every fibre of the human frame (as sexual indulgence) is such that it +would not be too much to say in the Wise Man's words, '_None_ that go to +her return again, neither take they hold on the paths of life.'" + + "The sin, of all, most sure to blight-- + The sin, of all, that the soul's light + Is soonest lost, extinguished in." + +Remember then that sexual suffering comes to the _incontinent_ man, and +that it is far easier, even for the fully developed vigorous adult, to +continue in control of these feelings, than when they have been once +excited and indulged. + +One single impure connection may entail a whole life of syphilitic +suffering on the unhappy transgressor. Would this "pay?" + +No inducement could persuade me to assume the awful responsibilities of +advising illicit intercourse. Apart from Christian principle, I know +that there is no necessity, physiological, pathological or any other, +that can excuse any physician for saying that the Seventh Commandment +may ever be broken. My sentiments on the physiological side of the +question are so admirably expressed by Acton,[F] that I will here quote +from him. + + [F] Fourth American Edition, P. 97. + +"One argument in favor of incontinence deserves special notice, as it +purports to be founded on physiology. I have been consulted by persons +who feared, or professed to fear, that if the organs were not exercised +regularly, they would become atrophied, or that in some way impotence +might be the result of chastity. This is the assigned reason for +committing fornication. There exists _no greater_ error than this, or +one more opposed to physiological truth. In the first place, I may state +that I have, after many years' experience, never seen a single instance +of atrophy of the generative organs from this cause. I have, it is true, +met with the complaint--but in what class of cases does it occur? It +arises in all instances from the exactly opposite cause--abuse: the +organs become worn out, and hence arises atrophy. Physiologically +considered, it is not a fact that the power of secreting semen is +annihilated in well-formed adults leading a healthy life and yet +remaining continent. The function goes on in the organ always, from +puberty to old age. Semen is secreted sometimes slowly, sometimes +quickly, and very frequently under the influence of the will. No +continent man need be deterred by this apocryphal fear of atrophy of the +testes from living a chaste life. It is a device of the unchaste--a lame +excuse for their own incontinence, unfounded on any physiological law. +The testes will take care that their action is not interfered with." + +Many and many a time have I heard it regretted and bemoaned, on account +of the many troubles they had seemed to cause, that the sexual organs +exist. It is the lewd thoughts and uses to which they are put that +causes all this misery, and there is always that "first thought" which +should not be harbored. Cast away the impure thoughts, rise above them, +and one is safe! Pure thoughts can _never_ lead to harm. + +The generative organs, with their functions and uses, are most closely +interwoven with the highest destiny and well being of the race +physically, mentally and spiritually; they are a part of us, without +which there would be no men and women, lovers and loved ones, fathers +and mothers, brothers and sisters. We must then happily accept the +situation as it is, and our bodies, parts and passions as they are; for +they are all indispensable, high and holy, when kept in an orderly and +chaste condition. We only need the above knowledge and its application +to make ourselves as happy in the enjoyment of these organs as it was +designed by our Creator that we should be. + +To rise above the sexual temptations that may be more or less +experienced by many and perhaps by all, requires an effort of course, +and frequently a very great effort; but let it be borne in mind that +all temptations to do wrong, require effort to overcome them; and as a +rule, the greater the evil we are tempted to commit the greater is the +effort needed to overcome it. Now, as shown above, since sexual matters +are so thoroughly interwoven with the highest destinies of the human +race, physically, mentally and spiritually, there is scarcely any +function of higher import, allotted to any individual, than that +assigned to the genital organs. No function more deeply concerns the +healthfulness of the body, the clearness and brilliancy of the +intellect, or the purity and sincerity of the soul itself. + +Several times in the course of this book I have referred to the term +"abuse." By "abuse," I mean precisely what _Lallemand_ so forcibly +expresses as follows: "_I understand by the term abuse, when applied to +the organs of generation, any irregular or premature exercise of their +functions; any application of them which cannot have, as its result, the +propagation of the species._" + +Look at the habitual masturbator! See how thin, pale and haggard he +appears; how his eyes are sunken; how long and cadaverous is his cast of +countenance; how irritable he is and how sluggish, mentally and +physically; how afraid he is to meet the eye of his fellows; feel his +damp and chilling hand, so characteristic of great vital exhaustion. +Taken as a class, how terrible are their lost virility, their miserable +night's sleep, their convulsions and their shrunken limbs. They keep by +themselves, seeking charm in solitude and are fit companions for no one; +they dare not read their Bible, they cannot commune with good angels nor +with the Lord, our Saviour. Is not this picture deplorable? It is at the +last end of the chain I admit, but it is reached link after link, one at +a time; and the first link was forged when the first temptation in the +mind was first favored and finally yielded to. The above picture is a +true one and shows how intimately connected are the soul, the mind and +the body with this whole subject. Man in a healthy state need not and +should not lose one drop of seminal fluid by his own hand, by nightly +emissions or pollutions, or in any way, until he becomes conjoined to a +wife of his choice in the holy bonds of matrimony. Every time the seed +of his body is lost in a disorderly or unnatural way, he injures the +finest textures of his brain correspondingly, as well as the finest and +most exalted condition of his mind and soul, because the act proceeds in +its incipiency from a willful prostitution of these higher powers. + +When sexual thoughts and temptations arise in one's mind, even very +young men are capable of putting them away, urged by the thought that +tampering with one's generative organs is wrong. He should intuitively +feel that it is something akin to theft, or a crime of some worse sort, +for him to indulge in solitary vice and he should intuitively feel an +inward reproach for all such meditations. When one is sorely tempted in +these matters, as is often the case, let him reflect that he was not +created to indulge in such pleasures by himself, and that to do so is a +crime, a sin against the God of Heaven; that it is his destiny, his +privilege and one of the uses of his life to share such enjoyments with +the wife of his bosom; and that all excitement or dallying with this +part of his nature before marriage only serves to weaken his sexual +powers, as well as his mind and body; also, that it mars his sexual uses +and will detract from his sexual pleasures in the married life. Sexual +indulgence of any sort in a young man is a loss, not only to himself but +also, prospectively, to that dear girl whom he will some day make his +wife. Such reflections will often drive away the temptation entirely. If +they are not sufficient to do so let him read some interesting book that +shall take his mind away from the subject; or, that failing, let him +take exercise, vigorous exercise--pushed to fatigue, if necessary. If +these states of temptation occur in bed at night, let him rise and read, +plunge his arm into very cold water, or if necessary go forth into the +open air and seek relief in a rapid walk. It is better to go to any +amount of trouble and to endure any physical discomfort, than to +sacrifice one's chastity, the loss of which can never be replaced. + +A young man naturally desires and expects chastity of the strictest +order in the young woman of his choice for a wife. Who would marry a +girl, no matter how beautiful or how many and varied her accomplishments +if it were known that she had granted her favors to any other man? And +yet, what less has _she_ a perfect right to require from a young man who +presumes to pay his addresses to her? This consideration, too, should +serve as a restraint to any amorous desires that might infest a man's +mind. It is wonderful how keen are the perceptions of a pure minded +young lady to detect even an approach to licentiousness in the male. He +is abhorrent to her and his very sphere betrays him. + +With the facts of the preceding pages, contained in this chapter being +known, it does seem as if every man would keep himself pure from all +carnal associations and use the utmost care not to prostitute his mind, +that he may approach the nuptial altar as pure in mind and body as he +would have her who is to become the idol of his heart. + +Now this is all very beautiful in theory and desirable in practice, but +_is it practical_? Can man so school himself in self denial as to +accomplish this end? Are there not real physiological facts existing +which utterly preclude the possibility of this most desirable result? Do +not, as has been alleged by some writers, the testicles of man secrete +semen until they become so surcharged that emission becomes absolutely +necessary, and does not this accumulation actually produce such sexual +excitement that man feels compelled to seek relief in some way? I +answer, most unhesitatingly, NO! The above questions are all theories +and utterly devoid of fact. + +Would Almighty God command, "Thou shalt _not_ commit adultery," and then +so create man as to compel him to break his Divine injunction? + +Abundance of proof is at hand to substantiate this sweeping remark of +mine, were this the place to produce it. Seminal fluid is abundantly +secreted and produced only during the height of sexual excitement in the +male. As Acton remarks: "It is a highly organized fluid requiring the +expenditure of much vital force in its elaboration and its expulsion." +It is secreted from the blood of his body and the whole man physically, +mentally and spiritually is concerned and represented in its product; +consequently the action requires an effort of the whole man, and, if +often repeated, the effect is very exhausting to the physical powers, to +the mind and to the brain. Let this be another warning to remain in +purity of heart. + +We have said in the preceding pages that man, in a healthy state, need +not lose a drop of seminal fluid until after marriage. There are many +abnormal causes resulting in what are called wet dreams, nightly +pollutions, spermatorrhoea, prostatic emission during stool or +urination, also diurnal emissions without erection. These may result +from over study, from errors in diet such as use of coffee, highly +seasoned food, wines, spirituous liquors or drugs of various +kinds--though perhaps prescribed by a physician. When these troubles +arise from constitutional disorders, a skillful physician must be +consulted at once. Errors in diet and the taking of drugs causing this +trouble must of course be discontinued. [G]"Certain medicines--as +astringents, purgatives, narcotics, stimulants and diuretics +especially--may bring on conditions from which spermatorrhoea may +arise." Among other causes Lallemand refers to the use of quinine, +tobacco and, particularly _alcohol_. The trouble may also arise from +injuries and many other accidental causes, besides masturbation and +venereal excesses. + + [G] Lallemand and Wilson, page 192. + +It is distressing to see what a complete wreck seminal losses make of +those who were once robust and healthy young men, and what a shock they +give to the nervous system. They become weak, pale, and feeble in mind, +while all that was manly and vigorous has gone out of them. Now which of +the two is preferable--the pride of a virtuous youth, or the roué +exhausted and worn out by sexual abuses? It demands great strength to +become either, but really a much greater effort for the latter; because +it requires very great perseverance for a chaste and pure minded man to +debase himself by such practices. It depends on the mind which is all +right before yielding the first point; therefore beware and shun the +first step downward. Strengthen the moral courage and exercise the will +power so as always to be able to say, "No," to whatever temptation the +conscience tells you is wrong. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Adolescence of the Female. + + +Adolescence of the female embraces the period of life from the age of +twelve or fourteen, to twenty-one years. + +At about the twelfth or fourteenth year of the girl's life a marked +change comes over her form, features and mental state. Unlike the male, +the forms which in him are angular, become in her rounded, symmetrical +and beautiful, and the characteristic feminine proportions are well +marked; she becomes more graceful in her movements, her voice grows +sweeter, more mellow, more powerful and capable of registering a higher +tone. New feelings and desires are awakened in her mind. Her deportment +becomes more commanding and less frivolous, and the girl is lost in the +woman. + +If she has been so fortunate as to have escaped all the dangers and +baneful influences of infantile and childhood life, she is womanly +indeed, and we behold her with an unburdened conscience, clear +intellect, artless and candid address, good memory, buoyant spirits, +a complexion bright, clear and, as the poet declares, "beautiful +exceedingly." Every function of her body is well performed, and no +fatigue is experienced after moderate exertion. She evinces that +elasticity of spirit and gracefulness of body, and happy control of her +feelings which indicate healthfulness of both mind and body. Her whole +time is given up to her studies, duties and amusements; and as she feels +her stature increase and her intellect enlarge, she gladly prepares for +her coming struggle with the world--though in a manner becoming to her +sex. This, too, is no fanciful sketch, but is realized in thousands of +cases every year. It is one which parents feel proud to witness in a +daughter, and one in which the daughter takes a modest delight. We have +said that every function of her body is well performed. The functions of +the female body, which in a state of health are perfectly free from +pain, are very numerous and, in the four years from fourteen to +eighteen, she accomplishes an amount of physiological cell change and +growth which Nature does not require of a boy in less than twice that +number of years. It is obvious, therefore, that a girl upon whom Nature, +for a limited period and for a definite purpose, imposes so great a +physiological task, will not have as much power left for the tasks of +school as a boy, of whom Nature requires less at the corresponding +epoch. The functions of circulation, respiration, digestion, +perspiration, nutrition and menstruation, though involuntary, are all +important, dependent one upon another, and all develop at the proper +time. Puberty is the proper time for the appearance of menstruation, one +of the most important and sacred of her functions. It should not be +feared, dreaded or regarded as a nuisance; it forms a part of herself; +and she never commands the respect and forbearance of her friends, or +even of her enemies, more than when it is known that she is "unwell." It +serves in many ways as a blessing to her, rather than an inconvenience. +Let no young girl be alarmed, as, owing to the negligence of her parents +or guardians, many are, at the first appearance of this flow of blood +from the genital organs. She should keep more quiet than usual, at these +times, until the flow disappears, which it will do in a few days. In a +state of health these appearances occur every twenty-eight days and the +young lady should exercise extreme caution at such times, in avoiding +unnecessary fatigue, exposure to cold, getting wet, suddenly cooling off +when heated, etc. One of the reasons why so many suffer at this time is +due to the want of proper knowledge and care, also for the want of a +proper feeling about the matter. I have known young ladies to be guilty +of the almost incredible crime of trying to arrest the flow by plugging +up the vagina and by resorting to other means, that they might attend a +dancing party or some pleasure excursion. Such a procedure is sure to be +followed by the direst retribution to the offender. Nature never allows +her laws to be so trifled with. Some experience a deep mortification on +account of this function; some think it a very great inconvenience and a +nuisance--an obstacle to their pleasure; others feel unhappy and vexed +about it. In truth, every woman should consider it a privilege and +should regard menstruation as it really is, a blessing from heaven; and, +when rightly performed, a help to lend loveliness to her character, +beauty to her expression, music to her voice, and gracefulness to her +form and movements. + +Mothers or guardians should instruct young girls in good time as to the +expected menstrual function and prepare their minds for its advent. They +should also be carefully instructed in regard to the external use of +water--of its attendant danger, lest they chill themselves sufficiently +to arrest this flow, which should continue uninterruptedly until the +function is complete. Too many lives have been sacrificed by suppressing +the monthly flux; external ablutions should be plentiful, but only +sufficient, as in the case of boys, for cleanliness. If menstruation +should not become healthfully established at the proper time of age, +consult a judicious physician who will see that any abnormal condition, +preventing such consummation, is properly removed. "The principal organs +of elimination, common to both sexes, are the bowels, kidneys, lungs and +skin. A neglect of their functions is punished in each alike. To woman +is intrusted the exclusive management of another process of elimination, +viz.: the catamenial function. This, using the blood for its channel of +operation, performs, like the blood, double duty. It is necessary to +ovulation, and to the integrity of every part of the reproductive +apparatus; it also serves as a means of elimination for the blood +itself. A careless management of this function, at any period of life +during its existence, is apt to be followed by consequences that may be +serious; but a neglect of it during the epoch of development, that is, +from the age of fourteen to eighteen or twenty, not only produces great +evil at the time of the neglect, but leaves a large legacy of evil to +the future. The system is then peculiarly susceptible; and disturbances +of the delicate mechanism we are considering, induced during the +catamenial weeks of that critical age by constrained positions, muscular +effort, brain work, and all forms of mental and physical excitement, +germinate a host of ills."[H] + + [H] Clarke: "Sex in Education." + +Here I must be allowed to protest most solemnly against the use of +injections into the vagina for the so-called purpose of cleanliness. +Vaginal syringes are constructed and used now by thousands and the +sufferings of the human race are increased thereby ten thousand fold +proportionately. The vagina, like all organs supplied with a mucous +membrane, is self-cleansing. Water, or any other fluid thrown into this +organ, has a tendency to disorder the mucous follicles, to dry up their +secretions and thus prevent the efflux of some of Nature's necessities. +From this cause alone there will be a reaction upon the vaginal walls, +upon the neck of the uterus and the uterus itself; the ovaries also +become disordered; the lungs sympathize as well as the throat and +bronchial tubes, producing hoarseness, hacking cough and a host of +troubles following in their train. Nervous headaches of fearful +intensity are frequently produced from this unnatural course of +procedure. Moreover, water thrown into the vagina, to wash it out, day +after day for a considerable time, absolutely produces a leucorrhoea +most persistent in character. This is the confession of young ladies to +me in making inquiry as to the origin of their trouble, and I have found +that the discharge was unknown to some of them till after the use of +these injections. It stands to reason that such unnatural washings +should be followed by a retribution equal to the error committed, +because, as before stated, Nature's laws cannot be perverted without a +penalty. A girl should never, under any pretext whatever, resort to such +unhallowed means for the cure or alleviation of leucorrhoea, ulceration, +or for any disorders that affect these parts. By so doing she is really +forming a basis for innumerable future ills. If the girl is well, she +has none of these disorders, for they all arise from constitutional +derangements. As all must acknowledge, it is a self-evident fact--that, +_if a woman is well, every part of her must be well also_; no one organ +can, unaided, get up a disease by itself. In all troubles of this +nature, as well as of any other, consult a judicious physician. + +There are objections, however, of even a graver nature than those urged +above against the use of such instruments. They often excite sensations +in the parts to which they are applied, that should remain perfectly +dormant in the unmarried state. After awhile these sensations, +increasing in frequency and influence, serve to prostitute the mind and +the young lady may become ruined for life. I am stating facts that can +be proved by multitudes of living witnesses to-day in cases and +confessions that have come under my own observation. On remonstrating +against this habit, some remark, "But it feels so nice, doctor!" Of +course, ablutions of the _external_ organs are perfectly right and +proper and should be resorted to daily. To the reflecting mind no more +need be said about this matter. Those who wish to live in harmony with +the order of their creation and thereby preserve the freshness of +health, will not have recourse to such means as add new derangements to +the system. + +To preserve feminine charms as the girl develops into womanhood, much +depends upon her mental state. She must not allow herself to bear malice +towards anyone, must not plot evil or attempt to "pay off others in +their own coin," as it is called, or seek revenge in any way; but she +must ever cultivate a forgiving disposition, good thoughts and good +feelings towards everyone. There is always danger of meeting both rude +and lewd girls, and that too in places where least expected; they may be +found in schools of all kinds and are occasionally met with in the +houses of one's own friends. Not very long since a charming young lady +wrote me from a neighboring city, that while sharing a bed with another +girl, she experienced a very strange sensation induced by the improper +liberties of her bed-fellow; and so persistent were these troublesome +sensations, although occupying a bed by herself ever after, she thought +it proper to seek my advice. Now this was a good and pure-minded girl +who might easily have been ruined but for her inherent love of chastity; +and so our daughters are always in danger of being contaminated. A +perfectly pure and chaste mind, unsullied by impure thoughts or acts, +and cultivated by the exercise of all the Christian virtues, lends +enchantment to the eye, sweetness of expression to the face, music to +the voice, and gracefulness of carriage. Cultivation of merely external +manners will not do; they must spring from the mind and thence they +shine throughout the whole, in every fibre and movement of the body. +Such an one is truly beloved wherever she goes; she has a real affection +for her father and mother, brothers and sisters; and she is fully +prepared to appreciate and love one of the opposite sex whose purity of +life and nobleness of mind fully corresponds to her own. + +To retain this charm of excellence will cost her many a trial and her +temptations will be innumerable and very great. But her perceptive +faculties are keen, and at the first suspicion of anything wrong she +must have the moral courage to say: "No! that is not allowable, it is +not right," or, "this is impure and its tendency is to vice." Whatever +the temptation may be, in thought or in deed, let no one persuade her +into wrong-doing--not even her _apparently_ best friend; for it would +only be an appearance of friendship if he tempted to anything of a +vicious nature. She will be beset with hosts of admirers, some of them +pure and having honorable intentions; but (I am sorry to sound the note +of warning here,) others will come with the most dishonorable intentions +possible, though with an air of sincerity, and apparently as artless as +doves. Study all men long and carefully, keeping them meanwhile at a +respectful distance; never allow one to sit near with his arm about your +waist or to hold your hand in his; never allow him to kiss you--_the +vilest of loathsome diseases may be communicated by a kiss_ viz.: +_syphilis_. Do not allow any approach or touch beyond what is customary +in the best of society at a social gathering. Many a young lady with an +angelic form and spotless soul within, full of the best intentions and +of the purest character, giving bright promise of a brilliant future, +has been ruined for life by trusting herself alone with some of these +apparently wise and good, yet really vile men. + +Young women have not, as a rule, any sexual propensity, or amorous +thoughts or feelings. If they have been properly educated and cared for, +they are, before marriage, perfect strangers to any such sensations; and +yet any young lady who falls, does so by her own hand and she has no one +else to blame for it. _Remember_ that the Lord, in the beginning, never +suffers temptations beyond one's strength to overcome. If she falls +ultimately, it results from allowing an impure seed to be planted in the +mind at first, which she then nourishes for a time and only in the end +it bears its fruit. + +As time passes, a young lady forms an acquaintance with gentlemen, and +at length she favors the addresses of one who is particularly agreeable +to her. After this acquaintance has ripened into love, and she has +become convinced of the purity of his heart, she enjoys being with him, +in sitting by his side, and is unhappy in his absence. When betrothed, +owing to her great and pure love for him, she takes pleasure in +receiving such marks of affection from him as are shown by a tender +father or brother, but nothing more. After marriage, she feels that she +is really his and that he has become a part of herself--that they are no +more twain but are one flesh. All this has transpired without her hardly +suspecting such a quality in herself as an amorous affection. Still she +more than ever loves him, more than ever desires to be near him until +finally their union is fully and truly consummated by the marriage act. +At no time in her life does a woman make a greater sacrifice of her +feelings than at this time, and she does it solely for her pure and +fervent love for him. This is right and proper, and is in accordance +with the laws of order in the creation of the two sexes in the human, +animal and vegetable kingdoms throughout the world. + +I wish here to have some "Plain Talk," that the true object of this book +may be more fully understood and its mission more successfully +accomplished. Unless willing to make the above sacrifice, no woman +should ever marry; because she would not then be fulfilling the +marriage covenant. Besides, she would be false to her husband and this +falsity might cause his moral and physical destruction; his health would +suffer and his manhood become dethroned, because her conduct would +utterly controvert the immutable laws of nature. Nature's laws cannot +possibly be set aside without the infliction of a severe penalty. The +healthy young woman will have no difficulty in preserving her chastity +intact, so long as she cultivates that purity of mind to which she is +naturally prone. She should never allow herself to read immoral stories +or books having in the slightest degree even, such a tendency; +theatrical plays with loose morals should also be avoided, and light, +silly novels are very pernicious to the imaginative mind of the young. +On the other hand useful reading stores the mind with high and noble +thoughts, whence spring good and useful deeds. + +Unfortunately there are a variety of morbid conditions to which the +female is liable, so that sexual desires arise in spite of every effort +to keep aloof from them--even though there is not the slightest guilt in +mental or bodily transgression. These are owing to disordered conditions +of the sexual system, just as other disorderly desires arise, and are +often _inherited_--remember this all parents!--or they may be caused by +some morbific influences, as are other diseased conditions of the body. +Many a time have I had pure-minded young ladies apply to me for medical +aid in these matters, confessing that they had impure thoughts which +they knew were wrong, but of which they could not rid themselves. In +such cases there are physical symptoms of some kind that incite these +thoughts and feelings. The proper medical and hygienic treatment always +restores order in such functional derangements and the sexual +disturbances of the mind disappear. I have repeatedly cured nymphomania +by curing physical, or constitutional symptoms. In one case which came +under my care, nymphomania appeared in a married woman in the seventh +month of her pregnancy, and so fearfully did her mania rage that it +threw her into convulsions. Her physical and sensational symptoms led me +to the choice of the medicine that cured her, so that she was happily +delivered of a fine, healthy child at full term and no trace of the +disease has ever appeared since. Too often young women err and give way +to such feelings in resorting to _self-abuse_ for relief, or to the +caresses of the opposite sex, when they are ruined forever. It is never +safe to temporize or to tamper in this way with such sensations. Women +have heads and brains, as well as men, and rational faculties, too. +Every digression allowed, only paves the way for others, with less and +less resistance, and more and more ruinous results. Let a judicious +physician be consulted at once in all cases where a morbid condition +seems to excite immoral thoughts and sensations. + +The effects of self-abuse upon woman, is as disastrous as masturbation +upon males. A few hours after its commission, or the next day at +furthest, she feels languid and dragged out, sleepy, unfit for reading +anything solid, or studying, and unfit for social enjoyment with others; +she looks pale and haggard; often she feels giddy, particularly when +rising in the morning, with many other discomforts too numerous to +mention here. And is it true that some young ladies, the sweetest and +fairest of our race, play with one another in an immodest and indecent +way, teaching immorality to the pure and innocent? I fear it is, I +_know_ it is. Such things need not, must not, and will not be tolerated. +This little book will go about in all classes of society confirming and +strengthening the pure in heart in their purity and enlightening the +ignorant who will joyfully hail the good news; all will join hands in +one popular cry against indecencies and indulgences of an impure nature; +and the vilest man even will be taught to fear and respect the combined +world of chaste female influence. So it must be and eventually will be; +but woman, naturally pure and lovely woman! the greatest part of this +work must be done by you. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Marriage. + +The Husband. + + +"And JEHOVAH GOD said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I +will make him a help meet for him. * * * * And JEHOVAH GOD brought the +woman unto the man. And the man said, This is now bone of my bones and +flesh of my flesh. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his +mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one +flesh."--Gen. ii. 18, 22-24. + +"The marriage of one man with one woman is therefore designed in our +very creation by Him who made us. The love which brings them together +and binds them together, flows into their minds from the Divine Love, +from the love which has operated hitherto, and which now operates, in +creating and forming a Heaven of human beings." + +All young men, on arriving at the age of twenty-five, other +circumstances being favorable, should conform to the laws of Divine +order and marry. "Whom shall we marry? Young ladies now-a-days require +such an outfit and it costs so much to support a wife in the style she +wishes to live, or has been accustomed to, that, to say nothing of the +extra expense of children, we cannot afford to marry." This is a wrong +view to take, because pomp, style and show _are not the true objects of +marriage_! The married state is a duty and a great privilege, while its +uses are of the highest possible order physically, mentally and +spiritually. The love which brings the two together and which should +bind them together, requires only a comfortable home of respectable +appearance. Young married people should begin like young married people; +it is more orderly and more conducive to the welfare and true happiness +of each that, as time passes on, they build up their fortunes together, +each helping the other--thus affording new charms that no other course +will or can yield. + +In the choice of a wife, a man should especially seek _congeniality_. He +should make the acquaintance of a young lady living and moving in the +same sphere of life as his own, such as is congenial to his tastes; he +should see her in company with other young people and observe how she +treats them; and particularly notice how she acts towards her father +and mother, brothers and sisters: for a good daughter and sister always +makes a good wife. Study closely her character, her mental discipline, +her tastes in reading and her mode of life generally. Above all, note +her disposition as to selfishness, whether she be determined and bent +upon having her own way in everything, or whether she is yielding and +thoughtful of the comfort and happiness of her associates. Remember that +in the married state there must be a mutual yielding to each other, +though not the sinking of the wife's identity, so that the combined life +of the two may become one harmonious whole. Observe what she thinks of +children and get her opinion as to how they should be brought up and +educated. Be sure that she is one who can be loved most tenderly, one +for whom a man can make any sacrifice in reason for her sake--for whom +one can deny himself any comfort, any and every passion, brave any +danger, and conquer every difficulty in his power, to make her life +happy and useful. One quality: Is she strictly virtuous? Is she chastity +itself in thought, word and deed? If you, young man, have been the same, +if you have held yourself in by "bit and bridle," as it were,--then, if +she reciprocates your love, you are at liberty to propose marriage to +her. + +Before marriage, a young man takes great pains to make himself +attractive, is very attentive and polite, keeps up a genteel appearance +and is civility itself, that he may woo and win the young lady most +nearly approaching his ideal of feminine perfection, and the one most +nearly suited to his tastes and congeniality. After marriage he feels +that she is his, that she has pledged herself to this effect; and the +law has so decided; she is his, as he is hers, irrevocably. Now, young +man, do you mean to be loyal, to be her real husband until death +dissolves the allegiance? Then let nothing cool your ardor. Be as +watchful as when you were her wooer and even more so. Let nothing induce +you to swerve from your duty, to violate your vow or to betray your +trust. But ever be faithful and true. So may you be accounted worthy of +her choice as a husband and worthy to be enrolled among the respected +and honored fathers in our land. Heavier responsibilities rest upon you +now than before marriage. Your wife must be protected, supported and +cared for in every possible way, and you need to be even more careful to +retain her love than you were to win it. You are under heavy +responsibilities to your relatives and the community in which you live, +that your united lives bear such fruit as will be to all a delight. +Together, in your unity, you form as it were a tree; your united lives +throw out branches and leaves, buds and blossoms, and finally fruit in +its season; and every tree is known by its fruit. Bearing in mind the +high duties to which as a husband and a father you are called, seek not +to live for carnal pleasures. You have struggled manfully with yourself +and the world and have come up to this stage of your life pure and +uncontaminated; and that love which brought you two together, now flows +into your united lives from the Divine Love. Let that love continually +operate through you unitedly in creating new human beings who shall +ultimately serve to swell the grand army of the Angelic hosts in Heaven. + +Some well-meaning and otherwise apparently good husbands, but not true, +form habits of staying from their homes during their leisure hours, +particularly in the evenings. They visit club houses, billiard rooms or +other places of amusement, leaving their wives at home. Such absences +distress a wife greatly, though her love often restrains any expression +of disapproval. These habits increase, she suffers more and more, loses +sleep on his account and her health fails. The husband's dissipations +grow upon him--all such desertions are dissipations when they become +habitual--until he loses all relish for the company of his faithful wife +and for the caresses of his young and lovely children, until finally to +stay at home a single evening is a restraint and unhappiness to him. +Where now is the plighted faith! Where now is the tree, its branches and +leaves with their buds and blossoms, and what is the fruit? Where now is +that pure love which he promised when they became united and which +should forever bind them together, and who has almost severed that love? +Has not the little that remains become merely carnal, on his part at +least? Where is that union of mind and communion of soul that lifts one +above sensualism; and without which, sensualism is the only link and +quality left to keep the two together, until death dissolves the union? + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Marriage [continued]. + +The Wife. + + +Young ladies, why do you marry? Through infancy, childhood and +adolescence you have been watched over most tenderly and cared for most +lovingly; you have been protected and educated, and have been made as +happy under the paternal roof as circumstances would allow; and this +very book has been written largely on _your_ account. It has been the +custom from time immemorial, as it always will be, for girls to complete +their education and then to marry. But alas! how very few seem to +realize what married life really is and what will be expected in it; +what its duties and responsibilities are, or even what leads to +marriage. But to the question why do you even think of getting married? +The answer is, "Because it is inherent in the mind of every true female +character. It was ordained of God in her creation, spiritually, +mentally, and physically--from her inmost being to her complete +ultimation. It was in the very design of her creation that she should +love and be loved, that she should be sought after by the male sex, and +that she should become a wife and mother." + +First, let us understand what "marriage" signifies. The word itself +has the same meaning as the Latin word _conjugium_ and represents +a conjunction or union together. Carried out to its higher or more +interior meaning, marriage signifies the joining of good and truth--the +"good" being represented by the woman and "truth" being represented by +the man. Hence it denotes the spiritual conjunction of minds, and thence +of bodies, in contradistinction to the merely natural conjunction or +joining together of bodies only. So, to secure a real marriage, there +must be a spiritual conjunction of minds; and the conjunction of bodies +in wedlock is simply the ultimation, or manifestation of spiritual +principles in marriage. + +The true reason why girls marry is because they have an innate principle +of love for the male sex; and this love is drawn from the Lord above. +Consequently, it is pure, chaste, and when fully developed, very +powerful. In connection with this principle comes the desire to be +sought after and loved by a man of congenial character for whose dear +sake a woman is induced to leave father and mother, brothers and +sisters, to become the wife of him whom she can claim as her own dear +husband. This Heaven-born principle is what leads and induces the female +to assent to the marriage relation. For her own sake, for his sake as +well as for the sake of all parties concerned, this step should be taken +very carefully and only after mature consideration. Once married, there +is no escape from its lifelong duties and responsibilities. She must +yield to him whatever the marriage vow allows, that she may become a +_wife_ in the fullest sense of the term. Marriage is a sacred relation, +instituted by God Himself, and the sexual approach which follows between +husband and wife, is a special avowal of their relation to each other; +and so often as it is repeated it is a renewal of their obligations to +be faithful to each other. All sexuality is in the order of creation +and, coming from the Lord, serves for high and holy purposes. It was +_never_ intended for mere carnal pleasure; as such, it is the +profanation and perversion of a great boon to the human race. The man or +woman who perverts it must and will, sooner or later, suffer a penalty +equal to the transgression. + +The husband rightfully expects to find in his wife, as a seal of the +marriage covenant, his greatest possible delight. It should be her +greatest delight to give him that pleasure; and if she loves her husband +according to her avowal, she will not fail to do this. The feeling, each +of the other's nearness--in thought, word and act, as though each one +were intertwined with the other in the most complete union, is a very +great delight; even indescribably great. The sexual act itself is really +a type of the perfect harmony in which the married pair should dwell +throughout their lives. It teaches a mutual yielding so that the +honeymoon, rising so beautifully and lovingly, may continue to wax +lighter and brighter and its fullness be attained in this world only at +the dissolution, by a natural death, of a union so orderly and happily +formed. It is in the very nature of the male to seek his mate; it is an +inborn principle for him to do so, and his health, even his life, +certainly his moral life, often depends upon an orderly and lawful +indulgence of what this inherent principle demands. The greatest +longevity and the best health are found among fathers and mothers; +thereby proving that orderly and well-regulated sexual intercourse is +just as necessary to the married couple as are the functional demands of +all other organs of the body. From the foregoing it may be plainly +inferred, that, if the wife of a chaste young man who has duly guarded +himself from his childhood up, until he has sought and wedded his mate, +fails to reciprocate cheerfully and pleasantly in the seal of connubial +affection, she proves a bitter disappointment to him. Not that he is +carnal, gross or beastly, no! The principle given him by his Creator and +residing in his pure and inmost soul has been violated by her in whom he +placed his life's confidence; she has proved _false_ to him in this +particular, one upon which their present and eternal welfare so largely +depends. Young ladies about to marry should be taught to understand this +matter most fully, in all its bearings. If they pervert marriage in +false practices, the love of God, conjugal love, and the love of +infants, the three holiest and noblest inspirations of life, perish +together. No woman then should ever marry without a full knowledge of +her duties to her husband, particularly in the sexual respect; for +without granting this privilege to her husband in full and free accord, +there _cannot_ be maintained a happy married life. + +_The duties of marriage_, as a topic, embrace a vast field of thought; +and there is _so much_ to say thereon, so much advice to tender, so many +absolute commands to enjoin, so many warnings to utter, that it is with +difficulty I restrain myself from launching out diffusely in an attempt +to give the most important of these. But to so specifically particularize +is not the purpose of this book. Enough is said herein, I trust, to set +the reflective mind to thinking seriously on these matters and thereby +to awaken the conscience to a full sense of its duties. Quite too many +cases have come under my observation where the marriage vow has never +been consummated or, if consummated at all, in a very begrudging manner, +owing to the insubordination of the wife. Consequently dissatisfaction, +unhappiness and frequently a permanent separation follows, bringing +disgrace upon the family and scandal to their circle of friends. This is +not only wrong, but it is a most unpardonable vice. Sexuality has been +ordained by God in his wisdom as the means of creation. It exists +throughout all nature, in every tree, plant and shrub, in every animal +and insect; in every bird that flies, in every fish that swims, in every +man and woman. The very best and purest of husbands and wives, all the +world over, indulge in sexuality to their united satisfaction, in full +acknowledgment that it is of God and from God. Every wife who is +unreasonable or derelict in this _duty_ is untrue to her husband and +commits a sin against the God of Heaven and earth. Since, then, +sexuality is so evidently of Divine appointment, it should be committed +entirely to him in its effects.[I] + + [I] See "In Health." By Dr. A. J. Ingersoll, Corning, N. Y. + +If at any time the act prove fruitful and a child be born, it should be +considered as a great blessing and gift from God Himself. What is more +beautiful than to see a married couple engaged in rearing a new human +being destined to become an angel in Heaven! For this indeed is the +prime object of sexuality and of the marriage covenant. As has been well +said, life on earth is Heaven's seminary. And yet, so many wives, to +their shame be it said, use preventives to conception, thus attempting +to controvert the order of Nature and Nature's God; this is one of the +greatest crimes of the present age and vengeance will surely be taken on +every transgressor in this sacred matter. Such practice is secret vice +which little by little wears upon the inmost vital principle until the +perpetrators of such wrongs suffer untold misery in their physical +nature--often not even suspecting the cause of such sufferings. + +"But there is yet another reason, and a very strong moral one, why the +wife should not remain childless. There can be no question that the +blood of the father mingles with that of the mother through the medium +of the child _in utero_. (Hence the transmission of blood-diseases from +husband to wife.) Hence the indelible impressions made upon a wife by +the father of her offspring--impressions, both mental and physical, +which by character or resemblance she often transmits to her children by +a second husband. Now, * * * * may not this account for the similarity +of character and identity of tastes, and, indeed, for that wonderful +personal resemblance, which sometimes develops between husband and wife? +And does not this requisite alone fulfil the Divine interpretation of +marriage, that 'they are no more twain but one flesh?'"[J] + + [J] Wm. Goodell, M. D., "Lessons in Gynecology," P. 442. + +After marriage a new order of life is entered upon by the wife, and her +family matters should subordinate all other schemes and projects of her +future existence. Her main thought and study should now be, "How can I +best fulfil these new duties and responsibilities? First, my dear +husband! how can I be a true help-meet to him? Here we two are to be +one, a new _punctum saliens_, and every act of ours will bear the image +of our united lives. No matter what may happen, I will be true to my +matrimonial vow and to my God; for I am in His hands and my dear +husband's." A married life begun in this way, with such resolutions +sincerely and studiously kept, will secure a life full of happiness and +privileges beyond the fondest hope and expectation. When pregnancy +occurs, just as soon as the fact be suspected, the little embryo should +be regarded as already a member of the family. Every act of each parent +should now be performed in some degree with reference to the forth-coming +infant. The mother's thoughts particularly should be directed to it as +much as possible whilst performing the uses of life. She should read +much that is elevating and ennobling in character as this serves a good +purpose in producing a more perfect, more healthy and more brilliant +child. Let her read such books as "Elements of Character" by Miss +Chandler; "Growth of the Mind" by S. Reed; "Sex in Education" by E. H. +Clarke, M. D.; also, "Wear and Tear" by S. Weir Mitchell, M. D.; and any +other books of like character. Do not forget that the education of the +child begins _in utero_. + +During gestation the mother should subsist as far as possible upon +fruit, vegetables and a farinaceous diet--always plain and without +spices. Plenty of active exercise is indispensable and the use of a +"Health Lift" will be found most beneficial. When the nine months are +completed, under care of a competent physician, the birth of the child +will be accomplished with but comparatively little pain, and its +attendant dangers and difficulties will be greatly lessened. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Marriage [concluded]. + +Husband and Wife. + + +To preserve the marriage vow inviolate, the same pure love that brought +the two together should be cultivated by home uses and home amusements +such as readings, games, conversation, etc. If the wife have needle +work, let the husband read or talk to her; if he be a literary man, let +her presence cheer him on and inspire him to nobler and more refined +productions. What was done during courtship that made time pass so +rapidly and so pleasantly? Was every topic so discussed and used up that +nothing is now left for an exchange of views? Is carnal pleasure to be +the only binding tie? Such a life is not very pure and only a poor use +can be made of it. Topics of interest to a married pair should be +innumerable and their pleasures inexhaustible. Home is the soil in which +the tree is to grow; and the richer the soil, the better for the tree, +and the more numerous will be the branches, all of them vigorously +developing buds and leaves, blossoms and fruit, which will be most +fragrant, beautiful and useful. When amusement outside of home is sought +let it be, as far as possible, of a nature that both may enjoy it +equally. + +Husband and Wife! He, being of larger mould in every particular, in +head, chest, and all the vital organs, is the provider, the protector, +the guardian of his home; he, the masculine, or representative of the +Truth, is to lead the way in conducting home or business affairs. She, +the feminine, or representative of the Good, inclines to the good way +continually; and, as married partners, Good and Truth should be married +in them. There cannot be a true evil way nor a good false way; there can +only be a true good way and a good true way. So the wife, the good, must +conjoin herself to her husband, the truth, in order that every truth may +result in good; and the husband, the truth, should seek to be conjoined +to the wife, the good, that every good may become true. In this there is +much wisdom: if the husband be truly wise he will always be sure that +all his projects are tempered with good; while if the wife be truly +good, all her doings will be enlightened by truth. As hand in hand they +thus go through life's planning and doing, the husband will always be +assisted by his good, the wife; and the wife will be led on in good by +her truth, the husband. By taking this high and holy ground, there will +be experienced pleasure and happiness by the married couple, far +transcending all other modes of life in existence. Then will each and +every organ in the body be seen to have a fitness, a place, and a use +which could not possibly be dispensed with, because, each and all these +organs have an originating cause in the mental and spiritual parts of +mankind, from which they proceed and from which they exist. Thus we see +how wrong, how frightfully wrong it is to abuse, or pervert the use of, +_any_ of these physical organs which are so sacred and so important to +the welfare of the human family. "Dishonor the body, the temple of the +soul, and you dishonor the soul." "If any man defile the temple of God, +him will God destroy."--I. Cor. 3:17. + +When married, the battle for one united and harmonious life really +begins. The wife's great and supreme love for her husband personally, +will allow many privileges which under other circumstances her timidity +and chastity would refuse. Tenderly and with great consideration should +these privileges be accepted. For, contrary to the opinion of many men, +there is no sexual passion on the part of the bride that induces her to +grant such liberties. Then how exquisitely gentle and how forbearing +should be the bridegroom's deportment on such occasions! Sometimes such +a shock is administered to her sensibilities that she does not recover +from it for years; and in consequence of this shock, rudely or +thoughtlessly administered, she forms a deeply rooted antipathy against +the very act which is the bond and seal of a truly happy married life. +These sexual unions serve to bring the married pair into a perfectly +harmonious relation to each other. And just as tenderly, lovingly and +harmoniously should they join in each and all the daily uses of life +which they are called upon to perform. The sexual relation is among the +most important uses of married life; it vivifies the affections for each +other, as nothing else in this world can, and is a powerful reminder of +their mutual obligations to one another and to the community in which +they live. Indulgence, however, should not be too frequent, lest it +debilitate the pair and undermine their health. The bridegroom and +husband should carefully watch over his bride and wife to see that she +is not a sufferer and should govern himself accordingly. It is better +that these renewed obligations should be made at stated periods, as man +is governed so much by habit. As a rule, once or twice a week, or in +some cases once in two weeks, is sufficient; but once a week will +suffice in many cases for healthful purposes. During the menstrual flow +there should be an entire cessation of the conjugal act. When pregnancy +occurs it is in most cases, more healthful and better for the expectant +mother to allow intercourse at regular times, very gently, throughout +her gestation. + +The object of marriage is the ultimation of that love which brings the +two together and binds them together, in the procreation and rearing of +children for Heaven. This is the only true aim and sole object about +which every earthly desire, interest and plan of the married pair should +cluster. + +_As to the question of child-bearing._ No greater crime in the sight +of Heaven exists to-day than that of perverting the natural uses of +marriage. This is done in a great variety of ways, every one of which +is criminal, in whatever form practised; and none will escape the +penalty--no, not one. Nature's laws are inexorable; every transgression +thereof is surely punished, even at the _climacteric period_, if not +before. The questions of failing health, of physical inability, or too +frequent conceptions are matters for the investigation, advice and +decision of an experienced, judicious and upright physician. They should +never be taken in hand and judged upon by the parties themselves. And +to the objection "can't afford to have children; they cost too much," I +have faith enough to reply, "Our Heavenly Father never sends more mouths +than he can feed." Let each one do his and her duty in life and this +cavil falls to the ground like water--which, when spilled, cannot be +gathered up. + +Good people everywhere rejoice when they behold a married couple living +together in an orderly manner and rearing a large family of children. +How often is Queen Victoria held up as a pattern of excellence in this +respect: she accepted and acknowledged Prince Albert as her husband and +gave herself to him as his wife; and so indeed she was in every sense of +the term. Although a Queen, sitting on the pinnacle of power, she did +not seek to avoid the pangs, the dangers or inconveniences of +child-bearing. By her own personal strength her twelve children were +brought forth and her own sensitive fibres and tissues felt the +suffering. She nursed, caressed and loved them like a good mother and +she was a _royal mother_! Other kings and queens have done likewise; +other husbands and wives, high in power, wealth and fashion have done +and are still doing the same. And how much the less should we, in the +humbler walks of life, obey the Divine command "Be fruitful and +multiply." + +If a husband truly loves his wife and if she truly loves him, they will +live for each other and in each other, and they will be one; and they +will seek to do right in every particular of their marital relation. +To apply to life the truths advanced above and to realize them, will +require great effort by the parties in question. This manner of life +will not come of itself; it is too good to come without working for. +Mutual concessions must be made daily, and several times a day; one's +own way must frequently be given up, and always when discovered to +be a selfish way, because the mutual good is always to be consulted. +Questions of importance should be discussed freely and dispassionately, +and a good reason be established before adopting actions that may not +lead to proper results. In the marriage co-partnership the interest +in the right and the wrong, the loss and the gain, the lights and the +shadows, the pleasures and the pains, should be equally shared; because +they concern one just as much as the other, and should be equally +enjoyed, and equally borne by both. + +A start is made with loving hearts and this state of affairs must never +be allowed to diminish. The husband should ever be glad to see his wife, +and the wife should ever be glad to see her husband. How many husbands +never know what reception they will meet with on returning home after +their anxious and exhausting business hours are over for the day; it may +be a happy or a very unhappy one. How much it consoles, encourages, +lifts up, and rests a man to return to his home after the trying scenes +of a day busily spent in providing for the support of his family are +over, to find his wife affectionate and serene, and all about the house +brilliant with contentment. Such a wife if she has troubles, and of +course she has just as many troubles as the husband, though of a +different kind, and wishes to call the attention of her husband to them, +will do it at a proper time, when she knows it will annoy him the least, +and when he will be able to give her the most assistance. She will never +try to annoy him; but endeavoring to be a true help-meet will seek in a +proper and loving way to get him to be the same to her. The wife will +gain and command the respect of her husband only through kind and +loving ways. By her love constantly and judiciously administered she +will lead him onward and upward to higher aspirations and better +circumstances in life, throughout their days of united existence. A +scolding, fretting, worrying and selfish wife has ruined for life many +a husband. + +All the "self-denial" however, as it is called by some, is not on the +wife's side; the husband too must be forbearing; he must remember on his +way home at night that his faithful wife, who has been at home all day, +has had trials and disappointments in her domestic affairs; and he must +not be disappointed to find domestic arrangements a little disordered, +and his wife somewhat chagrined that, under the circumstances, she +really could give him no better a reception than he may experience. He +must always try to make the best of it and be satisfied. He must not +find fault with the cooking, for instance, but must be perfectly content +with everything as it is until his well-managing wife has had time to +overcome her difficulties and troubles. + +Never find fault with your wife under any circumstances; let your +intellect discover a way to better things if need be. A really wise man +will never allow a harsh word to escape his lips to a loving wife, or +to his harmless children. By so living together a wise husband and a +loving wife will soon discover that they two are but complemental to +each other--like the Will and Understanding of one individual. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +TO THE UNFORTUNATE. + + +Let no one imagine that, because he or she has committed any of the +great errors enumerated in former chapters, there is no hopeful future. +Such a conclusion need not, necessarily, be accepted. In very many cases +where there is a _will_ to reform, there is also a _way_; and very often +a complete cure and restoration to health may be effected. Diseased +bones may be made sound; ulcerations healed; sore throats cured; +blemishes on the skin removed; urinary difficulties may be dissipated or +at least greatly ameliorated; sexual disorders remedied; impaired eyes +much improved and defective vision much benefited if not wholly +restored; the auditory apparatus helped if not fully cured; and the +distracted mind, with its fanciful imageries, rendered tranquil and +rational. + +To accomplish all this the _mind_ must lead the way. The brain must +assert its supremacy, and the will-power become absolute. It is only +where there is a will, an indomitable will, that a way out of these +direful difficulties is afforded. Let happen what may, no opposing +influences should dampen the determination to press forward to +reformation; and then, sooner or later, the conquest will be made. + +To begin with, when the mind is fully determined to overcome all +obstacles or perish in the attempt, consult a judicious physician as +advised in the preface of this book. Lose no time with quackery in any +shape or form. Do not be beguiled by those who promise "a speedy cure." +Speedy cures cannot be made in these cases. Strong determination to +improve aided by proper medication can, in bad cases, only restore a +healthful condition in from two to three years. The system requires to +be made over anew as it were. The current of life must be turned into +new channels. New thoughts and new blood must be made to take the place +of what were wrong and polluted. This will take time and perseverance; +and then, little by little the old enemies will be overcome and driven +out. But progress for the better must be measured only from month to +month and even then there may be apparent relapses. Let me however +asseverate, from my abundance of experience in these cases, that there +is ultimately, after a reasonable time, every hope of becoming sound +and healthy again. + +Many young persons are rendered quite distracted by the sexual +instinct being too strong. It infests them and goads them on to the +commission of further unseemly acts--though suffering much from past +transgressions--which it seems almost impossible to avoid. The sensation +haunts and clings to them day and night, in spite of every attempt to +rise superior thereto. Sometimes nocturnal pollutions, or "wet dreams," +as they are commonly termed, result from these or other causes. There +must be some cause for this state of things and a rigid examination into +one's mode of life should ascertain the same. It may come from errors in +diet, in eating or drinking; in the use of highly seasoned food; or the +taking of some medicinal drug substance. It is well known that many +drugs have the power of producing such a condition. Should any of the +above seem to act as causes, a change should be made at once. The +plainest diet and simplest mode of life is always best in sickness or in +health. Again, one may take too little exercise in the open air. If so, +an abundance of physical exertion should be made daily, to insure a +natural and healthy condition of all organs of the body. Or, uncomfortable +conditions may arise, as they often do, from some morbid condition of +the vital forces. If diet and exercise are insufficient, the judicious +physician should be consulted and every symptom or unnatural sensation +from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet, should be carefully +described to him. In all probability he will remedy the trouble, thus +restoring peace and happiness. The generative organs are as liable to be +affected by a morbid state of the vital forces, as are any other organs +of the body; and when so affected they are just as amenable to +treatment. + +The above condition of affairs is not, however, confined to the male +sex. Females often suffer equally and in the same way. Many young +persons, of both sexes, have fallen victims to these disorders who could +have been cured by proper medical treatment. A female suffering from the +ill effects of any bad habit contracted in youth, or from any sexual or +venereal disorder, should seek medical aid with the same promptness and +openness of heart as a male. To overcome the vicious habit of self-abuse +is no trifling matter; it will require the persistent application of +indomitable will, aided by Christianity--by oft repeated appeals to the +Lord for aid, who lends a willing ear and a helping hand to the poor +and needy. When reformation is determined upon, it is better to consult +a physician at once and act under his advice. Besides directing the +proper diet and plenty of vigorous exercise in the open air, he will +prescribe the proper medicament. + +Cases of real syphilitic poisoning are most serious affections, and +everyone should know of the fearful effects of this poison--how +searchingly it infests the whole system, and how it contaminates the +blood and every tissue in the body. Such cases, therefore, should not be +trifled with in any way. Advertised nostrums should be particularly +avoided. For, if this poison be simply smothered in one's blood instead +of being wholly eradicated and cured, it will be sure to seize upon the +offspring and either destroy them before birth or during dentition. The +bare fear of such contamination should be amply sufficient to deter +everyone from exposing him- or herself to the risk. But, having fallen, +by all means seek the aid of a judicious physician. An experience of +nearly forty years in the treatment of these cases, in both sexes, has +given me the power to know whereof I speak; and I do declare that a very +large percentage of these cases can be cured in a safe manner; and so +perfectly cured too, that there will be no danger of transmitting the +infection to the offspring. I, by no means stand alone in this statement; +many other physicians, after long years of experience assert the same +truth. + +Therefore, let no one be discouraged, no matter how far he, or she, has +strayed from the paths of virtue or how much suffering has been entailed +thereby. In connection with the physician's help, aid yourself. Have +courage! Let the invincible will lead on unflinchingly--upheld by pure +thoughts, and good actions will surely follow. "Desire is really +dangerous only when it brings voluptuous pictures incessantly before the +imagination. It thus holds a thousand conflicts with virtue which it +conquers in the end; it installs itself in the bosom of the intelligence +of which it becomes the habitual pre-occupation." Seek therefore for +only pure thoughts. + +We should at all times exert all the power within us to live correct and +blameless lives in every respect, but particularly so in sexual matters. +The happiness, the health, and the lives of families and communities are +far more largely dependent upon these matters than is commonly supposed. +Those who have led lives of blameless purity, will continue to do so +after reading this book; while those who have gone astray will here find +every encouragement to set about their reformation at once. If faithful +to the teachings recorded in these pages they will bless the day and the +occasion that inspired the writer to put his hand to this work. The God +of Heaven and Earth knows that the motive that led me to this undertaking +was pure, and as solely for the good of humanity, as that purity which +prompts a human being to live a blameless life in the sight of his Maker. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ORIGIN OF THE SEX. + +From Whence does the Sex Proceed and What Determines It? + + +So much has been written about this matter, and so many foolish, low, +and really debasing theories and speculations have been advanced in +relation thereto, that I deem it expedient at this time, and in this +place, to put forth the true theory of the reproduction of the sexes, +one that can endure the test of the most rigid scientific investigation. +The only theory upon this subject worthy of notice, must be based upon a +principle that will hold good and true throughout all animated nature, +not only in the animal, but in the vegetable kingdom as well. + +The earth is the common mother of the vegetable world; seeds of all +kinds fall into her and she brings forth male and female plants +according to the seeds planted. The _earth_ certainly does not give the +sex to plants for they come forth according to the life inherent in the +seed; if this life-force be male, the plant must be male; and if the +life-force of the seed be female, the product must be a female plant. +The earth can possibly bring forth no other sex than that which the +life-force of the seed impels. + +This is true in the animal creation. Within the female grows the seed +given her by the male, be it male or female, and she can grow none +other. In other words the male as is very evident on mature reflection +gives the soul or the inmost vital principle, and the female clothes +that soul, or gives it a body in which to operate. What else can the +male do; what office does he perform, if it is not strictly this: to +impart of his life-giving spirit! The mother in clothing this germ of +life commingles, intertwines, and insinuates her own spirit, at the same +time educating, instructing, and determining its development according +to the influence she imparts to it. So the offspring partakes largely of +the nature of both its parents. The determination as to whether he +begets a male or female depends entirely upon the inmost vital state of +the male at the time of giving, although he is unconscious of the fact, +so that he can have no choice and no regulation, as some writers most +absurdly claim, in the matter of the forth-coming sex. He determines or +produces it unconsciously and involuntarily, the mother simply receiving, +clothing, and issuing from her body what the father has given her. + +It must not be forgotten when exploring these deep subjects that man is +a spiritual being, clothed with a material body, that his spirit is his +inmost, and that what proceeds from him in the generative act has life +from his inmost; consequently the life-giving principle of his semen is +from his inmost, which constitutes its life-giving power. This inmost +from the male, the begetting power, is clothed by his seminal fluid for +an All-wise purpose; it is not the gross material, the clothing, that +begets, but the living power which this material contains, which +fructifies, or becomes conjoined, or commingled with the vital force of +the ovule of the mother,[K] so that she can clothe it; and when so +conjoined the germ, or seed, is planted in congenial soil. Conception +has thus really taken place by virtue of this act, and the animal mother +proceeds with her reproduction precisely upon the same general +principles that mother earth reproduces corn from a single kernel. + + [K] See Guernsey's Obstetrics, 3d edition, on Reproduction. + +It is universally acknowledged that the Lord creates, that we owe all to +Him, that He gives us our children, etc., etc. This is true, and it is +also true that He makes use of the parents, through whom he operates to +this end. By the constant influx of his Divine Love and Wisdom He gives +us life, and by virtue of this constant influx into the father who +begets, the mother's conception becomes doubly sacred. She conceives +from her husband, and at the same instant the Lord by virtue of His +Divine Power breathes into that conception the breath of life, whereby +it becomes a living soul. By the light of this truth we see that it is +not the parents who give life to their offspring. They only supply the +pure material substances which are organized into the human form by the +living and life-giving forces which constantly flow in from the Lord who +is life itself and from whom all life constantly emanates. + + + + +INDEX. + + + "Abuse," self, definition of, 60 + + Adolescence of the female, 68 + " characteristics of, in females, 68 + " time of, in females, 27 + " of the male, 42 + " pride of in the male, 51 + " of male, changes observable, 42, 43 + " time of, in the male, 27 + + Amorous, females not naturally, 78, 103 + + Applications, in worm affections, 33 + + Ascarides, 33 + + + Bannisters, injurious to slide down, 29 + + + Chastity, what is true, 36 + " difficulty of maintaining, 53, 64 + " needful in both sexes, 63 + " difficulty of regaining, 56 + " should be maintained, 55 + + Child-bearing, the question of, 104 + " prevention of, 104 + + Childhood, 27 + + Children, let them romp, play, &c., 39 + " sleep of, 40 + " weight of at birth, 21 + + Coffee, use of by children, 36 + + Conception, 15 + + Continence not hurtful, 54, 55 + " physiologically considered, 57, 64 + + + Diapers for children, choice of, 25 + + Diet of the mother, during gestation, 98 + + + Embryo, earliest stage of, 15 + + Evil, first step of, 45, 61 + + + Fathers, injurious actions of, 25 + + Females, self-abuse in, 76, 82 + " dangers and temptations of, 77, 81 + " from fourteen to eighteen years, 69 + " naturally not amorous, 78, 103 + + Feminine charms, to preserve, 75 + + Foetal development, recapitulation of, 21, 22 + + + Genital organs, care of in infancy, 24 + " " uses of, 52, 59 + + + Health Lift beneficial, 99 + + Hope for the fallen, 110 + + Husband, advice to, 87 + " not to find fault, 108 + " represents "The Truth," 101 + + + Incontinent, trials of the, 56 + + Infant, the, 24 + + Insane asylums, who are there, 50 + + Introductory chapter, 13 + + + Licentiousness, perception of by the female, 63 + + Life, all, comes from the LORD, 120 + + LORD, the, alone creates, 119 + + + Marriage; act, the, 79, 80 + " the husband, 84 + " the wife, 90 + " conduct of a man before and after, 87, 88 + " the duties of, 94 + " true meaning of the word, 91 + " vow, the, 92 + + Married life, how to begin, 85 + " true love in, 106 + + Marry, men should, 84 + " why do girls, 90, 91 + + Masturbation, symptoms of, 34, 60 + " taught in schools, at home, &c., 34 + + Mechanical means, in worm affections, 33 + + Menstruation; and care during, 70, 73 + " not an inconvenience, 71 + + Mind, strength of, needful in reformation, 110 + + + Nurses, vicious practices of, 25 + + + Opiates should be avoided, 24 + + Origin of the Sex, 117 + + + Penis, secretions forming on, 30, 31 + + Pin worms, 33 + + Pollutions, nightly, causes of, 65 + " produced by drugs, 66 + + Poor houses, who the inmates are, 50 + + Preface, 9 + + Pregnancy, beginning of, 15 + " fifth week of, 16 + " seventh week of, 16 + " two months of, 17 + " ten weeks of, 17 + " third month of, 18 + " fourth month of, 19 + " fifth month of, 19 + " sixth month of, 19 + " seventh month of, 20 + " eighth month of, 20 + " ninth month of, 21 + + Prepuce, long, 31 + + Prevention of child bearing, 104 + + Preventives to conception, 96 + + Priapism, in boys, 30 + + Prisons, who the inmates are, 50 + + Pure thoughts, necessity for, 59, 115 + + Purgatives in worm affections, 33 + + + Queen Victoria, in child bearing, 105 + " " a Royal mother, 105 + + + Self-Abuse, to overcome, 113 + + Seminal fluid, 65 + + Sex, man powerless to regulate, 118 + " origin of the, 117 + + Sexual act, the, in marriage, 92, 94, 102 + " act, the frequency of, in marriage, 104 + " disorders come from within, 32 + " impressions on children, causes producing, 29 + " impressions should never affect a child, 27 + " instinct too strong, 112 + " intercourse, illicit, dangers of, 46, 47 + " intercourse, illicit, should not be recommended by a + physician, 55, 57 + " matters, use of good information on, 34 + " organs, earliest discernment of, 18 + " organs, needless laving, handling, &c., 31 + " precocity in children, 28 + " precocity in children, case illustrating, 28 + " temptations, to conquer, 56, 59, 62, 63 + " thoughts, influence of, 46, 53 + + Soothing syrups, avoidance of, 24 + + Spermatorrhoea, causes of, 65 + " caused by drugs, 66 + + Syphilis, 47, 48 + " mental effects of, 49 + + Syphilitic poisoning, 114 + + Syringes, 73, 75 + + Syrups, soothing, avoidance of, 34 + + + Tea, use of, by children, 36 + + Tobacco, use of, by children, 36 + + + Unfortunate, to the, 110 + + Urinate, inability to, in the morning, 32 + + + Vaginal injections, 73 + + Vermifuges, in worm affections, 33 + + + Washings, uselessness of, 38, 39 + + Weight of children at birth, 21 + + "Wet dreams," causes of, 65 + + Wife, choice of, 85 + " represents "The Good," 101 + " should allow the sexual act, 92, 94, 95 + " to be considerate, 107 + + Will power, man should be governed by the, 43 + + Wine, use of by children, 36 + + Worms, 33 + " are of constitutional origin, 33 + + + + + [ Transcriber's Note: + + The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first + line is the original line, the second the corrected one. + + practically qualified, both by inherent qualities and education for the + practically qualified, both by inherent qualities and education, for the + + Origin of the Sex 117 + Origin of the Sex, 117 + + heighth of sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of semen occurs and + height of sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of semen occurs and + + as inflamations, excoriations, itchings and swellings of the genital + as inflammations, excoriations, itchings and swellings of the genital + + low. _The same thinking, feeling and desiring preceeds the adoption of + low. _The same thinking, feeling and desiring precedes the adoption of + + view to take, because, pomp, style and show _are not the true objects of + view to take, because pomp, style and show _are not the true objects of + + Some well-meaning and otherwise apparrently good husbands, but not true, + Some well-meaning and otherwise apparently good husbands, but not true, + + Young ladies why do you marry? Through infancy, childhood and + Young ladies, why do you marry? Through infancy, childhood and + + everyone from exposing him--or herself, to the risk. But, having fallen, + everyone from exposing him- or herself to the risk. But, having fallen, + + Children, sleep of, 40 + " sleep of, 40 + + Husband, advice to 87 + Husband, advice to, 87 + + " seventh week of 16 + " seventh week of, 16 + + Sex, origin of the, 117 + " origin of the, 117 + + " temptations, to conquer 56, 59, 62, 63 + " temptations, to conquer, 56, 59, 62, 63 + ] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects, by +Henry Newell Guernsey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAIN TALKS ON AVOIDED SUBJECTS *** + +***** This file should be named 31671-8.txt or 31671-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/6/7/31671/ + +Produced by Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects + +Author: Henry Newell Guernsey + +Release Date: March 17, 2010 [EBook #31671] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAIN TALKS ON AVOIDED SUBJECTS *** + + + + +Produced by Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div id="tnote"> +<p class="center"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p> +<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as +possible, including inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation; +changes (corrections of spelling and punctuation) made to the +original text are marked <ins title="transcriber's note">like this</ins>. +The original text appears when hovering the cursor over the marked text.</p> +</div> + +<div id="text-block"> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: xx-large; line-height: 1.5em; font-style: italic;">PLAIN TALKS<br/> +<small style="font-size: medium;">ON</small><br/> +<big class="smcap">Avoided Subjects.</big></p> + +<hr/> + +<p class="center"><i>HENRY N. GUERNSEY, M.D.</i></p> + + + + +<h1 class="smcap" style="line-height: 1.8em;">Plain Talks<br/> +<small style="font-size: medium;">on</small><br/> +Avoided Subjects.</h1> + +<p class="center" style="line-height: 2em;"><small>BY</small><br/> +<big class="smcap">Henry N. Guernsey, M. D.,</big></p> + +<p class="center" style="font-style: italic;">Ex-Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the<br/> +Homœopathic Medical College of Penn'a; Ex-Professor of Materia<br/> +Medica and Institutes in the Hahnemann Medical College<br/> +of Philadelphia and Dean of the Faculty; Author of<br/> +Guernsey's Obstetrics, including the Disorders<br/> +peculiar to Women and Young Children;<br/> +Lectures on Materia Medica, &c.</p> + +<p class="center" style="font-style: italic;">Honorary Member of the Hahnemannian Medical Institute of Phila-<br/> +delphia; of the Homœopathic Medical Society of the State of New<br/> +York; of the Instituto Homeopatico, Mexicano; of the Hahn-<br/> +emannian Society of Madris de Tulio, Spain; Member of<br/> +the American Institute of Homœopathy; Consulting<br/> +Physician to the West Philadelphia Homœo-<br/> +pathic Hospital for Children, &c. &c.</p> + +<hr/> + +<p class="center" style="line-height: 1.8em;">PHILADELPHIA<br/> +<big>F. A. DAVIS COMPANY, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span></big><br/> +1905</p> + +<div style="margin: 8em auto; page-break-before: always;"> +<hr style="margin-bottom: 1em;"/> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyrighted, 1882,<br/> +by<br/> +H. N. Guernsey. M. D.</span></p> +<hr style="margin-top: 1em;"/> +</div> + + + +<div class="smcap" style="max-width: 26em; margin: 8em auto; font-family: Sans-Serif; page-break-before: always;"> +<p>This little volume is fervently and solemnly dedicated +to its Mission.</p> + +<p>Those who conscientiously read and faithfully apply +its teachings to life, cannot fail to become wiser, better +and happier members of the Home circle and of Society +at large.</p> +</div> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_9" title="9"> </a> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> +<hr/> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">For</span> many years I have wished that some able +pen would place before the community at +large the knowledge contained in the following +pages. Some of this information has appeared +from time to time in such books as “Graham's +Lectures on Chastity,” “Todd's Students' Manual,” +and a few popular works of a similar kind, which +have been of immense service to the human race +in preserving chastity and in reclaiming the unchaste. +But all these are now inadequate to the +growing demand for more light on these vital +topics. It has been too much the custom for +everyone, parents included, to shrink from instructing +their own children, or those entrusted to +their care, on these points; consequently, many +young people <em>solely from their ignorance</em> fall into +the direst evils of a sexual nature and are thereby +much injured and sometimes wholly ruined for +life's important duties.</p> + +<p>An experience of forty years in my professional +career has afforded me thousands of opportunities +for sympathizing with young men, and young +women too, who had unconsciously sunk into these +very evils merely for want of an able writer to place +this whole subject truthfully and squarely before +them, or for some wise friend to perform the same +kind office verbally. The perusal of a work by +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_10" title="10"> </a>Wm. Acton, M. R. C. S., of London, on “The +Functions and Disorders of the Reproductive +Organs in Childhood, Youth, Adult Age, and Advanced +Life,” has, by his purity of sentiments, +which have ever been identical with my own, both +inspired and emboldened me to write a work of +similar import. But his is for the profession while +mine is for the profession and the laity, of both +sexes and of any age. May its perusal inspire the +readers with a higher appreciation of the matters +herein treated, and with a greater effort to reformatory +measures everywhere. Whenever I +advise the consulting of a “judicious” (a term I +use many times) physician, I mean one fully and +practically qualified, both by inherent qualities +and <ins title="education">education,</ins> for the fullest confidence of his +patients.</p> + +<p>I am indebted to my son, Joseph C. Guernsey, +M. D., for assistance in editing and carrying this +work through the press.</p> + +<p class="right" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><big class="smcap" style="margin-right: 2em;">Henry N. Guernsey, M. D.,</big><br/> +<i>1423 Chestnut St., Philad'a.</i></p> + +<p class="smcap">June, 1882.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_11" title="11–12"> </a> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> +<hr/> +</div> + + +<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER I.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_13">Introductory,</a></td> + <td class="right">13</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER II.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_24">The Infant,</a></td> + <td class="right">24</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER III.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_27">Childhood,</a></td> + <td class="right">27</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER IV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_42">Adolescence of the Male,</a></td> + <td class="right">42</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER V.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_68">Adolescence of the Female,</a></td> + <td class="right">68</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_84">Marriage.—The Husband,</a></td> + <td class="right">84</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_90">The Wife,</a></td> + <td class="right">90</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_100">Husband and Wife,</a></td> + <td class="right">100</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER IX.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_110">To the Unfortunate,</a></td> + <td class="right">110</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER X.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#Page_117">Origin of the <ins title="Sex">Sex,</ins></a></td> + <td class="right">117</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_13" title="13"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER I.<br/><br/> +<small>Introductory.</small></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">In</span> the creation of the world and all that +therein is, we should consider it an axiom +that “Everything was created for use.” All +individual substances, or beings, that come to +our notice bear certain relations to one +another, have connection one with another, +and are dependent upon and useful to each +other; and nothing could possibly exist or +subsist without this co-relation: connection +with and use to each other. This is a law +which needs only a little reflection to be accepted +as a truth in every particular—in the +greatest as well as in the least created form. +This is more plainly seen in the animal kingdom +than in the mineral or vegetable, because +its members associate and finally become +conjoined in pairs. Man and woman, who +represent the crown and glory of all created +beings, in whom are embodied all the lower +orders, were and are still created to associate +in pairs—each created for the other, the one +to help the other; the two to love and to belong +to one another. This principle, fully carried out, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_14" title="14"> </a>justifies and shows the necessity for the creation +of man and woman precisely as they are, +having bodies, parts and passions, will and +understanding. It is my intention in the following +pages to explain the relations existing +between the sexes, for the purpose of showing +that the greatest happiness to the human race +will be found in living a life in full accord +with these relations. In order that the subject +may be fully understood, let us examine +the physical development of man and woman +in detail, particularizing the different organs +of the body as they appear in their order +of formation, from the very inmost or beginning, +to the ultimate or end, in their respective +natures.</p> + +<p>Ever since the primal creation of man and +woman, the human race has been perpetuated +by a series of births. Children have been +conceived in harmony with the natural order +of events, in such matters, and have been born +boys and girls. A boy is a boy to all intents +and purposes from his very conception, from +the very earliest moment of his being; begotten +by his father he is a boy in embryo +within the ovule of his mother. The converse +is true of the opposite sex. At this very +early age of reproduction the embryo has all +the elements of the future man or woman, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_15" title="15"> </a>mentally and physically, even before any form +becomes apparent; and so small is the human +being at the earliest stage of its existence +that no material change is observable between +the ovule that contains the product of conception +and a fully developed ovule unimpregnated.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<p>It is about twelve days after conception before +the impregnated ovule, which undergoes +many changes during this time, makes its escape +from the ovary where it became impregnated +and enters one of the Fallopian tubes, +thence gradually descending into the cavity +of the womb. Here it begins to mature and become +fitted for its birth into the outer world. +Soon now the embryo (for such it is called at +this early stage) begins to assume form. The +first indication of formation that it is possible +to discover, even by the help of the microscope, +consists of an oblong figure, obtuse at one extremity, +swollen in the middle, blunt-pointed +at the other extremity. The rudimentary +embryo is slightly curved forward, is of a +grayish white color, of a gelatinous consistence, +from two to four lines long and weighs +one or two grains. A slight depression representing +the neck, enables us to distinguish +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_16" title="16"> </a>the head; the body is marked by a swollen +centre, but there are as yet no traces of the +extremities. So much can be observed about +the end of the third week after conception.</p> + +<p>At about the <em>fifth week</em> the embryo presents +more distinctions. The head is very +large in proportion to the rest of the body, +the eyes are represented by two black spots, +and the upper extremities by small protuberances +on the sides of the trunk. The embryo +at this stage is nearly two-thirds of an inch in +length and weighs about fifteen grains. The +lower extremities now begin to appear in the +shape of two minute rounded tubercles. Till +about this time a straight artery has been observed +to beat with the regularity of the +pulse; but now it appears doubled somewhat +into the shape of an adult heart, although as +yet it has but one auricle and one ventricle. +As time advances we find the perfect heart +with its two ventricles and two auricles, all +developed from the original straight artery. +At this period the lungs appear to exist in +five or six different lobes and we can barely +distinguish the bronchial tubes; about the +same time the ears and face are distinctly +outlined, and after awhile the nose is also +faintly and imperfectly perceived.</p> + +<p>At about the <em>seventh week</em> a little bony deposit +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_17" title="17"> </a>is found in the lower jaw. The kidneys +now begin to be formed, and a little later the +genital organs. The embryo averages one +inch in length.</p> + +<p>At <em>two months</em> the rudiments of the extremities +become more prominent. The forearm +and hand can be distinguished but not the +arm above the elbow; the hand is larger than +the forearm, but is not supplied with fingers. +The sex cannot yet be determined. The +length of the embryo is from one inch and a +half to two inches, and it weighs from three +to five drachms. The eyes are discernible, +but still uncovered by the rudimentary lids. +The nose forms an obtuse eminence, the nostrils +are rounded and separated, the mouth is +gaping and the epidermis can be distinguished +from the true skin.</p> + +<p>At <em>ten weeks</em> the embryo is from one and a +half to two and a half inches long, and its +weight is from one ounce to an ounce and a +half, the eyelids are more developed and descend +in front of the eyes; the mouth begins +to be closed by the development of the +lips. The walls of the chest are more completely +formed, so that it is no longer possible +to see the movements of the heart. The fingers +become distinct and the toes appear as +small projections webbed together like a +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_18" title="18"> </a>frog's foot. At about this period the sexual +organs show their development as follows: +On each side of the urinary locality an oblong +fold becomes distinguishable; in course of +progress if these folds remain separate, a little +tubercle forms in the anterior commissure +which becomes the clitoris; the nymphæ develop, +the urethra forms between them, and +the female sex is determined. If, on the other +hand, these folds unite into a rounded projection +the scrotum is formed, the little tubercle +above becomes the penis and hence the male +sex. The testicles forming within the body, +descend later into the scrotum, and organs +similar to them, their counterparts, form in the +female and are called ovaries. These ovaries +are found attached to an organ called the +womb, and this again is united with the vagina, +which leads downwards and outwards +between the labia majora.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></p> + +<p>At the end of the <em>third month</em> the weight +of the embryo is from three to four ounces +and its length from four to five inches, the +eyeballs are seen through the lids, the pupils +of the eyes are discernible, the forehead, nose +and lips can be clearly distinguished. The +finger nails resemble thin membranous plates, +the skin shows more firmness, but is still rosy-hued, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_19" title="19"> </a>thin and transparent. The sex can now +be fully determined.</p> + +<p>At the end of the <em>fourth month</em> the product +of conception is no longer called an embryo, +but a fœtus. The body is from six to eight +inches in length and weighs six or seven +ounces. A few little white hairs are seen +scattered over the scalp. The development +of the face is still imperfect. The eyes are +now closed by their lids, the nostrils are well-formed, +the mouth is shut in by the lips and +the sex is still more sharply defined. The +tongue may be observed far back in the +mouth, and the lower part of the face is +rounded off by what a little later will be a +well-formed chin. The movements of the +fœtus are by this time plainly felt by the +mother, and if born at this time it may live +several months.</p> + +<p>At the end of the <em>fifth month</em> the body of +the fœtus is from seven to nine inches long +and weighs from eight to eleven ounces. The +skin has a fairer appearance and more consistence; +the eyes can no longer be distinguished +through the lids, owing to the increased +thickness of the latter. The head, +heart and kidneys are large and well developed. +At the end of the <em>sixth month</em> the +fœtus is from eleven to twelve and a half +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_20" title="20"> </a>inches in length, and weighs about sixteen +ounces, more or less. The hair upon the +scalp is thicker and longer, the eyes remain +closed, and very delicate hairs may be seen +upon the margins of the eye-lids and upon +the eye-brows. The nails are solid, the scrotum +small and empty, the surface of the skin +appears wrinkled but the dermis may be distinguished +from the epidermis. The liver is +large and red, and the gall-bladder contains +fluid.</p> + +<p>At the end of the <em>seventh month</em> the length +of the fœtus is from twelve and a half to fourteen +inches, its weight is about fifty-five +ounces, and it is both well defined and well +proportioned in all its parts. The bones of +the cranium, hitherto quite flat, now appear a +little arched, and as the process of ossification +goes on, the arching increases till the vault is +quite complete. The brain presents greater +firmness, and the eye-lids are opened. The +skin is much firmer and red. The gall-bladder +contains bile.</p> + +<p>At the end of the <em>eighth month</em> the fœtus +seems to thicken up rather than to increase +in length, since it is only from sixteen to +eighteen inches long while its weight increases +from four to five pounds. The skin is red, +and characterized at this period by a fine +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_21" title="21"> </a>downy covering, over which is spread a quantity +of thick viscous matter, called the sebaceous +coat, which has been forming since the +latter part of the fifth month. The lower jaw +has now become as long as the upper one, +and in the male the left testicle may be found +in the scrotum. Convolutions appear in the +brain structure.</p> + +<p>At <em>nine months</em> the anxious time of parturition +has arrived. The fœtus is from nineteen +to twenty-three inches in length and weighs +on an average from six to eight pounds. +Children at birth sometimes weigh as much +as fourteen pounds; but such extremes are +very rare. At this period the white and grey +matter of the brain are distinct, and the convolutions +are well marked; the nails assume +a horny consistence, hair upon the head is +more or less abundant, the testes are in the +scrotum, and the entire external genital organs +of both male and female are well formed.</p> + +<p>The above particulars respecting the development +of the human being have been +narrated to show that one organ is just as +important as another, and that each is really dependent +upon the other; no one could exist +without the other and all are to subserve a +use. First must be the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">esse</i> (the inmost) the +vital force imparted to the ovule. A little +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_22" title="22"> </a>later certain changes take place in the ovule, +later still other changes, and finally about the +fifteenth day a slight development of the new +human being can just be outlined by the help +of the microscope, which, as before stated, has +form at about the third week after conception. +First the vestige of a head and body, a little +later the heart and lungs appear lying in the +open chest; then the hands are protruded from +the sides of the trunk, afterwards the forearms, +then the arms, all pushed out from the +body; the feet and legs gradually protrude +from the lower end of the trunk, and the chest +closes up so that the heart and lungs can no +longer be seen; the face, mouth and eyes take +form, the external genital organs make their +appearance in conjunction with other developments, +and in due course of time the boy or +girl is born ready for further developments +in childhood, and adolescence. When +the latter development has been attained, if +due care has been taken by all interested +parties, we have pure men and pure women +fitted to enter upon the privileges and the +<em>uses</em> of a wedded life according to the design +of our Creator.</p> + +<p>How wonderfully and how instructively are +all organs in the animal body disposed and +arranged! In the highest place we find the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_23" title="23"> </a>brain to govern and rule over all below. It +is the first organ formed and in an orderly +life should control all the others. Next in +order and importance are the heart and lungs, +which put into motion all other parts and enable +the animal frame to continue in motion. +So each and every organ is developed in its +proper order, all to obey the commands of +the first and most important—the brain, the +seat of the reason and the will. Happy are +they of either sex who will govern themselves +by a pure enlightened reason and a pure +affectionate will.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_24" title="24"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER II.<br/><br/> +<small>The Infant.</small><br/> +<i>Embracing the First Year of the Child's Life.</i></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">The</span> battle of life really begins as soon +as the child is born. Its cleanliness, its +clothing, its temperature and its food are +matters for daily observance and care, as also +are the light, sunshine and air which it is to +breathe. Opiates, soothing syrups and cordials, +are to be strictly avoided as being deleterious +to health; proper sanitary measures +usually suffice to render all <em>dosing</em> unnecessary. +Spirituous potions and lotions should +be avoided as being contrary to the laws of +hygiene as well as for fear the child may +learn to love and to become addicted to their +use later in life. Every organ of the body +should be carefully protected even at this +early age, so that health may reign supreme. +Particular care and the utmost solicitude +should be bestowed upon the genital organs. +No rubbing or handling of these parts should +be permitted under any pretense whatever—beyond +what may be absolutely necessary for +cleanliness. The genital organs require just +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_25" title="25"> </a>as much watchful care, if not more, as the +stomach, the eye, the ear, &c. I regret to +say that I have known some fathers to tickle +the genital organs of their infant boys until a +complete erection of the little penis ensued, +which effect pleases the father as an evidence +of a robust boy. The evil effects of such a +procedure are too manifest to require dilating +upon. Fathers take warning!</p> + +<p>Nurses are known to quiet young children +by gently exciting pleasurable sensations +about the genital organs both of males and +females—practices which are the most vicious +and vice-begetting that can possibly be invented. +Many a young man and young +woman has fallen to very low depths from +influences developed by these and similar +means. Nurses should be cautioned in this +matter <em>and carefully watched too</em>, as even the +least suspected may (innocently perhaps) be +guilty of this fault to save themselves the +trouble of quieting their charges in a proper +way. Early impressions upon these animal +passions, as well as those made upon other +senses of the young, are very abiding. Mothers +be watchful!</p> + +<p>Great care should be exercised in the +choice of a diaper for infants and the material +of which it is made. The diaper should fit +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_26" title="26"> </a>easily about the organs which it covers and +protects, so as not to cause undue heating or +friction of the parts; and immediately after a +babe has soiled itself either with urine or +from a motion of the bowels, it should be +made clean and dry at once to avoid any irritation +that would otherwise ensue upon these +delicate parts. The material of which the +diaper is made should not be stiff or harsh, +but very limp, soft and pliable; nor should it +be thick and bungling. There are great objections +to the use of oil-cloth, rubber or other +impervious materials as they prevent the escape +of perspiration, urine, fecal matter, etc. +As soon as possible, say near the end of the +first year, the child should be taught to use +its little chair-commode, thus dispensing with +the diaper at an early age. This is much +better for the sexual organs, is more comfortable +for the child and is more healthy; it also +favors a more perfect development of the +limbs and joints, the hip joints particularly.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_27" title="27"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER III.<br/><br/> +<small>Childhood.</small></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">Childhood</span> is that portion of life extending +from infancy to adolescence, +which in boys occurs at the age of fourteen +to sixteen years; and in girls at the age +of twelve to fourteen years. In very warm +climates adolescence is reached some two +or three years earlier.</p> + +<p>Most fortunate the infant who has completed +its term of life, thus far, in accordance with the +strictest rules of Hygiene, or the laws of health.</p> + +<p>“In a state of health sexual impressions +should never affect a child's mind or body. +All its vital energy should be employed in +constructing the growing frame, in storing up +proper external impressions and in educating +the brain to receive them.” Unfortunately +this state of health is not always attained. +Impressions may be exhibited in these organs +at a very early age either from inheritance, +from improper handling or from some morbid +condition of the child that could show +itself in no other organ of the body and +which, like morbid conditions in general, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_28" title="28"> </a>make their appearance somewhere in the +mind or body.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sexual Precocity.</span>—Many parents who +are most particular in all other respects, as to +the moral and physical training of their children, +imagine there is no need to pay any +special attention to the genital organs. This, +however, is a grave mistake and needs our +careful consideration. As is well known, +some children evince a sexual precocity +which may lead to very serious results. In +these it often happens that the sexual instinct +arises long before puberty; such children, if +males, manifest an instinctive attraction +towards the female sex which they show by +constantly spying after their nurses, chambermaids, +etc.; by seeking as much as possible to +play with children of the opposite sex and +improperly toying with them.<a name="FNanchor_C_3" href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a>“One case is +so remarkable that an abstract of it may be +instructive: M. D——, between five and six +years of age, was one day in summer in the +room of a dressmaker who lived in the family; +this girl thinking that she might put herself +at ease before such a child, threw herself on +her bed, almost without clothing. The little +D—— had followed all her motions and regarded +her figure with a greedy eye. He +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_29" title="29"> </a>approached her on the bed, as if to sleep, but +soon became so bold in his behavior that the +girl, after having laughed at him for some +time was obliged to put him out of the room. +This girl's simple imprudence produced such +an impression on the child that forty years +afterwards he had not forgotten a single circumstance +connected with it.”</p> + +<p>Parents are remarkably careless on this +point. They allow children to play together +for hours at a time without the surveillance +of an older person, provided only they are +removed from any danger. It is sufficient to +merely draw attention to such a custom as +every reflective mind can easily draw the inevitable +consequences. Habits are indulged +in and marks of familiarity shown which +should not for an instant be tolerated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Causes</span> which commonly produce sexual +impressions on young children are, allowing +them to repose playfully on their belly, +to slide down bannisters, to go too long without +urinating, constipation or straining at +stool, cutaneous affections, and worms. Also, +thoughtless acts of elder people which are +very frequently more closely observed than +is commonly supposed. The sliding down +bannisters produces a titillation which is +agreeable to the sexual organs. Children of +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_30" title="30"> </a>both sexes will constantly repeat this act until +they learn to become inveterate masturbators, +even at a very early age.</p> + +<p>Among boys a disease called <em>priapism</em> +is often developed; this arises from undue +handling of the parts, or from some morbid +state of the child's health. The disorder consists +of paroxysms, occurring more or less +frequently, of violent erections of the penis; +these sometimes become very painful and require +the attention of a physician. At all +events medical aid should be sought at once, +because some functional derangement is at +work which might, if not arrested and cured, +give rise to masturbation. Owing to unknown +causes such morbid conditions induce some +little boys to pull frequently at the foreskin +of the penis until their health is seriously impaired; +they pine away, lose flesh, and still +continue to worry at the foreskin, till death +has been known to result. These cases require +the most careful and skillful constitutional +treatment, until they are cured.</p> + +<p>Sometimes, in other cases, the foreskin becomes +inflamed, offensive secretions may +form about the end of the penis, etc. All +such disorders should be submitted to a judicious +physician at once, to avoid irritations +which might result in a tendency to sexual +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_31" title="31"> </a>excitement—a calamity truly deplorable to +the young. The idea which some writers advance—that +a long prepuce (or foreskin) +often proves an exciting cause of troublesome +sensations to the boy, is certainly erroneous. +So, too, it is all wrong to state that particular +care should be taken to wash under the prepuce. +That this objection in regard to washing +is true, is proved from the physical fact +that in a large majority of boys the orifice of +the foreskin is not sufficiently opened to permit +of these washings. And the objection is +still further proved by the fact that all these +unnatural secretions, offensive odors, sensations, +etc., which irritate and worry a boy +together with all inflammations of these parts +are soon relieved and permanently cured by +the proper medicament. Needless laving, +handling or rubbing the sexual parts should be +avoided as strictly as possible. To show how +little good such washings really do, even +though persisted in, I will mention one out +of many similar cases: “In spite of repeated +washings every day, a fetid smegma was deposited +in considerable quantity on the glans, +causing a tiresome burning and itching.” All +such cases are utterly intractable by any +amount of bathing. But the suitable remedy +administered internally cures the trouble permanently +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_32" title="32"> </a>in a few weeks and at the same +time improves the general tone and health of +the individual. This is so because the proper +remedy removes the morbific cause which +produced that condition of the penis and all +concomitant symptoms, at the same time. It +must be remembered that the troubles referred +to above come from within, and that they are +but developments of internal morbific causes. +In a similar manner, small pox, measles, +chicken pox and all eruptive diseases come +<em>out</em> as products from morbific causes <em>within</em>. +No sane person ever thinks of washing off +these appearances with the hope of curing +the case!</p> + +<p>All our external parts were made just as +they should be and they work in harmony so +long as we are perfectly healthy inwardly. +Every blemish upon the skin, even to a wart, +has a corresponding morbid influence within, +which can be removed by proper treatment. +Let it be remembered then for all coming +time that a little boy's penis is never to be +meddled or trifled with, nor his foreskin, nor +the parts about the generative organs. All unnatural +conditions, appearances or sensations +require prompt and proper medical aid. If +erections of his little penis occur during sleep, +or if he cannot urinate promptly on rising in +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_33" title="33"> </a>the morning, because of an erection, let these +conditions beget an anxiety for his welfare +and at once seek a judicious physician, who +will be able to prescribe a medicament to arrest +all further development of sexual precocity—an +affliction so baneful to the young.</p> + +<p>A little later in life children are liable to +ascarides or seat worms, called by some “pin +worms.” No applications, purgatives, “vermifuges,” +injections or other mechanical means +should ever be employed to remove these, as +they are of constitutional origin and should +be so treated, until perfectly cured. Removing +the worms by irritants or by mechanical +means does not remove the <em>cause</em> of their +existence or reproduction in the body. The +dyscrasia that gives rise to these worms, with +the accompanying itching and tickling, is apt +to cause a sexual excitement which may prove +more disastrous than the original trouble +itself. Therefore be sure that this affection is +treated constitutionally; so long as the vital +forces work in harmonious order, no abnormal +appearances of any kind can come to +light, because they do not exist.</p> + +<p>From the age of nine to fourteen, boys +generally acquire very curious notions about +sexual affairs and are naturally, from what +they hear, desirous of obtaining some idea +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_34" title="34"> </a>of sexual congress, a knowledge of where +babies come from, etc. This curiosity, of +course, causes the mind to dwell much upon +sexual subjects. I fully believe that good +information will, by satisfying this curiosity, +free the mind to a great extent from sexual +thoughts. It is from such very thoughts that +boys are led to play with their sexual organs +in secret, and to handle them so as to excite +pleasurable sensations; erections of the penis +are thus produced and finally, by this continual +excitation with the hand, the <ins title="heighth">height</ins> of +sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of +semen occurs and <em>self-pollution</em> is the consequence. +This act is called “masturbation” +and becomes a <em>secret vice of the worst kind</em>!</p> + +<p>Very frequently and to an alarming extent +“masturbation” is taught by older boys, and +by young men even, in nearly all our colleges, +boarding, public and private schools, and by +companions under the paternal roof. This +act is repeated time after time until the degrading +and destructive (morally and physically +so) habit is confirmed. As a result, the +boy grows thin, pale, morose and passionate; +then weak, indolent and indifferent; his digestion +becomes impaired, his sleep short, disturbed +and broken; he sometimes becomes +epileptic or falls into a state of marasmus; in +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_35" title="35"> </a>any case he is in great danger of being totally +ruined forever.</p> + +<p>There is a great difference in boys regarding +the formation of these habits. While +some may almost insensibly glide into them, +others, intuitively as it were, turn away from +all such temptations and banish all thoughts +of a sexual nature from their minds at once. +This is right. So long as a boy's mind refuses +to harbor such baleful approaches, so +long he is safe; but the moment he heeds +them and allows them to enter his mind, that +moment he is in danger and will most likely +fall into bad habits. He must strenuously +resist all such thoughts and going to his +father or mother tell them about his trials and +temptations and strive to forget them until +success crowns his efforts. By persistent +efforts, by repeated prayers to the Lord for +help, by reading his Bible and good, pure +stories, by running into the open air and indulging +in some useful occupation or joyous, +healthful play, he will eventually conquer +them and thus rise to the dignity of a true +man. Sometimes, too, it may be necessary +to consult the physician for help. In addition +to the instinctive shrinking which every right +minded person generally feels from putting +ideas of impurity into a child's innocent mind, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_36" title="36"> </a>a parent's pride leads him to hope that <em>his</em> +boy would not indulge in any such mean and +disgusting practices. But, bearing in mind +the advice of Herbert Spencer—“that the +aim of discipline should be to produce a <em>self-governing</em> +being,” the best advice a parent +or guardian can, and ought, to give, is: do +not harbor bad thoughts or feelings about +anything; at once turn them away and think of +something else, of something good, true and +pure. Indulge in no hatred or revengeful +feelings towards others; plot no evil things; +always be true to your word, faithful to your +duties and charitable to all. Treat everybody +kindly and politely. And further, a child +should be <em>taught</em> what “chastity” really is, +instead of leaving him to find it out as best +he may.</p> + +<p>It should be clearly explained to him that +true chastity requires the shunning of all indecency +and foul language; that he should +refrain from touching his secret parts except +when the necessities of nature require it; that +all sexual emotions should be subjugated. +When he grows older every boy should be +taught that chastity means continence; and it +should be firmly impressed upon his mind +that all lascivious actions are a drain upon +his whole system and weaken the powers +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_37" title="37"> </a>which the Lord has given him to be employed +<em>only</em> in the married state. These are characteristics +of a true man and will help him very +much to keep out of sexual difficulties which, +as we shall see further on, are among the +greatest curses of life.</p> + +<p>The use of tobacco, wine, coffee or tea by +children is well known to be highly injurious. +Never allow a child to use either of these—not +even in small quantities. A too common +practice in many families is to allow a little +wine at dinner “to assist digestion!” Others +allow coffee or tea, “because my child is so +fond of it.” “The after-effects of all these is to +disturb the heart, to cause nervousness and +irritability, and <em>to weaken the sexual organs +in a marked degree</em>. Tobacco particularly +has this last effect in old and young, besides +producing convulsions, a dulled intellect, etc.”<a name="FNanchor_D_4" href="#Footnote_D_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a></p> + +<p>Remember where the brain is and the purposes +for which it has been given! Here +reside the knowledge and the power to govern +all below it. No matter what the stomach +craves or how strongly the appetite begs for +this or that; no matter how much one may +be tempted to steal, to lie or to swear; no +matter how much the sexual organs may lead +one to think about or handle them—here is +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_38" title="38"> </a>the great and good brain, the home of the +will-power, which says: “Touch not, taste +not, handle not.” So long as these commands +are listened to and obeyed, one is safe. The +desire need not and should not control the +act—but the rational faculty can and will control, +when early taught to do so. The more +one is led by this rational faculty the easier +it becomes to follow it, and <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">vice versa</i>.</p> + +<p>What has been said above regarding the +danger of little boys falling into bad habits +applies with equal force to little girls. Do +not forget this. They too may have sexual +thoughts, feelings and curiosity, and care +must be taken to keep their minds pure and +bodies healthy. They are also liable to disorders +that require prompt and careful attention, +such as <ins title="inflamations">inflammations</ins>, excoriations, itchings +and swellings of the genital organs with +discharges from these parts resembling leucorrhœa. +All such conditions lead them to +more or less rub and scratch these parts—which +should never be touched—for relief. +Pleasurable sensations are experienced and +then comes masturbation—<em>a sin chargeable to +the parent</em> for not having given the matter +proper medical attention. “Repeated washings” +will no more cure these cases in little +girls than, as shown above, will they cure in +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_39" title="39"> </a>little boys. All these are but the outcropping +of some constitutional affection and +should be treated accordingly. No applications +or medicated washings of any kind +should be allowed. Such external treatment +only palliates the suffering for a little while +without removing the disordered vital force that +gave origin to its appearance. This is simply +repressed and may react upon the child and +appear in another form tenfold worse than +the first. The passing of urine or fecal matter +may (in either sex) cause irritation and +excoriation; this is another sign that all is +not right in the vital forces and should be +mentioned to the physician as a sure index +that medical treatment, but not topical applications, +is absolutely necessary. All abnormal +appearances, actions and discomforts of +the child, whether mental or physical, should +be submitted to an experienced and judicious +physician. A healthy child should be happy +and comfortable in all respects.</p> + +<p>A very successful plan for keeping children +from vice or vicious habits is to see that their +time is fully occupied with amusements and +duties which interest them. They need a +great deal of harmlessly conducted amusement +and—do <em>not</em> strive to “keep them quiet.” +Allow little boys and girls to play together, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_40" title="40"> </a>under proper surveillance, and let them be +boisterous if they will; let them romp and +run, climb fences, trundle hoops, jump rope, +go to dancing school, participate in military +drills, go coasting and skating, take swimming +lessons, etc.</p> + +<p>No judicious parents will allow a son or +daughter to be alone much; to seek to be +alone is always a bad sign and should be +carefully guarded against without its being +known that such precaution is observed. +Furnish them liberally with instructive and +innocent story books and let them read aloud +to you or to each other. Take them to walk or +ride when you go, and strive to make companions +of them as much as possible, making whatever +sacrifices are necessary to attain this end. +Above all, <em>encourage their making confidants +of you</em>. Let them feel that they can come +and talk freely on any subject, no matter what +its nature may be. Do this, and you have +thrown around them a bulwark of defence that +will withstand the repeated attacks of hosts +of evil spirits. When night comes and they +go to bed, let them learn to go to sleep at once; +no play then—they may be read to sleep, but +no romping or playing. No strange children +should be allowed to sleep with yours; make +them occupy separate rooms or at least separate +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_41" title="41"> </a>beds; be sure that the sleeping places +of your children are sacred to them alone. +Nor is it advisable for children to sleep with +a grown person of either sex and particularly +not with servants—all for obvious reasons.</p> + +<p>The observance of all these precautions +against influences that might excite sexual +disturbance is most sacred in its character +and most needful even in a religious point of +view; for there should be <em>chastity</em> above all +things.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_42" title="42"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.<br/><br/> +<small class="non-smcap">ADOLESCENCE OF THE MALE.</small></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">Adolescence</span> of the male embraces +the period of life from the age of fourteen +or sixteen years to the age of +twenty-five.</p> + +<p>At about the age of fourteen years “the +period of youth is distinguished by that advance +in the evolution of the generative apparatus in +both sexes, and by that acquirement of its +power of functional activity, which constitutes +the state of <em>Puberty</em>.” At this age the +following great changes take place in the +general appearance and deportment of the +male: His frame becomes more angular +and the masculine proportions more pronounced; +increased strength and greater +powers of endurance are manifested; the +larynx enlarges and the voice becomes lower +in pitch as well as rougher and more powerful; +new feelings and desires awaken in the +mind. His deportment becomes more commanding, +his frivolity is less and less apparent, +and the boy is lost in the man. If he has +been so fortunate as to escape all the dangers +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_43" title="43"> </a>and baneful influences of childhood, he is +manly indeed, and we behold him with an +unburdened conscience, bright intellect, frank +address and good memory. His spirits are +buoyant and his complexion clear; every +function of his body is well performed, and +no fatigue is felt after moderate exertion. He +evinces that elasticity of body, and that happy +control of himself and his feelings, which are +indicative of the robust health and absence +of care which should accompany youth. His +time is devoted to his studies, duties and +amusements; as he feels his stature increase, +and his intellect enlarge, he gladly prepares +for his coming struggle with the world.</p> + +<p>All boys may come to this condition with +proper training through the period of infancy +and childhood; and after arriving at the +adolescent age of their existence as they have +the power of mind to <em>choose</em>, so also have they +the power to <em>refuse</em>. The human race is created +above the animal so that we are something +more than mere animals; we are human +beings with human propensities, human passions, +human desires and human tastes, which +are subject to the human brain, to the human +reason and to the human will—all elevated +and ennobled by the Divine Will. Man must +not let himself down to be governed by +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_44" title="44"> </a>animal passions; the moment he does that, +his higher powers suffer and become weakened, +and he becomes more like an inferior +animal; if he persists in this downward +course, his lower powers become strengthened +until finally they transcend and rule the +higher. Then, to all intents and purposes, +such a man's head is downwards and the +lower part of his body is upwards just where +his head ought to be.</p> + +<p>Man is a human being, yet, like the whole +animal kingdom, he has appetites, desires +and passions, as it is absolutely necessary that +he should have. He has organs corresponding +to these appetites, desires and passions, and +it is necessary that he should have them. A +proper understanding in regard to this matter +will convince anyone of the truth of this +assertion. Our Creator doeth all things +wisely and well, in the most perfect manner +possible. Consequently, man with all his +organs, parts and passions is just what he +should be when he blossoms into youth, in +the perfection of his adolescence as described +above. In fact there could be no other form +of creating man, for the Lord always creates +in the most perfect way possible, according +to one harmonious law which He has ordained +to govern the creation of all beings.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_45" title="45"> </a> +Such a man is fully prepared to struggle +with himself and the world at large. In his +desires, appetites or passions of any kind, he, +in his humanity, protected by his rational +faculties and enlightened by the Divine +Oracle of God, unquestionably has the power +to choose between propriety and impropriety, +between the right and the wrong, between the +good and the bad. Take any evil into which +a member of the human family may fall—the +love of ardent spirit for instance; he first +thinks of it and desires to partake of some. +Finally he takes an opportunity to gratify his +desire, does satisfy it for the time and thinks +it very nice. The next craving is a little +more intense, and he cannot overcome the +temptation quite so easily as he could have +done before, and at last he indulges again. +So he goes on, step by step, until he may fall +very low. <em>The same thinking, feeling and +desiring <ins title="preceeds">precedes</ins> the adoption of every vicious +habit that was ever formed.</em> Nor will anyone +pretend to say that a persistent effort of the +will power, at the very outset, when he first +perceived the tendencies of his desires to do +what he need not do, would not have prevented +the evil; no argumentation will prevail in the +face of stubborn facts, and the real facts are +all on the side of purity and order.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_46" title="46"> </a> +These very young men or youths, as they +progress through adolescence, may become +tempted in a variety of ways, some to the use of +ardent spirits or tobacco, others to lie, to steal, +to forge, &c.; but the approach to all these +evils is gradual and first comes through the +mind. They first think about the action, turn +it over and over in their minds until they +come to greatly desire and then, later, to +commit the evil which would not have been +ultimated if the mind had been persistently +set against it in the beginning. This is an +indisputable fact.</p> + +<p>In this manner many promising youths, +just as they are blossoming into the pride of +early manhood, begin to indulge in sexual +thoughts and to allow these thoughts to +influence their minds until they commit some +of the evils to which perverted and unchaste +passions lead them. If this evil be masturbation, +then they are on the direct road to ruin, as +will be seen described further on. If it be +the commission of sexual intercourse with +women, their ruin is still more certain, and in +the latter case they are exposed to one of the +worst poisons that can possibly infect the +human race. I do not overdraw the picture +when I declare that <em>millions of human beings +die annually from the effects of poison +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_47" title="47"> </a>contracted in this way</em>, in some form of suffering +or another; for, by insinuating its effects +into and poisoning the whole man, it complicates +various disorders and renders them +incurable. When gonorrhœa is contracted, +although frequently suppressed by local treatment +in the form of injections, it is never perfectly +cured thereby. No; the hidden poison +runs on for a life time producing strictures, +dysuria, gleet and kindred diseases; finally, in +old men, a horrible prostatitis results from +which the balance of one's life is rendered +miserable indeed. If inflammation of the lungs +supervenes, there is often a translation of the +virus to these vital organs, causing what is +termed “plastic pneumonia,” where one +lobule after another becomes gradually sealed +up, till nearly the whole of both lungs +becomes impervious to air, and death results +from asphyxia.</p> + +<p>This horrible infection sometimes becomes +engrafted upon other acute diseases when +lingering disorders follow, causing years of +misery, and only terminating in death.</p> + +<p>If real syphilis, in the form of chancre, +should be contracted, and in that form suppressed, +we have buboes often of a malignant +type, ulceration of the penis and a loss of +some portion of this member. Sometimes +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_48" title="48"> </a>the poison attacks the throat, causing most +destructive ulcerations therein; sometimes it +seizes upon the nasal bones, resulting in their +entire destruction and an awful disfiguration +of the face; sometimes it ultimates itself in +the ulceration and destruction of other +osseous tissues in different portions of the +body. Living examples of these facts are too +frequently witnessed in the streets of any +large city. Young men marrying with the +slightest taint of this poison in the blood will +surely transmit the disease to their children. +Thousands of abortions transpire every year +from this cause alone, the poison being so +destructive as to kill the child <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">in utero</i>, before +it is matured for birth; and even if the child +be born alive, it is liable to break down with +the most loathsome disorders of some kind +and to die during dentition; the few that +survive this period are short lived and are +unhealthy so long as they do live. The very +first unchaste connection of a man with a +woman may be attended with a contamination +entailing upon him a life of suffering and +even death itself. There is no safety among +impure or loose women whether in private +homes or in the very best regulated houses of +ill-fame; even in Paris, where, after women have +been carefully examined and pronounced +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_49" title="49"> </a>free from any infecting condition, the first +man who visits one of them, often carries +away a deadly enemy in his blood, which had +lurked in concealment beyond the keen eye +of the inspector. A young man, or a man at +any age, is in far greater danger amidst +company of this stamp, than he would +be with a clear conscience and pure character +in the midst of the wildest forest, +full of all manner of poisonous serpents and +wild beasts of every description. A knowledge +of the above facts should be enough to chill the +first impulse and to make any man who +respects his own well-being, turn away and +flee from the destruction that awaits him.</p> + +<p>As if the above sufferings were not a +sufficient penalty for the transgression +against the law—“Be ye pure,” we find yet +another. Coincident with the physical wreck, +which syphilis makes of the man who +becomes thoroughly tainted with its poison, +comes his moral wreck. He loses all respect +for the truth and all regard for his word; no +dependence of any kind can be placed upon +him, and he will not pay his debts or fulfil +any moral obligation; all because he began +by prostituting his mind more and more until, +with deadened conscience, almost literally, +his head is dependent and his feet uppermost, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_50" title="50"> </a>ruling all the better part of his nature. And +next come the mental sufferings—and most +agonizing they are. Unhappy to the last +degree, he no longer takes pleasure in life, but, +wishing to die, finally commits suicide. A +search in any insane asylum will show that a +very large proportion of patients are made +up from those who masturbate or have +syphilis. Stamp out these two evils, or rather +<em>curses</em> of the human race, and the supply +that feeds our insane asylums, aye and our +penitentiaries, too, will become vastly lessened. +Think of it! So many of the inhabitants of +our prisons, asylums, and our poor-houses, +are composed of men and women who have +offended against nature's laws by violating +their own sexual nature. Add to this summary +the list of broken-hearted, deflowered +virgins and unwedded mothers, and you +have the picture complete.</p> + +<p>What a contrast with that manliness of +character from which he has fallen! Now he +is in an insane condition, blaming everyone +for having contributed to his many misfortunes +and his fallen condition, whereas he +alone is the culprit. No one made him +commit the first or any subsequent evil. He +allowed his own mind to yield to the first +temptation, and then went on from step to +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_51" title="51"> </a>step, he alone being responsible for the result +Yield not the first point, and all is safe.</p> + +<p>The pride of perfect adolescence, as described +a few pages back, is due to purity of +thought, to chastity and continence. This +purity shines through every tissue, enkindles +the eye with a true expression, makes +bright the countenance and erects the form. +It gives elasticity to the step, causes harmony +in the tones of the voice, and adds dignity to +the carriage and deportment. The first step +in the paths of vice in any form, whether in +sexual errors or any other, detracts in the +exact degree of the digression from all of the +above beautiful and ennobling characteristics.</p> + +<p>We have spoken in the preceding pages of +new feelings and desires being awakened in +the youth after his fourteenth year. This +change is wholly due to his approaching +manhood, to the time when he will be fully +prepared to appreciate, to love and protect, +guide and support her whom he makes his +wife, and to become the father of happy and +healthy children. But this approach to manhood +is not due to the development of the +genital organs, as some writers affirm, for this +would be a reversion of orderly development. +The approaching manhood develops in full +accordance to their uses and importance <em>all</em> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_52" title="52"> </a>the organs belonging to man. As the well-developed +infant has all its organs developed +in a condition suitable for its state, and the +child has all its organs in all parts of the +body, developed in full accord with its state, so +adolescence follows, and every organ must +develop accordingly; and in this development +a new impetus is given to every organ +in the body. The whole man awakens to a +newness of life as is seen in the change of his +voice, the spreading out of his frame, the +independence and command of his bearing, +the activity of his brain, the soundness of his +judgment, until he becomes in the fullest +sense a rational being. Of course the development +of his genital organs keeps pace with +that of his brain; but the brain should lead +the way throughout the entire development +of the human race.</p> + +<p>At the time of puberty, then, a new and a +different sensation springs up in the generative +organs, which is in perfect harmony with the +uses for which they are intended. We recognize +the use of the hands, the fingers, the +feet, the eyes, the ears, the sense of taste, &c., +and we use them accordingly. We should +think of the generative organs only in the +same light. They are intended for use, for +the highest and holiest use of procreating +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_53" title="53"> </a>human beings to the end that they may +become angels in heaven. These organs +were not made to be abused; but they are +abused every time the mind is allowed to +dwell upon them improperly. Every excitation +we allow from lewd thoughts or fancies, +has a debasing and deteriorating effect upon +that well-developed form, upon that conscience +so free, and upon that countenance so open +and bright, which has been described in the +preceding pages.</p> + +<p>If the mere thought and excitation arising +therefrom are injurious to the perfection of the +youth, how much more injurious must be the +ultimation of that thought in masturbation, in +unlawful sexual intercourse, or in the loss of +seminal fluid by other unnatural means.</p> + +<p>Right here I feel impelled to say something +of the</p> + +<p class="center"><small>DIFFICULTY OF MAINTAINING CHASTITY.</small></p> + +<p>I, in connection with many of our best and +wisest men who have given the subject a lifetime's +most earnest consideration, hold that +for a young man whose early education has +been carefully looked to, and consequently, +whose mind has not been debased by vile +practices, it is no more impossible mentally, +or injurious physically, to preserve his chastity +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_54" title="54"> </a>than to refrain from yielding to any other of +the innumerable temptations with which his +life is beset. And every year of voluntary +chastity renders the task easier by mere force +of habit. I wish to be clearly understood in +this matter.</p> + +<p>So long as a young man remains chaste in +thought and deed, he will not suffer any bad +effects from his continence. It is the <em>semicontinent</em>, +the man who knows the right but +pursues the wrong, who suffers! Patients +frequently complain that enforced continence +makes them restless, irritable, unfit for +mental application of any sort, &c. Sexual +intercourse is then indulged in, and presto: +for the time being, what a welcome change. +The now unclogged mind grasps with vigor +any subject presented to it, the spirits are +exuberant and the physical frame buoyant. +But, is the trouble cured, is it permanently +eradicated from the system? No! In a short +time the symptoms reappear and the same +remedy is again sought. The more the +sexual feelings are indulged the more frequent +will be their recurrence, and the result need +not be written; every candid mind can easily +see it. To their shame and confusion be it +said, there are many physicians who, when +consulted by their patients for medical assistance +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_55" title="55"> </a>in such trials, “deliberately encourage +the early indulgence of the passions, on the +false and wicked ground that self-restraint is +incompatible with health. What abhorrence +can be too deep for a doctrine so destructive, +or for the teachers who thus, before the eyes +of those whose youthful ignorance, whose +sore natural temptation, rather call for the +wisest and tenderest guidance and encouragement, +put darkness for light, evil for good, +and bitter for sweet.”<a name="FNanchor_E_5" href="#Footnote_E_5" class="fnanchor">[E]</a></p> + +<p>I declare emphatically that no symptoms +of sexual suffering, no matter how feelingly +described or cunningly insinuated, should +ever lead a physician to prescribe for a young +man that fatal remedy, illicit intercourse. +Medically as a physician, morally as a Christian, +and sympathizingly as a fellow being, I +record a solemn protest against such false +treatment. It is better for a youth to live a +continent life. The strictly chaste suffer +comparatively little sexual irritability; but the +incontinent, at recurring periods are sure to +be troubled in one or other of the ways +spoken of; and the remedy of indulgence, +if effective, requires repetition as often as the +inconvenience returns. No! When thus +consulted, let the physician prescribe the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_56" title="56"> </a>proper medicament, if one be necessary; +and let him direct a plain, nourishing, non-stimulating +diet, physical exertion of any +kind carried to exhaustion, and <small>SELF CONTROL</small>.</p> + +<p>Would any young man in his senses listen +to a physician, who, for lowness of spirits, +mental despondency, &c., should tell him to +drink plentifully of brandy or eat hasheesh? +On the same principle then let a youth shun +the physician, who, for sexual excitement, +prescribes sexual indulgence.</p> + +<p>Again, such complaints coming from young +men are very often specious, and are mere +subterfuges—overdrawn pictures of their sufferings—which +are presented as an excuse for +indulging the sensual emotions, instead of +manfully and righteously struggling to overcome +them. And further, “if anyone wishes +to really experience the acutest sexual suffering, +he can adopt no more certain method +than to be incontinent with the intention +of becoming continent again, when he has +‘sown his wild oats.’ The agony of breaking +off a habit which so rapidly entwines itself +with every fibre of the human frame (as +sexual indulgence) is such that it would not +be too much to say in the Wise Man's +words, ‘<em>None</em> that go to her return again, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_57" title="57"> </a>neither take they hold on the paths of life.’”</p> + +<div class="poem"> +“The sin, of all, most sure to blight—<br /> +<span class="i1">The sin, of all, that the soul's light</span><br /> +<span class="i3">Is soonest lost, extinguished in.”</span> +</div> + +<p>Remember then that sexual suffering comes +to the <em>incontinent</em> man, and that it is far +easier, even for the fully developed vigorous +adult, to continue in control of these feelings, +than when they have been once excited and +indulged.</p> + +<p>One single impure connection may entail a +whole life of syphilitic suffering on the unhappy +transgressor. Would this “pay?”</p> + +<p>No inducement could persuade me to +assume the awful responsibilities of advising +illicit intercourse. Apart from Christian +principle, I know that there is no necessity, +physiological, pathological or any other, that +can excuse any physician for saying that the +Seventh Commandment may ever be broken. +My sentiments on the physiological side of +the question are so admirably expressed by +Acton,<a name="FNanchor_F_6" href="#Footnote_F_6" class="fnanchor">[F]</a> that I will here quote from him.</p> + +<p>“One argument in favor of incontinence +deserves special notice, as it purports to be +founded on physiology. I have been consulted +by persons who feared, or professed to fear, +that if the organs were not exercised regularly, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_58" title="58"> </a>they would become atrophied, or that +in some way impotence might be the result of +chastity. This is the assigned reason for +committing fornication. There exists <em>no +greater</em> error than this, or one more opposed +to physiological truth. In the first place, I +may state that I have, after many years' +experience, never seen a single instance of +atrophy of the generative organs from this +cause. I have, it is true, met with the complaint—but +in what class of cases does it +occur? It arises in all instances from the +exactly opposite cause—abuse: the organs +become worn out, and hence arises atrophy. +Physiologically considered, it is not a fact +that the power of secreting semen is annihilated +in well-formed adults leading a healthy +life and yet remaining continent. The function +goes on in the organ always, from puberty to +old age. Semen is secreted sometimes slowly, +sometimes quickly, and very frequently under +the influence of the will. No continent man +need be deterred by this apocryphal fear of +atrophy of the testes from living a chaste life. +It is a device of the unchaste—a lame excuse +for their own incontinence, unfounded on any +physiological law. The testes will take care +that their action is not interfered with.”</p> + +<p>Many and many a time have I heard it +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_59" title="59"> </a>regretted and bemoaned, on account of the +many troubles they had seemed to cause, +that the sexual organs exist. It is the lewd +thoughts and uses to which they are put that +causes all this misery, and there is always +that “first thought” which should not be +harbored. Cast away the impure thoughts, +rise above them, and one is safe! Pure +thoughts can <em>never</em> lead to harm.</p> + +<p>The generative organs, with their functions +and uses, are most closely interwoven with +the highest destiny and well being of the race +physically, mentally and spiritually; they are +a part of us, without which there would be no +men and women, lovers and loved ones, +fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. +We must then happily accept the situation as +it is, and our bodies, parts and passions as +they are; for they are all indispensable, high +and holy, when kept in an orderly and chaste +condition. We only need the above knowledge +and its application to make ourselves as +happy in the enjoyment of these organs as it +was designed by our Creator that we should +be.</p> + +<p>To rise above the sexual temptations that +may be more or less experienced by many +and perhaps by all, requires an effort of +course, and frequently a very great effort; +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_60" title="60"> </a>but let it be borne in mind that all temptations +to do wrong, require effort to overcome them; +and as a rule, the greater the evil we are +tempted to commit the greater is the effort +needed to overcome it. Now, as shown above, +since sexual matters are so thoroughly interwoven +with the highest destinies of the human +race, physically, mentally and spiritually, there +is scarcely any function of higher import, allotted +to any individual, than that assigned to +the genital organs. No function more deeply +concerns the healthfulness of the body, the +clearness and brilliancy of the intellect, or the +purity and sincerity of the soul itself.</p> + +<p>Several times in the course of this book I +have referred to the term “abuse.” By “abuse,” +I mean precisely what <i>Lallemand</i> so forcibly +expresses as follows: “<i>I understand by the +term abuse, when applied to the organs of +generation, any irregular or premature exercise +of their functions; any application of them +which cannot have, as its result, the propagation +of the species.</i>”</p> + +<p>Look at the habitual masturbator! See how +thin, pale and haggard he appears; how his +eyes are sunken; how long and cadaverous is his +cast of countenance; how irritable he is and how +sluggish, mentally and physically; how afraid +he is to meet the eye of his fellows; feel his +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_61" title="61"> </a>damp and chilling hand, so characteristic of +great vital exhaustion. Taken as a class, how +terrible are their lost virility, their miserable +night's sleep, their convulsions and their +shrunken limbs. They keep by themselves, +seeking charm in solitude and are fit companions +for no one; they dare not read their +Bible, they cannot commune with good +angels nor with the Lord, our Saviour. Is +not this picture deplorable? It is at the last +end of the chain I admit, but it is reached +link after link, one at a time; and the first +link was forged when the first temptation in +the mind was first favored and finally yielded +to. The above picture is a true one and +shows how intimately connected are the soul, +the mind and the body with this whole subject. +Man in a healthy state need not and should +not lose one drop of seminal fluid by his own +hand, by nightly emissions or pollutions, or +in any way, until he becomes conjoined to a +wife of his choice in the holy bonds of matrimony. +Every time the seed of his body is +lost in a disorderly or unnatural way, he +injures the finest textures of his brain correspondingly, +as well as the finest and most exalted +condition of his mind and soul, because +the act proceeds in its incipiency from a willful +prostitution of these higher powers.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_62" title="62"> </a> +When sexual thoughts and temptations +arise in one's mind, even very young men are +capable of putting them away, urged by the +thought that tampering with one's generative +organs is wrong. He should intuitively feel +that it is something akin to theft, or a crime +of some worse sort, for him to indulge in solitary +vice and he should intuitively feel an +inward reproach for all such meditations. +When one is sorely tempted in these matters, +as is often the case, let him reflect that he was +not created to indulge in such pleasures by +himself, and that to do so is a crime, a sin +against the God of Heaven; that it is his +destiny, his privilege and one of the uses of +his life to share such enjoyments with the +wife of his bosom; and that all excitement or +dallying with this part of his nature before +marriage only serves to weaken his sexual +powers, as well as his mind and body; also, +that it mars his sexual uses and will detract +from his sexual pleasures in the married life. +Sexual indulgence of any sort in a young +man is a loss, not only to himself but also, +prospectively, to that dear girl whom he will +some day make his wife. Such reflections will +often drive away the temptation entirely. +If they are not sufficient to do so let him read +some interesting book that shall take his +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_63" title="63"> </a>mind away from the subject; or, that failing, +let him take exercise, vigorous exercise—pushed +to fatigue, if necessary. If these states +of temptation occur in bed at night, let him +rise and read, plunge his arm into very cold +water, or if necessary go forth into the open +air and seek relief in a rapid walk. It is +better to go to any amount of trouble and to +endure any physical discomfort, than to +sacrifice one's chastity, the loss of which can +never be replaced.</p> + +<p>A young man naturally desires and expects +chastity of the strictest order in the young +woman of his choice for a wife. Who would +marry a girl, no matter how beautiful or how +many and varied her accomplishments if it +were known that she had granted her favors +to any other man? And yet, what less has <em>she</em> +a perfect right to require from a young man +who presumes to pay his addresses to her? +This consideration, too, should serve as a +restraint to any amorous desires that might +infest a man's mind. It is wonderful how +keen are the perceptions of a pure minded +young lady to detect even an approach +to licentiousness in the male. He is abhorrent +to her and his very sphere betrays +him.</p> + +<p>With the facts of the preceding pages, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_64" title="64"> </a>contained in this chapter being known, it +does seem as if every man would keep himself +pure from all carnal associations and +use the utmost care not to prostitute his +mind, that he may approach the nuptial +altar as pure in mind and body as he would +have her who is to become the idol of his +heart.</p> + +<p>Now this is all very beautiful in theory and +desirable in practice, but <em>is it practical</em>? Can +man so school himself in self denial as to +accomplish this end? Are there not real +physiological facts existing which utterly +preclude the possibility of this most desirable +result? Do not, as has been alleged by some +writers, the testicles of man secrete semen +until they become so surcharged that emission +becomes absolutely necessary, and does not +this accumulation actually produce such sexual +excitement that man feels compelled to seek +relief in some way? I answer, most unhesitatingly, +NO! The above questions are all +theories and utterly devoid of fact.</p> + +<p>Would Almighty God command, “Thou +shalt <em>not</em> commit adultery,” and then so create +man as to compel him to break his Divine +injunction?</p> + +<p>Abundance of proof is at hand to substantiate +this sweeping remark of mine, were +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_65" title="65"> </a>this the place to produce it. Seminal fluid is +abundantly secreted and produced only during +the height of sexual excitement in the male. +As Acton remarks: “It is a highly organized +fluid requiring the expenditure of much vital +force in its elaboration and its expulsion.” It +is secreted from the blood of his body and +the whole man physically, mentally and spiritually +is concerned and represented in its +product; consequently the action requires an +effort of the whole man, and, if often repeated, +the effect is very exhausting to the physical +powers, to the mind and to the brain. Let +this be another warning to remain in purity +of heart.</p> + +<p>We have said in the preceding pages that +man, in a healthy state, need not lose a drop +of seminal fluid until after marriage. There +are many abnormal causes resulting in what +are called wet dreams, nightly pollutions, +spermatorrhœa, prostatic emission during +stool or urination, also diurnal emissions without +erection. These may result from over +study, from errors in diet such as use of +coffee, highly seasoned food, wines, spirituous +liquors or drugs of various kinds—though +perhaps prescribed by a physician. +When these troubles arise from constitutional +disorders, a skillful physician must be +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_66" title="66"> </a>consulted at once. Errors in diet and the +taking of drugs causing this trouble must +of course be discontinued.<a name="FNanchor_G_7" href="#Footnote_G_7" class="fnanchor">[G]</a>“Certain medicines—as +astringents, purgatives, narcotics, +stimulants and diuretics especially—may bring +on conditions from which spermatorrhœa may +arise.” Among other causes Lallemand refers +to the use of quinine, tobacco and, particularly +<em>alcohol</em>. The trouble may also arise +from injuries and many other accidental +causes, besides masturbation and venereal excesses.</p> + +<p>It is distressing to see what a complete +wreck seminal losses make of those who +were once robust and healthy young men, +and what a shock they give to the nervous +system. They become weak, pale, and +feeble in mind, while all that was manly and +vigorous has gone out of them. Now which +of the two is preferable—the pride of a virtuous +youth, or the roué exhausted and worn +out by sexual abuses? It demands great +strength to become either, but really a much +greater effort for the latter; because it requires +very great perseverance for a chaste and pure +minded man to debase himself by such practices. +It depends on the mind which is all +right before yielding the first point; therefore +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_67" title="67"> </a>beware and shun the first step downward. +Strengthen the moral courage and exercise +the will power so as always to be able to say, +“No,” to whatever temptation the conscience +tells you is wrong.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_68" title="68"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER V.<br/><br/> +<small>Adolescence of the Female.</small></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">Adolescence</span> of the female embraces +the period of life from the age of twelve +or fourteen, to twenty-one years.</p> + +<p>At about the twelfth or fourteenth year of +the girl's life a marked change comes over +her form, features and mental state. Unlike +the male, the forms which in him are angular, +become in her rounded, symmetrical and beautiful, +and the characteristic feminine proportions +are well marked; she becomes more +graceful in her movements, her voice grows +sweeter, more mellow, more powerful and +capable of registering a higher tone. New +feelings and desires are awakened in her mind. +Her deportment becomes more commanding +and less frivolous, and the girl is lost in the +woman.</p> + +<p>If she has been so fortunate as to have +escaped all the dangers and baneful influences +of infantile and childhood life, she is womanly +indeed, and we behold her with an unburdened +conscience, clear intellect, artless and candid +address, good memory, buoyant spirits, a +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_69" title="69"> </a>complexion bright, clear and, as the poet declares, +“beautiful exceedingly.” Every function +of her body is well performed, and no +fatigue is experienced after moderate exertion. +She evinces that elasticity of spirit and gracefulness +of body, and happy control of her +feelings which indicate healthfulness of both +mind and body. Her whole time is given up +to her studies, duties and amusements; and +as she feels her stature increase and her intellect +enlarge, she gladly prepares for her coming +struggle with the world—though in a +manner becoming to her sex. This, too, is no +fanciful sketch, but is realized in thousands +of cases every year. It is one which parents +feel proud to witness in a daughter, and one +in which the daughter takes a modest delight. +We have said that every function of her body +is well performed. The functions of the female +body, which in a state of health are perfectly +free from pain, are very numerous and, in the +four years from fourteen to eighteen, she accomplishes +an amount of physiological cell +change and growth which Nature does not +require of a boy in less than twice that number +of years. It is obvious, therefore, that a +girl upon whom Nature, for a limited period +and for a definite purpose, imposes so great a +physiological task, will not have as much +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_70" title="70"> </a>power left for the tasks of school as a boy, of +whom Nature requires less at the corresponding +epoch. The functions of circulation, respiration, +digestion, perspiration, nutrition and +menstruation, though involuntary, are all important, +dependent one upon another, and all +develop at the proper time. Puberty is the +proper time for the appearance of menstruation, +one of the most important and sacred of +her functions. It should not be feared, +dreaded or regarded as a nuisance; it forms +a part of herself; and she never commands +the respect and forbearance of her friends, or +even of her enemies, more than when it is known +that she is “unwell.” It serves in many ways +as a blessing to her, rather than an inconvenience. +Let no young girl be alarmed, as, +owing to the negligence of her parents or +guardians, many are, at the first appearance +of this flow of blood from the genital organs. +She should keep more quiet than usual, at +these times, until the flow disappears, which +it will do in a few days. In a state of health +these appearances occur every twenty-eight +days and the young lady should exercise extreme +caution at such times, in avoiding unnecessary +fatigue, exposure to cold, getting +wet, suddenly cooling off when heated, etc. +One of the reasons why so many suffer at this +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_71" title="71"> </a>time is due to the want of proper knowledge +and care, also for the want of a proper feeling +about the matter. I have known young ladies +to be guilty of the almost incredible crime of +trying to arrest the flow by plugging up the +vagina and by resorting to other means, that +they might attend a dancing party or some +pleasure excursion. Such a procedure is sure +to be followed by the direst retribution to the +offender. Nature never allows her laws to be +so trifled with. Some experience a deep +mortification on account of this function; some +think it a very great inconvenience and a +nuisance—an obstacle to their pleasure; others +feel unhappy and vexed about it. In truth, +every woman should consider it a privilege +and should regard menstruation as it really is, +a blessing from heaven; and, when rightly +performed, a help to lend loveliness to her +character, beauty to her expression, music to +her voice, and gracefulness to her form and +movements.</p> + +<p>Mothers or guardians should instruct young +girls in good time as to the expected menstrual +function and prepare their minds for its advent. +They should also be carefully instructed in +regard to the external use of water—of its +attendant danger, lest they chill themselves +sufficiently to arrest this flow, which should +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_72" title="72"> </a>continue uninterruptedly until the function is +complete. Too many lives have been sacrificed +by suppressing the monthly flux; external +ablutions should be plentiful, but only +sufficient, as in the case of boys, for cleanliness. +If menstruation should not become healthfully +established at the proper time of age, consult +a judicious physician who will see that any +abnormal condition, preventing such consummation, +is properly removed. “The principal +organs of elimination, common to both sexes, +are the bowels, kidneys, lungs and skin. A +neglect of their functions is punished in each +alike. To woman is intrusted the exclusive +management of another process of elimination, +viz.: the catamenial function. This, using +the blood for its channel of operation, performs, +like the blood, double duty. It is necessary +to ovulation, and to the integrity of +every part of the reproductive apparatus; it +also serves as a means of elimination for the +blood itself. A careless management of this +function, at any period of life during its existence, +is apt to be followed by consequences +that may be serious; but a neglect of it during +the epoch of development, that is, from the +age of fourteen to eighteen or twenty, not only +produces great evil at the time of the neglect, +but leaves a large legacy of evil to the future. +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_73" title="73"> </a>The system is then peculiarly susceptible; and +disturbances of the delicate mechanism we are +considering, induced during the catamenial +weeks of that critical age by constrained positions, +muscular effort, brain work, and all +forms of mental and physical excitement, +germinate a host of ills.”<a name="FNanchor_H_8" href="#Footnote_H_8" class="fnanchor">[H]</a></p> + +<p>Here I must be allowed to protest most +solemnly against the use of injections into the +vagina for the so-called purpose of cleanliness. +Vaginal syringes are constructed and used +now by thousands and the sufferings of the +human race are increased thereby ten thousand +fold proportionately. The vagina, like +all organs supplied with a mucous membrane, +is self-cleansing. Water, or any other fluid +thrown into this organ, has a tendency to disorder +the mucous follicles, to dry up their +secretions and thus prevent the efflux of some +of Nature's necessities. From this cause alone +there will be a reaction upon the vaginal +walls, upon the neck of the uterus and the +uterus itself; the ovaries also become disordered; +the lungs sympathize as well as the +throat and bronchial tubes, producing hoarseness, +hacking cough and a host of troubles +following in their train. Nervous headaches +of fearful intensity are frequently produced +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_74" title="74"> </a>from this unnatural course of procedure. +Moreover, water thrown into the vagina, to +wash it out, day after day for a considerable +time, absolutely produces a leucorrhœa most +persistent in character. This is the confession +of young ladies to me in making inquiry as +to the origin of their trouble, and I have +found that the discharge was unknown to +some of them till after the use of these injections. +It stands to reason that such unnatural +washings should be followed by a retribution +equal to the error committed, because, as before +stated, Nature's laws cannot be perverted +without a penalty. A girl should never, under +any pretext whatever, resort to such unhallowed +means for the cure or alleviation of leucorrhœa, +ulceration, or for any disorders that affect these +parts. By so doing she is really forming a +basis for innumerable future ills. If the girl +is well, she has none of these disorders, for +they all arise from constitutional derangements. +As all must acknowledge, it is a +self-evident fact—that, <em>if a woman is well, +every part of her must be well also</em>; no one +organ can, unaided, get up a disease by itself. +In all troubles of this nature, as well as of any +other, consult a judicious physician.</p> + +<p>There are objections, however, of even a +graver nature than those urged above against +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_75" title="75"> </a>the use of such instruments. They often +excite sensations in the parts to which they +are applied, that should remain perfectly dormant +in the unmarried state. After awhile +these sensations, increasing in frequency and +influence, serve to prostitute the mind and +the young lady may become ruined for life. +I am stating facts that can be proved by multitudes +of living witnesses to-day in cases +and confessions that have come under my +own observation. On remonstrating against +this habit, some remark, “But it feels so nice, +doctor!” Of course, ablutions of the <em>external</em> +organs are perfectly right and proper and should +be resorted to daily. To the reflecting mind no +more need be said about this matter. Those +who wish to live in harmony with the order +of their creation and thereby preserve the +freshness of health, will not have recourse to +such means as add new derangements to the +system.</p> + +<p>To preserve feminine charms as the girl +develops into womanhood, much depends upon +her mental state. She must not allow +herself to bear malice towards anyone, must +not plot evil or attempt to “pay off others in +their own coin,” as it is called, or seek revenge +in any way; but she must ever cultivate a +forgiving disposition, good thoughts and good +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_76" title="76"> </a>feelings towards everyone. There is always +danger of meeting both rude and lewd girls, +and that too in places where least expected; +they may be found in schools of all kinds and +are occasionally met with in the houses of +one's own friends. Not very long since a +charming young lady wrote me from a neighboring +city, that while sharing a bed with +another girl, she experienced a very strange +sensation induced by the improper liberties +of her bed-fellow; and so persistent were +these troublesome sensations, although occupying +a bed by herself ever after, she thought +it proper to seek my advice. Now this was +a good and pure-minded girl who might easily +have been ruined but for her inherent love of +chastity; and so our daughters are always in +danger of being contaminated. A perfectly +pure and chaste mind, unsullied by impure +thoughts or acts, and cultivated by the exercise +of all the Christian virtues, lends enchantment +to the eye, sweetness of expression to +the face, music to the voice, and gracefulness +of carriage. Cultivation of merely external +manners will not do; they must spring from +the mind and thence they shine throughout +the whole, in every fibre and movement of the +body. Such an one is truly beloved wherever +she goes; she has a real affection for her +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_77" title="77"> </a>father and mother, brothers and sisters; and +she is fully prepared to appreciate and love +one of the opposite sex whose purity of life +and nobleness of mind fully corresponds to +her own.</p> + +<p>To retain this charm of excellence will cost +her many a trial and her temptations will be +innumerable and very great. But her perceptive +faculties are keen, and at the first suspicion +of anything wrong she must have the +moral courage to say: “No! that is not allowable, +it is not right,” or, “this is impure and +its tendency is to vice.” Whatever the temptation +may be, in thought or in deed, let no +one persuade her into wrong-doing—not even +her <em>apparently</em> best friend; for it would only +be an appearance of friendship if he tempted +to anything of a vicious nature. She will be +beset with hosts of admirers, some of them +pure and having honorable intentions; but (I +am sorry to sound the note of warning here,) +others will come with the most dishonorable +intentions possible, though with an air of sincerity, +and apparently as artless as doves. +Study all men long and carefully, keeping +them meanwhile at a respectful distance; +never allow one to sit near with his arm about +your waist or to hold your hand in his; never +allow him to kiss you—<em>the vilest of loathsome +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_78" title="78"> </a>diseases may be communicated by a kiss</em> viz.: +<em>syphilis</em>. Do not allow any approach or touch +beyond what is customary in the best of society +at a social gathering. Many a young lady +with an angelic form and spotless soul within, +full of the best intentions and of the purest +character, giving bright promise of a brilliant +future, has been ruined for life by trusting herself +alone with some of these apparently +wise and good, yet really vile men.</p> + +<p>Young women have not, as a rule, any +sexual propensity, or amorous thoughts or +feelings. If they have been properly educated +and cared for, they are, before marriage, perfect +strangers to any such sensations; and yet +any young lady who falls, does so by her own +hand and she has no one else to blame for it. +<em>Remember</em> that the Lord, in the beginning, +never suffers temptations beyond one's strength +to overcome. If she falls ultimately, it results +from allowing an impure seed to be planted +in the mind at first, which she then nourishes +for a time and only in the end it bears its fruit.</p> + +<p>As time passes, a young lady forms an acquaintance +with gentlemen, and at length she +favors the addresses of one who is particularly +agreeable to her. After this acquaintance +has ripened into love, and she has become +convinced of the purity of his heart, she enjoys +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_79" title="79"> </a>being with him, in sitting by his side, and is +unhappy in his absence. When betrothed, +owing to her great and pure love for him, she +takes pleasure in receiving such marks of +affection from him as are shown by a tender +father or brother, but nothing more. After +marriage, she feels that she is really his and +that he has become a part of herself—that +they are no more twain but are one flesh. +All this has transpired without her hardly +suspecting such a quality in herself as an +amorous affection. Still she more than ever +loves him, more than ever desires to be near +him until finally their union is fully and truly +consummated by the marriage act. At no +time in her life does a woman make a greater +sacrifice of her feelings than at this time, and +she does it solely for her pure and fervent +love for him. This is right and proper, and +is in accordance with the laws of order in the +creation of the two sexes in the human, animal +and vegetable kingdoms throughout the +world.</p> + +<p>I wish here to have some “Plain Talk,” +that the true object of this book may be more +fully understood and its mission more successfully +accomplished. Unless willing to make +the above sacrifice, no woman should ever +marry; because she would not then be fulfilling +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_80" title="80"> </a>the marriage covenant. Besides, she +would be false to her husband and this falsity +might cause his moral and physical destruction; +his health would suffer and his +manhood become dethroned, because her +conduct would utterly controvert the immutable +laws of nature. Nature's laws cannot +possibly be set aside without the infliction +of a severe penalty. The healthy young +woman will have no difficulty in preserving +her chastity intact, so long as she cultivates +that purity of mind to which she is naturally +prone. She should never allow herself +to read immoral stories or books having in +the slightest degree even, such a tendency; +theatrical plays with loose morals should +also be avoided, and light, silly novels are +very pernicious to the imaginative mind +of the young. On the other hand useful +reading stores the mind with high and +noble thoughts, whence spring good and useful +deeds.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately there are a variety of morbid +conditions to which the female is liable, so +that sexual desires arise in spite of every effort +to keep aloof from them—even though there +is not the slightest guilt in mental or bodily +transgression. These are owing to disordered +conditions of the sexual system, just as other +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_81" title="81"> </a>disorderly desires arise, and are often <em>inherited</em>—remember +this all parents!—or they +may be caused by some morbific influences, +as are other diseased conditions of the body. +Many a time have I had pure-minded young +ladies apply to me for medical aid in these +matters, confessing that they had impure +thoughts which they knew were wrong, but +of which they could not rid themselves. In +such cases there are physical symptoms of +some kind that incite these thoughts and feelings. +The proper medical and hygienic treatment +always restores order in such functional +derangements and the sexual disturbances of +the mind disappear. I have repeatedly cured +nymphomania by curing physical, or constitutional +symptoms. In one case which came +under my care, nymphomania appeared in a +married woman in the seventh month of her +pregnancy, and so fearfully did her mania +rage that it threw her into convulsions. Her +physical and sensational symptoms led me to +the choice of the medicine that cured her, so +that she was happily delivered of a fine, +healthy child at full term and no trace of the +disease has ever appeared since. Too often +young women err and give way to such feelings +in resorting to <em>self-abuse</em> for relief, or to +the caresses of the opposite sex, when they +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_82" title="82"> </a>are ruined forever. It is never safe to temporize +or to tamper in this way with such sensations. +Women have heads and brains, as +well as men, and rational faculties, too. Every +digression allowed, only paves the way for +others, with less and less resistance, and more +and more ruinous results. Let a judicious +physician be consulted at once in all cases +where a morbid condition seems to excite immoral +thoughts and sensations.</p> + +<p>The effects of self-abuse upon woman, is as +disastrous as masturbation upon males. A +few hours after its commission, or the next +day at furthest, she feels languid and dragged +out, sleepy, unfit for reading anything solid, +or studying, and unfit for social enjoyment +with others; she looks pale and haggard; +often she feels giddy, particularly when rising +in the morning, with many other discomforts +too numerous to mention here. And is it +true that some young ladies, the sweetest and +fairest of our race, play with one another in +an immodest and indecent way, teaching immorality +to the pure and innocent? I fear it +is, I <em>know</em> it is. Such things need not, must +not, and will not be tolerated. This little +book will go about in all classes of society +confirming and strengthening the pure in +heart in their purity and enlightening the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_83" title="83"> </a>ignorant who will joyfully hail the good news; +all will join hands in one popular cry against +indecencies and indulgences of an impure +nature; and the vilest man even will be taught +to fear and respect the combined world of +chaste female influence. So it must be and +eventually will be; but woman, naturally +pure and lovely woman! the greatest part of +this work must be done by you.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_84" title="84"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.<br/><br/> +<small>Marriage.</small><br/> +<i>The Husband.</i></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">“And</span> <span class="smcap">Jehovah God</span> said, It is not +good that the man should be alone; +I will make him a help meet for him. +* * * * And <span class="smcap">Jehovah God</span> brought the +woman unto the man. And the man said, +This is now bone of my bones and flesh of +my flesh. Therefore shall a man leave his +father and his mother, and shall cleave unto +his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”—Gen. +ii. 18, 22–24.</p> + +<p>“The marriage of one man with one woman +is therefore designed in our very creation by +Him who made us. The love which brings +them together and binds them together, flows +into their minds from the Divine Love, from +the love which has operated hitherto, and +which now operates, in creating and forming +a Heaven of human beings.”</p> + +<p>All young men, on arriving at the age of +twenty-five, other circumstances being favorable, +should conform to the laws of Divine +order and marry. “Whom shall we marry? +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_85" title="85"> </a>Young ladies now-a-days require such an outfit +and it costs so much to support a wife in +the style she wishes to live, or has been accustomed +to, that, to say nothing of the extra expense +of children, we cannot afford to marry.” +This is a wrong view to take, <ins title="because,">because</ins> +pomp, style and show <em>are not the true objects +of marriage</em>! The married state is a duty +and a great privilege, while its uses are of the +highest possible order physically, mentally +and spiritually. The love which brings the +two together and which should bind them together, +requires only a comfortable home of +respectable appearance. Young married people +should begin like young married people; +it is more orderly and more conducive to the +welfare and true happiness of each that, as +time passes on, they build up their fortunes +together, each helping the other—thus affording +new charms that no other course will or +can yield.</p> + +<p>In the choice of a wife, a man should especially +seek <em>congeniality</em>. He should make +the acquaintance of a young lady living and +moving in the same sphere of life as his own, +such as is congenial to his tastes; he should +see her in company with other young people +and observe how she treats them; and particularly +notice how she acts towards her +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_86" title="86"> </a>father and mother, brothers and sisters: for a +good daughter and sister always makes a +good wife. Study closely her character, her +mental discipline, her tastes in reading and +her mode of life generally. Above all, note +her disposition as to selfishness, whether she +be determined and bent upon having her own +way in everything, or whether she is yielding +and thoughtful of the comfort and happiness +of her associates. Remember that in the +married state there must be a mutual yielding +to each other, though not the sinking of the +wife's identity, so that the combined life of the +two may become one harmonious whole. +Observe what she thinks of children and get +her opinion as to how they should be brought +up and educated. Be sure that she is one +who can be loved most tenderly, one for +whom a man can make any sacrifice in reason +for her sake—for whom one can deny himself +any comfort, any and every passion, brave any +danger, and conquer every difficulty in his +power, to make her life happy and useful. +One quality: Is she strictly virtuous? Is she +chastity itself in thought, word and deed? +If you, young man, have been the same, +if you have held yourself in by “bit and bridle,” +as it were,—then, if she reciprocates your love, +you are at liberty to propose marriage to her.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_87" title="87"> </a> +Before marriage, a young man takes great +pains to make himself attractive, is very attentive +and polite, keeps up a genteel appearance +and is civility itself, that he may woo +and win the young lady most nearly approaching +his ideal of feminine perfection, and the +one most nearly suited to his tastes and congeniality. +After marriage he feels that she is +his, that she has pledged herself to this effect; +and the law has so decided; she is his, as he +is hers, irrevocably. Now, young man, do +you mean to be loyal, to be her real husband +until death dissolves the allegiance? Then +let nothing cool your ardor. Be as watchful +as when you were her wooer and even more +so. Let nothing induce you to swerve from +your duty, to violate your vow or to betray +your trust. But ever be faithful and true. +So may you be accounted worthy of her choice +as a husband and worthy to be enrolled +among the respected and honored fathers +in our land. Heavier responsibilities rest +upon you now than before marriage. Your +wife must be protected, supported and cared +for in every possible way, and you need +to be even more careful to retain her love +than you were to win it. You are under +heavy responsibilities to your relatives and +the community in which you live, that your +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_88" title="88"> </a>united lives bear such fruit as will be to all a +delight. Together, in your unity, you form +as it were a tree; your united lives throw +out branches and leaves, buds and blossoms, +and finally fruit in its season; and every tree +is known by its fruit. Bearing in mind the +high duties to which as a husband and a +father you are called, seek not to live for carnal +pleasures. You have struggled manfully +with yourself and the world and have come +up to this stage of your life pure and uncontaminated; +and that love which brought you +two together, now flows into your united lives +from the Divine Love. Let that love continually +operate through you unitedly in creating +new human beings who shall ultimately serve +to swell the grand army of the Angelic hosts +in Heaven.</p> + +<p>Some well-meaning and otherwise <ins title="apparrently">apparently</ins> +good husbands, but not true, form +habits of staying from their homes during +their leisure hours, particularly in the evenings. +They visit club houses, billiard rooms +or other places of amusement, leaving their +wives at home. Such absences distress a +wife greatly, though her love often restrains +any expression of disapproval. These habits +increase, she suffers more and more, loses +sleep on his account and her health fails. The +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_89" title="89"> </a>husband's dissipations grow upon him—all +such desertions are dissipations when they +become habitual—until he loses all relish for +the company of his faithful wife and for the +caresses of his young and lovely children, +until finally to stay at home a single evening +is a restraint and unhappiness to him. Where +now is the plighted faith! Where now is the +tree, its branches and leaves with their buds +and blossoms, and what is the fruit? Where +now is that pure love which he promised when +they became united and which should forever +bind them together, and who has almost severed +that love? Has not the little that remains +become merely carnal, on his part at +least? Where is that union of mind and communion +of soul that lifts one above sensualism; +and without which, sensualism is the only +link and quality left to keep the two together, +until death dissolves the union?</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_90" title="90"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.<br/><br/> +<small>Marriage [continued].</small><br/> +<i>The Wife.</i></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">Young</span> <ins title="ladies">ladies,</ins> why do you marry? +Through infancy, childhood and adolescence +you have been watched over most +tenderly and cared for most lovingly; you +have been protected and educated, and have +been made as happy under the paternal roof +as circumstances would allow; and this very +book has been written largely on <em>your</em> account. +It has been the custom from time immemorial, +as it always will be, for girls to complete their +education and then to marry. But alas! how +very few seem to realize what married life +really is and what will be expected in it; what +its duties and responsibilities are, or even what +leads to marriage. But to the question why +do you even think of getting married? The +answer is, “Because it is inherent in the mind +of every true female character. It was ordained +of God in her creation, spiritually, +mentally, and physically—from her inmost +being to her complete ultimation. It was in +the very design of her creation that she +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_91" title="91"> </a>should love and be loved, that she should be +sought after by the male sex, and that she +should become a wife and mother.”</p> + +<p>First, let us understand what “marriage” +signifies. The word itself has the same meaning +as the Latin word <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">conjugium</i> and represents +a conjunction or union together. Carried +out to its higher or more interior meaning, +marriage signifies the joining of good +and truth—the “good” being represented by +the woman and “truth” being represented +by the man. Hence it denotes the spiritual +conjunction of minds, and thence of bodies, +in contradistinction to the merely natural +conjunction or joining together of bodies only. +So, to secure a real marriage, there must be +a spiritual conjunction of minds; and the conjunction +of bodies in wedlock is simply the +ultimation, or manifestation of spiritual principles +in marriage.</p> + +<p>The true reason why girls marry is because +they have an innate principle of love for the +male sex; and this love is drawn from the +Lord above. Consequently, it is pure, chaste, +and when fully developed, very powerful. In +connection with this principle comes the desire +to be sought after and loved by a man +of congenial character for whose dear sake a +woman is induced to leave father and mother, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_92" title="92"> </a>brothers and sisters, to become the wife of +him whom she can claim as her own dear +husband. This Heaven-born principle is +what leads and induces the female to assent +to the marriage relation. For her own sake, +for his sake as well as for the sake of all parties +concerned, this step should be taken very +carefully and only after mature consideration. +Once married, there is no escape from its lifelong +duties and responsibilities. She must +yield to him whatever the marriage vow allows, +that she may become a <em>wife</em> in the +fullest sense of the term. Marriage is a +sacred relation, instituted by God Himself, +and the sexual approach which follows +between husband and wife, is a special +avowal of their relation to each other; and so +often as it is repeated it is a renewal of their +obligations to be faithful to each other. All +sexuality is in the order of creation and, coming +from the Lord, serves for high and holy +purposes. It was <em>never</em> intended for mere +carnal pleasure; as such, it is the profanation +and perversion of a great boon to the human +race. The man or woman who perverts it +must and will, sooner or later, suffer a penalty +equal to the transgression.</p> + +<p>The husband rightfully expects to find in +his wife, as a seal of the marriage covenant, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_93" title="93"> </a>his greatest possible delight. It should be +her greatest delight to give him that pleasure; +and if she loves her husband according to her +avowal, she will not fail to do this. The feeling, +each of the other's nearness—in thought, +word and act, as though each one were intertwined +with the other in the most complete +union, is a very great delight; even indescribably +great. The sexual act itself is really a +type of the perfect harmony in which the +married pair should dwell throughout their +lives. It teaches a mutual yielding so that +the honeymoon, rising so beautifully and lovingly, +may continue to wax lighter and brighter +and its fullness be attained in this world only +at the dissolution, by a natural death, of a +union so orderly and happily formed. It +is in the very nature of the male to seek +his mate; it is an inborn principle for him to +do so, and his health, even his life, certainly +his moral life, often depends upon an orderly +and lawful indulgence of what this inherent +principle demands. The greatest longevity +and the best health are found among fathers +and mothers; thereby proving that orderly +and well-regulated sexual intercourse is just +as necessary to the married couple as are the +functional demands of all other organs of the +body. From the foregoing it may be plainly +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_94" title="94"> </a>inferred, that, if the wife of a chaste young +man who has duly guarded himself from +his childhood up, until he has sought and +wedded his mate, fails to reciprocate cheerfully +and pleasantly in the seal of connubial +affection, she proves a bitter disappointment +to him. Not that he is carnal, gross or beastly, +no! The principle given him by his Creator +and residing in his pure and inmost soul has +been violated by her in whom he placed his +life's confidence; she has proved <em>false</em> to +him in this particular, one upon which their +present and eternal welfare so largely depends. +Young ladies about to marry should be taught +to understand this matter most fully, in all +its bearings. If they pervert marriage in +false practices, the love of God, conjugal love, +and the love of infants, the three holiest and +noblest inspirations of life, perish together. No +woman then should ever marry without a full +knowledge of her duties to her husband, particularly +in the sexual respect; for without +granting this privilege to her husband in full +and free accord, there <em>cannot</em> be maintained +a happy married life.</p> + +<p><em>The duties of marriage</em>, as a topic, embrace +a vast field of thought; and there is <em>so much</em> +to say thereon, so much advice to tender, so +many absolute commands to enjoin, so many +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_95" title="95"> </a>warnings to utter, that it is with difficulty I +restrain myself from launching out diffusely in +an attempt to give the most important of +these. But to so specifically particularize is +not the purpose of this book. Enough is said +herein, I trust, to set the reflective mind to +thinking seriously on these matters and thereby +to awaken the conscience to a full sense of its +duties. Quite too many cases have come under +my observation where the marriage vow has +never been consummated or, if consummated at +all, in a very begrudging manner, owing to the +insubordination of the wife. Consequently +dissatisfaction, unhappiness and frequently a +permanent separation follows, bringing disgrace +upon the family and scandal to their +circle of friends. This is not only wrong, but +it is a most unpardonable vice. Sexuality +has been ordained by God in his wisdom as +the means of creation. It exists throughout +all nature, in every tree, plant and shrub, in +every animal and insect; in every bird that +flies, in every fish that swims, in every man +and woman. The very best and purest of +husbands and wives, all the world over, indulge +in sexuality to their united satisfaction, +in full acknowledgment that it is of God and +from God. Every wife who is unreasonable +or derelict in this <em>duty</em> is untrue to her husband +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_96" title="96"> </a>and commits a sin against the God of +Heaven and earth. Since, then, sexuality is +so evidently of Divine appointment, it should +be committed entirely to him in its effects.<a name="FNanchor_I_9" href="#Footnote_I_9" class="fnanchor">[I]</a></p> + +<p>If at any time the act prove fruitful and a +child be born, it should be considered as a +great blessing and gift from God Himself. +What is more beautiful than to see a married +couple engaged in rearing a new human being +destined to become an angel in Heaven! +For this indeed is the prime object of sexuality +and of the marriage covenant. As has been +well said, life on earth is Heaven's seminary. +And yet, so many wives, to their shame be it +said, use preventives to conception, thus attempting +to controvert the order of Nature +and Nature's God; this is one of the greatest +crimes of the present age and vengeance will +surely be taken on every transgressor in this +sacred matter. Such practice is secret vice +which little by little wears upon the inmost +vital principle until the perpetrators of such +wrongs suffer untold misery in their physical +nature—often not even suspecting the cause +of such sufferings.</p> + +<p>“But there is yet another reason, and a +very strong moral one, why the wife should +not remain childless. There can be no question +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_97" title="97"> </a>that the blood of the father mingles with +that of the mother through the medium of +the child <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">in utero</i>. (Hence the transmission +of blood-diseases from husband to wife.) +Hence the indelible impressions made upon a +wife by the father of her offspring—impressions, +both mental and physical, which by +character or resemblance she often transmits +to her children by a second husband. Now, +* * * * may not this account for the +similarity of character and identity of tastes, +and, indeed, for that wonderful personal resemblance, +which sometimes develops between +husband and wife? And does not this requisite +alone fulfil the Divine interpretation of +marriage, that ‘they are no more twain but +one flesh?’”<a name="FNanchor_J_10" href="#Footnote_J_10" class="fnanchor">[J]</a></p> + +<p>After marriage a new order of life is entered +upon by the wife, and her family matters +should subordinate all other schemes and +projects of her future existence. Her main +thought and study should now be, “How can +I best fulfil these new duties and responsibilities? +First, my dear husband! how can I be +a true help-meet to him? Here we two are +to be one, a new <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">punctum saliens</i>, and every +act of ours will bear the image of our united +lives. No matter what may happen, I will be +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_98" title="98"> </a>true to my matrimonial vow and to my God; +for I am in His hands and my dear husband's.” +A married life begun in this way, +with such resolutions sincerely and studiously +kept, will secure a life full of happiness and +privileges beyond the fondest hope and expectation. +When pregnancy occurs, just as +soon as the fact be suspected, the little embryo +should be regarded as already a member of +the family. Every act of each parent should +now be performed in some degree with +reference to the forth-coming infant. The +mother's thoughts particularly should be directed +to it as much as possible whilst performing +the uses of life. She should read +much that is elevating and ennobling in character +as this serves a good purpose in producing +a more perfect, more healthy and more +brilliant child. Let her read such books as +“Elements of Character” by Miss Chandler; +“Growth of the Mind” by S. Reed; “Sex in +Education” by E. H. Clarke, M. D.; also, +“Wear and Tear” by S. Weir Mitchell, M. D.; +and any other books of like character. Do +not forget that the education of the child begins +<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">in utero</i>.</p> + +<p>During gestation the mother should subsist +as far as possible upon fruit, vegetables and a +farinaceous diet—always plain and without +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_99" title="99"> </a>spices. Plenty of active exercise is indispensable +and the use of a “Health Lift” will be +found most beneficial. When the nine months +are completed, under care of a competent +physician, the birth of the child will be accomplished +with but comparatively little pain, and +its attendant dangers and difficulties will be +greatly lessened.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_100" title="100"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.<br/><br/> +<small>Marriage [concluded].</small><br/> +<i>Husband and Wife.</i></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">To</span> preserve the marriage vow inviolate, +the same pure love that brought the +two together should be cultivated by +home uses and home amusements such as +readings, games, conversation, etc. If the +wife have needle work, let the husband read +or talk to her; if he be a literary man, let her +presence cheer him on and inspire him to +nobler and more refined productions. What +was done during courtship that made time +pass so rapidly and so pleasantly? Was +every topic so discussed and used up that +nothing is now left for an exchange of views? +Is carnal pleasure to be the only binding tie? +Such a life is not very pure and only a poor +use can be made of it. Topics of interest to +a married pair should be innumerable and +their pleasures inexhaustible. Home is the +soil in which the tree is to grow; and the +richer the soil, the better for the tree, and the +more numerous will be the branches, all of +them vigorously developing buds and leaves, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_101" title="101"> </a>blossoms and fruit, which will be most fragrant, +beautiful and useful. When amusement +outside of home is sought let it be, as far as possible, +of a nature that both may enjoy it equally.</p> + +<p>Husband and Wife! He, being of larger +mould in every particular, in head, chest, +and all the vital organs, is the provider, the +protector, the guardian of his home; he, the +masculine, or representative of the Truth, is +to lead the way in conducting home or +business affairs. She, the feminine, or representative +of the Good, inclines to the good +way continually; and, as married partners, +Good and Truth should be married in +them. There cannot be a true evil way +nor a good false way; there can only be +a true good way and a good true way. +So the wife, the good, must conjoin herself +to her husband, the truth, in order that +every truth may result in good; and the +husband, the truth, should seek to be conjoined +to the wife, the good, that every good +may become true. In this there is much wisdom: +if the husband be truly wise he will +always be sure that all his projects are tempered +with good; while if the wife be truly +good, all her doings will be enlightened by +truth. As hand in hand they thus go through +life's planning and doing, the husband will +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_102" title="102"> </a>always be assisted by his good, the wife; and +the wife will be led on in good by her truth, +the husband. By taking this high and holy +ground, there will be experienced pleasure +and happiness by the married couple, far +transcending all other modes of life in existence. +Then will each and every organ in the +body be seen to have a fitness, a place, and a +use which could not possibly be dispensed +with, because, each and all these organs have +an originating cause in the mental and spiritual +parts of mankind, from which they proceed +and from which they exist. Thus we +see how wrong, how frightfully wrong it is to +abuse, or pervert the use of, <em>any</em> of these +physical organs which are so sacred and so +important to the welfare of the human family. +“Dishonor the body, the temple of the soul, +and you dishonor the soul.” “If any man +defile the temple of God, him will God destroy.”—I. Cor. 3:17.</p> + +<p>When married, the battle for one united +and harmonious life really begins. The wife's +great and supreme love for her husband personally, +will allow many privileges which +under other circumstances her timidity and +chastity would refuse. Tenderly and with +great consideration should these privileges be +accepted. For, contrary to the opinion of +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_103" title="103"> </a>many men, there is no sexual passion on the +part of the bride that induces her to grant +such liberties. Then how exquisitely gentle +and how forbearing should be the bridegroom's +deportment on such occasions! +Sometimes such a shock is administered to +her sensibilities that she does not recover +from it for years; and in consequence of this +shock, rudely or thoughtlessly administered, +she forms a deeply rooted antipathy against +the very act which is the bond and seal of a +truly happy married life. These sexual unions +serve to bring the married pair into a perfectly +harmonious relation to each other. And just +as tenderly, lovingly and harmoniously should +they join in each and all the daily uses of life +which they are called upon to perform. The +sexual relation is among the most important +uses of married life; it vivifies the affections +for each other, as nothing else in this world +can, and is a powerful reminder of their mutual +obligations to one another and to the +community in which they live. Indulgence, +however, should not be too frequent, lest it +debilitate the pair and undermine their health. +The bridegroom and husband should carefully +watch over his bride and wife to see that she +is not a sufferer and should govern himself +accordingly. It is better that these renewed +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_104" title="104"> </a>obligations should be made at stated periods, +as man is governed so much by habit. As a +rule, once or twice a week, or in some cases +once in two weeks, is sufficient; but once a +week will suffice in many cases for healthful +purposes. During the menstrual flow there +should be an entire cessation of the conjugal +act. When pregnancy occurs it is in most +cases, more healthful and better for the expectant +mother to allow intercourse at regular +times, very gently, throughout her gestation.</p> + +<p>The object of marriage is the ultimation of +that love which brings the two together and +binds them together, in the procreation and +rearing of children for Heaven. This is the +only true aim and sole object about which +every earthly desire, interest and plan of the +married pair should cluster.</p> + +<p><em>As to the question of child-bearing.</em> No +greater crime in the sight of Heaven exists +to-day than that of perverting the natural +uses of marriage. This is done in a great +variety of ways, every one of which is criminal, +in whatever form practised; and none +will escape the penalty—no, not one. Nature's +laws are inexorable; every transgression +thereof is surely punished, even at the +<em>climacteric period</em>, if not before. The questions +of failing health, of physical inability, or +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_105" title="105"> </a>too frequent conceptions are matters for the +investigation, advice and decision of an experienced, +judicious and upright physician. +They should never be taken in hand and +judged upon by the parties themselves. And +to the objection “can't afford to have children; +they cost too much,” I have faith enough to +reply, “Our Heavenly Father never sends +more mouths than he can feed.” Let each +one do his and her duty in life and this cavil +falls to the ground like water—which, when +spilled, cannot be gathered up.</p> + +<p>Good people everywhere rejoice when they +behold a married couple living together in an +orderly manner and rearing a large family of +children. How often is Queen Victoria held +up as a pattern of excellence in this respect: +she accepted and acknowledged Prince Albert +as her husband and gave herself to him as his +wife; and so indeed she was in every sense +of the term. Although a Queen, sitting on +the pinnacle of power, she did not seek to +avoid the pangs, the dangers or inconveniences +of child-bearing. By her own personal +strength her twelve children were brought +forth and her own sensitive fibres and tissues +felt the suffering. She nursed, caressed and +loved them like a good mother and she was +a <em>royal mother</em>! Other kings and queens +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_106" title="106"> </a>have done likewise; other husbands and +wives, high in power, wealth and fashion have +done and are still doing the same. And how +much the less should we, in the humbler walks +of life, obey the Divine command “Be fruitful +and multiply.”</p> + +<p>If a husband truly loves his wife and if she +truly loves him, they will live for each other +and in each other, and they will be one; and +they will seek to do right in every particular +of their marital relation. To apply to life +the truths advanced above and to realize +them, will require great effort by the parties +in question. This manner of life will not +come of itself; it is too good to come +without working for. Mutual concessions +must be made daily, and several times a +day; one's own way must frequently be +given up, and always when discovered to be +a selfish way, because the mutual good is always +to be consulted. Questions of importance +should be discussed freely and dispassionately, +and a good reason be established +before adopting actions that may not lead to +proper results. In the marriage co-partnership +the interest in the right and the wrong, the +loss and the gain, the lights and the shadows, +the pleasures and the pains, should be equally +shared; because they concern one just as +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_107" title="107"> </a>much as the other, and should be equally +enjoyed, and equally borne by both.</p> + +<p>A start is made with loving hearts and this +state of affairs must never be allowed to diminish. +The husband should ever be glad +to see his wife, and the wife should ever be +glad to see her husband. How many husbands +never know what reception they will +meet with on returning home after their anxious +and exhausting business hours are over +for the day; it may be a happy or a very +unhappy one. How much it consoles, encourages, +lifts up, and rests a man to return +to his home after the trying scenes of a day +busily spent in providing for the support of +his family are over, to find his wife affectionate +and serene, and all about the house brilliant +with contentment. Such a wife if she +has troubles, and of course she has just as +many troubles as the husband, though of a +different kind, and wishes to call the attention +of her husband to them, will do it at a proper +time, when she knows it will annoy him the +least, and when he will be able to give her the +most assistance. She will never try to annoy +him; but endeavoring to be a true help-meet +will seek in a proper and loving way to get +him to be the same to her. The wife will +gain and command the respect of her +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_108" title="108"> </a>husband only through kind and loving +ways. By her love constantly and judiciously +administered she will lead him onward and +upward to higher aspirations and better circumstances +in life, throughout their days of +united existence. A scolding, fretting, worrying +and selfish wife has ruined for life many +a husband.</p> + +<p>All the “self-denial” however, as it is called +by some, is not on the wife's side; the husband +too must be forbearing; he must remember +on his way home at night that his +faithful wife, who has been at home all day, +has had trials and disappointments in her domestic +affairs; and he must not be disappointed +to find domestic arrangements a little +disordered, and his wife somewhat chagrined +that, under the circumstances, she really could +give him no better a reception than he may +experience. He must always try to make +the best of it and be satisfied. He must not +find fault with the cooking, for instance, but +must be perfectly content with everything as +it is until his well-managing wife has had time +to overcome her difficulties and troubles.</p> + +<p>Never find fault with your wife under any +circumstances; let your intellect discover a +way to better things if need be. A really +wise man will never allow a harsh word to escape +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_109" title="109"> </a>his lips to a loving wife, or to his harmless +children. By so living together a wise +husband and a loving wife will soon discover +that they two are but complemental to each +other—like the Will and Understanding of +one individual.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_110" title="110"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.<br/><br/> +<small class="non-smcap">TO THE UNFORTUNATE.</small></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">Let</span> no one imagine that, because he or she +has committed any of the great errors +enumerated in former chapters, there is +no hopeful future. Such a conclusion need not, +necessarily, be accepted. In very many cases +where there is a <em>will</em> to reform, there is also a +<em>way</em>; and very often a complete cure and restoration +to health may be effected. Diseased +bones may be made sound; ulcerations healed; +sore throats cured; blemishes on the skin removed; +urinary difficulties may be dissipated +or at least greatly ameliorated; sexual disorders +remedied; impaired eyes much improved +and defective vision much benefited if not +wholly restored; the auditory apparatus +helped if not fully cured; and the distracted +mind, with its fanciful imageries, rendered +tranquil and rational.</p> + +<p>To accomplish all this the <em>mind</em> must lead +the way. The brain must assert its supremacy, +and the will-power become absolute. It +is only where there is a will, an indomitable +will, that a way out of these direful difficulties +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_111" title="111"> </a>is afforded. Let happen what may, no +opposing influences should dampen the determination +to press forward to reformation; +and then, sooner or later, the conquest will +be made.</p> + +<p>To begin with, when the mind is fully determined +to overcome all obstacles or perish in +the attempt, consult a judicious physician as +advised in the preface of this book. Lose +no time with quackery in any shape or form. +Do not be beguiled by those who promise “a +speedy cure.” Speedy cures cannot be made +in these cases. Strong determination to +improve aided by proper medication can, in +bad cases, only restore a healthful condition +in from two to three years. The system +requires to be made over anew as it were. +The current of life must be turned into new +channels. New thoughts and new blood must +be made to take the place of what were +wrong and polluted. This will take time +and perseverance; and then, little by little +the old enemies will be overcome and driven +out. But progress for the better must be +measured only from month to month and +even then there may be apparent relapses. +Let me however asseverate, from my abundance +of experience in these cases, that there +is ultimately, after a reasonable time, every +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_112" title="112"> </a>hope of becoming sound and healthy again.</p> + +<p>Many young persons are rendered quite +distracted by the sexual instinct being too +strong. It infests them and goads them on to +the commission of further unseemly acts—though +suffering much from past transgressions—which +it seems almost impossible to avoid. +The sensation haunts and clings to them day +and night, in spite of every attempt to rise +superior thereto. Sometimes nocturnal pollutions, +or “wet dreams,” as they are commonly +termed, result from these or other causes. +There must be some cause for this state of +things and a rigid examination into one's +mode of life should ascertain the same. It +may come from errors in diet, in eating or +drinking; in the use of highly seasoned food; +or the taking of some medicinal drug substance. +It is well known that many drugs have the +power of producing such a condition. Should +any of the above seem to act as causes, a +change should be made at once. The plainest +diet and simplest mode of life is always +best in sickness or in health. Again, one +may take too little exercise in the open air. +If so, an abundance of physical exertion should +be made daily, to insure a natural and healthy +condition of all organs of the body. Or, uncomfortable +conditions may arise, as they often +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_113" title="113"> </a>do, from some morbid condition of the +vital forces. If diet and exercise are insufficient, +the judicious physician should be +consulted and every symptom or unnatural +sensation from the crown of the head to the +soles of the feet, should be carefully described +to him. In all probability he will remedy the +trouble, thus restoring peace and happiness. +The generative organs are as liable to be +affected by a morbid state of the vital forces, +as are any other organs of the body; and +when so affected they are just as amenable to +treatment.</p> + +<p>The above condition of affairs is not, however, +confined to the male sex. Females +often suffer equally and in the same way. +Many young persons, of both sexes, have +fallen victims to these disorders who could +have been cured by proper medical treatment. +A female suffering from the ill effects of any +bad habit contracted in youth, or from any +sexual or venereal disorder, should seek +medical aid with the same promptness and +openness of heart as a male. To overcome +the vicious habit of self-abuse is no trifling +matter; it will require the persistent application +of indomitable will, aided by Christianity—by +oft repeated appeals to the Lord +for aid, who lends a willing ear and +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_114" title="114"> </a>a helping hand to the poor and needy. +When reformation is determined upon, it is +better to consult a physician at once and act +under his advice. Besides directing the +proper diet and plenty of vigorous exercise +in the open air, he will prescribe the proper +medicament.</p> + +<p>Cases of real syphilitic poisoning are most +serious affections, and everyone should know +of the fearful effects of this poison—how +searchingly it infests the whole system, and +how it contaminates the blood and every +tissue in the body. Such cases, therefore, +should not be trifled with in any way. +Advertised nostrums should be particularly +avoided. For, if this poison be simply +smothered in one's blood instead of being +wholly eradicated and cured, it will be sure +to seize upon the offspring and either destroy +them before birth or during dentition. The +bare fear of such contamination should be +amply sufficient to deter everyone from +exposing <ins title="him—or herself,">him- or herself</ins> to the risk. But, +having fallen, by all means seek the aid of a +judicious physician. An experience of nearly +forty years in the treatment of these cases, in +both sexes, has given me the power to know +whereof I speak; and I do declare that a +very large percentage of these cases can be +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_115" title="115"> </a>cured in a safe manner; and so perfectly +cured too, that there will be no danger of +transmitting the infection to the offspring. I, +by no means stand alone in this statement; +many other physicians, after long years of +experience assert the same truth.</p> + +<p>Therefore, let no one be discouraged, no +matter how far he, or she, has strayed from +the paths of virtue or how much suffering +has been entailed thereby. In connection +with the physician's help, aid yourself. +Have courage! Let the invincible will lead +on unflinchingly—upheld by pure thoughts, +and good actions will surely follow. “Desire +is really dangerous only when it brings +voluptuous pictures incessantly before the +imagination. It thus holds a thousand conflicts +with virtue which it conquers in the +end; it installs itself in the bosom of the +intelligence of which it becomes the habitual +pre-occupation.” Seek therefore for only +pure thoughts.</p> + +<p>We should at all times exert all the power +within us to live correct and blameless lives +in every respect, but particularly so in sexual +matters. The happiness, the health, and the +lives of families and communities are far +more largely dependent upon these matters +than is commonly supposed. Those who +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_116" title="116"> </a>have led lives of blameless purity, will +continue to do so after reading this book; +while those who have gone astray will here +find every encouragement to set about their +reformation at once. If faithful to the teachings +recorded in these pages they will bless +the day and the occasion that inspired the +writer to put his hand to this work. The +God of Heaven and Earth knows that the +motive that led me to this undertaking +was pure, and as solely for the good of +humanity, as that purity which prompts a +human being to live a blameless life in the +sight of his Maker.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_117" title="117"> </a> +<h2>CHAPTER X.<br/><br/> +<small class="non-smcap">ORIGIN OF THE SEX.</small><br/> +<i>From Whence does the Sex Proceed and What +Determines It?</i></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="drop-cap"><span class="cap">So</span> much has been written about this +matter, and so many foolish, low, and +really debasing theories and speculations +have been advanced in relation thereto, that +I deem it expedient at this time, and in this +place, to put forth the true theory of the +reproduction of the sexes, one that can endure +the test of the most rigid scientific investigation. +The only theory upon this subject +worthy of notice, must be based upon a +principle that will hold good and true throughout +all animated nature, not only in the animal, +but in the vegetable kingdom as well.</p> + +<p>The earth is the common mother of the +vegetable world; seeds of all kinds fall into +her and she brings forth male and female +plants according to the seeds planted. The +<em>earth</em> certainly does not give the sex to plants +for they come forth according to the life +inherent in the seed; if this life-force be male, +the plant must be male; and if the life-force +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_118" title="118"> </a>of the seed be female, the product must be a +female plant. The earth can possibly bring +forth no other sex than that which the life-force +of the seed impels.</p> + +<p>This is true in the animal creation. Within +the female grows the seed given her by the +male, be it male or female, and she can grow +none other. In other words the male as is +very evident on mature reflection gives the +soul or the inmost vital principle, and the +female clothes that soul, or gives it a body in +which to operate. What else can the male +do; what office does he perform, if it is not +strictly this: to impart of his life-giving spirit! +The mother in clothing this germ of life +commingles, intertwines, and insinuates her +own spirit, at the same time educating, +instructing, and determining its development +according to the influence she imparts to it. +So the offspring partakes largely of the nature +of both its parents. The determination as to +whether he begets a male or female depends +entirely upon the inmost vital state of the +male at the time of giving, although he is +unconscious of the fact, so that he can have +no choice and no regulation, as some writers +most absurdly claim, in the matter of the +forth-coming sex. He determines or produces +it unconsciously and involuntarily, the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_119" title="119"> </a>mother simply receiving, clothing, and issuing +from her body what the father has given her.</p> + +<p>It must not be forgotten when exploring +these deep subjects that man is a spiritual +being, clothed with a material body, that his +spirit is his inmost, and that what proceeds +from him in the generative act has life from +his inmost; consequently the life-giving +principle of his semen is from his inmost, +which constitutes its life-giving power. +This inmost from the male, the begetting +power, is clothed by his seminal fluid for an +All-wise purpose; it is not the gross material, +the clothing, that begets, but the living power +which this material contains, which fructifies, +or becomes conjoined, or commingled with +the vital force of the ovule of the mother,<a name="FNanchor_K_11" href="#Footnote_K_11" class="fnanchor">[K]</a> +so that she can clothe it; and when so conjoined +the germ, or seed, is planted in congenial +soil. Conception has thus really taken +place by virtue of this act, and the animal +mother proceeds with her reproduction precisely +upon the same general principles that +mother earth reproduces corn from a single +kernel.</p> + +<p>It is universally acknowledged that the +Lord creates, that we owe all to Him, that He +gives us our children, etc., etc. This is true, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_120" title="120"> </a>and it is also true that He makes use of the +parents, through whom he operates to this end. +By the constant influx of his Divine Love +and Wisdom He gives us life, and by virtue +of this constant influx into the father who +begets, the mother's conception becomes +doubly sacred. She conceives from her +husband, and at the same instant the Lord +by virtue of His Divine Power breathes into +that conception the breath of life, whereby it +becomes a living soul. By the light of this +truth we see that it is not the parents who +give life to their offspring. They only supply +the pure material substances which are organized +into the human form by the living and +life-giving forces which constantly flow in +from the Lord who is life itself and from whom +all life constantly emanates.</p> + + + +<div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_121" title="121"> </a> +<h2>INDEX.</h2> +<hr/> +</div> + + +<table id="index" summary="Index"> +<tr> + <td>“<span class="smcap">Abuse</span>,” self, definition of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Adolescence of the female,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Adolescence</span> characteristics of, in females,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Adolescence</span> time of, in females,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Adolescence</span> of the male,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Adolescence</span> pride of in the male,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Adolescence</span> of male, changes observable,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Adolescence</span> time of, in the male,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Amorous, females not naturally,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Applications, in worm affections,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Ascarides,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Bannisters</span>, injurious to slide down,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Chastity</span>, what is true,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap invisible">Chastity,</span> difficulty of maintaining,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap invisible">Chastity,</span> needful in both sexes,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap invisible">Chastity,</span> difficulty of regaining,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap invisible">Chastity,</span> should be maintained,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Child-bearing, the question of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Child-bearing,</span> prevention of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Childhood,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Children, let them romp, play, &c.,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><ins title="Children,"><span class="invisible">Children,</span></ins> sleep of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Children,</span> weight of at birth,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a class="pagenum" name="Page_122" title="122"> </a>Coffee, use of by children,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Conception,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Continence not hurtful,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Continence</span> physiologically considered,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Diapers</span> for children, choice of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Diet of the mother, during gestation,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Embryo</span>, earliest stage of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Evil, first step of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Fathers</span>, injurious actions of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Females, self-abuse in,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Females,</span> dangers and temptations of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Females,</span> from fourteen to eighteen years,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Females,</span> naturally not amorous,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Feminine charms, to preserve,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Fœtal development, recapitulation of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Genital</span> organs, care of in infancy,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible"><span class="smcap">Genital</span> organs,</span> uses of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Health</span> Lift beneficial,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Hope for the fallen,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Husband, advice <ins title="to">to,</ins></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Husband,</span> not to find fault,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Husband,</span> represents “The Truth,”</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Incontinent</span>, trials of the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Infant, the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Insane asylums, who are there,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Introductory chapter,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Licentiousness</span>, perception of by the female,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a class="pagenum" name="Page_123" title="123"> </a>Life, all, comes from the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Lord</span>, the, alone creates,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Marriage;</span> act, the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Marriage;</span> the husband,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Marriage;</span> the wife,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Marriage;</span> conduct of a man before and after,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Marriage;</span> the duties of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Marriage;</span> true meaning of the word,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Marriage;</span> vow, the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Married life, how to begin,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Married life,</span> true love in,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Marry, men should,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Marry,</span> why do girls,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Masturbation, symptoms of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Masturbation,</span> taught in schools, at home, &c.,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Mechanical means, in worm affections,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Menstruation; and care during,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Menstruation;</span> not an inconvenience,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Mind, strength of, needful in reformation,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Nurses</span>, vicious practices of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Opiates</span> should be avoided,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Origin of the Sex,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Penis</span>, secretions forming on,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Pin worms,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Pollutions, nightly, causes of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pollutions,</span> produced by drugs,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a class="pagenum" name="Page_124" title="124"> </a>Poor houses, who the inmates are,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Preface,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Pregnancy, beginning of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> fifth week of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> seventh week <ins title="of">of,</ins></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> two months of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> ten weeks of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> third month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> fourth month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> fifth month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> sixth month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> seventh month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> eighth month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Pregnancy,</span> ninth month of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Prepuce, long,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Prevention of child bearing,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Preventives to conception,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Priapism, in boys,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Prisons, who the inmates are,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Pure thoughts, necessity for,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Purgatives in worm affections,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Queen Victoria</span>, in child bearing,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible smcap">Queen Victoria,</span> a Royal mother,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Self-Abuse</span>, to overcome,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Seminal fluid,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Sex, man powerless to regulate,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><ins title="Sex,"><span class="invisible">Sex,</span></ins> origin of the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Sexual act, the, in marriage,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a class="pagenum" name="Page_125" title="125"> </a><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> act, the frequency of, in marriage,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> disorders come from within,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> impressions on children, causes producing,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> impressions should never affect a child,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> instinct too strong,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> intercourse, illicit, dangers of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> intercourse, illicit, should not be recommended by a physician,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> matters, use of good information on,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> organs, earliest discernment of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> organs, needless laving, handling, &c.,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> precocity in children,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> precocity in children, case illustrating,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> temptations, to <ins title="conquer">conquer,</ins></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Sexual</span> thoughts, influence of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Soothing syrups, avoidance of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Spermatorrhœa, causes of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Spermatorrhœa,</span> caused by drugs,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Syphilis,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Syphilis,</span> mental effects of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Syphilitic poisoning,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Syringes,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Syrups, soothing, avoidance of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a class="pagenum" name="Page_126" title="126"> </a><span class="smcap">Tea</span>, use of, by children,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Tobacco, use of, by children,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Unfortunate</span>, to the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Urinate, inability to, in the morning,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Vaginal</span> injections,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Vermifuges, in worm affections,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Washings</span>, uselessness of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Weight of children at birth,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>“Wet dreams,” causes of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Wife, choice of,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Wife,</span> represents “The Good,”</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Wife,</span> should allow the sexual act,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Wife,</span> to be considerate,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Will power, man should be governed by the,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Wine, use of by children,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Worms,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="invisible">Worms,</span> are of constitutional origin,</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" href="#FNanchor_A_1" class="label">[A]</a> For fuller particulars see Guernsey's Obstetrics, 3d edition, +pages 79–89, inclusive.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" href="#FNanchor_B_2" class="label">[B]</a> For fuller particulars see Guernsey's Obstetrics.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" href="#FNanchor_C_3" class="label">[C]</a> Lallemand and Wilson, page 140.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_D_4" href="#FNanchor_D_4" class="label">[D]</a> Lallemand and Wilson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_E_5" href="#FNanchor_E_5" class="label">[E]</a> Wm. Acton, M. R. C. S.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_F_6" href="#FNanchor_F_6" class="label">[F]</a> Fourth American Edition, P. 97.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_G_7" href="#FNanchor_G_7" class="label">[G]</a> Lallemand and Wilson, page 192.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_H_8" href="#FNanchor_H_8" class="label">[H]</a> Clarke: “Sex in Education.”</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_I_9" href="#FNanchor_I_9" class="label">[I]</a> See “In Health.” By Dr. A. J. Ingersoll, Corning, N. Y.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_J_10" href="#FNanchor_J_10" class="label">[J]</a> Wm. Goodell, M. D., “Lessons in Gynecology,” P. 442.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_K_11" href="#FNanchor_K_11" class="label">[K]</a> See Guernsey's Obstetrics, 3d edition, on Reproduction.</p></div> +</div> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects, by +Henry Newell Guernsey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAIN TALKS ON AVOIDED SUBJECTS *** + +***** This file should be named 31671-h.htm or 31671-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/6/7/31671/ + +Produced by Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects + +Author: Henry Newell Guernsey + +Release Date: March 17, 2010 [EBook #31671] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAIN TALKS ON AVOIDED SUBJECTS *** + + + + +Produced by Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + [ Transcriber's Note: + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as + possible, including inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation; + changes (corrections of spelling and punctuation) made to the + original text are listed at the end of this file. + ] + + + + + Plain Talks + on + Avoided Subjects. + + by + + Henry N. Guernsey, M. D., + + Ex-Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the + Homoeopathic Medical College of Penn'a; Ex-Professor of Materia + Medica and Institutes in the Hahnemann Medical College + of Philadelphia and Dean of the Faculty; Author of + Guernsey's Obstetrics, including the Disorders + peculiar to Women and Young Children; + Lectures on Materia Medica, &c. + + Honorary Member of the Hahnemannian Medical Institute of Phila- + delphia; of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New + York; of the Instituto Homeopatico, Mexicano; of the Hahn- + emannian Society of Madris de Tulio, Spain; Member of + the American Institute of Homoeopathy; Consulting + Physician to the West Philadelphia Homoeo- + pathic Hospital for Children, &c. &c. + + + PHILADELPHIA + F. A. DAVIS COMPANY, PUBLISHERS + 1905 + + + + + Copyrighted, 1882, + by + H. N. Guernsey. M. D. + + + + +This little volume is fervently and solemnly dedicated to its Mission. + +Those who conscientiously read and faithfully apply its teachings to +life, cannot fail to become wiser, better and happier members of the +Home circle and of Society at large. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +For many years I have wished that some able pen would place before the +community at large the knowledge contained in the following pages. Some +of this information has appeared from time to time in such books as +"Graham's Lectures on Chastity," "Todd's Students' Manual," and a few +popular works of a similar kind, which have been of immense service to +the human race in preserving chastity and in reclaiming the unchaste. +But all these are now inadequate to the growing demand for more light on +these vital topics. It has been too much the custom for everyone, +parents included, to shrink from instructing their own children, or +those entrusted to their care, on these points; consequently, many young +people _solely from their ignorance_ fall into the direst evils of a +sexual nature and are thereby much injured and sometimes wholly ruined +for life's important duties. + +An experience of forty years in my professional career has afforded me +thousands of opportunities for sympathizing with young men, and young +women too, who had unconsciously sunk into these very evils merely for +want of an able writer to place this whole subject truthfully and +squarely before them, or for some wise friend to perform the same kind +office verbally. The perusal of a work by Wm. Acton, M. R. C. S., of +London, on "The Functions and Disorders of the Reproductive Organs in +Childhood, Youth, Adult Age, and Advanced Life," has, by his purity of +sentiments, which have ever been identical with my own, both inspired +and emboldened me to write a work of similar import. But his is for the +profession while mine is for the profession and the laity, of both sexes +and of any age. May its perusal inspire the readers with a higher +appreciation of the matters herein treated, and with a greater effort to +reformatory measures everywhere. Whenever I advise the consulting of a +"judicious" (a term I use many times) physician, I mean one fully and +practically qualified, both by inherent qualities and education, for the +fullest confidence of his patients. + +I am indebted to my son, Joseph C. Guernsey, M. D., for assistance in +editing and carrying this work through the press. + + Henry N. Guernsey, M. D., + 1423 Chestnut St., Philad'a. + + June, 1882. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER I. + Introductory, 13 + + CHAPTER II. + The Infant, 24 + + CHAPTER III. + Childhood, 27 + + CHAPTER IV. + Adolescence of the Male, 42 + + CHAPTER V. + Adolescence of the Female, 68 + + CHAPTER VI. + Marriage.--The Husband, 84 + + CHAPTER VII. + The Wife, 90 + + CHAPTER VIII. + Husband and Wife, 100 + + CHAPTER IX. + To the Unfortunate, 110 + + CHAPTER X. + Origin of the Sex, 117 + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Introductory. + + +In the creation of the world and all that therein is, we should consider +it an axiom that "Everything was created for use." All individual +substances, or beings, that come to our notice bear certain relations to +one another, have connection one with another, and are dependent upon +and useful to each other; and nothing could possibly exist or subsist +without this co-relation: connection with and use to each other. This is +a law which needs only a little reflection to be accepted as a truth in +every particular--in the greatest as well as in the least created form. +This is more plainly seen in the animal kingdom than in the mineral or +vegetable, because its members associate and finally become conjoined in +pairs. Man and woman, who represent the crown and glory of all created +beings, in whom are embodied all the lower orders, were and are still +created to associate in pairs--each created for the other, the one to +help the other; the two to love and to belong to one another. This +principle, fully carried out, justifies and shows the necessity for the +creation of man and woman precisely as they are, having bodies, parts +and passions, will and understanding. It is my intention in the +following pages to explain the relations existing between the sexes, for +the purpose of showing that the greatest happiness to the human race +will be found in living a life in full accord with these relations. In +order that the subject may be fully understood, let us examine the +physical development of man and woman in detail, particularizing the +different organs of the body as they appear in their order of formation, +from the very inmost or beginning, to the ultimate or end, in their +respective natures. + +Ever since the primal creation of man and woman, the human race has been +perpetuated by a series of births. Children have been conceived in +harmony with the natural order of events, in such matters, and have been +born boys and girls. A boy is a boy to all intents and purposes from his +very conception, from the very earliest moment of his being; begotten by +his father he is a boy in embryo within the ovule of his mother. The +converse is true of the opposite sex. At this very early age of +reproduction the embryo has all the elements of the future man or +woman, mentally and physically, even before any form becomes apparent; +and so small is the human being at the earliest stage of its existence +that no material change is observable between the ovule that contains +the product of conception and a fully developed ovule unimpregnated.[A] + + [A] For fuller particulars see Guernsey's Obstetrics, 3d edition, + pages 79-89, inclusive. + +It is about twelve days after conception before the impregnated ovule, +which undergoes many changes during this time, makes its escape from the +ovary where it became impregnated and enters one of the Fallopian tubes, +thence gradually descending into the cavity of the womb. Here it begins +to mature and become fitted for its birth into the outer world. Soon now +the embryo (for such it is called at this early stage) begins to assume +form. The first indication of formation that it is possible to discover, +even by the help of the microscope, consists of an oblong figure, obtuse +at one extremity, swollen in the middle, blunt-pointed at the other +extremity. The rudimentary embryo is slightly curved forward, is of a +grayish white color, of a gelatinous consistence, from two to four lines +long and weighs one or two grains. A slight depression representing the +neck, enables us to distinguish the head; the body is marked by a +swollen centre, but there are as yet no traces of the extremities. So +much can be observed about the end of the third week after conception. + +At about the _fifth week_ the embryo presents more distinctions. The +head is very large in proportion to the rest of the body, the eyes are +represented by two black spots, and the upper extremities by small +protuberances on the sides of the trunk. The embryo at this stage is +nearly two-thirds of an inch in length and weighs about fifteen grains. +The lower extremities now begin to appear in the shape of two minute +rounded tubercles. Till about this time a straight artery has been +observed to beat with the regularity of the pulse; but now it appears +doubled somewhat into the shape of an adult heart, although as yet it +has but one auricle and one ventricle. As time advances we find the +perfect heart with its two ventricles and two auricles, all developed +from the original straight artery. At this period the lungs appear to +exist in five or six different lobes and we can barely distinguish the +bronchial tubes; about the same time the ears and face are distinctly +outlined, and after awhile the nose is also faintly and imperfectly +perceived. + +At about the _seventh week_ a little bony deposit is found in the lower +jaw. The kidneys now begin to be formed, and a little later the genital +organs. The embryo averages one inch in length. + +At _two months_ the rudiments of the extremities become more prominent. +The forearm and hand can be distinguished but not the arm above the +elbow; the hand is larger than the forearm, but is not supplied with +fingers. The sex cannot yet be determined. The length of the embryo is +from one inch and a half to two inches, and it weighs from three to five +drachms. The eyes are discernible, but still uncovered by the +rudimentary lids. The nose forms an obtuse eminence, the nostrils are +rounded and separated, the mouth is gaping and the epidermis can be +distinguished from the true skin. + +At _ten weeks_ the embryo is from one and a half to two and a half +inches long, and its weight is from one ounce to an ounce and a half, +the eyelids are more developed and descend in front of the eyes; the +mouth begins to be closed by the development of the lips. The walls of +the chest are more completely formed, so that it is no longer possible +to see the movements of the heart. The fingers become distinct and the +toes appear as small projections webbed together like a frog's foot. At +about this period the sexual organs show their development as follows: +On each side of the urinary locality an oblong fold becomes +distinguishable; in course of progress if these folds remain separate, a +little tubercle forms in the anterior commissure which becomes the +clitoris; the nymphae develop, the urethra forms between them, and the +female sex is determined. If, on the other hand, these folds unite into +a rounded projection the scrotum is formed, the little tubercle above +becomes the penis and hence the male sex. The testicles forming within +the body, descend later into the scrotum, and organs similar to them, +their counterparts, form in the female and are called ovaries. These +ovaries are found attached to an organ called the womb, and this again +is united with the vagina, which leads downwards and outwards between +the labia majora.[B] + + [B] For fuller particulars see Guernsey's Obstetrics. + +At the end of the _third month_ the weight of the embryo is from three +to four ounces and its length from four to five inches, the eyeballs are +seen through the lids, the pupils of the eyes are discernible, the +forehead, nose and lips can be clearly distinguished. The finger nails +resemble thin membranous plates, the skin shows more firmness, but is +still rosy-hued, thin and transparent. The sex can now be fully +determined. + +At the end of the _fourth month_ the product of conception is no longer +called an embryo, but a foetus. The body is from six to eight inches in +length and weighs six or seven ounces. A few little white hairs are seen +scattered over the scalp. The development of the face is still +imperfect. The eyes are now closed by their lids, the nostrils are +well-formed, the mouth is shut in by the lips and the sex is still more +sharply defined. The tongue may be observed far back in the mouth, and +the lower part of the face is rounded off by what a little later will be +a well-formed chin. The movements of the foetus are by this time plainly +felt by the mother, and if born at this time it may live several months. + +At the end of the _fifth month_ the body of the foetus is from seven to +nine inches long and weighs from eight to eleven ounces. The skin has a +fairer appearance and more consistence; the eyes can no longer be +distinguished through the lids, owing to the increased thickness of the +latter. The head, heart and kidneys are large and well developed. At the +end of the _sixth month_ the foetus is from eleven to twelve and a half +inches in length, and weighs about sixteen ounces, more or less. The +hair upon the scalp is thicker and longer, the eyes remain closed, and +very delicate hairs may be seen upon the margins of the eye-lids and +upon the eye-brows. The nails are solid, the scrotum small and empty, +the surface of the skin appears wrinkled but the dermis may be +distinguished from the epidermis. The liver is large and red, and the +gall-bladder contains fluid. + +At the end of the _seventh month_ the length of the foetus is from +twelve and a half to fourteen inches, its weight is about fifty-five +ounces, and it is both well defined and well proportioned in all its +parts. The bones of the cranium, hitherto quite flat, now appear a +little arched, and as the process of ossification goes on, the arching +increases till the vault is quite complete. The brain presents greater +firmness, and the eye-lids are opened. The skin is much firmer and red. +The gall-bladder contains bile. + +At the end of the _eighth month_ the foetus seems to thicken up rather +than to increase in length, since it is only from sixteen to eighteen +inches long while its weight increases from four to five pounds. The +skin is red, and characterized at this period by a fine downy covering, +over which is spread a quantity of thick viscous matter, called the +sebaceous coat, which has been forming since the latter part of the +fifth month. The lower jaw has now become as long as the upper one, and +in the male the left testicle may be found in the scrotum. Convolutions +appear in the brain structure. + +At _nine months_ the anxious time of parturition has arrived. The foetus +is from nineteen to twenty-three inches in length and weighs on an +average from six to eight pounds. Children at birth sometimes weigh as +much as fourteen pounds; but such extremes are very rare. At this period +the white and grey matter of the brain are distinct, and the +convolutions are well marked; the nails assume a horny consistence, hair +upon the head is more or less abundant, the testes are in the scrotum, +and the entire external genital organs of both male and female are well +formed. + +The above particulars respecting the development of the human being have +been narrated to show that one organ is just as important as another, +and that each is really dependent upon the other; no one could exist +without the other and all are to subserve a use. First must be the +_esse_ (the inmost) the vital force imparted to the ovule. A little +later certain changes take place in the ovule, later still other +changes, and finally about the fifteenth day a slight development of the +new human being can just be outlined by the help of the microscope, +which, as before stated, has form at about the third week after +conception. First the vestige of a head and body, a little later the +heart and lungs appear lying in the open chest; then the hands are +protruded from the sides of the trunk, afterwards the forearms, then the +arms, all pushed out from the body; the feet and legs gradually protrude +from the lower end of the trunk, and the chest closes up so that the +heart and lungs can no longer be seen; the face, mouth and eyes take +form, the external genital organs make their appearance in conjunction +with other developments, and in due course of time the boy or girl is +born ready for further developments in childhood, and adolescence. When +the latter development has been attained, if due care has been taken by +all interested parties, we have pure men and pure women fitted to enter +upon the privileges and the _uses_ of a wedded life according to the +design of our Creator. + +How wonderfully and how instructively are all organs in the animal body +disposed and arranged! In the highest place we find the brain to govern +and rule over all below. It is the first organ formed and in an orderly +life should control all the others. Next in order and importance are the +heart and lungs, which put into motion all other parts and enable the +animal frame to continue in motion. So each and every organ is developed +in its proper order, all to obey the commands of the first and most +important--the brain, the seat of the reason and the will. Happy are +they of either sex who will govern themselves by a pure enlightened +reason and a pure affectionate will. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +The Infant. + +Embracing the First Year of the Child's Life. + + +The battle of life really begins as soon as the child is born. Its +cleanliness, its clothing, its temperature and its food are matters for +daily observance and care, as also are the light, sunshine and air which +it is to breathe. Opiates, soothing syrups and cordials, are to be +strictly avoided as being deleterious to health; proper sanitary +measures usually suffice to render all _dosing_ unnecessary. Spirituous +potions and lotions should be avoided as being contrary to the laws of +hygiene as well as for fear the child may learn to love and to become +addicted to their use later in life. Every organ of the body should be +carefully protected even at this early age, so that health may reign +supreme. Particular care and the utmost solicitude should be bestowed +upon the genital organs. No rubbing or handling of these parts should be +permitted under any pretense whatever--beyond what may be absolutely +necessary for cleanliness. The genital organs require just as much +watchful care, if not more, as the stomach, the eye, the ear, &c. I +regret to say that I have known some fathers to tickle the genital +organs of their infant boys until a complete erection of the little +penis ensued, which effect pleases the father as an evidence of a robust +boy. The evil effects of such a procedure are too manifest to require +dilating upon. Fathers take warning! + +Nurses are known to quiet young children by gently exciting pleasurable +sensations about the genital organs both of males and females--practices +which are the most vicious and vice-begetting that can possibly be +invented. Many a young man and young woman has fallen to very low depths +from influences developed by these and similar means. Nurses should be +cautioned in this matter _and carefully watched too_, as even the least +suspected may (innocently perhaps) be guilty of this fault to save +themselves the trouble of quieting their charges in a proper way. Early +impressions upon these animal passions, as well as those made upon other +senses of the young, are very abiding. Mothers be watchful! + +Great care should be exercised in the choice of a diaper for infants and +the material of which it is made. The diaper should fit easily about +the organs which it covers and protects, so as not to cause undue +heating or friction of the parts; and immediately after a babe has +soiled itself either with urine or from a motion of the bowels, it +should be made clean and dry at once to avoid any irritation that would +otherwise ensue upon these delicate parts. The material of which the +diaper is made should not be stiff or harsh, but very limp, soft and +pliable; nor should it be thick and bungling. There are great objections +to the use of oil-cloth, rubber or other impervious materials as they +prevent the escape of perspiration, urine, fecal matter, etc. As soon as +possible, say near the end of the first year, the child should be taught +to use its little chair-commode, thus dispensing with the diaper at an +early age. This is much better for the sexual organs, is more +comfortable for the child and is more healthy; it also favors a more +perfect development of the limbs and joints, the hip joints +particularly. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Childhood. + + +Childhood is that portion of life extending from infancy to adolescence, +which in boys occurs at the age of fourteen to sixteen years; and in +girls at the age of twelve to fourteen years. In very warm climates +adolescence is reached some two or three years earlier. + +Most fortunate the infant who has completed its term of life, thus far, +in accordance with the strictest rules of Hygiene, or the laws of +health. + +"In a state of health sexual impressions should never affect a child's +mind or body. All its vital energy should be employed in constructing +the growing frame, in storing up proper external impressions and in +educating the brain to receive them." Unfortunately this state of health +is not always attained. Impressions may be exhibited in these organs at +a very early age either from inheritance, from improper handling or from +some morbid condition of the child that could show itself in no other +organ of the body and which, like morbid conditions in general, make +their appearance somewhere in the mind or body. + +SEXUAL PRECOCITY.--Many parents who are most particular in all other +respects, as to the moral and physical training of their children, +imagine there is no need to pay any special attention to the genital +organs. This, however, is a grave mistake and needs our careful +consideration. As is well known, some children evince a sexual precocity +which may lead to very serious results. In these it often happens that +the sexual instinct arises long before puberty; such children, if males, +manifest an instinctive attraction towards the female sex which they +show by constantly spying after their nurses, chambermaids, etc.; by +seeking as much as possible to play with children of the opposite sex +and improperly toying with them. [C]"One case is so remarkable that an +abstract of it may be instructive: M. D----, between five and six years +of age, was one day in summer in the room of a dressmaker who lived in +the family; this girl thinking that she might put herself at ease before +such a child, threw herself on her bed, almost without clothing. The +little D---- had followed all her motions and regarded her figure with a +greedy eye. He approached her on the bed, as if to sleep, but soon +became so bold in his behavior that the girl, after having laughed at +him for some time was obliged to put him out of the room. This girl's +simple imprudence produced such an impression on the child that forty +years afterwards he had not forgotten a single circumstance connected +with it." + + [C] Lallemand and Wilson, page 140. + +Parents are remarkably careless on this point. They allow children to +play together for hours at a time without the surveillance of an older +person, provided only they are removed from any danger. It is sufficient +to merely draw attention to such a custom as every reflective mind can +easily draw the inevitable consequences. Habits are indulged in and +marks of familiarity shown which should not for an instant be tolerated. + +CAUSES which commonly produce sexual impressions on young children are, +allowing them to repose playfully on their belly, to slide down +bannisters, to go too long without urinating, constipation or straining +at stool, cutaneous affections, and worms. Also, thoughtless acts of +elder people which are very frequently more closely observed than is +commonly supposed. The sliding down bannisters produces a titillation +which is agreeable to the sexual organs. Children of both sexes will +constantly repeat this act until they learn to become inveterate +masturbators, even at a very early age. + +Among boys a disease called _priapism_ is often developed; this arises +from undue handling of the parts, or from some morbid state of the +child's health. The disorder consists of paroxysms, occurring more or +less frequently, of violent erections of the penis; these sometimes +become very painful and require the attention of a physician. At all +events medical aid should be sought at once, because some functional +derangement is at work which might, if not arrested and cured, give rise +to masturbation. Owing to unknown causes such morbid conditions induce +some little boys to pull frequently at the foreskin of the penis until +their health is seriously impaired; they pine away, lose flesh, and +still continue to worry at the foreskin, till death has been known to +result. These cases require the most careful and skillful constitutional +treatment, until they are cured. + +Sometimes, in other cases, the foreskin becomes inflamed, offensive +secretions may form about the end of the penis, etc. All such disorders +should be submitted to a judicious physician at once, to avoid +irritations which might result in a tendency to sexual excitement--a +calamity truly deplorable to the young. The idea which some writers +advance--that a long prepuce (or foreskin) often proves an exciting +cause of troublesome sensations to the boy, is certainly erroneous. So, +too, it is all wrong to state that particular care should be taken to +wash under the prepuce. That this objection in regard to washing is +true, is proved from the physical fact that in a large majority of boys +the orifice of the foreskin is not sufficiently opened to permit of +these washings. And the objection is still further proved by the fact +that all these unnatural secretions, offensive odors, sensations, etc., +which irritate and worry a boy together with all inflammations of these +parts are soon relieved and permanently cured by the proper medicament. +Needless laving, handling or rubbing the sexual parts should be avoided +as strictly as possible. To show how little good such washings really +do, even though persisted in, I will mention one out of many similar +cases: "In spite of repeated washings every day, a fetid smegma was +deposited in considerable quantity on the glans, causing a tiresome +burning and itching." All such cases are utterly intractable by any +amount of bathing. But the suitable remedy administered internally cures +the trouble permanently in a few weeks and at the same time improves +the general tone and health of the individual. This is so because the +proper remedy removes the morbific cause which produced that condition +of the penis and all concomitant symptoms, at the same time. It must be +remembered that the troubles referred to above come from within, and +that they are but developments of internal morbific causes. In a similar +manner, small pox, measles, chicken pox and all eruptive diseases come +_out_ as products from morbific causes _within_. No sane person ever +thinks of washing off these appearances with the hope of curing the +case! + +All our external parts were made just as they should be and they work in +harmony so long as we are perfectly healthy inwardly. Every blemish upon +the skin, even to a wart, has a corresponding morbid influence within, +which can be removed by proper treatment. Let it be remembered then for +all coming time that a little boy's penis is never to be meddled or +trifled with, nor his foreskin, nor the parts about the generative +organs. All unnatural conditions, appearances or sensations require +prompt and proper medical aid. If erections of his little penis occur +during sleep, or if he cannot urinate promptly on rising in the +morning, because of an erection, let these conditions beget an anxiety +for his welfare and at once seek a judicious physician, who will be able +to prescribe a medicament to arrest all further development of sexual +precocity--an affliction so baneful to the young. + +A little later in life children are liable to ascarides or seat worms, +called by some "pin worms." No applications, purgatives, "vermifuges," +injections or other mechanical means should ever be employed to remove +these, as they are of constitutional origin and should be so treated, +until perfectly cured. Removing the worms by irritants or by mechanical +means does not remove the _cause_ of their existence or reproduction in +the body. The dyscrasia that gives rise to these worms, with the +accompanying itching and tickling, is apt to cause a sexual excitement +which may prove more disastrous than the original trouble itself. +Therefore be sure that this affection is treated constitutionally; so +long as the vital forces work in harmonious order, no abnormal +appearances of any kind can come to light, because they do not exist. + +From the age of nine to fourteen, boys generally acquire very curious +notions about sexual affairs and are naturally, from what they hear, +desirous of obtaining some idea of sexual congress, a knowledge of +where babies come from, etc. This curiosity, of course, causes the mind +to dwell much upon sexual subjects. I fully believe that good +information will, by satisfying this curiosity, free the mind to a great +extent from sexual thoughts. It is from such very thoughts that boys are +led to play with their sexual organs in secret, and to handle them so as +to excite pleasurable sensations; erections of the penis are thus +produced and finally, by this continual excitation with the hand, the +height of sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of semen occurs and +_self-pollution_ is the consequence. This act is called "masturbation" +and becomes a _secret vice of the worst kind_! + +Very frequently and to an alarming extent "masturbation" is taught by +older boys, and by young men even, in nearly all our colleges, boarding, +public and private schools, and by companions under the paternal roof. +This act is repeated time after time until the degrading and destructive +(morally and physically so) habit is confirmed. As a result, the boy +grows thin, pale, morose and passionate; then weak, indolent and +indifferent; his digestion becomes impaired, his sleep short, disturbed +and broken; he sometimes becomes epileptic or falls into a state of +marasmus; in any case he is in great danger of being totally ruined +forever. + +There is a great difference in boys regarding the formation of these +habits. While some may almost insensibly glide into them, others, +intuitively as it were, turn away from all such temptations and banish +all thoughts of a sexual nature from their minds at once. This is right. +So long as a boy's mind refuses to harbor such baleful approaches, so +long he is safe; but the moment he heeds them and allows them to enter +his mind, that moment he is in danger and will most likely fall into bad +habits. He must strenuously resist all such thoughts and going to his +father or mother tell them about his trials and temptations and strive +to forget them until success crowns his efforts. By persistent efforts, +by repeated prayers to the Lord for help, by reading his Bible and good, +pure stories, by running into the open air and indulging in some useful +occupation or joyous, healthful play, he will eventually conquer them +and thus rise to the dignity of a true man. Sometimes, too, it may be +necessary to consult the physician for help. In addition to the +instinctive shrinking which every right minded person generally feels +from putting ideas of impurity into a child's innocent mind, a parent's +pride leads him to hope that _his_ boy would not indulge in any such +mean and disgusting practices. But, bearing in mind the advice of +Herbert Spencer--"that the aim of discipline should be to produce a +_self-governing_ being," the best advice a parent or guardian can, and +ought, to give, is: do not harbor bad thoughts or feelings about +anything; at once turn them away and think of something else, of +something good, true and pure. Indulge in no hatred or revengeful +feelings towards others; plot no evil things; always be true to your +word, faithful to your duties and charitable to all. Treat everybody +kindly and politely. And further, a child should be _taught_ what +"chastity" really is, instead of leaving him to find it out as best he +may. + +It should be clearly explained to him that true chastity requires the +shunning of all indecency and foul language; that he should refrain from +touching his secret parts except when the necessities of nature require +it; that all sexual emotions should be subjugated. When he grows older +every boy should be taught that chastity means continence; and it should +be firmly impressed upon his mind that all lascivious actions are a +drain upon his whole system and weaken the powers which the Lord has +given him to be employed _only_ in the married state. These are +characteristics of a true man and will help him very much to keep out of +sexual difficulties which, as we shall see further on, are among the +greatest curses of life. + +The use of tobacco, wine, coffee or tea by children is well known to be +highly injurious. Never allow a child to use either of these--not even +in small quantities. A too common practice in many families is to allow +a little wine at dinner "to assist digestion!" Others allow coffee or +tea, "because my child is so fond of it." "The after-effects of all +these is to disturb the heart, to cause nervousness and irritability, +and _to weaken the sexual organs in a marked degree_. Tobacco +particularly has this last effect in old and young, besides producing +convulsions, a dulled intellect, etc."[D] + + [D] Lallemand and Wilson. + +Remember where the brain is and the purposes for which it has been +given! Here reside the knowledge and the power to govern all below it. +No matter what the stomach craves or how strongly the appetite begs for +this or that; no matter how much one may be tempted to steal, to lie or +to swear; no matter how much the sexual organs may lead one to think +about or handle them--here is the great and good brain, the home of the +will-power, which says: "Touch not, taste not, handle not." So long as +these commands are listened to and obeyed, one is safe. The desire need +not and should not control the act--but the rational faculty can and +will control, when early taught to do so. The more one is led by this +rational faculty the easier it becomes to follow it, and _vice versa_. + +What has been said above regarding the danger of little boys falling +into bad habits applies with equal force to little girls. Do not forget +this. They too may have sexual thoughts, feelings and curiosity, and +care must be taken to keep their minds pure and bodies healthy. They are +also liable to disorders that require prompt and careful attention, such +as inflammations, excoriations, itchings and swellings of the genital +organs with discharges from these parts resembling leucorrhoea. All such +conditions lead them to more or less rub and scratch these parts--which +should never be touched--for relief. Pleasurable sensations are +experienced and then comes masturbation--_a sin chargeable to the +parent_ for not having given the matter proper medical attention. +"Repeated washings" will no more cure these cases in little girls than, +as shown above, will they cure in little boys. All these are but the +outcropping of some constitutional affection and should be treated +accordingly. No applications or medicated washings of any kind should be +allowed. Such external treatment only palliates the suffering for a +little while without removing the disordered vital force that gave +origin to its appearance. This is simply repressed and may react upon +the child and appear in another form tenfold worse than the first. The +passing of urine or fecal matter may (in either sex) cause irritation +and excoriation; this is another sign that all is not right in the vital +forces and should be mentioned to the physician as a sure index that +medical treatment, but not topical applications, is absolutely +necessary. All abnormal appearances, actions and discomforts of the +child, whether mental or physical, should be submitted to an experienced +and judicious physician. A healthy child should be happy and comfortable +in all respects. + +A very successful plan for keeping children from vice or vicious habits +is to see that their time is fully occupied with amusements and duties +which interest them. They need a great deal of harmlessly conducted +amusement and--do _not_ strive to "keep them quiet." Allow little boys +and girls to play together, under proper surveillance, and let them be +boisterous if they will; let them romp and run, climb fences, trundle +hoops, jump rope, go to dancing school, participate in military drills, +go coasting and skating, take swimming lessons, etc. + +No judicious parents will allow a son or daughter to be alone much; to +seek to be alone is always a bad sign and should be carefully guarded +against without its being known that such precaution is observed. +Furnish them liberally with instructive and innocent story books and let +them read aloud to you or to each other. Take them to walk or ride when +you go, and strive to make companions of them as much as possible, +making whatever sacrifices are necessary to attain this end. Above all, +_encourage their making confidants of you_. Let them feel that they can +come and talk freely on any subject, no matter what its nature may be. +Do this, and you have thrown around them a bulwark of defence that will +withstand the repeated attacks of hosts of evil spirits. When night +comes and they go to bed, let them learn to go to sleep at once; no play +then--they may be read to sleep, but no romping or playing. No strange +children should be allowed to sleep with yours; make them occupy +separate rooms or at least separate beds; be sure that the sleeping +places of your children are sacred to them alone. Nor is it advisable +for children to sleep with a grown person of either sex and particularly +not with servants--all for obvious reasons. + +The observance of all these precautions against influences that might +excite sexual disturbance is most sacred in its character and most +needful even in a religious point of view; for there should be +_chastity_ above all things. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ADOLESCENCE OF THE MALE. + + +Adolescence of the male embraces the period of life from the age of +fourteen or sixteen years to the age of twenty-five. + +At about the age of fourteen years "the period of youth is distinguished +by that advance in the evolution of the generative apparatus in both +sexes, and by that acquirement of its power of functional activity, +which constitutes the state of _Puberty_." At this age the following +great changes take place in the general appearance and deportment of the +male: His frame becomes more angular and the masculine proportions more +pronounced; increased strength and greater powers of endurance are +manifested; the larynx enlarges and the voice becomes lower in pitch as +well as rougher and more powerful; new feelings and desires awaken in +the mind. His deportment becomes more commanding, his frivolity is less +and less apparent, and the boy is lost in the man. If he has been so +fortunate as to escape all the dangers and baneful influences of +childhood, he is manly indeed, and we behold him with an unburdened +conscience, bright intellect, frank address and good memory. His spirits +are buoyant and his complexion clear; every function of his body is well +performed, and no fatigue is felt after moderate exertion. He evinces +that elasticity of body, and that happy control of himself and his +feelings, which are indicative of the robust health and absence of care +which should accompany youth. His time is devoted to his studies, duties +and amusements; as he feels his stature increase, and his intellect +enlarge, he gladly prepares for his coming struggle with the world. + +All boys may come to this condition with proper training through the +period of infancy and childhood; and after arriving at the adolescent +age of their existence as they have the power of mind to _choose_, so +also have they the power to _refuse_. The human race is created above +the animal so that we are something more than mere animals; we are human +beings with human propensities, human passions, human desires and human +tastes, which are subject to the human brain, to the human reason and to +the human will--all elevated and ennobled by the Divine Will. Man must +not let himself down to be governed by animal passions; the moment he +does that, his higher powers suffer and become weakened, and he becomes +more like an inferior animal; if he persists in this downward course, +his lower powers become strengthened until finally they transcend and +rule the higher. Then, to all intents and purposes, such a man's head is +downwards and the lower part of his body is upwards just where his head +ought to be. + +Man is a human being, yet, like the whole animal kingdom, he has +appetites, desires and passions, as it is absolutely necessary that he +should have. He has organs corresponding to these appetites, desires and +passions, and it is necessary that he should have them. A proper +understanding in regard to this matter will convince anyone of the truth +of this assertion. Our Creator doeth all things wisely and well, in the +most perfect manner possible. Consequently, man with all his organs, +parts and passions is just what he should be when he blossoms into +youth, in the perfection of his adolescence as described above. In fact +there could be no other form of creating man, for the Lord always +creates in the most perfect way possible, according to one harmonious +law which He has ordained to govern the creation of all beings. + +Such a man is fully prepared to struggle with himself and the world at +large. In his desires, appetites or passions of any kind, he, in his +humanity, protected by his rational faculties and enlightened by the +Divine Oracle of God, unquestionably has the power to choose between +propriety and impropriety, between the right and the wrong, between the +good and the bad. Take any evil into which a member of the human family +may fall--the love of ardent spirit for instance; he first thinks of it +and desires to partake of some. Finally he takes an opportunity to +gratify his desire, does satisfy it for the time and thinks it very +nice. The next craving is a little more intense, and he cannot overcome +the temptation quite so easily as he could have done before, and at last +he indulges again. So he goes on, step by step, until he may fall very +low. _The same thinking, feeling and desiring precedes the adoption of +every vicious habit that was ever formed._ Nor will anyone pretend to +say that a persistent effort of the will power, at the very outset, when +he first perceived the tendencies of his desires to do what he need not +do, would not have prevented the evil; no argumentation will prevail in +the face of stubborn facts, and the real facts are all on the side of +purity and order. + +These very young men or youths, as they progress through adolescence, +may become tempted in a variety of ways, some to the use of ardent +spirits or tobacco, others to lie, to steal, to forge, &c.; but the +approach to all these evils is gradual and first comes through the mind. +They first think about the action, turn it over and over in their minds +until they come to greatly desire and then, later, to commit the evil +which would not have been ultimated if the mind had been persistently +set against it in the beginning. This is an indisputable fact. + +In this manner many promising youths, just as they are blossoming into +the pride of early manhood, begin to indulge in sexual thoughts and to +allow these thoughts to influence their minds until they commit some of +the evils to which perverted and unchaste passions lead them. If this +evil be masturbation, then they are on the direct road to ruin, as will +be seen described further on. If it be the commission of sexual +intercourse with women, their ruin is still more certain, and in the +latter case they are exposed to one of the worst poisons that can +possibly infect the human race. I do not overdraw the picture when I +declare that _millions of human beings die annually from the effects of +poison contracted in this way_, in some form of suffering or another; +for, by insinuating its effects into and poisoning the whole man, it +complicates various disorders and renders them incurable. When +gonorrhoea is contracted, although frequently suppressed by local +treatment in the form of injections, it is never perfectly cured +thereby. No; the hidden poison runs on for a life time producing +strictures, dysuria, gleet and kindred diseases; finally, in old men, a +horrible prostatitis results from which the balance of one's life is +rendered miserable indeed. If inflammation of the lungs supervenes, +there is often a translation of the virus to these vital organs, causing +what is termed "plastic pneumonia," where one lobule after another +becomes gradually sealed up, till nearly the whole of both lungs becomes +impervious to air, and death results from asphyxia. + +This horrible infection sometimes becomes engrafted upon other acute +diseases when lingering disorders follow, causing years of misery, and +only terminating in death. + +If real syphilis, in the form of chancre, should be contracted, and in +that form suppressed, we have buboes often of a malignant type, +ulceration of the penis and a loss of some portion of this member. +Sometimes the poison attacks the throat, causing most destructive +ulcerations therein; sometimes it seizes upon the nasal bones, resulting +in their entire destruction and an awful disfiguration of the face; +sometimes it ultimates itself in the ulceration and destruction of other +osseous tissues in different portions of the body. Living examples of +these facts are too frequently witnessed in the streets of any large +city. Young men marrying with the slightest taint of this poison in the +blood will surely transmit the disease to their children. Thousands of +abortions transpire every year from this cause alone, the poison being +so destructive as to kill the child _in utero_, before it is matured for +birth; and even if the child be born alive, it is liable to break down +with the most loathsome disorders of some kind and to die during +dentition; the few that survive this period are short lived and are +unhealthy so long as they do live. The very first unchaste connection of +a man with a woman may be attended with a contamination entailing upon +him a life of suffering and even death itself. There is no safety among +impure or loose women whether in private homes or in the very best +regulated houses of ill-fame; even in Paris, where, after women have +been carefully examined and pronounced free from any infecting +condition, the first man who visits one of them, often carries away a +deadly enemy in his blood, which had lurked in concealment beyond the +keen eye of the inspector. A young man, or a man at any age, is in far +greater danger amidst company of this stamp, than he would be with a +clear conscience and pure character in the midst of the wildest forest, +full of all manner of poisonous serpents and wild beasts of every +description. A knowledge of the above facts should be enough to chill +the first impulse and to make any man who respects his own well-being, +turn away and flee from the destruction that awaits him. + +As if the above sufferings were not a sufficient penalty for the +transgression against the law--"Be ye pure," we find yet another. +Coincident with the physical wreck, which syphilis makes of the man who +becomes thoroughly tainted with its poison, comes his moral wreck. He +loses all respect for the truth and all regard for his word; no +dependence of any kind can be placed upon him, and he will not pay his +debts or fulfil any moral obligation; all because he began by +prostituting his mind more and more until, with deadened conscience, +almost literally, his head is dependent and his feet uppermost, ruling +all the better part of his nature. And next come the mental +sufferings--and most agonizing they are. Unhappy to the last degree, he +no longer takes pleasure in life, but, wishing to die, finally commits +suicide. A search in any insane asylum will show that a very large +proportion of patients are made up from those who masturbate or have +syphilis. Stamp out these two evils, or rather _curses_ of the human +race, and the supply that feeds our insane asylums, aye and our +penitentiaries, too, will become vastly lessened. Think of it! So many +of the inhabitants of our prisons, asylums, and our poor-houses, are +composed of men and women who have offended against nature's laws by +violating their own sexual nature. Add to this summary the list of +broken-hearted, deflowered virgins and unwedded mothers, and you have +the picture complete. + +What a contrast with that manliness of character from which he has +fallen! Now he is in an insane condition, blaming everyone for having +contributed to his many misfortunes and his fallen condition, whereas he +alone is the culprit. No one made him commit the first or any subsequent +evil. He allowed his own mind to yield to the first temptation, and then +went on from step to step, he alone being responsible for the result +Yield not the first point, and all is safe. + +The pride of perfect adolescence, as described a few pages back, is due +to purity of thought, to chastity and continence. This purity shines +through every tissue, enkindles the eye with a true expression, makes +bright the countenance and erects the form. It gives elasticity to the +step, causes harmony in the tones of the voice, and adds dignity to the +carriage and deportment. The first step in the paths of vice in any +form, whether in sexual errors or any other, detracts in the exact +degree of the digression from all of the above beautiful and ennobling +characteristics. + +We have spoken in the preceding pages of new feelings and desires being +awakened in the youth after his fourteenth year. This change is wholly +due to his approaching manhood, to the time when he will be fully +prepared to appreciate, to love and protect, guide and support her whom +he makes his wife, and to become the father of happy and healthy +children. But this approach to manhood is not due to the development of +the genital organs, as some writers affirm, for this would be a +reversion of orderly development. The approaching manhood develops in +full accordance to their uses and importance _all_ the organs belonging +to man. As the well-developed infant has all its organs developed in a +condition suitable for its state, and the child has all its organs in +all parts of the body, developed in full accord with its state, so +adolescence follows, and every organ must develop accordingly; and in +this development a new impetus is given to every organ in the body. The +whole man awakens to a newness of life as is seen in the change of his +voice, the spreading out of his frame, the independence and command of +his bearing, the activity of his brain, the soundness of his judgment, +until he becomes in the fullest sense a rational being. Of course the +development of his genital organs keeps pace with that of his brain; but +the brain should lead the way throughout the entire development of the +human race. + +At the time of puberty, then, a new and a different sensation springs up +in the generative organs, which is in perfect harmony with the uses for +which they are intended. We recognize the use of the hands, the fingers, +the feet, the eyes, the ears, the sense of taste, &c., and we use them +accordingly. We should think of the generative organs only in the same +light. They are intended for use, for the highest and holiest use of +procreating human beings to the end that they may become angels in +heaven. These organs were not made to be abused; but they are abused +every time the mind is allowed to dwell upon them improperly. Every +excitation we allow from lewd thoughts or fancies, has a debasing and +deteriorating effect upon that well-developed form, upon that conscience +so free, and upon that countenance so open and bright, which has been +described in the preceding pages. + +If the mere thought and excitation arising therefrom are injurious to +the perfection of the youth, how much more injurious must be the +ultimation of that thought in masturbation, in unlawful sexual +intercourse, or in the loss of seminal fluid by other unnatural means. + +Right here I feel impelled to say something of the + + DIFFICULTY OF MAINTAINING CHASTITY. + +I, in connection with many of our best and wisest men who have given +the subject a lifetime's most earnest consideration, hold that for a +young man whose early education has been carefully looked to, and +consequently, whose mind has not been debased by vile practices, it is +no more impossible mentally, or injurious physically, to preserve his +chastity than to refrain from yielding to any other of the innumerable +temptations with which his life is beset. And every year of voluntary +chastity renders the task easier by mere force of habit. I wish to be +clearly understood in this matter. + +So long as a young man remains chaste in thought and deed, he will not +suffer any bad effects from his continence. It is the _semicontinent_, +the man who knows the right but pursues the wrong, who suffers! Patients +frequently complain that enforced continence makes them restless, +irritable, unfit for mental application of any sort, &c. Sexual +intercourse is then indulged in, and presto: for the time being, what a +welcome change. The now unclogged mind grasps with vigor any subject +presented to it, the spirits are exuberant and the physical frame +buoyant. But, is the trouble cured, is it permanently eradicated from +the system? No! In a short time the symptoms reappear and the same +remedy is again sought. The more the sexual feelings are indulged the +more frequent will be their recurrence, and the result need not be +written; every candid mind can easily see it. To their shame and +confusion be it said, there are many physicians who, when consulted by +their patients for medical assistance in such trials, "deliberately +encourage the early indulgence of the passions, on the false and wicked +ground that self-restraint is incompatible with health. What abhorrence +can be too deep for a doctrine so destructive, or for the teachers who +thus, before the eyes of those whose youthful ignorance, whose sore +natural temptation, rather call for the wisest and tenderest guidance +and encouragement, put darkness for light, evil for good, and bitter for +sweet."[E] + + [E] Wm. Acton, M. R. C. S. + +I declare emphatically that no symptoms of sexual suffering, no matter +how feelingly described or cunningly insinuated, should ever lead a +physician to prescribe for a young man that fatal remedy, illicit +intercourse. Medically as a physician, morally as a Christian, and +sympathizingly as a fellow being, I record a solemn protest against such +false treatment. It is better for a youth to live a continent life. The +strictly chaste suffer comparatively little sexual irritability; but the +incontinent, at recurring periods are sure to be troubled in one or +other of the ways spoken of; and the remedy of indulgence, if effective, +requires repetition as often as the inconvenience returns. No! When thus +consulted, let the physician prescribe the proper medicament, if one be +necessary; and let him direct a plain, nourishing, non-stimulating diet, +physical exertion of any kind carried to exhaustion, and SELF CONTROL. + +Would any young man in his senses listen to a physician, who, for +lowness of spirits, mental despondency, &c., should tell him to drink +plentifully of brandy or eat hasheesh? On the same principle then let a +youth shun the physician, who, for sexual excitement, prescribes sexual +indulgence. + +Again, such complaints coming from young men are very often specious, +and are mere subterfuges--overdrawn pictures of their sufferings--which +are presented as an excuse for indulging the sensual emotions, instead +of manfully and righteously struggling to overcome them. And further, +"if anyone wishes to really experience the acutest sexual suffering, he +can adopt no more certain method than to be incontinent with the +intention of becoming continent again, when he has 'sown his wild oats.' +The agony of breaking off a habit which so rapidly entwines itself with +every fibre of the human frame (as sexual indulgence) is such that it +would not be too much to say in the Wise Man's words, '_None_ that go to +her return again, neither take they hold on the paths of life.'" + + "The sin, of all, most sure to blight-- + The sin, of all, that the soul's light + Is soonest lost, extinguished in." + +Remember then that sexual suffering comes to the _incontinent_ man, and +that it is far easier, even for the fully developed vigorous adult, to +continue in control of these feelings, than when they have been once +excited and indulged. + +One single impure connection may entail a whole life of syphilitic +suffering on the unhappy transgressor. Would this "pay?" + +No inducement could persuade me to assume the awful responsibilities of +advising illicit intercourse. Apart from Christian principle, I know +that there is no necessity, physiological, pathological or any other, +that can excuse any physician for saying that the Seventh Commandment +may ever be broken. My sentiments on the physiological side of the +question are so admirably expressed by Acton,[F] that I will here quote +from him. + + [F] Fourth American Edition, P. 97. + +"One argument in favor of incontinence deserves special notice, as it +purports to be founded on physiology. I have been consulted by persons +who feared, or professed to fear, that if the organs were not exercised +regularly, they would become atrophied, or that in some way impotence +might be the result of chastity. This is the assigned reason for +committing fornication. There exists _no greater_ error than this, or +one more opposed to physiological truth. In the first place, I may state +that I have, after many years' experience, never seen a single instance +of atrophy of the generative organs from this cause. I have, it is true, +met with the complaint--but in what class of cases does it occur? It +arises in all instances from the exactly opposite cause--abuse: the +organs become worn out, and hence arises atrophy. Physiologically +considered, it is not a fact that the power of secreting semen is +annihilated in well-formed adults leading a healthy life and yet +remaining continent. The function goes on in the organ always, from +puberty to old age. Semen is secreted sometimes slowly, sometimes +quickly, and very frequently under the influence of the will. No +continent man need be deterred by this apocryphal fear of atrophy of the +testes from living a chaste life. It is a device of the unchaste--a lame +excuse for their own incontinence, unfounded on any physiological law. +The testes will take care that their action is not interfered with." + +Many and many a time have I heard it regretted and bemoaned, on account +of the many troubles they had seemed to cause, that the sexual organs +exist. It is the lewd thoughts and uses to which they are put that +causes all this misery, and there is always that "first thought" which +should not be harbored. Cast away the impure thoughts, rise above them, +and one is safe! Pure thoughts can _never_ lead to harm. + +The generative organs, with their functions and uses, are most closely +interwoven with the highest destiny and well being of the race +physically, mentally and spiritually; they are a part of us, without +which there would be no men and women, lovers and loved ones, fathers +and mothers, brothers and sisters. We must then happily accept the +situation as it is, and our bodies, parts and passions as they are; for +they are all indispensable, high and holy, when kept in an orderly and +chaste condition. We only need the above knowledge and its application +to make ourselves as happy in the enjoyment of these organs as it was +designed by our Creator that we should be. + +To rise above the sexual temptations that may be more or less +experienced by many and perhaps by all, requires an effort of course, +and frequently a very great effort; but let it be borne in mind that +all temptations to do wrong, require effort to overcome them; and as a +rule, the greater the evil we are tempted to commit the greater is the +effort needed to overcome it. Now, as shown above, since sexual matters +are so thoroughly interwoven with the highest destinies of the human +race, physically, mentally and spiritually, there is scarcely any +function of higher import, allotted to any individual, than that +assigned to the genital organs. No function more deeply concerns the +healthfulness of the body, the clearness and brilliancy of the +intellect, or the purity and sincerity of the soul itself. + +Several times in the course of this book I have referred to the term +"abuse." By "abuse," I mean precisely what _Lallemand_ so forcibly +expresses as follows: "_I understand by the term abuse, when applied to +the organs of generation, any irregular or premature exercise of their +functions; any application of them which cannot have, as its result, the +propagation of the species._" + +Look at the habitual masturbator! See how thin, pale and haggard he +appears; how his eyes are sunken; how long and cadaverous is his cast of +countenance; how irritable he is and how sluggish, mentally and +physically; how afraid he is to meet the eye of his fellows; feel his +damp and chilling hand, so characteristic of great vital exhaustion. +Taken as a class, how terrible are their lost virility, their miserable +night's sleep, their convulsions and their shrunken limbs. They keep by +themselves, seeking charm in solitude and are fit companions for no one; +they dare not read their Bible, they cannot commune with good angels nor +with the Lord, our Saviour. Is not this picture deplorable? It is at the +last end of the chain I admit, but it is reached link after link, one at +a time; and the first link was forged when the first temptation in the +mind was first favored and finally yielded to. The above picture is a +true one and shows how intimately connected are the soul, the mind and +the body with this whole subject. Man in a healthy state need not and +should not lose one drop of seminal fluid by his own hand, by nightly +emissions or pollutions, or in any way, until he becomes conjoined to a +wife of his choice in the holy bonds of matrimony. Every time the seed +of his body is lost in a disorderly or unnatural way, he injures the +finest textures of his brain correspondingly, as well as the finest and +most exalted condition of his mind and soul, because the act proceeds in +its incipiency from a willful prostitution of these higher powers. + +When sexual thoughts and temptations arise in one's mind, even very +young men are capable of putting them away, urged by the thought that +tampering with one's generative organs is wrong. He should intuitively +feel that it is something akin to theft, or a crime of some worse sort, +for him to indulge in solitary vice and he should intuitively feel an +inward reproach for all such meditations. When one is sorely tempted in +these matters, as is often the case, let him reflect that he was not +created to indulge in such pleasures by himself, and that to do so is a +crime, a sin against the God of Heaven; that it is his destiny, his +privilege and one of the uses of his life to share such enjoyments with +the wife of his bosom; and that all excitement or dallying with this +part of his nature before marriage only serves to weaken his sexual +powers, as well as his mind and body; also, that it mars his sexual uses +and will detract from his sexual pleasures in the married life. Sexual +indulgence of any sort in a young man is a loss, not only to himself but +also, prospectively, to that dear girl whom he will some day make his +wife. Such reflections will often drive away the temptation entirely. If +they are not sufficient to do so let him read some interesting book that +shall take his mind away from the subject; or, that failing, let him +take exercise, vigorous exercise--pushed to fatigue, if necessary. If +these states of temptation occur in bed at night, let him rise and read, +plunge his arm into very cold water, or if necessary go forth into the +open air and seek relief in a rapid walk. It is better to go to any +amount of trouble and to endure any physical discomfort, than to +sacrifice one's chastity, the loss of which can never be replaced. + +A young man naturally desires and expects chastity of the strictest +order in the young woman of his choice for a wife. Who would marry a +girl, no matter how beautiful or how many and varied her accomplishments +if it were known that she had granted her favors to any other man? And +yet, what less has _she_ a perfect right to require from a young man who +presumes to pay his addresses to her? This consideration, too, should +serve as a restraint to any amorous desires that might infest a man's +mind. It is wonderful how keen are the perceptions of a pure minded +young lady to detect even an approach to licentiousness in the male. He +is abhorrent to her and his very sphere betrays him. + +With the facts of the preceding pages, contained in this chapter being +known, it does seem as if every man would keep himself pure from all +carnal associations and use the utmost care not to prostitute his mind, +that he may approach the nuptial altar as pure in mind and body as he +would have her who is to become the idol of his heart. + +Now this is all very beautiful in theory and desirable in practice, but +_is it practical_? Can man so school himself in self denial as to +accomplish this end? Are there not real physiological facts existing +which utterly preclude the possibility of this most desirable result? Do +not, as has been alleged by some writers, the testicles of man secrete +semen until they become so surcharged that emission becomes absolutely +necessary, and does not this accumulation actually produce such sexual +excitement that man feels compelled to seek relief in some way? I +answer, most unhesitatingly, NO! The above questions are all theories +and utterly devoid of fact. + +Would Almighty God command, "Thou shalt _not_ commit adultery," and then +so create man as to compel him to break his Divine injunction? + +Abundance of proof is at hand to substantiate this sweeping remark of +mine, were this the place to produce it. Seminal fluid is abundantly +secreted and produced only during the height of sexual excitement in the +male. As Acton remarks: "It is a highly organized fluid requiring the +expenditure of much vital force in its elaboration and its expulsion." +It is secreted from the blood of his body and the whole man physically, +mentally and spiritually is concerned and represented in its product; +consequently the action requires an effort of the whole man, and, if +often repeated, the effect is very exhausting to the physical powers, to +the mind and to the brain. Let this be another warning to remain in +purity of heart. + +We have said in the preceding pages that man, in a healthy state, need +not lose a drop of seminal fluid until after marriage. There are many +abnormal causes resulting in what are called wet dreams, nightly +pollutions, spermatorrhoea, prostatic emission during stool or +urination, also diurnal emissions without erection. These may result +from over study, from errors in diet such as use of coffee, highly +seasoned food, wines, spirituous liquors or drugs of various +kinds--though perhaps prescribed by a physician. When these troubles +arise from constitutional disorders, a skillful physician must be +consulted at once. Errors in diet and the taking of drugs causing this +trouble must of course be discontinued. [G]"Certain medicines--as +astringents, purgatives, narcotics, stimulants and diuretics +especially--may bring on conditions from which spermatorrhoea may +arise." Among other causes Lallemand refers to the use of quinine, +tobacco and, particularly _alcohol_. The trouble may also arise from +injuries and many other accidental causes, besides masturbation and +venereal excesses. + + [G] Lallemand and Wilson, page 192. + +It is distressing to see what a complete wreck seminal losses make of +those who were once robust and healthy young men, and what a shock they +give to the nervous system. They become weak, pale, and feeble in mind, +while all that was manly and vigorous has gone out of them. Now which of +the two is preferable--the pride of a virtuous youth, or the roue +exhausted and worn out by sexual abuses? It demands great strength to +become either, but really a much greater effort for the latter; because +it requires very great perseverance for a chaste and pure minded man to +debase himself by such practices. It depends on the mind which is all +right before yielding the first point; therefore beware and shun the +first step downward. Strengthen the moral courage and exercise the will +power so as always to be able to say, "No," to whatever temptation the +conscience tells you is wrong. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Adolescence of the Female. + + +Adolescence of the female embraces the period of life from the age of +twelve or fourteen, to twenty-one years. + +At about the twelfth or fourteenth year of the girl's life a marked +change comes over her form, features and mental state. Unlike the male, +the forms which in him are angular, become in her rounded, symmetrical +and beautiful, and the characteristic feminine proportions are well +marked; she becomes more graceful in her movements, her voice grows +sweeter, more mellow, more powerful and capable of registering a higher +tone. New feelings and desires are awakened in her mind. Her deportment +becomes more commanding and less frivolous, and the girl is lost in the +woman. + +If she has been so fortunate as to have escaped all the dangers and +baneful influences of infantile and childhood life, she is womanly +indeed, and we behold her with an unburdened conscience, clear +intellect, artless and candid address, good memory, buoyant spirits, +a complexion bright, clear and, as the poet declares, "beautiful +exceedingly." Every function of her body is well performed, and no +fatigue is experienced after moderate exertion. She evinces that +elasticity of spirit and gracefulness of body, and happy control of her +feelings which indicate healthfulness of both mind and body. Her whole +time is given up to her studies, duties and amusements; and as she feels +her stature increase and her intellect enlarge, she gladly prepares for +her coming struggle with the world--though in a manner becoming to her +sex. This, too, is no fanciful sketch, but is realized in thousands of +cases every year. It is one which parents feel proud to witness in a +daughter, and one in which the daughter takes a modest delight. We have +said that every function of her body is well performed. The functions of +the female body, which in a state of health are perfectly free from +pain, are very numerous and, in the four years from fourteen to +eighteen, she accomplishes an amount of physiological cell change and +growth which Nature does not require of a boy in less than twice that +number of years. It is obvious, therefore, that a girl upon whom Nature, +for a limited period and for a definite purpose, imposes so great a +physiological task, will not have as much power left for the tasks of +school as a boy, of whom Nature requires less at the corresponding +epoch. The functions of circulation, respiration, digestion, +perspiration, nutrition and menstruation, though involuntary, are all +important, dependent one upon another, and all develop at the proper +time. Puberty is the proper time for the appearance of menstruation, one +of the most important and sacred of her functions. It should not be +feared, dreaded or regarded as a nuisance; it forms a part of herself; +and she never commands the respect and forbearance of her friends, or +even of her enemies, more than when it is known that she is "unwell." It +serves in many ways as a blessing to her, rather than an inconvenience. +Let no young girl be alarmed, as, owing to the negligence of her parents +or guardians, many are, at the first appearance of this flow of blood +from the genital organs. She should keep more quiet than usual, at these +times, until the flow disappears, which it will do in a few days. In a +state of health these appearances occur every twenty-eight days and the +young lady should exercise extreme caution at such times, in avoiding +unnecessary fatigue, exposure to cold, getting wet, suddenly cooling off +when heated, etc. One of the reasons why so many suffer at this time is +due to the want of proper knowledge and care, also for the want of a +proper feeling about the matter. I have known young ladies to be guilty +of the almost incredible crime of trying to arrest the flow by plugging +up the vagina and by resorting to other means, that they might attend a +dancing party or some pleasure excursion. Such a procedure is sure to be +followed by the direst retribution to the offender. Nature never allows +her laws to be so trifled with. Some experience a deep mortification on +account of this function; some think it a very great inconvenience and a +nuisance--an obstacle to their pleasure; others feel unhappy and vexed +about it. In truth, every woman should consider it a privilege and +should regard menstruation as it really is, a blessing from heaven; and, +when rightly performed, a help to lend loveliness to her character, +beauty to her expression, music to her voice, and gracefulness to her +form and movements. + +Mothers or guardians should instruct young girls in good time as to the +expected menstrual function and prepare their minds for its advent. They +should also be carefully instructed in regard to the external use of +water--of its attendant danger, lest they chill themselves sufficiently +to arrest this flow, which should continue uninterruptedly until the +function is complete. Too many lives have been sacrificed by suppressing +the monthly flux; external ablutions should be plentiful, but only +sufficient, as in the case of boys, for cleanliness. If menstruation +should not become healthfully established at the proper time of age, +consult a judicious physician who will see that any abnormal condition, +preventing such consummation, is properly removed. "The principal organs +of elimination, common to both sexes, are the bowels, kidneys, lungs and +skin. A neglect of their functions is punished in each alike. To woman +is intrusted the exclusive management of another process of elimination, +viz.: the catamenial function. This, using the blood for its channel of +operation, performs, like the blood, double duty. It is necessary to +ovulation, and to the integrity of every part of the reproductive +apparatus; it also serves as a means of elimination for the blood +itself. A careless management of this function, at any period of life +during its existence, is apt to be followed by consequences that may be +serious; but a neglect of it during the epoch of development, that is, +from the age of fourteen to eighteen or twenty, not only produces great +evil at the time of the neglect, but leaves a large legacy of evil to +the future. The system is then peculiarly susceptible; and disturbances +of the delicate mechanism we are considering, induced during the +catamenial weeks of that critical age by constrained positions, muscular +effort, brain work, and all forms of mental and physical excitement, +germinate a host of ills."[H] + + [H] Clarke: "Sex in Education." + +Here I must be allowed to protest most solemnly against the use of +injections into the vagina for the so-called purpose of cleanliness. +Vaginal syringes are constructed and used now by thousands and the +sufferings of the human race are increased thereby ten thousand fold +proportionately. The vagina, like all organs supplied with a mucous +membrane, is self-cleansing. Water, or any other fluid thrown into this +organ, has a tendency to disorder the mucous follicles, to dry up their +secretions and thus prevent the efflux of some of Nature's necessities. +From this cause alone there will be a reaction upon the vaginal walls, +upon the neck of the uterus and the uterus itself; the ovaries also +become disordered; the lungs sympathize as well as the throat and +bronchial tubes, producing hoarseness, hacking cough and a host of +troubles following in their train. Nervous headaches of fearful +intensity are frequently produced from this unnatural course of +procedure. Moreover, water thrown into the vagina, to wash it out, day +after day for a considerable time, absolutely produces a leucorrhoea +most persistent in character. This is the confession of young ladies to +me in making inquiry as to the origin of their trouble, and I have found +that the discharge was unknown to some of them till after the use of +these injections. It stands to reason that such unnatural washings +should be followed by a retribution equal to the error committed, +because, as before stated, Nature's laws cannot be perverted without a +penalty. A girl should never, under any pretext whatever, resort to such +unhallowed means for the cure or alleviation of leucorrhoea, ulceration, +or for any disorders that affect these parts. By so doing she is really +forming a basis for innumerable future ills. If the girl is well, she +has none of these disorders, for they all arise from constitutional +derangements. As all must acknowledge, it is a self-evident fact--that, +_if a woman is well, every part of her must be well also_; no one organ +can, unaided, get up a disease by itself. In all troubles of this +nature, as well as of any other, consult a judicious physician. + +There are objections, however, of even a graver nature than those urged +above against the use of such instruments. They often excite sensations +in the parts to which they are applied, that should remain perfectly +dormant in the unmarried state. After awhile these sensations, +increasing in frequency and influence, serve to prostitute the mind and +the young lady may become ruined for life. I am stating facts that can +be proved by multitudes of living witnesses to-day in cases and +confessions that have come under my own observation. On remonstrating +against this habit, some remark, "But it feels so nice, doctor!" Of +course, ablutions of the _external_ organs are perfectly right and +proper and should be resorted to daily. To the reflecting mind no more +need be said about this matter. Those who wish to live in harmony with +the order of their creation and thereby preserve the freshness of +health, will not have recourse to such means as add new derangements to +the system. + +To preserve feminine charms as the girl develops into womanhood, much +depends upon her mental state. She must not allow herself to bear malice +towards anyone, must not plot evil or attempt to "pay off others in +their own coin," as it is called, or seek revenge in any way; but she +must ever cultivate a forgiving disposition, good thoughts and good +feelings towards everyone. There is always danger of meeting both rude +and lewd girls, and that too in places where least expected; they may be +found in schools of all kinds and are occasionally met with in the +houses of one's own friends. Not very long since a charming young lady +wrote me from a neighboring city, that while sharing a bed with another +girl, she experienced a very strange sensation induced by the improper +liberties of her bed-fellow; and so persistent were these troublesome +sensations, although occupying a bed by herself ever after, she thought +it proper to seek my advice. Now this was a good and pure-minded girl +who might easily have been ruined but for her inherent love of chastity; +and so our daughters are always in danger of being contaminated. A +perfectly pure and chaste mind, unsullied by impure thoughts or acts, +and cultivated by the exercise of all the Christian virtues, lends +enchantment to the eye, sweetness of expression to the face, music to +the voice, and gracefulness of carriage. Cultivation of merely external +manners will not do; they must spring from the mind and thence they +shine throughout the whole, in every fibre and movement of the body. +Such an one is truly beloved wherever she goes; she has a real affection +for her father and mother, brothers and sisters; and she is fully +prepared to appreciate and love one of the opposite sex whose purity of +life and nobleness of mind fully corresponds to her own. + +To retain this charm of excellence will cost her many a trial and her +temptations will be innumerable and very great. But her perceptive +faculties are keen, and at the first suspicion of anything wrong she +must have the moral courage to say: "No! that is not allowable, it is +not right," or, "this is impure and its tendency is to vice." Whatever +the temptation may be, in thought or in deed, let no one persuade her +into wrong-doing--not even her _apparently_ best friend; for it would +only be an appearance of friendship if he tempted to anything of a +vicious nature. She will be beset with hosts of admirers, some of them +pure and having honorable intentions; but (I am sorry to sound the note +of warning here,) others will come with the most dishonorable intentions +possible, though with an air of sincerity, and apparently as artless as +doves. Study all men long and carefully, keeping them meanwhile at a +respectful distance; never allow one to sit near with his arm about your +waist or to hold your hand in his; never allow him to kiss you--_the +vilest of loathsome diseases may be communicated by a kiss_ viz.: +_syphilis_. Do not allow any approach or touch beyond what is customary +in the best of society at a social gathering. Many a young lady with an +angelic form and spotless soul within, full of the best intentions and +of the purest character, giving bright promise of a brilliant future, +has been ruined for life by trusting herself alone with some of these +apparently wise and good, yet really vile men. + +Young women have not, as a rule, any sexual propensity, or amorous +thoughts or feelings. If they have been properly educated and cared for, +they are, before marriage, perfect strangers to any such sensations; and +yet any young lady who falls, does so by her own hand and she has no one +else to blame for it. _Remember_ that the Lord, in the beginning, never +suffers temptations beyond one's strength to overcome. If she falls +ultimately, it results from allowing an impure seed to be planted in the +mind at first, which she then nourishes for a time and only in the end +it bears its fruit. + +As time passes, a young lady forms an acquaintance with gentlemen, and +at length she favors the addresses of one who is particularly agreeable +to her. After this acquaintance has ripened into love, and she has +become convinced of the purity of his heart, she enjoys being with him, +in sitting by his side, and is unhappy in his absence. When betrothed, +owing to her great and pure love for him, she takes pleasure in +receiving such marks of affection from him as are shown by a tender +father or brother, but nothing more. After marriage, she feels that she +is really his and that he has become a part of herself--that they are no +more twain but are one flesh. All this has transpired without her hardly +suspecting such a quality in herself as an amorous affection. Still she +more than ever loves him, more than ever desires to be near him until +finally their union is fully and truly consummated by the marriage act. +At no time in her life does a woman make a greater sacrifice of her +feelings than at this time, and she does it solely for her pure and +fervent love for him. This is right and proper, and is in accordance +with the laws of order in the creation of the two sexes in the human, +animal and vegetable kingdoms throughout the world. + +I wish here to have some "Plain Talk," that the true object of this book +may be more fully understood and its mission more successfully +accomplished. Unless willing to make the above sacrifice, no woman +should ever marry; because she would not then be fulfilling the +marriage covenant. Besides, she would be false to her husband and this +falsity might cause his moral and physical destruction; his health would +suffer and his manhood become dethroned, because her conduct would +utterly controvert the immutable laws of nature. Nature's laws cannot +possibly be set aside without the infliction of a severe penalty. The +healthy young woman will have no difficulty in preserving her chastity +intact, so long as she cultivates that purity of mind to which she is +naturally prone. She should never allow herself to read immoral stories +or books having in the slightest degree even, such a tendency; +theatrical plays with loose morals should also be avoided, and light, +silly novels are very pernicious to the imaginative mind of the young. +On the other hand useful reading stores the mind with high and noble +thoughts, whence spring good and useful deeds. + +Unfortunately there are a variety of morbid conditions to which the +female is liable, so that sexual desires arise in spite of every effort +to keep aloof from them--even though there is not the slightest guilt in +mental or bodily transgression. These are owing to disordered conditions +of the sexual system, just as other disorderly desires arise, and are +often _inherited_--remember this all parents!--or they may be caused by +some morbific influences, as are other diseased conditions of the body. +Many a time have I had pure-minded young ladies apply to me for medical +aid in these matters, confessing that they had impure thoughts which +they knew were wrong, but of which they could not rid themselves. In +such cases there are physical symptoms of some kind that incite these +thoughts and feelings. The proper medical and hygienic treatment always +restores order in such functional derangements and the sexual +disturbances of the mind disappear. I have repeatedly cured nymphomania +by curing physical, or constitutional symptoms. In one case which came +under my care, nymphomania appeared in a married woman in the seventh +month of her pregnancy, and so fearfully did her mania rage that it +threw her into convulsions. Her physical and sensational symptoms led me +to the choice of the medicine that cured her, so that she was happily +delivered of a fine, healthy child at full term and no trace of the +disease has ever appeared since. Too often young women err and give way +to such feelings in resorting to _self-abuse_ for relief, or to the +caresses of the opposite sex, when they are ruined forever. It is never +safe to temporize or to tamper in this way with such sensations. Women +have heads and brains, as well as men, and rational faculties, too. +Every digression allowed, only paves the way for others, with less and +less resistance, and more and more ruinous results. Let a judicious +physician be consulted at once in all cases where a morbid condition +seems to excite immoral thoughts and sensations. + +The effects of self-abuse upon woman, is as disastrous as masturbation +upon males. A few hours after its commission, or the next day at +furthest, she feels languid and dragged out, sleepy, unfit for reading +anything solid, or studying, and unfit for social enjoyment with others; +she looks pale and haggard; often she feels giddy, particularly when +rising in the morning, with many other discomforts too numerous to +mention here. And is it true that some young ladies, the sweetest and +fairest of our race, play with one another in an immodest and indecent +way, teaching immorality to the pure and innocent? I fear it is, I +_know_ it is. Such things need not, must not, and will not be tolerated. +This little book will go about in all classes of society confirming and +strengthening the pure in heart in their purity and enlightening the +ignorant who will joyfully hail the good news; all will join hands in +one popular cry against indecencies and indulgences of an impure nature; +and the vilest man even will be taught to fear and respect the combined +world of chaste female influence. So it must be and eventually will be; +but woman, naturally pure and lovely woman! the greatest part of this +work must be done by you. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Marriage. + +The Husband. + + +"And JEHOVAH GOD said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I +will make him a help meet for him. * * * * And JEHOVAH GOD brought the +woman unto the man. And the man said, This is now bone of my bones and +flesh of my flesh. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his +mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one +flesh."--Gen. ii. 18, 22-24. + +"The marriage of one man with one woman is therefore designed in our +very creation by Him who made us. The love which brings them together +and binds them together, flows into their minds from the Divine Love, +from the love which has operated hitherto, and which now operates, in +creating and forming a Heaven of human beings." + +All young men, on arriving at the age of twenty-five, other +circumstances being favorable, should conform to the laws of Divine +order and marry. "Whom shall we marry? Young ladies now-a-days require +such an outfit and it costs so much to support a wife in the style she +wishes to live, or has been accustomed to, that, to say nothing of the +extra expense of children, we cannot afford to marry." This is a wrong +view to take, because pomp, style and show _are not the true objects of +marriage_! The married state is a duty and a great privilege, while its +uses are of the highest possible order physically, mentally and +spiritually. The love which brings the two together and which should +bind them together, requires only a comfortable home of respectable +appearance. Young married people should begin like young married people; +it is more orderly and more conducive to the welfare and true happiness +of each that, as time passes on, they build up their fortunes together, +each helping the other--thus affording new charms that no other course +will or can yield. + +In the choice of a wife, a man should especially seek _congeniality_. He +should make the acquaintance of a young lady living and moving in the +same sphere of life as his own, such as is congenial to his tastes; he +should see her in company with other young people and observe how she +treats them; and particularly notice how she acts towards her father +and mother, brothers and sisters: for a good daughter and sister always +makes a good wife. Study closely her character, her mental discipline, +her tastes in reading and her mode of life generally. Above all, note +her disposition as to selfishness, whether she be determined and bent +upon having her own way in everything, or whether she is yielding and +thoughtful of the comfort and happiness of her associates. Remember that +in the married state there must be a mutual yielding to each other, +though not the sinking of the wife's identity, so that the combined life +of the two may become one harmonious whole. Observe what she thinks of +children and get her opinion as to how they should be brought up and +educated. Be sure that she is one who can be loved most tenderly, one +for whom a man can make any sacrifice in reason for her sake--for whom +one can deny himself any comfort, any and every passion, brave any +danger, and conquer every difficulty in his power, to make her life +happy and useful. One quality: Is she strictly virtuous? Is she chastity +itself in thought, word and deed? If you, young man, have been the same, +if you have held yourself in by "bit and bridle," as it were,--then, if +she reciprocates your love, you are at liberty to propose marriage to +her. + +Before marriage, a young man takes great pains to make himself +attractive, is very attentive and polite, keeps up a genteel appearance +and is civility itself, that he may woo and win the young lady most +nearly approaching his ideal of feminine perfection, and the one most +nearly suited to his tastes and congeniality. After marriage he feels +that she is his, that she has pledged herself to this effect; and the +law has so decided; she is his, as he is hers, irrevocably. Now, young +man, do you mean to be loyal, to be her real husband until death +dissolves the allegiance? Then let nothing cool your ardor. Be as +watchful as when you were her wooer and even more so. Let nothing induce +you to swerve from your duty, to violate your vow or to betray your +trust. But ever be faithful and true. So may you be accounted worthy of +her choice as a husband and worthy to be enrolled among the respected +and honored fathers in our land. Heavier responsibilities rest upon you +now than before marriage. Your wife must be protected, supported and +cared for in every possible way, and you need to be even more careful to +retain her love than you were to win it. You are under heavy +responsibilities to your relatives and the community in which you live, +that your united lives bear such fruit as will be to all a delight. +Together, in your unity, you form as it were a tree; your united lives +throw out branches and leaves, buds and blossoms, and finally fruit in +its season; and every tree is known by its fruit. Bearing in mind the +high duties to which as a husband and a father you are called, seek not +to live for carnal pleasures. You have struggled manfully with yourself +and the world and have come up to this stage of your life pure and +uncontaminated; and that love which brought you two together, now flows +into your united lives from the Divine Love. Let that love continually +operate through you unitedly in creating new human beings who shall +ultimately serve to swell the grand army of the Angelic hosts in Heaven. + +Some well-meaning and otherwise apparently good husbands, but not true, +form habits of staying from their homes during their leisure hours, +particularly in the evenings. They visit club houses, billiard rooms or +other places of amusement, leaving their wives at home. Such absences +distress a wife greatly, though her love often restrains any expression +of disapproval. These habits increase, she suffers more and more, loses +sleep on his account and her health fails. The husband's dissipations +grow upon him--all such desertions are dissipations when they become +habitual--until he loses all relish for the company of his faithful wife +and for the caresses of his young and lovely children, until finally to +stay at home a single evening is a restraint and unhappiness to him. +Where now is the plighted faith! Where now is the tree, its branches and +leaves with their buds and blossoms, and what is the fruit? Where now is +that pure love which he promised when they became united and which +should forever bind them together, and who has almost severed that love? +Has not the little that remains become merely carnal, on his part at +least? Where is that union of mind and communion of soul that lifts one +above sensualism; and without which, sensualism is the only link and +quality left to keep the two together, until death dissolves the union? + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Marriage [continued]. + +The Wife. + + +Young ladies, why do you marry? Through infancy, childhood and +adolescence you have been watched over most tenderly and cared for most +lovingly; you have been protected and educated, and have been made as +happy under the paternal roof as circumstances would allow; and this +very book has been written largely on _your_ account. It has been the +custom from time immemorial, as it always will be, for girls to complete +their education and then to marry. But alas! how very few seem to +realize what married life really is and what will be expected in it; +what its duties and responsibilities are, or even what leads to +marriage. But to the question why do you even think of getting married? +The answer is, "Because it is inherent in the mind of every true female +character. It was ordained of God in her creation, spiritually, +mentally, and physically--from her inmost being to her complete +ultimation. It was in the very design of her creation that she should +love and be loved, that she should be sought after by the male sex, and +that she should become a wife and mother." + +First, let us understand what "marriage" signifies. The word itself +has the same meaning as the Latin word _conjugium_ and represents +a conjunction or union together. Carried out to its higher or more +interior meaning, marriage signifies the joining of good and truth--the +"good" being represented by the woman and "truth" being represented by +the man. Hence it denotes the spiritual conjunction of minds, and thence +of bodies, in contradistinction to the merely natural conjunction or +joining together of bodies only. So, to secure a real marriage, there +must be a spiritual conjunction of minds; and the conjunction of bodies +in wedlock is simply the ultimation, or manifestation of spiritual +principles in marriage. + +The true reason why girls marry is because they have an innate principle +of love for the male sex; and this love is drawn from the Lord above. +Consequently, it is pure, chaste, and when fully developed, very +powerful. In connection with this principle comes the desire to be +sought after and loved by a man of congenial character for whose dear +sake a woman is induced to leave father and mother, brothers and +sisters, to become the wife of him whom she can claim as her own dear +husband. This Heaven-born principle is what leads and induces the female +to assent to the marriage relation. For her own sake, for his sake as +well as for the sake of all parties concerned, this step should be taken +very carefully and only after mature consideration. Once married, there +is no escape from its lifelong duties and responsibilities. She must +yield to him whatever the marriage vow allows, that she may become a +_wife_ in the fullest sense of the term. Marriage is a sacred relation, +instituted by God Himself, and the sexual approach which follows between +husband and wife, is a special avowal of their relation to each other; +and so often as it is repeated it is a renewal of their obligations to +be faithful to each other. All sexuality is in the order of creation +and, coming from the Lord, serves for high and holy purposes. It was +_never_ intended for mere carnal pleasure; as such, it is the +profanation and perversion of a great boon to the human race. The man or +woman who perverts it must and will, sooner or later, suffer a penalty +equal to the transgression. + +The husband rightfully expects to find in his wife, as a seal of the +marriage covenant, his greatest possible delight. It should be her +greatest delight to give him that pleasure; and if she loves her husband +according to her avowal, she will not fail to do this. The feeling, each +of the other's nearness--in thought, word and act, as though each one +were intertwined with the other in the most complete union, is a very +great delight; even indescribably great. The sexual act itself is really +a type of the perfect harmony in which the married pair should dwell +throughout their lives. It teaches a mutual yielding so that the +honeymoon, rising so beautifully and lovingly, may continue to wax +lighter and brighter and its fullness be attained in this world only at +the dissolution, by a natural death, of a union so orderly and happily +formed. It is in the very nature of the male to seek his mate; it is an +inborn principle for him to do so, and his health, even his life, +certainly his moral life, often depends upon an orderly and lawful +indulgence of what this inherent principle demands. The greatest +longevity and the best health are found among fathers and mothers; +thereby proving that orderly and well-regulated sexual intercourse is +just as necessary to the married couple as are the functional demands of +all other organs of the body. From the foregoing it may be plainly +inferred, that, if the wife of a chaste young man who has duly guarded +himself from his childhood up, until he has sought and wedded his mate, +fails to reciprocate cheerfully and pleasantly in the seal of connubial +affection, she proves a bitter disappointment to him. Not that he is +carnal, gross or beastly, no! The principle given him by his Creator and +residing in his pure and inmost soul has been violated by her in whom he +placed his life's confidence; she has proved _false_ to him in this +particular, one upon which their present and eternal welfare so largely +depends. Young ladies about to marry should be taught to understand this +matter most fully, in all its bearings. If they pervert marriage in +false practices, the love of God, conjugal love, and the love of +infants, the three holiest and noblest inspirations of life, perish +together. No woman then should ever marry without a full knowledge of +her duties to her husband, particularly in the sexual respect; for +without granting this privilege to her husband in full and free accord, +there _cannot_ be maintained a happy married life. + +_The duties of marriage_, as a topic, embrace a vast field of thought; +and there is _so much_ to say thereon, so much advice to tender, so many +absolute commands to enjoin, so many warnings to utter, that it is with +difficulty I restrain myself from launching out diffusely in an attempt +to give the most important of these. But to so specifically particularize +is not the purpose of this book. Enough is said herein, I trust, to set +the reflective mind to thinking seriously on these matters and thereby +to awaken the conscience to a full sense of its duties. Quite too many +cases have come under my observation where the marriage vow has never +been consummated or, if consummated at all, in a very begrudging manner, +owing to the insubordination of the wife. Consequently dissatisfaction, +unhappiness and frequently a permanent separation follows, bringing +disgrace upon the family and scandal to their circle of friends. This is +not only wrong, but it is a most unpardonable vice. Sexuality has been +ordained by God in his wisdom as the means of creation. It exists +throughout all nature, in every tree, plant and shrub, in every animal +and insect; in every bird that flies, in every fish that swims, in every +man and woman. The very best and purest of husbands and wives, all the +world over, indulge in sexuality to their united satisfaction, in full +acknowledgment that it is of God and from God. Every wife who is +unreasonable or derelict in this _duty_ is untrue to her husband and +commits a sin against the God of Heaven and earth. Since, then, +sexuality is so evidently of Divine appointment, it should be committed +entirely to him in its effects.[I] + + [I] See "In Health." By Dr. A. J. Ingersoll, Corning, N. Y. + +If at any time the act prove fruitful and a child be born, it should be +considered as a great blessing and gift from God Himself. What is more +beautiful than to see a married couple engaged in rearing a new human +being destined to become an angel in Heaven! For this indeed is the +prime object of sexuality and of the marriage covenant. As has been well +said, life on earth is Heaven's seminary. And yet, so many wives, to +their shame be it said, use preventives to conception, thus attempting +to controvert the order of Nature and Nature's God; this is one of the +greatest crimes of the present age and vengeance will surely be taken on +every transgressor in this sacred matter. Such practice is secret vice +which little by little wears upon the inmost vital principle until the +perpetrators of such wrongs suffer untold misery in their physical +nature--often not even suspecting the cause of such sufferings. + +"But there is yet another reason, and a very strong moral one, why the +wife should not remain childless. There can be no question that the +blood of the father mingles with that of the mother through the medium +of the child _in utero_. (Hence the transmission of blood-diseases from +husband to wife.) Hence the indelible impressions made upon a wife by +the father of her offspring--impressions, both mental and physical, +which by character or resemblance she often transmits to her children by +a second husband. Now, * * * * may not this account for the similarity +of character and identity of tastes, and, indeed, for that wonderful +personal resemblance, which sometimes develops between husband and wife? +And does not this requisite alone fulfil the Divine interpretation of +marriage, that 'they are no more twain but one flesh?'"[J] + + [J] Wm. Goodell, M. D., "Lessons in Gynecology," P. 442. + +After marriage a new order of life is entered upon by the wife, and her +family matters should subordinate all other schemes and projects of her +future existence. Her main thought and study should now be, "How can I +best fulfil these new duties and responsibilities? First, my dear +husband! how can I be a true help-meet to him? Here we two are to be +one, a new _punctum saliens_, and every act of ours will bear the image +of our united lives. No matter what may happen, I will be true to my +matrimonial vow and to my God; for I am in His hands and my dear +husband's." A married life begun in this way, with such resolutions +sincerely and studiously kept, will secure a life full of happiness and +privileges beyond the fondest hope and expectation. When pregnancy +occurs, just as soon as the fact be suspected, the little embryo should +be regarded as already a member of the family. Every act of each parent +should now be performed in some degree with reference to the forth-coming +infant. The mother's thoughts particularly should be directed to it as +much as possible whilst performing the uses of life. She should read +much that is elevating and ennobling in character as this serves a good +purpose in producing a more perfect, more healthy and more brilliant +child. Let her read such books as "Elements of Character" by Miss +Chandler; "Growth of the Mind" by S. Reed; "Sex in Education" by E. H. +Clarke, M. D.; also, "Wear and Tear" by S. Weir Mitchell, M. D.; and any +other books of like character. Do not forget that the education of the +child begins _in utero_. + +During gestation the mother should subsist as far as possible upon +fruit, vegetables and a farinaceous diet--always plain and without +spices. Plenty of active exercise is indispensable and the use of a +"Health Lift" will be found most beneficial. When the nine months are +completed, under care of a competent physician, the birth of the child +will be accomplished with but comparatively little pain, and its +attendant dangers and difficulties will be greatly lessened. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Marriage [concluded]. + +Husband and Wife. + + +To preserve the marriage vow inviolate, the same pure love that brought +the two together should be cultivated by home uses and home amusements +such as readings, games, conversation, etc. If the wife have needle +work, let the husband read or talk to her; if he be a literary man, let +her presence cheer him on and inspire him to nobler and more refined +productions. What was done during courtship that made time pass so +rapidly and so pleasantly? Was every topic so discussed and used up that +nothing is now left for an exchange of views? Is carnal pleasure to be +the only binding tie? Such a life is not very pure and only a poor use +can be made of it. Topics of interest to a married pair should be +innumerable and their pleasures inexhaustible. Home is the soil in which +the tree is to grow; and the richer the soil, the better for the tree, +and the more numerous will be the branches, all of them vigorously +developing buds and leaves, blossoms and fruit, which will be most +fragrant, beautiful and useful. When amusement outside of home is sought +let it be, as far as possible, of a nature that both may enjoy it +equally. + +Husband and Wife! He, being of larger mould in every particular, in +head, chest, and all the vital organs, is the provider, the protector, +the guardian of his home; he, the masculine, or representative of the +Truth, is to lead the way in conducting home or business affairs. She, +the feminine, or representative of the Good, inclines to the good way +continually; and, as married partners, Good and Truth should be married +in them. There cannot be a true evil way nor a good false way; there can +only be a true good way and a good true way. So the wife, the good, must +conjoin herself to her husband, the truth, in order that every truth may +result in good; and the husband, the truth, should seek to be conjoined +to the wife, the good, that every good may become true. In this there is +much wisdom: if the husband be truly wise he will always be sure that +all his projects are tempered with good; while if the wife be truly +good, all her doings will be enlightened by truth. As hand in hand they +thus go through life's planning and doing, the husband will always be +assisted by his good, the wife; and the wife will be led on in good by +her truth, the husband. By taking this high and holy ground, there will +be experienced pleasure and happiness by the married couple, far +transcending all other modes of life in existence. Then will each and +every organ in the body be seen to have a fitness, a place, and a use +which could not possibly be dispensed with, because, each and all these +organs have an originating cause in the mental and spiritual parts of +mankind, from which they proceed and from which they exist. Thus we see +how wrong, how frightfully wrong it is to abuse, or pervert the use of, +_any_ of these physical organs which are so sacred and so important to +the welfare of the human family. "Dishonor the body, the temple of the +soul, and you dishonor the soul." "If any man defile the temple of God, +him will God destroy."--I. Cor. 3:17. + +When married, the battle for one united and harmonious life really +begins. The wife's great and supreme love for her husband personally, +will allow many privileges which under other circumstances her timidity +and chastity would refuse. Tenderly and with great consideration should +these privileges be accepted. For, contrary to the opinion of many men, +there is no sexual passion on the part of the bride that induces her to +grant such liberties. Then how exquisitely gentle and how forbearing +should be the bridegroom's deportment on such occasions! Sometimes such +a shock is administered to her sensibilities that she does not recover +from it for years; and in consequence of this shock, rudely or +thoughtlessly administered, she forms a deeply rooted antipathy against +the very act which is the bond and seal of a truly happy married life. +These sexual unions serve to bring the married pair into a perfectly +harmonious relation to each other. And just as tenderly, lovingly and +harmoniously should they join in each and all the daily uses of life +which they are called upon to perform. The sexual relation is among the +most important uses of married life; it vivifies the affections for each +other, as nothing else in this world can, and is a powerful reminder of +their mutual obligations to one another and to the community in which +they live. Indulgence, however, should not be too frequent, lest it +debilitate the pair and undermine their health. The bridegroom and +husband should carefully watch over his bride and wife to see that she +is not a sufferer and should govern himself accordingly. It is better +that these renewed obligations should be made at stated periods, as man +is governed so much by habit. As a rule, once or twice a week, or in +some cases once in two weeks, is sufficient; but once a week will +suffice in many cases for healthful purposes. During the menstrual flow +there should be an entire cessation of the conjugal act. When pregnancy +occurs it is in most cases, more healthful and better for the expectant +mother to allow intercourse at regular times, very gently, throughout +her gestation. + +The object of marriage is the ultimation of that love which brings the +two together and binds them together, in the procreation and rearing of +children for Heaven. This is the only true aim and sole object about +which every earthly desire, interest and plan of the married pair should +cluster. + +_As to the question of child-bearing._ No greater crime in the sight +of Heaven exists to-day than that of perverting the natural uses of +marriage. This is done in a great variety of ways, every one of which +is criminal, in whatever form practised; and none will escape the +penalty--no, not one. Nature's laws are inexorable; every transgression +thereof is surely punished, even at the _climacteric period_, if not +before. The questions of failing health, of physical inability, or too +frequent conceptions are matters for the investigation, advice and +decision of an experienced, judicious and upright physician. They should +never be taken in hand and judged upon by the parties themselves. And +to the objection "can't afford to have children; they cost too much," I +have faith enough to reply, "Our Heavenly Father never sends more mouths +than he can feed." Let each one do his and her duty in life and this +cavil falls to the ground like water--which, when spilled, cannot be +gathered up. + +Good people everywhere rejoice when they behold a married couple living +together in an orderly manner and rearing a large family of children. +How often is Queen Victoria held up as a pattern of excellence in this +respect: she accepted and acknowledged Prince Albert as her husband and +gave herself to him as his wife; and so indeed she was in every sense of +the term. Although a Queen, sitting on the pinnacle of power, she did +not seek to avoid the pangs, the dangers or inconveniences of +child-bearing. By her own personal strength her twelve children were +brought forth and her own sensitive fibres and tissues felt the +suffering. She nursed, caressed and loved them like a good mother and +she was a _royal mother_! Other kings and queens have done likewise; +other husbands and wives, high in power, wealth and fashion have done +and are still doing the same. And how much the less should we, in the +humbler walks of life, obey the Divine command "Be fruitful and +multiply." + +If a husband truly loves his wife and if she truly loves him, they will +live for each other and in each other, and they will be one; and they +will seek to do right in every particular of their marital relation. +To apply to life the truths advanced above and to realize them, will +require great effort by the parties in question. This manner of life +will not come of itself; it is too good to come without working for. +Mutual concessions must be made daily, and several times a day; one's +own way must frequently be given up, and always when discovered to +be a selfish way, because the mutual good is always to be consulted. +Questions of importance should be discussed freely and dispassionately, +and a good reason be established before adopting actions that may not +lead to proper results. In the marriage co-partnership the interest +in the right and the wrong, the loss and the gain, the lights and the +shadows, the pleasures and the pains, should be equally shared; because +they concern one just as much as the other, and should be equally +enjoyed, and equally borne by both. + +A start is made with loving hearts and this state of affairs must never +be allowed to diminish. The husband should ever be glad to see his wife, +and the wife should ever be glad to see her husband. How many husbands +never know what reception they will meet with on returning home after +their anxious and exhausting business hours are over for the day; it may +be a happy or a very unhappy one. How much it consoles, encourages, +lifts up, and rests a man to return to his home after the trying scenes +of a day busily spent in providing for the support of his family are +over, to find his wife affectionate and serene, and all about the house +brilliant with contentment. Such a wife if she has troubles, and of +course she has just as many troubles as the husband, though of a +different kind, and wishes to call the attention of her husband to them, +will do it at a proper time, when she knows it will annoy him the least, +and when he will be able to give her the most assistance. She will never +try to annoy him; but endeavoring to be a true help-meet will seek in a +proper and loving way to get him to be the same to her. The wife will +gain and command the respect of her husband only through kind and +loving ways. By her love constantly and judiciously administered she +will lead him onward and upward to higher aspirations and better +circumstances in life, throughout their days of united existence. A +scolding, fretting, worrying and selfish wife has ruined for life many +a husband. + +All the "self-denial" however, as it is called by some, is not on the +wife's side; the husband too must be forbearing; he must remember on his +way home at night that his faithful wife, who has been at home all day, +has had trials and disappointments in her domestic affairs; and he must +not be disappointed to find domestic arrangements a little disordered, +and his wife somewhat chagrined that, under the circumstances, she +really could give him no better a reception than he may experience. He +must always try to make the best of it and be satisfied. He must not +find fault with the cooking, for instance, but must be perfectly content +with everything as it is until his well-managing wife has had time to +overcome her difficulties and troubles. + +Never find fault with your wife under any circumstances; let your +intellect discover a way to better things if need be. A really wise man +will never allow a harsh word to escape his lips to a loving wife, or +to his harmless children. By so living together a wise husband and a +loving wife will soon discover that they two are but complemental to +each other--like the Will and Understanding of one individual. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +TO THE UNFORTUNATE. + + +Let no one imagine that, because he or she has committed any of the +great errors enumerated in former chapters, there is no hopeful future. +Such a conclusion need not, necessarily, be accepted. In very many cases +where there is a _will_ to reform, there is also a _way_; and very often +a complete cure and restoration to health may be effected. Diseased +bones may be made sound; ulcerations healed; sore throats cured; +blemishes on the skin removed; urinary difficulties may be dissipated or +at least greatly ameliorated; sexual disorders remedied; impaired eyes +much improved and defective vision much benefited if not wholly +restored; the auditory apparatus helped if not fully cured; and the +distracted mind, with its fanciful imageries, rendered tranquil and +rational. + +To accomplish all this the _mind_ must lead the way. The brain must +assert its supremacy, and the will-power become absolute. It is only +where there is a will, an indomitable will, that a way out of these +direful difficulties is afforded. Let happen what may, no opposing +influences should dampen the determination to press forward to +reformation; and then, sooner or later, the conquest will be made. + +To begin with, when the mind is fully determined to overcome all +obstacles or perish in the attempt, consult a judicious physician as +advised in the preface of this book. Lose no time with quackery in any +shape or form. Do not be beguiled by those who promise "a speedy cure." +Speedy cures cannot be made in these cases. Strong determination to +improve aided by proper medication can, in bad cases, only restore a +healthful condition in from two to three years. The system requires to +be made over anew as it were. The current of life must be turned into +new channels. New thoughts and new blood must be made to take the place +of what were wrong and polluted. This will take time and perseverance; +and then, little by little the old enemies will be overcome and driven +out. But progress for the better must be measured only from month to +month and even then there may be apparent relapses. Let me however +asseverate, from my abundance of experience in these cases, that there +is ultimately, after a reasonable time, every hope of becoming sound +and healthy again. + +Many young persons are rendered quite distracted by the sexual +instinct being too strong. It infests them and goads them on to the +commission of further unseemly acts--though suffering much from past +transgressions--which it seems almost impossible to avoid. The sensation +haunts and clings to them day and night, in spite of every attempt to +rise superior thereto. Sometimes nocturnal pollutions, or "wet dreams," +as they are commonly termed, result from these or other causes. There +must be some cause for this state of things and a rigid examination into +one's mode of life should ascertain the same. It may come from errors in +diet, in eating or drinking; in the use of highly seasoned food; or the +taking of some medicinal drug substance. It is well known that many +drugs have the power of producing such a condition. Should any of the +above seem to act as causes, a change should be made at once. The +plainest diet and simplest mode of life is always best in sickness or in +health. Again, one may take too little exercise in the open air. If so, +an abundance of physical exertion should be made daily, to insure a +natural and healthy condition of all organs of the body. Or, uncomfortable +conditions may arise, as they often do, from some morbid condition of +the vital forces. If diet and exercise are insufficient, the judicious +physician should be consulted and every symptom or unnatural sensation +from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet, should be carefully +described to him. In all probability he will remedy the trouble, thus +restoring peace and happiness. The generative organs are as liable to be +affected by a morbid state of the vital forces, as are any other organs +of the body; and when so affected they are just as amenable to +treatment. + +The above condition of affairs is not, however, confined to the male +sex. Females often suffer equally and in the same way. Many young +persons, of both sexes, have fallen victims to these disorders who could +have been cured by proper medical treatment. A female suffering from the +ill effects of any bad habit contracted in youth, or from any sexual or +venereal disorder, should seek medical aid with the same promptness and +openness of heart as a male. To overcome the vicious habit of self-abuse +is no trifling matter; it will require the persistent application of +indomitable will, aided by Christianity--by oft repeated appeals to the +Lord for aid, who lends a willing ear and a helping hand to the poor +and needy. When reformation is determined upon, it is better to consult +a physician at once and act under his advice. Besides directing the +proper diet and plenty of vigorous exercise in the open air, he will +prescribe the proper medicament. + +Cases of real syphilitic poisoning are most serious affections, and +everyone should know of the fearful effects of this poison--how +searchingly it infests the whole system, and how it contaminates the +blood and every tissue in the body. Such cases, therefore, should not be +trifled with in any way. Advertised nostrums should be particularly +avoided. For, if this poison be simply smothered in one's blood instead +of being wholly eradicated and cured, it will be sure to seize upon the +offspring and either destroy them before birth or during dentition. The +bare fear of such contamination should be amply sufficient to deter +everyone from exposing him- or herself to the risk. But, having fallen, +by all means seek the aid of a judicious physician. An experience of +nearly forty years in the treatment of these cases, in both sexes, has +given me the power to know whereof I speak; and I do declare that a very +large percentage of these cases can be cured in a safe manner; and so +perfectly cured too, that there will be no danger of transmitting the +infection to the offspring. I, by no means stand alone in this statement; +many other physicians, after long years of experience assert the same +truth. + +Therefore, let no one be discouraged, no matter how far he, or she, has +strayed from the paths of virtue or how much suffering has been entailed +thereby. In connection with the physician's help, aid yourself. Have +courage! Let the invincible will lead on unflinchingly--upheld by pure +thoughts, and good actions will surely follow. "Desire is really +dangerous only when it brings voluptuous pictures incessantly before the +imagination. It thus holds a thousand conflicts with virtue which it +conquers in the end; it installs itself in the bosom of the intelligence +of which it becomes the habitual pre-occupation." Seek therefore for +only pure thoughts. + +We should at all times exert all the power within us to live correct and +blameless lives in every respect, but particularly so in sexual matters. +The happiness, the health, and the lives of families and communities are +far more largely dependent upon these matters than is commonly supposed. +Those who have led lives of blameless purity, will continue to do so +after reading this book; while those who have gone astray will here find +every encouragement to set about their reformation at once. If faithful +to the teachings recorded in these pages they will bless the day and the +occasion that inspired the writer to put his hand to this work. The God +of Heaven and Earth knows that the motive that led me to this undertaking +was pure, and as solely for the good of humanity, as that purity which +prompts a human being to live a blameless life in the sight of his Maker. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ORIGIN OF THE SEX. + +From Whence does the Sex Proceed and What Determines It? + + +So much has been written about this matter, and so many foolish, low, +and really debasing theories and speculations have been advanced in +relation thereto, that I deem it expedient at this time, and in this +place, to put forth the true theory of the reproduction of the sexes, +one that can endure the test of the most rigid scientific investigation. +The only theory upon this subject worthy of notice, must be based upon a +principle that will hold good and true throughout all animated nature, +not only in the animal, but in the vegetable kingdom as well. + +The earth is the common mother of the vegetable world; seeds of all +kinds fall into her and she brings forth male and female plants +according to the seeds planted. The _earth_ certainly does not give the +sex to plants for they come forth according to the life inherent in the +seed; if this life-force be male, the plant must be male; and if the +life-force of the seed be female, the product must be a female plant. +The earth can possibly bring forth no other sex than that which the +life-force of the seed impels. + +This is true in the animal creation. Within the female grows the seed +given her by the male, be it male or female, and she can grow none +other. In other words the male as is very evident on mature reflection +gives the soul or the inmost vital principle, and the female clothes +that soul, or gives it a body in which to operate. What else can the +male do; what office does he perform, if it is not strictly this: to +impart of his life-giving spirit! The mother in clothing this germ of +life commingles, intertwines, and insinuates her own spirit, at the same +time educating, instructing, and determining its development according +to the influence she imparts to it. So the offspring partakes largely of +the nature of both its parents. The determination as to whether he +begets a male or female depends entirely upon the inmost vital state of +the male at the time of giving, although he is unconscious of the fact, +so that he can have no choice and no regulation, as some writers most +absurdly claim, in the matter of the forth-coming sex. He determines or +produces it unconsciously and involuntarily, the mother simply receiving, +clothing, and issuing from her body what the father has given her. + +It must not be forgotten when exploring these deep subjects that man is +a spiritual being, clothed with a material body, that his spirit is his +inmost, and that what proceeds from him in the generative act has life +from his inmost; consequently the life-giving principle of his semen is +from his inmost, which constitutes its life-giving power. This inmost +from the male, the begetting power, is clothed by his seminal fluid for +an All-wise purpose; it is not the gross material, the clothing, that +begets, but the living power which this material contains, which +fructifies, or becomes conjoined, or commingled with the vital force of +the ovule of the mother,[K] so that she can clothe it; and when so +conjoined the germ, or seed, is planted in congenial soil. Conception +has thus really taken place by virtue of this act, and the animal mother +proceeds with her reproduction precisely upon the same general +principles that mother earth reproduces corn from a single kernel. + + [K] See Guernsey's Obstetrics, 3d edition, on Reproduction. + +It is universally acknowledged that the Lord creates, that we owe all to +Him, that He gives us our children, etc., etc. This is true, and it is +also true that He makes use of the parents, through whom he operates to +this end. By the constant influx of his Divine Love and Wisdom He gives +us life, and by virtue of this constant influx into the father who +begets, the mother's conception becomes doubly sacred. She conceives +from her husband, and at the same instant the Lord by virtue of His +Divine Power breathes into that conception the breath of life, whereby +it becomes a living soul. By the light of this truth we see that it is +not the parents who give life to their offspring. They only supply the +pure material substances which are organized into the human form by the +living and life-giving forces which constantly flow in from the Lord who +is life itself and from whom all life constantly emanates. + + + + +INDEX. + + + "Abuse," self, definition of, 60 + + Adolescence of the female, 68 + " characteristics of, in females, 68 + " time of, in females, 27 + " of the male, 42 + " pride of in the male, 51 + " of male, changes observable, 42, 43 + " time of, in the male, 27 + + Amorous, females not naturally, 78, 103 + + Applications, in worm affections, 33 + + Ascarides, 33 + + + Bannisters, injurious to slide down, 29 + + + Chastity, what is true, 36 + " difficulty of maintaining, 53, 64 + " needful in both sexes, 63 + " difficulty of regaining, 56 + " should be maintained, 55 + + Child-bearing, the question of, 104 + " prevention of, 104 + + Childhood, 27 + + Children, let them romp, play, &c., 39 + " sleep of, 40 + " weight of at birth, 21 + + Coffee, use of by children, 36 + + Conception, 15 + + Continence not hurtful, 54, 55 + " physiologically considered, 57, 64 + + + Diapers for children, choice of, 25 + + Diet of the mother, during gestation, 98 + + + Embryo, earliest stage of, 15 + + Evil, first step of, 45, 61 + + + Fathers, injurious actions of, 25 + + Females, self-abuse in, 76, 82 + " dangers and temptations of, 77, 81 + " from fourteen to eighteen years, 69 + " naturally not amorous, 78, 103 + + Feminine charms, to preserve, 75 + + Foetal development, recapitulation of, 21, 22 + + + Genital organs, care of in infancy, 24 + " " uses of, 52, 59 + + + Health Lift beneficial, 99 + + Hope for the fallen, 110 + + Husband, advice to, 87 + " not to find fault, 108 + " represents "The Truth," 101 + + + Incontinent, trials of the, 56 + + Infant, the, 24 + + Insane asylums, who are there, 50 + + Introductory chapter, 13 + + + Licentiousness, perception of by the female, 63 + + Life, all, comes from the LORD, 120 + + LORD, the, alone creates, 119 + + + Marriage; act, the, 79, 80 + " the husband, 84 + " the wife, 90 + " conduct of a man before and after, 87, 88 + " the duties of, 94 + " true meaning of the word, 91 + " vow, the, 92 + + Married life, how to begin, 85 + " true love in, 106 + + Marry, men should, 84 + " why do girls, 90, 91 + + Masturbation, symptoms of, 34, 60 + " taught in schools, at home, &c., 34 + + Mechanical means, in worm affections, 33 + + Menstruation; and care during, 70, 73 + " not an inconvenience, 71 + + Mind, strength of, needful in reformation, 110 + + + Nurses, vicious practices of, 25 + + + Opiates should be avoided, 24 + + Origin of the Sex, 117 + + + Penis, secretions forming on, 30, 31 + + Pin worms, 33 + + Pollutions, nightly, causes of, 65 + " produced by drugs, 66 + + Poor houses, who the inmates are, 50 + + Preface, 9 + + Pregnancy, beginning of, 15 + " fifth week of, 16 + " seventh week of, 16 + " two months of, 17 + " ten weeks of, 17 + " third month of, 18 + " fourth month of, 19 + " fifth month of, 19 + " sixth month of, 19 + " seventh month of, 20 + " eighth month of, 20 + " ninth month of, 21 + + Prepuce, long, 31 + + Prevention of child bearing, 104 + + Preventives to conception, 96 + + Priapism, in boys, 30 + + Prisons, who the inmates are, 50 + + Pure thoughts, necessity for, 59, 115 + + Purgatives in worm affections, 33 + + + Queen Victoria, in child bearing, 105 + " " a Royal mother, 105 + + + Self-Abuse, to overcome, 113 + + Seminal fluid, 65 + + Sex, man powerless to regulate, 118 + " origin of the, 117 + + Sexual act, the, in marriage, 92, 94, 102 + " act, the frequency of, in marriage, 104 + " disorders come from within, 32 + " impressions on children, causes producing, 29 + " impressions should never affect a child, 27 + " instinct too strong, 112 + " intercourse, illicit, dangers of, 46, 47 + " intercourse, illicit, should not be recommended by a + physician, 55, 57 + " matters, use of good information on, 34 + " organs, earliest discernment of, 18 + " organs, needless laving, handling, &c., 31 + " precocity in children, 28 + " precocity in children, case illustrating, 28 + " temptations, to conquer, 56, 59, 62, 63 + " thoughts, influence of, 46, 53 + + Soothing syrups, avoidance of, 24 + + Spermatorrhoea, causes of, 65 + " caused by drugs, 66 + + Syphilis, 47, 48 + " mental effects of, 49 + + Syphilitic poisoning, 114 + + Syringes, 73, 75 + + Syrups, soothing, avoidance of, 34 + + + Tea, use of, by children, 36 + + Tobacco, use of, by children, 36 + + + Unfortunate, to the, 110 + + Urinate, inability to, in the morning, 32 + + + Vaginal injections, 73 + + Vermifuges, in worm affections, 33 + + + Washings, uselessness of, 38, 39 + + Weight of children at birth, 21 + + "Wet dreams," causes of, 65 + + Wife, choice of, 85 + " represents "The Good," 101 + " should allow the sexual act, 92, 94, 95 + " to be considerate, 107 + + Will power, man should be governed by the, 43 + + Wine, use of by children, 36 + + Worms, 33 + " are of constitutional origin, 33 + + + + + [ Transcriber's Note: + + The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first + line is the original line, the second the corrected one. + + practically qualified, both by inherent qualities and education for the + practically qualified, both by inherent qualities and education, for the + + Origin of the Sex 117 + Origin of the Sex, 117 + + heighth of sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of semen occurs and + height of sexual orgasm is reached, ejaculation of semen occurs and + + as inflamations, excoriations, itchings and swellings of the genital + as inflammations, excoriations, itchings and swellings of the genital + + low. _The same thinking, feeling and desiring preceeds the adoption of + low. _The same thinking, feeling and desiring precedes the adoption of + + view to take, because, pomp, style and show _are not the true objects of + view to take, because pomp, style and show _are not the true objects of + + Some well-meaning and otherwise apparrently good husbands, but not true, + Some well-meaning and otherwise apparently good husbands, but not true, + + Young ladies why do you marry? Through infancy, childhood and + Young ladies, why do you marry? Through infancy, childhood and + + everyone from exposing him--or herself, to the risk. But, having fallen, + everyone from exposing him- or herself to the risk. But, having fallen, + + Children, sleep of, 40 + " sleep of, 40 + + Husband, advice to 87 + Husband, advice to, 87 + + " seventh week of 16 + " seventh week of, 16 + + Sex, origin of the, 117 + " origin of the, 117 + + " temptations, to conquer 56, 59, 62, 63 + " temptations, to conquer, 56, 59, 62, 63 + ] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects, by +Henry Newell Guernsey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAIN TALKS ON AVOIDED SUBJECTS *** + +***** This file should be named 31671.txt or 31671.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/6/7/31671/ + +Produced by Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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