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diff --git a/38185-h/38185-h.htm b/38185-h/38185-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..00b0aff --- /dev/null +++ b/38185-h/38185-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2757 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Fruits of Philosophy, by Charles Knowlton + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fruits of Philosophy, by Charles Knowlton + +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: Fruits of Philosophy + A Treatise on the Population Question + +Author: Charles Knowlton + +Editor: Charles Bradlaugh and Annie Besant + +Release Date: December 1, 2011 [EBook #38185] +Last Updated: January 25, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY + </h1> + <h3> + A TREATISE ON THE POPULATION QUESTION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Charles Knowlton + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Edited by Charles Bradlaugh and Annie Besant + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> PUBLISHERS' PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> PHILOSOPHICAL PROEM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <b>FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY</b> </a> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + TO LIMIT AT WILL THE NUMBER OF THEIR OFFSPRING + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + ON GENERATION + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + OF PROMOTING AND CHECKING CONCEPTION + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + REMARKS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE INSTINCT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_APPE"> APPENDIX </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + The pamphlet which we now present to the public is one which has been + lately prosecuted under Lord Gampbell's Act, and which we republish, in + order to test the right of publication. It was originally written by + Charles Knowlton, M. D., whose degree entitles him to be heard with + respect on a medical question. It was first published in England, about + forty years ago, by James Watson, the gallant radical, who came to London + and took up Richard Carlile's work, when Carlile was in jail. He sold it, + unchallenged, for many years, approved it, and recommended it. It was + printed and published by Messrs. Holyoake & Co., and found its place, + with other works of a similar character, in their "Freethought Directory," + of 1853, and was thus identified with freethought literature at the then + leading freethought <i>depot</i> Mr. Austin Holyoake, working in + con-junction with Mr. Bradlaugh at the <i>National Reformer</i> office, + Johnson's Court, printed and published it in his turn, and this well-known + freethought advocate, in his "Large or Small Families," selected this + pamphlet, together with R. D. Owen's "Moral Physiology" and the "Elements + of Social Science," for special recommendation. Mr. Charles Watts, + succeeding to Mr. Austin Holyoake's business, continued the sale, and, + when Mr. Watson died, in 1875, he bought the plates of the work (with + others) from Mrs. Watson, and continued to advertise and to sell it until + December 23, 1876. For the last forty years the book has thus been + identified with freethought, advertised by leading freethinkers, published + under the sanction of their names, and sold in the headquarters of + freethought literature. If, during this long period, the party has thus—without + one word of protest—circulated an indecent work, the less we talk + about freethought morality the better; the work has been largely sold, + and, if leading freethinkers have sold it—profiting by the sale—through + mere carelessness, few words could be strong enough to brand the + indifference which thus scattered obscenity broadcast over the land. The + pamphlet has been withdrawn from circulation in consequence of the + prosecution instituted against Mr. Charles Watts, but the question of its + legality or illegality has not been tried; a plea of "Guilty" was put in + by the publisher, and the book, therefore, was not examined, nor was any + judgment passed upon it; no jury registered a verdict, and the judge + stated that he had not read the work. + </p> + <p> + We republish this pamphlet, honestly believing that on all questions + affecting the happiness of the people, whether they be theological, + political or social, fullest right of free discussion ought to be + maintained at all hazards. We do not personally indorse all that Dr. + Knowles says: his "Philosophical Proem" seems to us full of philosophical + mistakes, and—as we are neither of us doctors—we are not + prepared to indorse his medical views; but since progress can only be made + through discussion, and no discussion is possible where differing opinions + are suppressed, we claim the right to publish all opinions, so that the + public, enabled to see all sides of a question, may have the materials for + forming a sound judgment. + </p> + <p> + The alterations made are very slight, the book was badly printed, and + errors of spelling and a few clumsy grammatical expressions have been + corrected; the subtitle has been changed, and in one case four lines have + been omitted, because they are repeated word for word further on. We have, + however, made some additions to the pamphlet, which are in all cases kept + distinct from the original text. Physiology has made great strides during + the past forty years, and not considering it right to circulate erroneous + physiology, we submitted the pamphlet to a doctor in whose accurate + knowledge we have the fullest confidence, and who is widely known in all + parts of the world as the author of the "Elements of Social Science;" the + notes signed "G. B." are written by this gentleman. References to other + works are given in foot-notes for the assistance of the reader, if he + desires to study up the subject further. + </p> + <p> + Old Radicals will remember that Richard Carlile published a work entitled + "Every Woman's Book," which deals with the same subject and advocates the + same object as Dr. Knowlton's pamphlet R. D. Owen objected to the "style + and tone" of Carlile's "Every Woman's Book," as not being in "good taste," + and he wrote his "Moral Physiology" to do in America what Carlile's work + was intended to do in England. This work of Carlile's was stigmatized as + "indecent" and "immoral," because it advocated, as does Dr. Knowlton's, + the use of preventive checks to population. In striving to carry on + Carlile's work, we cannot expect to escape Carlile's reproach; but, + whether applauded or condemned, we mean to carry it on, socially as well + as politically and theologically. + </p> + <p> + We believe, with the Rev. Mr. Malthus, that population has a tendency to + increase faster than the means of existence, and that <i>some</i> checks + must therefore exercise control over population. The checks now exercised + are semi-starvation and preventable disease; the enormous mortality among + the infants of the poor is one of the checks which now keep down the + population. The checks that ought to control population are scientific, + and it is these which we advocate. We think it more moral to prevent the + conception of children than, after they are born, to murder them by want + of food, air and clothing. We advocate scientific checks to population, + because, so long as poor men have large families, pauperism is a + necessity, and from pauperism grow crime and disease. The wages which + would support the parents and two or three children in comfort and + decency, is utterly insufficient to maintain a family of twelve or + fourteen, and we consider it a crime to bring into the world human beings + doomed to misery or to premature death. It is not only the hard-working + classes which are concerned in this question. The poor preacher, the + struggling man of business, the young professional man, are often made + wretched for life by their inordinately large families, and their years + are passed in one long battle to live; meanwhile, the woman's health is + sacrificed and her life embittered from the same cause. To all of these we + point the way of relief and happiness; for the sake of these we publish + what others fear to issue; and we do it confident that if we fail the + first time, we shall succeed at last, and that the English public will not + permit the authorities to stifle a discussion of the most important social + question which can influence a nation's welfare. + </p> + <p> + Charles Bradlaugh. + </p> + <p> + Annie Besant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PHILOSOPHICAL PROEM + </h2> + <p> + Consciousness is not a "principle" or substance of any kind, nor is it, + strictly speaking, a property of any substance or being. It is a peculiar + action of the nervous system, and the system is said to be sensible, or to + possess the property of sensibility, because those sentient actions which + constitute our different consciousnesses may be excited in it. The nervous + system includes not only the brain and spinal marrow, but numerous soft + white cords, called nerves, which extend from the brain and spinal marrow + to every part of the body in which a sensation can be excited. + </p> + <p> + A sensation is a sentient action of a nerve and the brain; a thought or + idea (both the same thing) is a sentient action of the brain alone. A + sensation or a thought is consciousness, and there is no consciousness but + that which consists either in a sensation or a thought. + </p> + <p> + Agreeable consciousness constitutes what we call happiness, and + disagreeable consciousness constitutes misery. As sensations are a higher + degree of consciousness than mere thought, it follows that agreeable + sensations constitute a more exquisite happiness than agreeable thoughts. + That portion of happiness which consists in agreeable sensations is + commonly called pleasure. No thoughts are agreeable except those which + were originally excited by or have been associated with agreeable + sensations. Hence, if a person never had experienced any agreeable + sensations, he could have no agreeable thoughts, and would, of course, be + an entire stranger to happiness. + </p> + <p> + There are five species of sensations—seeing, hearing, smelling, + tasting and feeling. There are many varieties of feeling—as the + feelings of hunger, thirst, cold, hardness, etc. Many of these feelings + are excited by agents that act upon the exterior of the body, such as + solid substances of every kind, heat, and various chemical irritants. + These latter feelings are called <i>passions</i>. + </p> + <p> + Those passions which owe their existence chiefly to the state of the + brain, or to causes acting directly upon the brain, are called the moral + passion. They are grief, anger, love, etc. They consist of sentient + actions, which commence in the brain and extend to the nerves in the + region of the stomach, etc. But when the cause of the internal feeling of + passion is seated in some organ remote from the brain, as in the stomach, + genital organs, etc., the sentient action which constitutes the passion + commences in the nerves of such organ and extends to the brain, and the + passion is called an <i>appetite, instinct, or desire</i>. Some of these + passions are natural, as hunger, thirst, the reproductive instinct, the + desire to urinate, etc. Others are gradually acquired by habit A <i>hankering</i> + for stimulants, as spirits, opium and tobacco, is one of these. + </p> + <p> + Such is the nature of things that our most vivid and agreeable sensations + cannot be excited under all circumstances, nor beyond a certain extent + under any circumstances, without giving rise in one way or another to an + amount of disagreeable consciousness or misery, exceeding the amount of + agreeable consciousness which attends such ill-timed or excessive + gratification. To excite agreeable sensations to a degree not exceeding + this certain extent is temperance; to excite them beyond this extent is + intemperance; not to excite them at all is mortification or abstinence. + This certain extent varies with different individuals, according to their + several circumstances, so that what would be temperance in one person may + be intemperance in another. + </p> + <p> + To be free from disagreeable consciousness is to be in a state which, + compared with a state of misery, is a happy state; yet absolute happiness + does not exist in the absence of misery, if it does, rocks are happy. It + consists, as aforesaid, in agreeable consciousness. That which enables a + person to excite or maintain agreeable consciousness is not happiness; but + the <i>idea</i> of having such in one's possession is agreeable, and of + course is a portion of happiness. Health and wealth go far in enabling a + person to excite and maintain agreeable consciousness. That which gives + rise to agreeable consciousness is <i>good</i>, and we desire it. If we + use it intemperately, such use is bad, but the thing itself is still good. + Those acts (and intentions are acts of that part of man which intends) of + human beings which tend to the promotion of happiness are good, but they + are also called <i>virtuous</i>, to distinguish them from other things of + the same tendency. There is nothing for the word <i>virtue</i> to signify, + but virtuous actions. Sin signifies nothing but sinful actions, and + sinful, wicked, vicious, or bad actions are those which are productive of + more misery than happiness. + </p> + <p> + When an individual gratifies any of his instincts in a <i>temperate</i> + degree, he adds an item to the sum total of human happiness, and causes + the amount of human happiness to exceed the amount of misery farther than + if he had not enjoyed himself, therefore it is virtuous, or, to say the + least, it is not vicious or sinful for him to do so. But it must ever be + remembered that this temperate degree depends on circumstances; that one + person's health, pecuniary circumstances, or social relation may be such + that it would cause more misery than happiness for him to do an act which + being done by a person under different circumstances would cause more + happiness than misery. Therefore, it would be right for the latter to + perform such act, but not for the former. + </p> + <p> + Again: owing to his <i>ignorance</i>, a man may not be able to gratify a + desire without causing misery (wherefore it would be wrong for him to do + it), but with knowledge of means to prevent this misery, he may so gratify + it that more pleasure than pain will be the result of the act, in which + case the act, to say the least, is justifiable. Now, therefore, it is + virtuous, nay, it is the <i>duty</i>, for him who has a knowledge of such + means, to convey it to those who have it not, for by so doing he furthers + the cause of human happiness. + </p> + <p> + Man by nature is endowed with the talent of devising means to remedy or + prevent the evils that are liable to arise from gratifying our appetites; + and it is as much the duty of the physician to inform mankind of the means + to prevent the evils that are liable to arise from gratifying the + productive instinct as it is to inform them how to keep clear of the gout + or dyspepsia. Let not the old ascetic say we ought not to gratify our + appetites any further than is necessary to maintain health and to + perpetuate the species. Mankind will not so abstain, and if any means to + prevent the evils that may arise from a farther gratification can be + devised, they <i>need not</i>. Heaven has not only given us the capacity + of greater enjoyment, but the talent of devising means to prevent the + evils that are liable to arise therefrom, and it becomes us, "with + thanksgiving," to make the most of them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. TO LIMIT AT WILL THE NUMBER OF THEIR OFFSPRING + </h2> + <p> + Showing how desirable it is, both in a political and a social point of + view, for mankind to be able to limit at WILL THE NUMBER OF THEIR + OFFSPRING, WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE PLEASURE THAT ATTENDS THE GRATIFICATION + OF THE REPRODUCTIVE INSTINCT. + </p> + <p> + First.—-<i>In a political point of view</i>.—If population be + not restrained by some great physical calamity, such as we have reason to + hope will not hereafter be visited upon the children of men, or by some <i>moral + restraint</i>, the time will come when the earth cannot support its + inhabitants. Population unrestrained will double three times in a century. + Hence, computing the present population of the earth at 1,000 millions, + there would be at the end of 100 years from the present time, 8,000 + millions. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + At the end of 200 years, 64,000 millions. + + " " 300 " 512,000 " +</pre> + <p> + And so on, multiplying by eight for every additional hundred years. So + that in 500 years from the present time there would be thirty-two thousand + seven hundred and sixty eight times as many inhabitants as at present. If + the natural increase should go on without check for 1,500 years, one + single pair would increase to more than <i>thirty-five thousand one + hundred and eighty-four</i> times as many as the present population of the + whole earth! + </p> + <p> + Some check then there must be, or the time will come when millions will be + born but to suffer and to perish for the necessaries of life. To what an + inconceivable amount of human misery would such a state of things give + rise! And must we say that vice, war, pestilence and famine are desirable + to prevent it? Must the friends of temperance and domestic happiness stay + their efforts? Must peace societies excite to war and bloodshed? Must the + physician cease to investigate the nature of contagion, and to search for + the means of destroying its baneful influence? Must he that becomes + diseased be marked as a victim to die for public good, without the + privilege of making an effort to restore him to health? And in case of a + failure of crops in one part of the world, must the other parts withhold + the means of supporting life that the far greater evil of excessive + population throughout the world may be prevented? Can there be no + effectual moral restraint, attended with far less human misery than such + physical calamities as these? Most surely there can. But what is it? + Malthus, an English writer on the subject of population, gives us none but + celibacy to a late age. But how foolish it is to suppose that men and + women will become as monks and nuns during the very holiday of their + existence, and abjure during the fairest years of life the nearest and + dearest of social relations, to avert a catastrophe which they and perhaps + their children will not live to witness. But, besides being ineffectual, + or if effectual, requiring a great sacrifice of enjoyment, this restraint + is highly objectionable on the score of its demoralizing tendency. It + would give rise to a frightful increase of prostitution, of intemperance + and onanism, and prove destructive to health and moral feelings. In spite + of preaching, human nature will ever remain the same; and that restraint + which forbids the gratification of the reproductive instinct will avail + but little with the mass of mankind. The checks to be hereafter mentioned + are the only moral restraints to population known to the writer that are + unattended with serious objections. + </p> + <p> + Besides starvation, with all its accompanying evils, overpopulation is + attended with other public evils, of which may be mentioned, ignorance and + slavery. Where the mass of the people must toil incessantly to obtain + support, they must remain ignorant; and where ignorance prevails, tyranny + reigns.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The scientific part of Malthus' Doctrine of Population is + not very clearly or correctly given in the above passages. + His great theory, now or generally held by the most eminent + political economists, is that the increase of population is + always powerfully checked in old countries by the difficulty + in increasing the supply of food; that the existing evils of + poverty and low wages are really at bottom caused by this + check, and are brought about by the pressure of population + on the soil, and the continual overstocking of the labor + markets with laborers; and hence that the only way in which + society can escape from poverty, with all its miseries, is + by putting a strong restraint on their natural powers of + multiplication. "It is not in the nature of things," he + says, "that any permanent and general improvement in the + condition of the poor can be effected without an increase in + the preventive checks to population."—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + Second—<i>In a social point of view</i>.—"Is it not notorious + that the families of the married often increase beyond which a regard for + the young beings coming into the world, and the happiness of those who + give them birth, would dictate. In how many instances does the + hard-working father, and more especially the mother, of a poor family + remain slave throughout their lives, tugging at the oar of incessant + labor, toiling to live, and living to toil; when, if their offspring had + been limited to two or three only, they might have enjoyed comfort and + comparative affluence? How often is the health of the mother, giving birth + every year to an infant—happy if it be not twins—and compelled + to toil on, even at those times when nature imperiously calls for some + relief from daily drudgery,—how often is the mother's comfort, + health, nay, even her life, thus sacrificed? Or if care and toil have + weighed down the spirit, and at length broken the health of the father; + how often is the widow left unable, with the most virtuous intentions, to + save her fatherless offspring from becoming degraded objects of charity, + or profligate votaries of vice! + </p> + <p> + "Nor is this all. Many women are so constituted that they cannot give + birth to healthy, sometimes not to living children. Is it desirable, is it + moral, that such women should become pregnant? Yet this is continually the + case. Others there are who ought never to become parents; because, if they + do, it is only to transmit to their offspring grievous hereditary + diseases, which render such offspring mere subjects of misery throughout + their sickly existence. Yet such women will not lead a life of celibacy. + They marry. They become parents, and the sum of human misery is increased + by their doing so. But it is folly to expect that we can induce such + persons to live the lives of Shakers. Nor is it necessary; all that duty + requires of them is to refrain from becoming parents. Who can estimate the + beneficial effect which a rational moral restraint may thus have on the + health and beauty and physical improvement of our race throughout future + generations?" + </p> + <p> + Let us now turn our attention to the case of unmarried youth. + </p> + <p> + "Almost all young persons, on reaching the age of maturity, desire to + marry. That heart must be very cold, or very isolated, that does not find + some object on which to bestow its affections. Thus, early marriage would + be almost universal did not prudential consideration interfere. The young + man thinks, 'I cannot marry yet; I cannot support a family. I must make + money first, and think of a matrimonial settlement afterwards.' + </p> + <p> + "And so he goes to making money, fully and sincerely resolved in a few + years to share it with her whom he now loves. But passions are strong and + temptations great. Curiosity, perhaps, introduces him into the company of + those poor creatures whom society first reduces to a dependence on the + most miserable of mercenary trades, and then curses for being what she has + made them. There his health and moral feelings are alike made shipwreck. + The affections he had thought to treasure up for their first object are + chilled by dissipation and blunted by excess. He scarcely retains a + passion but avarice. Years pass on—years of profligacy and + speculation—and his wish is accomplished, his fortune is made. Where + now are the feelings and resolve of his youth? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Like the dew on the mountain, + Like the foam on the river, + Like the bubbles on the fountain, + They are gone—and forever.' +</pre> + <p> + "He is a man of pleasure, a man of the world. He laughs at the romance of + his youth, and marries a fortune. If gaudy equipage and gay parties confer + happiness, he is happy. But if these be only the sunshine on the stormy + sea below, he is a victim to that system of morality which forbids a + reputable connection until the period when provision has been made for a + large expected family. Had he married the first object of his choice, and + simply delayed becoming a father until his prospects seemed to warrant it, + how different might have been his lot. Until men and women are absolved + from the fear of becoming parents, except when they themselves desire it, + they will ever form mercenary and demoralizing connections, and seek in + dissipation the happiness they might have found in domestic life. + </p> + <p> + "I know that this, however common, is not a universal case. Sometimes the + heavy responsibilities of a family are incurred at all risks; and who + shall say how often a life of unremitting toil and poverty is the + consequence. Sometimes, if even rarely, the young mind does hold its first + resolves. The youth plods through years of cold celibacy and solitary + anxiety, happy if, before the best hours of his life are gone and its + warmest feelings withered, he may return to claim the reward of his + forbearance and his industry. But even in this comparatively happy case, + shall we count for nothing the years of ascetic sacrifice at which after + happiness is purchased? The days of youth are not too many, nor its + affections too lasting. We may, indeed, if a great object require it, + sacrifice the one and mortify the other. But is this, in itself, + desirable? Does not wisdom tell us that such a sacrifice is a dead loss—to + the warm-hearted often a grievous one? Does not wisdom bid us temperately + enjoy the springtimes of life, 'while the evil day come not, nor the years + draw nigh, when we shall say we have no pleasure in them?' + </p> + <p> + "Let us say, then, if we will, that the youth who thus sacrifices the + present for the future, chooses wisely between the two evils, profligacy + and asceticism. This is true. But let us not imagine the lesser evil to be + good. It is <i>not</i> good for man to be alone. It is for no man or + woman's happiness or benefit that they should be condemned to Shakerism. + It is a violence done to the feelings and an injury to the character. A + life of rigid celibacy, though infinitely preferable to a life of + dissipation, is yet fraught with many evils. Peevishness, restlessness, + vague longings and instability of character, are amongst the least of + these. The mind is unsettled, and the judgment warped. Even the very + instinct which is thus mortified assumes an undue importance, and occupies + a portion of the thoughts which does not of right or nature belong to it, + and which, during a life of satisfied affection, it would not obtain." + </p> + <p> + In many instances, the genital organs are rendered so irritable by the + repletion to which unnatural continency gives rise, and by the much + thinking caused by such repletion, as to induce a disease known to medical + men by the name of <i>Gonorrhoea Dormientium</i>. It consists in an + emission or discharge of the semen during sleep. This discharge is + immediately excited in most instances by a lascivious dream, but such + dream is caused by the repletion and irritability of the genital organs. + It is truly astonishing to what a degree of mental anguish the disease + gives rise in young men. They do not understand the nature, or rather, the + cause of it. They think it depends on a weakness—indeed, the disease + is often called a "seminal weakness"—and that the least + gratification in a natural way would but serve to increase it. Their + anxiety about it weakens the whole system. This weakness they erroneously + attribute to the discharges; they think themselves totally disqualified + for entering into or enjoying the married state. Finally, the genital and + mental organs act and react upon each other so perniciously as to cause a + degree of nervousness, debility, emaciation and melancholy—in a + word, wretchedness that sets description at defiance. Nothing is so + effectual in curing this diseased state of a body and mind in young men as + marriage. All restraint, fear and solicitude should be removed. + </p> + <p> + "Inasmuch, then, as the scruples of incurring heavy responsibilities deter + from forming moral connections and encourage intemperance and + prostitution, the knowledge which enables man to limit the number of his + offspring would, in the present state of things, save much unhappi-ness + and prevent many crimes. Young persons sincerely attached to each other, + and who might wish to marry, should marry early, merely resolving not to + become parents until prudence permitted it. The young man, instead of + solitary toil and vulgar dissipation, would enjoy the society and the + assistance of her he has chosen as his companion; and the best years of + life, whose pleasures never return, would not be squandered in riot, nor + lost through mortification."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The passages quoted are from Robert Dale Owen's "Moral + Physiology." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. ON GENERATION + </h2> + <p> + I hold the following to be important and undeniable troths: That every man + has a natural right both to receive and convey a knowledge of all the + facts and discoveries of every art and science, excepting such only as may + be secured to some particular person or persons by copyright or patent; + that a physical truth in its general effect cannot be a moral evil; that + no fact in physics or in morals ought to be concealed from the inquiring + mind. + </p> + <p> + Some may make a misuse of knowledge, but that is their fault; and it is + not right that one person should be deprived of knowledge, of spirits, of + razors, or of anything else which is harmless in itself and may be useful + to him, because another may misuse it. + </p> + <p> + The subject on generation is not only interesting as a branch of science, + but it is so connected with the happiness of mankind that it is highly + important in a practical point of view. Such, to be sure, is the custom of + the age, that it is not considered a proper subject to investigate before + a popular assembly, nor is it proper to attend the calls of nature in a + like place; yet they must and ought to be attended to, for the good, the + happiness of mankind require it; so, too, for like reason, the subject of + generation ought to be investigated until it be rightly understood by all + people, but at such opportunities as the good sense of every individual + will easily decide to be proper. This, I presume to say, not simply upon + the abstract principle that all knowledge of Nature's workings is useful, + and the want of it disadvantageous, but from the known moral fact that + ignorance of this process has in many instances proved the cause of a + lamentable "mishap," and more especially as it is essential to the + attainment of the great advantage, which it is the chief object of this + work to bestow upon mankind. + </p> + <p> + People generally, as it was the case with physicians until late years, + entertain a very erroneous idea of what takes place in the conception. + Agreeably to this idea the "check" which I consider far preferable to any + other, would not be effectual, as would be obvious to all. Consequently, + entertaining this idea, people would not have due confidence in it. Hence, + it is necessary to correct a long-held and widely extended error. But this + I cannot expect to do by simply saying it is an error. Deeply rooted and + hitherto undisputed opinions are not so easily eradicated. If I would + convince any one that the steps in one of the most recondite processes of + nature are not such as he has always believed, it will greatly serve my + purpose to show what these steps are. I must first prepare him to be + reasoned with, and then reason the matter all over with him. I must point + out the facts which disprove his opinion, and show that my own is + unattended with difficulties. + </p> + <p> + But what can be more obvious than that it is absolutely impossible to + explain any process or function of the animal economy, so as to be + understood, before the names of the organs which perform this function + have been defined, that is, before the organs themselves have been + described. Now it is well known to every anatomist, and indeed it may be + obvious to all, that in describing any organ or system of organs, we must + always begin with some external and known parts, and proceed regularly, + step by step, to the internal and unknown. As in arithmetic, "everything + must be understood as you go along."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This is an Americanism, which appears to us to convey a + false idea. If it refers to the cases used as illustrations, + Dr. Knowlton is more sparing in his use of them than either + Dr. Bull or Dr. Chavasse.—Publishers' Note. +</pre> + <p> + Fully to effect the objects of this work, it is, therefore, a matter of + necessity that I give an anatomical description of certain parts—even + external parts—which some, but imagine what I have just said, might + think it useless to mention. It is not to gratify the idle curiosity of + the light-minded that this book is written; it is for <i>utility</i> in + the broad and truly philosophical sense of the term; nay, farther, it + shall with the exception of here and there a little spicing*, have + confined to <i>practical utility</i>. I shall, therefore, endeaver to + treat of the subject in this chapter so as to be understood, without + giving any description of the male organs of generation; though I hold it + an accomplishment for one be able to speak of those organs, as diseases + often put them under the necessity of doing, without being compelled use + low and vulgar language. But I must briefly describe the female organs; in + doing which I must, of course, speak as do other anatomists and + physiologists; and whoever objects to this will discover more affectation + and prudery than good sense and good will to mankind. + </p> + <p> + The adipose, or fatty matter, immediately over the share bone, forms a + considerable prominence in females, which, at the age of puberty, is + covered with hair, as in males. This prominence is called Mons Veneris. + </p> + <p> + The exterior orifice commences immediately below this. On each side of + this orifice is a prominence continued from the mons veneris, which is + largest above and gradually diminishes as it descends. These two + prominences are called the Labia Externa, or external lips. Near the + latter end of pregnancy they become somewhat enlarged and relaxed, so that + they sustain little or no injury during parturition. Just within the upper + or anterior commissure, formed by the junction of these lips, a little + round oblong body is situated. The body is called the clitoris. Most of + its length is bound down, as it were, pretty closely to the bone; and it + is of very variable size in different females. Instances have occurred + where it was so enlarged as to allow the female to have venereal commerce + with others; and in Paris this fact was once made a public exhibition to + the medical faculty. Women thus formed appear to partake in their general + form of the male character, and are called hermaphrodites. The idea of + human beings, called hermaphrodites, which could be either father or + mother, is, doubtless, erroneous. The clitoris is analogous in its + structure to the penis, and like it, is exquisitely sensitive, being, as + it is supposed, the principal seat of pleasure. It is subject to erection + or distension, like the penis, from like causes. + </p> + <p> + The skin which lines the internal surface of the external lips is folded + in such manner as to form two flat bodies, the exterior edges of which are + convex. They are called the nymphse. They extend downward, one on each + side, from the clitoris to near the middle of the external orifice, + somewhat diverging from each other. Their use is not very evident The + orifice of the urethra (the canal, short in females, which leads to the + bladder) is situated an inch or more farther inward than the clitoris, and + is a little protuberant. + </p> + <p> + Passing by the external lips, the clitoris, the nymphse and the orifice of + the urethra, we come to the membrane called the hymen. It is situated just + at, or a trifle behind the orifice of the urethra. It is stretched across + the passage, and were it a complete septum, it would close up the anterior + extremity of that portion of the passage which is called the vagina. But + the instances in which the septum or partition is complete are very rare, + there being, in almost all cases, an aperture either in its center, or + frequently in its anterior edge, giving the membrane the form of a + crescent Through this aperture passes the menstrual fluid. Sometimes, + however, this septum is complete, and the menstrual fluid is retained + month after month, until appearances and symptoms much like those of + pregnancy are produced, giving rise to perhaps unjust suspicions. Such + cases require the simple operation of dividing the hymen. In many + instances the hymen is very imperfect, insomuch that some have doubted + whether it is to be found in the generality of virgins. Where it exists it + is generally ruptured in the first intercourse of the sexes, and the + female is said to lose her virginity. In some rare instances it is so very + strong as not to be ruptured by such intercourse, and the nature of the + difficulty not being understood, the husband has sued for a divorce. But + everything may be put to rights by a slight surgical operation. The parts + here described are among those called the external parts of generation. + </p> + <p> + The internal organs of generation consist in the female of the Vagina, the + Uterus, the Ovaries and their appendages. + </p> + <p> + The Vagina is a membranous canal commencing at the hymen and extending to + the uterus. It is a little curved, and extends backward and upward between + the bladder, which lies before and above it, and that extreme portion of + the bowels called the rectum, which lies behind it. The coat of membrane + which lines the internal surface of the vagina forms a number of + transverse ridges. These are to be found only in the lower or anterior + half of the vagina, and they do not extend all round the vagina, but are + situated on its anterior and posterior sides, while their lateral sides + are smooth. I mention these ridges because a knowledge of them may lead to + a more effectual use of one of the checks to be made known hereafter. + </p> + <p> + The uterus or womb is also situated between the bladder and the rectum, + but above the vagina. Such is its shape that it has been compared to a + pear with a long neck. There is, of course, considerable difference + between the body and the neck, the first being twice as broad as the last. + Each of these parts is somewhat flattened. In subjects of mature age, who + have been pregnant, the whole of the uterus is about two inches and a half + in length, and more than an inch and a half in breadth at the broadest + part of the body. It is near an inch in thickness. The neck of the uterus + is situated downward, and may be said to be inserted into the upper + extremity of the vagina. It extends down into the vagina the better part + of an inch. In the uterus is a cavity which approaches the triangular + form, and from which a canal passes down through the neck of the uterus + into the vagina. This cavity is so small that its sides are almost in + contact So that the uterus is a thick, firm organ for so small a one. + Comparing the cavity of the uterus to a triangle, we say the upper side or + line of this triangle is transverse with respect to the body, and the + other two lines pass downward and inward, so that they would form an angle + below, did they not before they meet take a turn more directly downward to + form the canal just mentioned. In each of the upper angles there is an + orifice of such size as to admit of a hog's bristle. These little orifices + are the mouths of two tubes, called the Fallopian tubes, of which more + will be said presently. The canal which passes through the neck of the + uterus, connecting the cavity of this organ with that of the vagina, is + about a quarter of an inch in diameter. It is different from other ducts, + for it seems to be a part of the cavity from which it extends, inasmuch as + when the cavity of the uterus is enlarged in the progress of pregnancy, + this canal is gradually converted into a part of that cavity. + </p> + <p> + The lower extremity of the neck of the uterus is irregularly convex and + tumid. The orifice of the canal in it is oval, and so situated that it + divides the convex surface of the lower extremity of the neck in two + portions, which are called the lips of the uterus. The anterior is thicker + than the posterior. The orifice itself is called <i>os tincæ</i> or <i>os + uteri</i>, or in English, the mouth of the womb. When the parts are in a + weak, relaxed state, the mouth or neck of the uterus is quite low, and in + almost all oases it may be reached by a finger introduced into the vagina, + especially by a second person, who carries the hand behind. + </p> + <p> + The Ovaries are two bodies of a flattened or oval form, one of which is + situated on each side of the uterus at a little distance from it, and + about as high up as where the uterus becomes narrow to form its neck. The + longest diameter of the ovarium is about an inch. Each ovarium has a firm + coat of membrane. In those who have not been pregnant, it contains from + ten to twenty <i>vesicles</i>, which are little round bodies, formed of a + delicate membrane, and filled with a transparent fluid. Some of these + vesicles are situated so near the surface of the ovarium as to be + prominent on its surface. They are of different sizes, the largest nearly + a quarter of a inch in diameter.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The vesicles here mentioned are the so-called Graafian + vesicles, or ovisacs, each of which contains in its interior + a little ovum or egg. In the human female the ovum is + extremely minute, so as only to be visible with the aid of a + lens. The Graafian vesicles are not limited to a certain + small number, as was formerly thought, but continue to be + formed in the ovaries, and to discharge at intervals mature + ova during the whole of the fruitful period.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + In those in whom conception has ever taken place, some of these vesicles + are removed, and in their place a cicatrix or scar is formed which + continues through life. However, the number of cicatrices does not always + correspond with the number of conceptions. They often exceed it, and are + sometimes found where conception has not been known to take place. The + Fallopian Tubes are two canals four or five inches in length, proceeding + from the upper angles of the cavity of the uterus, in a transverse + direction in respect to the body. Having so proceeded for some distance + they turn downward toward the ovaries. At their commencement in the uterus + they are very small, but they enlarge as much as they progress. The large + ends, which hang loose, terminate in open mouths, the margins of which + consist of fimbriated processes, and nearly touch the ovaria. + </p> + <p> + We are now prepared to treat of conception. Yet, as menstruation is + closely connected with it, and as a knowledge of many things concerning + menstruation may contribute much to the well-being of females, for whom + this work is at least as much designed as for males, I shall first briefly + treat of this subject. + </p> + <p> + Menstruation.—When females arrive at the age of puberty they begin + to have a discharge once every month, by way of the vagina, of the color + of blood. This discharge is termed the menses. To have it is to + menstruate. The age at which menstruation commences varies with different + individuals, and also in different climates. The warmer the climate the + earlier it commences and ceases. In temperate climates it generally + commences at the age of fourteen or fifteen, and it ceases at forty-four, + or a little later. * + </p> + <p> + Whenever it commences the girl acquires a more womanly appearance. It is a + secretion of the uterus, or, in other words, the minute vessels + distributed to the inner coat of uterus, select as it were, from the + blood, and pour out in a gradual manner the materials of this fluid. It + has one of the properties, color, of blood, but it does not coagulate, or + separate into different parts like blood, and cannot properly be called + blood.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Dr. Chavasse, on p. 94 of his "Advice to a Wife" + published by W. H. Smith & Son gives instances of very + early menstruation and consequent fecundity.—Publishers' + note, + + ** "The menstrual discharge," says Dr. Kirkes, "consists of + blood effused from the inner surface of the uterus, and + mixed with mucus from the uterus, vagina, and the external + parts of the generative apparatus. Being diluted by this + admixture, the menstrual blood coagulates less perfectly + than ordinary blood; and the frequent acidity of the vaginal + mucus tends still further to diminish its coagulability."— + Handbook of Physiology, 8th ed., p. 727, 1874.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + When this discharge is in all respects regular, it amounts in most females + to six or eight ounces, and from two to four days' continuance. During its + continuance the women is said to be unwell, or out of order. Various + unpleasant feelings are liable to attend it; but when it is attended with + severe pain, as it not infrequently is, it becomes a disease, and the + woman is not likely to conceive until it is cured. During the existence of + the "turns," or "monthlies," as they are often called, indigestible food, + dancing in warm rooms, sudden exposure to cold or wet, and mental + agitations, should be avoided as much as possible. The "turns" do not + continue during pregnancy, nor nursing, unless nursing be continued after + the "turns" recommence. Some women, it is true, are subject to a slight + hemorrhage that sometimes occurs with considerable regularity during + pregnancy, and which has led them to suppose they have their turns at such + times; but it is not so; the discharge at such times is real blood.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Consult on the whole of this Dr. Chavasse's book, pp. 91- + 101, where full details are given.—Publishers' note. +</pre> + <p> + The use of the menstrual discharge seems to be to prepare the uterine + system for conception. For females do not become pregnant before they + commence, nor after they cease having turns; nor while they are suppressed + by some disease, by cold or by nursing. Some credible women, however, have + said that they become pregnant while nursing, without having had any turn + since their last lying-in. It is believed that in these oases they had + some discharge, colorless, perhaps, which they did not notice, but which + answered the purposes of the common one. Women are not nearly so likely to + conceive during the week before a monthly as during the week immediately + after.* But although the use of this secretion seems to be to prepare for + conception, it is not to be inferred that the reproductive instinct ceases + at the "turn of life," or when the woman ceases to menstruate. On the + contrary, it is said that this passion often increases at this period, and + continues in a greater or less degree to an extreme age. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See, however, Dr. Bull's "Hints to Mothers," pp. 31-58, + and 127-129 (published by Longmans, Green & Co.)— + Publishers' note. +</pre> + <p> + Conception.—The part performed by the male in the reproduction of + the species consists in exciting the organism of the female, and + depositing the semen in the vagina. Before I inquire what takes place in + the females I propose to speak of the semen. + </p> + <p> + This fluid, which is secreted by the testicles, may be said to possess + three kinds of properties, physical, chemical, physiological. Its physical + properties are known to every one—it is a thickish, nearly opaque + fluid, of a peculiar odor, saltish taste, etc. As to its chemical + properties, it is found by analysis to consist of 900 parts of water, 60 + of animal muscilage, 10 of soda, 30 of phosphate of lime. Its + physiological property is that of exciting the female genital organs in a + peculiar manner. + </p> + <p> + When the semen is examined by microscope, there can be distinguished a + multitude of small animalculæ, which appear to have a rounded head and a + long tail. These animalculæ move with a certain degree of rapidity. They + appear to avoid the light and to delight in the shade. Leeuwenhoek, if not + the discoverer of the seminal animalculse, was the first who brought the + fact of their existence fully before the public. With respect to their + size, he remarked that ten thousand of them might exist in a space not + larger than a grain of sand. They have a definite figure, and are + obviously different from the animalculse found in any other fluid.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Dr. Carpenter's "Animal Physiology," p. 558 (published + by H. G. Bonn); Nichol's "Human Physiology," pp. 253-255 + (published by Trubner & Co.)—Publishers' note. +</pre> + <p> + Leeuwenhoek believed them to be the beginnings of future animals—that + they are of different sexes, upon which depends the future sex of the + foetus. Be this as it may, it appears to be admitted on all hands that the + animalculæ are present in the semen of the various species of male + animals, and that they cannot be detected when either from age or disease + the animals are rendered sterile. "Hence," says Bostock, "we can scarcely + refuse our assent to the position that these animalculæ are in some way or + other instrumental to the production of the foetus." The secretion of the + semen commences at the age of puberty. Before this period the testicles + secrete a viscid, transparent fluid, which has never been analyzed, but + which is doubtless essentially different from semen. The revolution which + the whole economy undergoes at this period, such as the tone of the voice, + and development of hairs, the beard, the increase of the muscles and + bones, etc., is intimately connected with the testicles and the secretion + of this fluid.* "Eunuchs preserve the same form as in childhood; their + voice is effeminate, they have no beard, their disposition is timid; and + finally their physical and moral character very nearly resembles that of + females. Nevertheless, many of them take delight in venereal intercourse, + and give themselves up with ardor to a connection which must always prove + unfruitful."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Nichol's "Human Physiology," pp. 256-257. + —Publishers' note + + ** Magendic's Physiology.—Author's note. +</pre> + <p> + The part performed by the female in the reproduction of the species is far + more complicated than that performed by the male. It consists, in the + first instance, in providing a substance which, in connection with the + male secretion, is to constitute the foetus; in furnishing a suitable + situation in which the foetus may be developed; in affording due + nourishment for its growth; in bringing it forth, and afterward furnishing + it with food especially adapted to the digestive organs of the young + animal. Some parts of this process are not well understood, and such + variety of hypotheses have been proposed to explain them that Drelincourt, + who lived in the latter part of the seventeenth century, is said to have + collected two hundred and sixty hypotheses of generation. + </p> + <p> + It ought to be known that women have conceived when the semen was merely + applied to the parts anterior to the hymen, as the internal surface of the + external lips, the nymphæ, etc. This is proved by the fact that several + cases of pregnancy have occurred when the hymen was entire. The fact need + not surprise us, for, agreeable to the theory of absorption, we have to + account for it only to suppose that some of the absorbent vessels are + situated anterior to the hymen—a supposition by no means + unreasonable. + </p> + <p> + There are two peculiarities of the human species respecting conception + which I will notice. First, unlike other animals they are liable, and for + what has been proved to the contrary, equally liable—to conceive at + all seasons of the year. Second, a woman rarely, if ever, conceives until + after having several sexual connections; nor does one connection in fifty + cause conception in the matrimonial state, where the husband and wife live + together uninterruptedly. Public women rarely conceive, owing probably to + a weakened state of the genital system, induced by too frequent and + promiscuous intercourse. + </p> + <p> + It is universally agreed, that some time after a fruitful connection, a + vesicle (two in case of twins) of one or the other ovary becomes so + enlarged that it bursts forth from the ovary and takes the name of ovum, + which is taken up, or rather received, as it bursts forth, by the + fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian tube, and is then conducted along + the tube into the uterus, to the inner surface of which it attaches + itself.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Since Dr. Knowlton's work was written, the very important + fact has been discovered that ova are periodically + discharged from the ovaries in the human female and other + animals, not in consequence of fruitful connection having + taken place, as was formerly believed, but quite + independently of intercourse with the male. Such a discharge + of ova occurs in the lower animals at the time of heat or + rut, and in women during menstruation. At each menstrual + period, a Graafian vesicle becomes enlarged, bursts, and + lets the ovum which it contains escape into the Fallopian + tube, along which it passes to the uterus. "It has long been + known," says Dr. Kirke, "that in the so-called oviparous + animals, the separation of ova from the ovary may take place + independently of impregnation by the male, or even of sexual + union. And it is now established that a like maturation and + discharge of ova, independently of coition, occurs in + Mammalia, the periods at which the matured ova are separated + from the ovaries and received into the Fallopian tubes being + indicated in the lower Mammalia by the phenomena of <i>heat</i> + or <i>rut</i>; in the human female by the phenomena of + <i>menstruation</i>. Sexual desire manifests itself in the human + female to a greater degree at these periods, and in the + female of mammiferous animals at no other time. If the union + of the sexes takes place, the ovum may be fecundated, and if + no union occur, it perishes. From what has been said it may + therefore be concluded that the two states, heat and + menstruation, are analogous, and that the essential + accompaniment of both is the maturation and extrusion of + ova."—"Handbook of Physiology," page 724.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + Here it becomes developed into a full grown foetus, and is brought forth + about forty-two weeks from the time of conception by a process termed + parturition. But one grand question is, how the semen operates itself, or + any part thereof reaches the ovary, and if so, in what way it is conveyed + to them. It was long the opinion that the semen was ejected into the + uterus in the act of coition, and that it afterward, by some unknown + means, found its way into and along the Fallopian tubes to the ovary. But + there are several facts which weigh heavily against this opinion, and some + that entirely forbid it. In the first place, there are several well + attested instances in which impregnation took place while the hymen + remained entire, where the vagina terminated in the rectum, where it was + so contracted by a cicatrix as not to admit the penis. In all these cases + the semen could not have been lodged anywhere near the mouth of the + uterus, much less ejected into it. Secondly, it has followed a connection + where from some defect in the male organs, as the urethra terminating some + inches behind the end of the penis, and it is clear that the semen could + not have been injected into the uterus, nor even near its mouth. Third, + the neck of the unimpregnated uterus is so narrow as merely to admit a + probe, and is filled with a thick tenacious fluid, which seemingly could + not be forced away by any force which the male organ possesses of ejecting + the semen, even if the mouth of the male urethra were in opposition with + that of the uterus. But fourth, the mouth of the uterus is by no means + fixed. By various causes it is made to assume various situations, and + probably the mouth of the urethra rarely comes in contact with it. + </p> + <p> + Fifth. "The tenacity of the male semen is such as renders its passage + through the small aperture in the neck of the uterus impossible, even by a + power of force much superior to that which we may rationally suppose to + reside in the male organs of generation." + </p> + <p> + Sixth. "Harvey and DeGraaf dissected animals at almost every period after + coition for the express purpose of discovering the semen, but were never + able to detect the smallest vestige of it in the uterus in any one + instance."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Dewees' Essay on Superfoetation.—Author's note. +</pre> + <p> + Aware of the insurmountable objection to this view of the manner in which + the semen reaches the ovary, it has been supposed by some physiologists + that the semen is absorbed from the vagina into the great circulating + system, where it is mixed, of course, with the blood, and goes the whole + round of the circulation subject to the influence of those causes which + produce great changes in the latter fluid. + </p> + <p> + To this hypothesis it may be objected, that while there is no direct + evidence in support of it, it is exceedingly unreasonable, inasmuch as we + can scarcely believe that the semen can go the whole round of circulation, + and then find its way to the ovary in such a pure unaltered state as the + experiments of Spallanzani prove it must be in, that it may impregnate. + </p> + <p> + A third set of theorists have maintained that an imperceptible something, + which they have called <i>aura seminalis</i>, passes from the semen lodged + in the vagina to the ovary, and excites those actions which are essential + to the development of an ovum. Others, again, have told us that it is all + done by sympathy. That neither the semen nor any volatile part of it finds + its way to the ovary; but that the semen excites the parts with which it + is in contact in a peculiar manner, and by the law of animal economy, + termed sympathy, or consent of parts, a peculiar action commences in the + ovary, by which an ovum is developed. + </p> + <p> + To both these conjectures it may be objected that they have no other + foundation but the supposed necessity of adopting them, to account for the + effect of impregnation; and, further, they "make no provision for the + formation of mules; for the peculiarities of, and likeness to, parents, + and for the propagation of predisposition to disease, from parent to + child; for the production of mulattoes," etc. + </p> + <p> + A fifth, and to me far more satisfactory view of the subject than any + other, is that advanced by our distinguished countryman, Dr. Dewees, of + Philadelphia. It appears to harmonize with all known facts relating to the + conception and something from analogy may also be drawn in its favor. It + is this, that there is a set of absorbent vessels, leading directly from + the inner surface of the <i>labia externa</i> and the vagina, to the + ovaries, the whole office of which vessels is to absorb the semen and + convey it to the ovaries.* I do not know that these vessels have yet been + fully discovered, but in a note on the sixteenth page of his "Essays on + Various Subjects," the doctor says: "The existence of these vessels is now + rendered almost certain, as Dr. Gartner, of Copenhagen, has discovered a + duct leading from the ovary to the vagina." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This view is not held at the present day. The commonly + received doctrine now is that the seminal fluid enters the + uterus, whether during the intercourse or after it, and + passes along the Fallopian tubes to the ovaries; and that + fecundation takes place at some point of this course, most + frequently in the tubes, but also at times in the ovary + itself, or even, perhaps, in the uterus. It is essentially + necessary for fecundation that the spermatozoa should come + into actual contact with the ovum. "That the spermatozoa + make their way toward the ovarium, and fecundate the ovum + either before it entirely quits the ovisac or very shortly + afterward," says Dr. Carpenter, "appears to be the general + rule in regard to the Mammalia; and their power of movement + must obviously be both vigorous and long continued to enable + them to traverse so great an extent of mucous membrane, + especially when it is remembered that they ascend in + opposition to the direction of the ciliary movement of the + epithelial cells and to the downward peristaltic action of + the Fallopian tubes. * * * There can be no doubt that it is + the contact of the spermatozoa with the ovum, and in the + changes which occur as the immediate consequence of that + contact, that the act of fecundation essentially consists." + —"Principles of Human Physiology," 8th ed., p. 961,1876.—G.R. +</pre> + <p> + Another question of considerable moment relating to generation is from + which parent are the first rudiments of the foetus derived. + </p> + <p> + The earliest hypothesis with which we are acquainted, and which has + received the support of some of the most eminent of the moderns, ascribes + the original formation of the foetus to the combination of particles of + matter derived from each of the parents. This hypothesis naturally + presents itself to the mind as the obvious method of explaining the + necessity for the cooperation of the two sexes, and the resemblance in + external form, and even in mind and character, which the offspring often + bears to the male parent. "The principal objections," says Bostock, "to + his hypothesis, independent of the want of any direct proof of a female + seminal fluid, are of two descriptions, those which depend upon the + supposed impossibility of unorganized matter forming an organized being, + and those which are derived from observations and experiments of Haller + and Spallanzani, which they brought forward in support of their theory of + pre-existent germs." + </p> + <p> + In relation to these objections I remark, first those whose experience has + been with hale females, I suspect, can have no doubt but that the female + organism increases like that of the male, until an emission of fluid of + some kind or other takes place. But whether this secretion may properly be + called semen, whether any part of it unites with the male semen in forming + the rudiments of the foetus, is another question. For my part I am + inclined to the opinion that it does not.* I rather regard it as the + result of exalted excitation, analogous to the increased secretion of + other organs from increased stimulation; and if it may be for any object + or use, as it probably is, it is that of affording nature a means of + relieving herself; or, in other words, of quieting the venereal passion. + If this passion, being once roused, could not by some means or other be + calmed, it would command by far too great a portion of our thoughts, and + with many constitutions the individuals, whether male or female, could not + conduct themselves with due decorum. One fact which leads me to think that + the female secretion in the act of coition is not essential to + impregnation is, that many females have conceived, if their unbiased + testimony may be relied on, when they experienced no pleasure. In these + cases it is more than probable that there was no orgasm, nor any secretion + or emission of fluid on the part of the female. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * With regard to this secretion in the female, which has + nothing of a seminal character, Dr. Carpenter observes: "Its + admixture with the male semen has been supposed to have some + connection with impregnation; but no proof whatever has been + given that any such admixture is necessary."—"Human + Physiology," p. 991.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + As to the objection of the supposed impossibility of unorganized matter + forming an organized being, I do not believe such a thing takes place, + even if we admit that "the original formation of the foetus is a + combination of particles of matter derived from each of the parents." What + do, or rather what ought we to mean by organized matter? Not, surely, that + it exhibits some obvious physical structure, unlike what is to be found in + inorganic matter, but that it exhibits phenomena, and of course may be + said to possess properties unlike any kind of inorganic matter. Matter + unites with matter in three ways, mechanically, chemically and + organically, and each mode of union gives rise to properties peculiar to + itself. When matter unites organically, the substance or being so formed + exhibits some phenomena essentially different from what inorganic bodies + exhibit. It is on this account that we ascribe to organic bodies certain + properties, which we call physiological properties, such as contractility, + sensibility, life, etc. When, from any cause, these bodies have undergone + such a change that they no longer exhibit the phenomena peculiar to them, + they are said to have lost these properties, and to be dead. A substance + need not possess all the physiological properties of an animal of the + higher orders to entitle it to the name of an organized or living + substance, nor need it possess the physical property of solidity. The + blood, as well as many of the secretions, does several things, exhibits + several phenomena, which no mechanical or mere chemical combinations of + matter do exhibit. We must therefore ascribe to it certain physiological + properties, and regard it as an organized, a living fluid, as was + contended by the celebrated John Hunter. So with respect to the semen, it + certainly possesses physiological properties, one in particular peculiar + to itself, namely, the property of impregnating the female; and upon no + sound principle can it be regarded in any other light than as an + organized, and of course a living fluid. And if the female secretion or + any part of it unite with the male secretion in the formation of the + rudiments or the foetus in a different manner than any other substance + would, then it certainly has the property of doing so, whether we give + this property a name or not; and a regard to the soundest principles of + physiology compels us to class this property with the physiological or + vital, and of course to regard this secretion as an organized and living + fluid So, then, unorganized matter does not form an organized being, + admitting the hypothesis before us as correct. + </p> + <p> + That organized being should give rise to other organized beings under + favorable circumstances as to nourishment, warmth, etc., is no more + wonderful than that fire should give rise to fire when air and fuel are + present. To be sure, there are some minute steps in the processes which + are not fully known to us; still, if they ever should be known, we should + unquestionably see that there is a natural cause for every one of them; + and that they are all consonant with certain laws of the animal economy. + We should see no necessity of attempting to explain the process of + generation by bringing to our aid, or rather to the darkening of the + subject, any imaginary principle, as the <i>visus formaticus</i> of + Blumenbach. + </p> + <p> + As to the "observations and experiments of Haller and Spallanzani," I + think, with Dr. Bostock, that they weigh but little, if any, against the + theory before us. I shall not be at the labor of bringing them forward and + showing their futility as objections to this theory, for I am far from + insisting on the correctness of it; that is, I do not insist that any part + of the female secretion, during coition, unites with the male semen in the + formation of the rudiments of the foetus. + </p> + <p> + The second hypothesis or theory, I shall notice, as to the rudiments of + the foetus, is that of Leeuwenhoek, who regarded the seminal animalculse + of the male semen as the proper rudiments of the foetus, and thought that + the office of the female is to afford them a suitable receptacle where + they may be supported and nourished until they are able to exist by the + exercise of their own functions. This is essentially the view of the + subject which I intend to give more particularly presently. + </p> + <p> + I know of no serious objections to this hypothesis, nothing but the + "extreme improbability," as its opponents say, "that these animalculæ + should be the rudiments of being so totally dissimilar to them." But I + wish to know if there is more difference between a foetus and a seminal + animalcule than there is between a foetus and a few material particles in + some other form than that of such animalcule? + </p> + <p> + The third hypothesis, or that of pre-existing germs, proceeded upon a + precisely opposite view of the subject to that of Leeuwenhoek, namely, + that the foetus is properly the production of the female; that it exists + previous to the sexual congress, with all its organs, in some parts of the + uterine system; and that it receives no proper addition from the male, but + that the seminal fluid acts merely by exciting the powers of the foetus, + or endowing it with vitality. + </p> + <p> + It is not known who first proposed this hypothesis; but strange as it may + appear, it has had the support of such names as Bonnet, Haller and + Spallanzani, and met with a favorable reception in the middle of the last + century. Agreeable to this hypothesis, our common mother, Eve, contained a + number of homuncules (little men) one within another, like a nest of + boxes, and all within her ovaries, equal to all the number of births that + have ever been, or ever will be, not to reckon abortions. Were I to bring + forward all the facts and arguments that have been advanced in support of + this idea, it seems to me I should fail to convince sound minds of its + correctness; as to arguments against it, they surely seem uncalled for. + Having now presented several hypotheses of generation, some as to the + manner in which the semen reaches or influences the ovary, and others as + to the rudiments of the foetus, I shall now bring together those views + which, upon the whole, appear to me the most satisfactory. + </p> + <p> + I believe, with Dr. Dewees, that a set of absorbent vessels extend from + the innermost surface of the <i>labia externa</i>, and from the vagina to + the ovary, the whole office of which is to take up the semen or some part + thereof, and convey it to the ovary. I believe, with Leeuwenhoek, that the + seminal animalculæ are the proper rudiments of the foetus, and are perhaps + of different sexes; that in cases of impregnation one of them is carried + not only to, but into a vesicle of an ovary, which is in a condition to + receive and be duly affected by it.* It is here surrounded by the + albuminous fluid which the vesicle contains. This fluid being somewhat + changed in its qualities by its new-comer, stimulates the minute vessels + of the parts which surround it, and thus causes more of this fluid to be + formed; and while it affords the animalcule material for its development, + it puts the delicate membrane of the ovary which retains it in its place + upon the stretch, and finally bursts forth surrounded probably by an + exceedingly delicate membrane of its own. This membrane, with the + albuminous fluid it contains and the animalcule in the center of it, + constitutes the ovum or egg. It is received by the fimbriated extremity of + the Fallopian tube, which by this time has grasped the ovary, and is by + this tube slowly conveyed into the uterus, to the inner surface of which + it attaches itself, through the medium of the membrane, which is formed by + the uterus itself in the interim between impregnation and the arriving of + the ovum in the way I have just mentioned. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The opinion that the spermatozoa of seminal filaments are + real animalculæ is now abandoned, but it is held by Dr. + Carpenter and other authorities that they actually, as here + stated, penetrate into the interior of the ovum. "The nature + of impregnation," says Dr. Hermann, "is as yet unknown. In + all probability it is, above all, essential, in order that + it should occur, that one or more spermatozoa should + penetrate the ovum. At any rate, spermatozoa have been found + within the fecundated eggs of the most diverse species of + animals."—Elements of "Human Physiology," translated from + the 5th ed., by Dr. Gamgee, p. 534, 1875.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + The idea that a seminal animalcule enters an ovum while it remains in the + ovary, was never before advanced to my knowledge; hence I consider it + incumbent upon me to advance some reason for the opinion. + </p> + <p> + First, it is admitted on all hands that the seminal animalculæ are + essential to impregnation, since "they cannot be detected when either from + age or disease the animal is rendered sterile." + </p> + <p> + Second, the ovum is impregnated while it remains in the ovary. True, those + who never met with Dr. Dewees' theory, and who, consequently, have adopted + the idea that the semen is ejected into the uterus, as the least + improbable of any with which they were acquainted, have found it very + difficult to dispose of the fact that the ovum is impregnated in the + ovary, and have consequently presumed this is not generally the case. They + admit it is certainly so sometimes, and that it is difficult to reject the + conclusion that it is always so. Dr. Bostock—who, doubtless, had not + met with Dewees' theory at the time he wrote, and who admits it impossible + to conceive how the semen can find its way along the Fallopian tubes, how + it can find its way toward the ovary, farther, at most, than into the + uterus, and, consequently, cannot see how the ovum can be impregnated into + the ovary—says, "Perhaps the most rational supposition may be that + the ovum is transmitted to the uterus in the unimpregnated state; but + there are certain facts which seem almost incompatible with this idea, + especially the cases which not infrequently occur of perfect foetuses + having been found in the tubes, or where they escaped them into the cavity + of the abdomen. Hence it is demonstrated the ovum is occasionally + impregnated in the tubes (why did he not say ovaria?), and we can scarcely + resist the conclusion that it must always be the case."..."Haller + discusses this hypothesis (Bostock's 'most natural supposition, perhaps') + and decides against it."..."The experiments of Cruikshank, which were very + numerous, and appear to have been made with the requisite degree of skill + and correctness, led to the conclusion that the rudiment of the young + animal is perfected in the ovarium."... "A case is detailed by Dr. + Granville, of a foetus which appears to have been lodged in the body of + the ovarium itself, and is considered by its author as a proof that + conception always takes place in this organ." + </p> + <p> + The above quotations are from the third volume of Bostock's Physiology. + </p> + <p> + Now, as the seminal animalculæ are essential to impregnation, and as the + ovum is impregnated in the ovarium, what more probable conjecture can we + form than that an animalcule, as the real proper rudiment of the foetus, + enters the ovum, where, being surrounded with albuminous fluid with which + it is nourished, it gradually becomes developed? It may be noticed that + Leeuwenhoek estimates that ten thousand animalculæ of the human semen may + exist in a space not larger than a grain of sand. There can, therefore, be + no difficulty in admitting that they may find their way along exceedingly + minute vessels from the vagina, not only to, but into the ovum while + situated in the ovarium. + </p> + <p> + I think no one can be disposed to maintain that the animalculæ merely + reaches the surface of the ovum and thus impregnates it. But possibly some + may contend that its sole office is to stimulate the ovum, and in this way + set going that train of actions which are essential to impregnation. But + there is no evidence in favor of this last idea, and certainly it does not + so well harmonize with the fact that the offspring generally partakes more + or less of the character of its male parent. As Dr. Dewees says of the + doctrine of sympathy, "It makes no provision for the formation of mules; + for the peculiarities of and likeness of parents; and for the propagation + of predisposition to disease from parent to child; for the production of + mulattoes," etc. + </p> + <p> + Considering it important to do away with the popular and mischievous error + that the semen must enter the uterus to effect impregnation, I shall, in + addition to what has been already advanced, here notice the experiments of + Dr. Haighton. He divided the Fallopian tubes in numerous instances, and + that after the operation a foetus is never produced, but that <i>corpora + lutea</i> were formed. The obvious conclusions from these facts are that + the semen does not traverse the Fallopian tubes to reach the ovaria; yet, + that the ovum becomes impregnated while in the ovarium and, consequently, + that the semen reaches the ovum in some way, except by the uterus and + Fallopian tubes. I may remark, however, that a <i>corpus luteum</i> is not + positive proof that impregnation at some time or other has taken place; + yet they are so rarely found in virgins that they were regarded as such + proofs until the time of Blumenbach, a writer of the present century.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A <i>corpus luteum</i> is a little yellowish body, formed in + the ovary by changes that take place in the Graafian vesicle + after it has burst and discharged its contents. <i>Corpora + lutea</i> were formerly considered a sure sign of impregnation, + as they were thought to be developed only or chiefly in + cases of pregnancy, but it is now known that they occur in + all cases where a vesicle has been ruptured and an ovum + discharged; though they attain a larger, size and are longer + visible in the ovary when pregnancy takes place than when it + does not.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + "Harvey and DeGraaf dissected animals at most every period after coition + for the express purpose of discovering the semen, but were never able to + detect the smallest vestige of it in the uterus in any one instance."—Dewells + Essay on Superfoetation. The fact of superfoetation furnishes a very + strong argument against the idea that the semen enters the uterus in + impregnation. + </p> + <p> + A woman being impregnated while she is already impregnated constitutes + superfoetation. It is established beyond a doubt that such instances have + occurred, yet those who have supposed that it is necessary for the semen + to pass through the mouth of the uterus to produce conception have urged + that superfoetation could not take place, because, say they—and they + say correctly—"so soon as impregnation shall have taken place, the + <i>os uteri</i> closes and becomes impervious to the semen ejected in + subsequent acts of coition." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Dewees related two cases, evidently cases of superfoetation, that + occurred to his own personal knowledge. The first shows that, agreeable to + the old theory, the semen must have met with other difficulties than a + closed month of the uterus,—it must have passed through several + membranes, as well as the waters surrounding the foetus, to have reached + even the uterine extremity of a Fallopian tube. The second case I will + give in his own words: + </p> + <p> + "A white woman, servant to Mr. H., of Abington township, Montgomery + county, was delivered about five and twenty years since of twins, one of + which was perfectly white, the other perfectly black. When I resided in + that neighborhood I was in the habit of seeing them almost daily and also + had frequent conversations with Mrs. H. respecting them. She was present + at their birth, so that no possible deception could have been practiced + respecting them. The white girl is delicate, fair-skinned, light-haired + and blue eyed, and is said very much to resemble the mother. The other has + all the characteristic marks of the African; short of stature, flat, + broad-nosed, thick-lipped, woolly-headed, flat-footed, and projecting + heels; she is said to resemble a negro they had on the farm, but with whom + the woman would never acknowledge an intimacy; but of this there was no + doubt, as both he and the white man, with whom her connection was + detected, ran from the neighborhood as soon as it was known the girl was + with child." + </p> + <p> + I am aware that some have thought that they had actually discovered semen + in the uterus, while Ruysch, an anatomist of considerable eminence, who + flourished at the close of the seventeenth century, asserted in the most + unequivocal manner that he found the semen in its gross white state in one + of the Fallopian tubes of a woman, who died very soon after, or during the + act of coition; but says Dewees, "the semen, after it has escaped from the + penis, quickly loses its albuminous appearance and becomes as thin and + transparent as water. And we are certain that Ruysch was mistaken. Some + alteration in the natural secretion of the parts was mistaken for semen. + This was nowise difficult for him to do, as he had a particular theory to + support, and more especially as this supposed discovery made so much for + it. It is not merely speculative when we say that some change in the + natural secretion of the parts may be mistaken for semen, for we have the + testimony of Morgani on our side. He tells us he has seen similar + appearances in several instances in virgins and others, who have been + subject during their lives to leucorrhæ, and that it has been mistaken by + some for male semen." + </p> + <p> + On the whole I would say, that in some instances, where the mouth of the + uterus is uncommonly relaxed, the semen may, as it were, accidentally have + found its way into it; but that is not generally the case, nor is it + essential to impregnation; and further, that whatever semen may at any + time be lodged in the uterus, has nothing to do with conception. It is not + consistent with analogy to suppose that the uterus has vessels for + absorbing the semen and conveying it to the ovaria, considering the other + important functions which we know it performs. + </p> + <p> + The circumstances under which a female is most likely to conceive are, + first, when she is in health; second, between the ages of twenty-six and + thirty; third, after she has for a season been deprived of those + intercourses she had previously enjoyed; fourth, soon after menstruating. + Respect-ing this latter circumstance, Dr. Dewees remarks, "Perhaps it is + not erring greatly to say, that the woman is liable to conceive at any + part of the menstrual interval. It is generally supposed, however, that + the most favorable instant is immediately after the catamenia have + ceased." Perhaps this is so as a general rule, but it is certainly liable + to exceptions,* and he relates the following case which occurred to his + own notice: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This view, which concerns a question of the utmost + practical importance, is held at the present day by the + great physiologists. It is believed that although conception + may occur at other times, it is much more likely to happen + from intercourse a few days before or after the menstrual + periods; that is to say, during the time when ova are in + process of being ripened and detached from the ovaries, and + before they perish and are conveyed out of the body. "There + is good reason to believe," says Dr. Carpenter, "that in the + human female the sexual feeling becomes stronger at the + period of menstruation; and it is quite certain that there + is a greater aptitude for conception immediately before and + after that epoch, than there is at any immediate period. + This question has been made the subject of special inquiry + by M. Raciborski, who affirms that the exceptions to the + rule—that conception occurs immediately before or after or + during menstruation—are not more than six or seven per + cent. Indeed, in his latest work on the subject, he gives + the details of fifteen cases, in which the date of + conception could be accurately fixed, and the time of the + last appearance of the catamenia was also known, and in all + but one of them the correspondence between the periods was + very close."—"Human Physiology," p. 959. So, too, Dr. + Kirkes remarks, that "although conception is not confined to + the periods of menstruation, yet it is more likely to occur + within a few days after cessation of the menstrual flux than + at other times."—"Handbook of Physiology," p. 725. +</pre> + <p> + "The husband of a lady who was obliged to absent himself many months in + consequence of the embarrassment of his affairs, returned one night + clandestinely, his visit being only known to his wife, his mother, and + myself. The consequence of this visit was the impregnation of his wife. + The lady was at that time within a week of her menstrual period; but as + this did not fail to take place, she was led to hope that she had not + suffered by the visit of her husband. But her catamenia not appearing at + the next period, gave rise to a fear that she had not escaped! and the + birth of a child nine months and thirteen days from the night of the + clandestine visit proved her apprehensions too well grounded." + </p> + <p> + I think this case is an exception to a general rule; and, furthermore, + favors an idea which reason and a limited observation, rather than + positive knowledge, has led me to advance, the above, namely, that a woman + is more likely to conceive, other things being the same, after being + deprived for a season of those intercourses she had previously enjoyed. + Had this lady's husband remained constantly at home, she would probably + either not have conceived at all, or have done so a fortnight sooner than + she did. + </p> + <p> + This case is also remarkable for two other facts: one, "that a woman in + perfect health, and pregnant with a healthy child, may exceed the period + of nine months by several days; the other, that a check is not always + immediately given to the catamenial flow by an ovum being impregnated." + Probably it is not so generally so as many suppose. + </p> + <p> + The term of utero-gestation, or the length of time from conception to the + commencement of labor, is not precisely determined by physiologists. "It + seems, however," says Dr. Dewees, "from the best calculations that can be + made, that nine calendar months, or forty weeks, approaches the truth so + nearly that we can scarcely need or desire more accuracy, could it be + obtained." Unquestionably, however, some cases exceed this period by many + days, or even weeks, and it has been a question much agitated, how far + this period is ever exceeded. It is a question of some moment in a legal + point of view. Cases are reported where the usual period was exceeded by + five or six months; cases, too, where the circumstances attending them and + the respectability of their reporters are such as to command our belief. + Dr. Dewees has paid much attention to this subject, and he declares + himself entirely convinced "that the commonly fixed period may be extended + from thirteen days to six weeks, under the influence of certain causes or + peculiarities of constitution."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See tables in Dr. Bull's "Hints to Mothers," pp. 130-141. + —Publishers' note. +</pre> + <p> + These occasional departures from the general rule will, perhaps, be the + more readily admitted when we consider that they are not confined to the + human species. From the experiments of Tessier, it appears that the term + of utero-gestation varies greatly with the cow, sheep, horse, swine and + other animals to which his attention was directed. + </p> + <p> + Properly connected with the subject of generation are the signs of + pregnancy. Dr. Dewees remarks that "our experience furnishes no certain + mark by which the moment conception takes place is to be distinguished. + All appeals by the women to particular sensations experienced at the + instant should be very guardedly received, for we are certain they cannot + be relied upon; for enjoyment and indifference are alike fallacious. Nor + are certain nervous tremblings, nausea, palpitation of the heart, the + sensation of something flowing from them during coition, etc, more to be + relied upon." Burns, however, says, "Some women feel, immediately after + conception, a peculiar sensation, which apprises them of their situation, + but such instances are not frequent, and generally the first circumstances + which lead a woman to suppose herself pregnant are the suppression of the + menses;" a fickle appetite, some sickness, perhaps vomiting, especially in + the morning; returning qualms, or languor in the afternoon; she is liable + to heartburn, and to disturbed sleep. The breasts at first often become + smaller and sometimes tender; but about the third month they enlarge, and + occasionally become painful. The nipple is surrounded with an aureole or + circle of a brown color, or at least of a color sensibly deeper or darker + than before. She loses her looks, becomes paler, and the under part of the + lower eyelid is often somewhat of a leaden hue. The features become + sharper, and sometimes the whole body begins to emaciate, while the pulse + quickens. In many instances particular sympathies take place, causing + salivation, toothache, jaundice, etc. In other cases very little + disturbance is produced, and the woman is not certain of her condition + until the time of quickening, which is generally about four months from + conception. It is possible for a woman to mistake the effects of wind for + the motion of the child, especially if they have never borne children, and + be anxious for a family; but the sensation produced by wind in the bowels + is not confined to one spot, but is often felt at a part of the abdomen + where the motion of a child could not possibly be felt. Quite as + frequently, perhaps, do fleshy women think themselves dropsical, and + mistake motions of the child for movements of water within the abdominal + cavity. The motion of the child is not to be confounded with the sensation + sometimes produced by the uterus rising out of the pelvis, which produces + the feeling of fluttering. At the end of the fourth month, the uterus + becomes so large that it is obliged to rise out of the pelvis, and if this + elevation takes place suddenly, the sensation accompanying it is pretty + strong, and the woman at the time feels sick or faint, and in irritable + habits; even a hysterical fit may accompany it After this the morning + sickness and other sympathetic effects of pregnancy generally abate, and + the health improves. + </p> + <p> + Very soon after impregnation, if blood be drawn and suffered to stand a + short time undisturbed, it will become sizy, of a yellowish or bluish + color, and somewhat of an oily appearance. But we cannot from such + appearances of the blood alone pronounce a woman pregnant, for a + suppression of the menses, accompanied with a febrile state, may give the + blood a like appearance as pregnancy, so also may some local disease. Of + the above-mentioned symptoms, perhaps there is no <i>one</i> on which we + can place more reliance than the increased color of the circle around the + nipple.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See "Advice to a Wife," P. H. Chavasse, pp. 115-124, where + many details are given.—Publishers' note. +</pre> + <p> + Six or eight weeks after conception, the most sure way of ascertaining + pregnancy is to examine the mouth and neck of the uterus, by way of the + vagina. The uterus will be found lower down than formerly, its mouth is + not directed so much forward as before impregnation, and is more + completely closed, and the neck is felt to be thicker, or increased in + circumference. When raised on the finger it is found to be heavier or more + resisting. Whoever makes this examination must have examined the same + uterus in an unimpregnated state, and retained a tolerably correct idea of + its feeling at that time, or he will be liable to uncertainty, because the + uterus of one woman is naturally different in magnitude from another, and + the uterus is frequently lower down than natural from other causes than + pregnancy.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * No one but a doctor, or one trained in physiology could, + of course, make any such examination with safety and + utility.—Publishers' note. +</pre> + <p> + It has not been fully ascertained how long it is after a fruitful + connection before an effect is produced upon the ovaria, that is before + any alteration could be discovered, were the female to be dissected. But + Brighton's experiments have established the fact, that with rabbits, whose + term of utero-gestation is but thirty days, no effect is propagated to the + ovaria until nearly fifty hours after coition; we should judge, therefore, + that with the human species it must be several days, and it is generally + estimated by physiologists that the ovum does not reach the uterus until + the expiration of twenty days from the time of connection.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The time occupied in the passage of the ovum from the + ovary to the uterus," says Dr. Kirkes, "occupies probably + eight or ten days in the human female."—"Handbook of + Physiology," p. 741.—G. R. +</pre> + <p> + It is probable that in all cases in which any matter is absorbed from any + part of the animal system, some little time is required for such matter, + after its application, to stimulate and arouse the absorbent vessels to + action; hence it is probable that after the semen is lodged in the vagina, + it is many minutes, possibly some hours, before any part of it is + absorbed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. OF PROMOTING AND CHECKING CONCEPTION + </h2> + <p> + Sterility depends either on imperfect organization, or imperfect action of + the organs of generation. In the former cases, which are rare, the menses + do not generally appear, the breasts are not developed, and the sexual + desire is inconsiderable. There is no remedy in these cases. + </p> + <p> + The action may be imperfect in several respects. The menses may be + obstructed or sparing, or they may be too profuse or frequent. It is + extremely rare for a woman to conceive who does not menstruate regularly. + Hence where this is the case the first step is to regulate this periodical + discharge. For this purpose the advice of a physician will generally be + required, for these irregularities depend upon such various causes and + require such a variety of treatment that it would be inconsistent with the + plan of this work to give instructions for remedying them. A state of + exhaustion or weakness of the uterine system, occasioned by too frequent + intercourse, is a frequent cause of sterility. The sterility of + prostitutes is attributed to this cause, but I doubt it being the only + one. With females who are apparently healthy, the most frequent cause is a + torpor, rather than weakness of the genital organs. + </p> + <p> + For the removal of sterility from this cause, I shall give some + instructions, and this I do the more readily because the requisite means + are such as will regulate the menses in many cases, where they do not + appear so early in life, so freely or so frequently as they ought. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, it will generally be necessary to do something toward + invigorating the system by exercise in the open air, by nourishing food of + easy digestion, by sufficient dress, particularly flannel, and especially + by strict temperance in all things. With this view, also, some scales + which fall from the blacksmith's anvil, or some steel filings may be put + into old cider or wine (cider the best), and after standing a week or so, + as much may be taken two or three times a day as can be borne without + disturbing the stomach. + </p> + <p> + All the while the bowels are to be kept rather open by taking from one to + three of <i>Pill rufi</i> every night on going to bed. These pills consist + of four parts of aloes, two parts of myrrh, and one of saffron, by weight. + </p> + <p> + These measures having been regularly pursued until the system be brought + into a vigorous state, medicines which are more particularly calculated to + arouse the genital organs from a state of torpor may be commenced, and + continued for months if necessary. The cheapest, most simple (and I am not + prepared to say it is not the most effectual in many cases) is cayenne. + All the virtues of this article are not generally known even to + physicians. I know it does not have the effect upon the coats of the + stomach that many have conjectured. It may be taken in the quantity of + from one to two rising teaspoonsful, or even more, everyday up on food or + on any liquid vehicle. Another medicine of much efficacy is Dewees' + Volatile Tincture of Guaiac. It is generally kept by apothecaries, and is + prepared as follows: + </p> + <p> + Take of Gum Guaicum, in powder, eight ounces; carbonate of Potash, or of + Soda, or (what will answer) Saleratus, three drachms; Allspice, in powder, + two ounces; any common spirits of good strength, two pounds, or what is + about the same two pints and a gill. Put all into a bottle, which may be + shaken now and then, and use of it may be commenced in a few days. To + every gill of this, at least a large teaspoon-ful of Spirits of Ammonia is + to be added. A teaspoonful is to be taken for a dose, three times a day, + in a glass of milk, cider or wine. It is usually given before eating; but + if it should chance to offend the stomach when taken before breakfast, it + may in this case be taken an hour after. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Dewees found this tincture, taken perhaps for months, the most + effectual remedy for painful menstruation, which is an obstinate + complaint. If there be frequent strong pulse, heat, thirst, florid + countenance, etc., it is not to be taken until these symptoms be removed + by low diet, a few doses of salts, and bleeding, if required. + </p> + <p> + A third medicine for arousing the genital organs, is tincture of Spanish + Flies. But I doubt its being equal, in sterility, to the above mentioned + medicines, though it may exceed them in some cases, and may be tried if + these fail. A drachm of them may be put to two gills of spirits. Dose, 25 + drops, in water, three times a day, increasing each one by two or three + drops, until some degree of stranguary occurs, then omit until this pass + off, as it will in a day or two. Should the stranguary be severe, drink + freely of milk and water, slippery elm, or flaxseed tea. + </p> + <p> + In many cases of sterility, where the general health is considerably in + fault, and especially when the digestive organs are torpid, I should have + much faith in a Thomsonian course. It is calculated to arouse the + capillary vessels throughout the whole system, and thus to open the + secretions, to remove obstructions, and free the blood of those effete and + phlegmy materials which nature requires to be thrown off. The views of the + Thomsonian as to heat and cold appear to me unphilosophical. But this has + nothing to do with the efficiency of their measures. + </p> + <p> + In relation to sterility, I would here bring to mind, what has before been + stated, that a woman is most likely to conceive immediately after a + menstrual turn. And now, also, let me suggest the idea that Nature's + delicate beginnings may be frustrated by the same means that put her a + going. This idea is certainly important when the woman is known to have + miscarried a number of times. Sterility is sometimes to be attributed to + the male, though he apparently be in perfect health. It would be an + interesting fact to ascertain if there be no seminal animalculæ in these + cases; and whether medicines of any kind are available. + </p> + <p> + It has been ascertained that a male and female may be sterile in relation + to each other, though neither of them be so with others. + </p> + <p> + The foregoing measures for sterility are also suitable in cases of + impotency. This term, I believe, is generally con-lined to, and defined as + a want of desire or ability, or both on the part of the male; but I see no + good reason why it should not comprehend the case in which there is + neither desire nor pleasure with the female. Such females, it is true, may + be fruitful; but so, on the other hand, the semen may not have lost its + fecundating property. Impotency, at a young or middle age, and in some + situations in life especially, is certainly a serious misfortune, to say + the least of it. The whole evil by no means consists, in every case, in + the loss of a source of pleasure. All young people ought to be apprised of + the causes of it—causes which, in many instances, greatly lessen + one's ability of giving and receiving that pleasure which is the root of + domestic happiness. I shall allude to one cause, that of premature, and + especially solitary gratification, in another place. Intemperance in the + use of spirits is another powerful cause. Even a moderate use of spirits, + and also of tobacco, in any form, have some effect It is a law of animal + economy, that no one part of the system can be stimulated or excited, + without an expense of vitality, as it is termed. The part which is + stimulated draws the energy from other parts. And hence it is, that close + and deep study, as well as all the mental passions when excessive, impair + the venereal appetite. All excesses, all diseases and modes of life which + impair the general health, impair this appetite, but some things more + directly and powerfully than others. + </p> + <p> + As to the remedies for impotency, they are much the same as for sterility. + It is of the first importance that the mind be relieved from all care and + anxiety. The general health is to be improved by temperance, proper + exercise in the open air, cheerful company, change of scenery, or some + occupation to divert the mind without requiring much exercise of it; + nourishing food of easy digestion; flannel worn next to the skin. The cold + bath may be tried, and if it be followed by agreeable feelings, it will do + good. The bowels may be gently stimulated by the pills before mentioned; + and the preparation of iron also, already mentioned, should be taken. + </p> + <p> + To stimulate the genital organs more directly, cayenne, Dewees' tincture + of guaiac, or tincture of flies, may be taken. I have given directions for + making and taking the tincture of flies, chiefly because it is esteemed + one of the best remedies for impotency caused by or connected with + nocturnal emissions, to which I have before alluded. + </p> + <p> + It is in cases where little or no pleasure, nor erection, attend these + emissions—cases brought on by debauchery, or in elderly persons—that + I would recommend tincture of flies, and the other measures above + mentioned. In some bad cases, enormous doses of this tincture are + required, say two or three hundred drops. Yet the best rule for taking it + is that already given, namely, begin with small doses, and gradually + increase until some stranguary be felt, or some benefit be received. In + this affection, as well as in all cases of impaired virility, the means I + have mentioned are to be pursued for a long time, unless relief be + obtained. These have cured after having been taken for a year or more + without the result. In all cases of impotency not evidently depending upon + disease of some part besides the genital organs, I should have much + confidence in blisters applied to the lower part of the spine. + </p> + <p> + Occasional nocturnal emissions, accompanied with erection and pleasure, + are by no means to be considered a disease, though they have given many a + one such uneasiness. Even if they be frequent, and the system considerably + debilitated, if not caused by debauch, and the person be young, marriage + is the proper measure. + </p> + <p> + There have been several means proposed and practiced for checking + conception. I shall briefly notice them, though a knowledge of the best is + what most concerns us. That of withdrawal immediately before emission is + certainly effectual, if practiced with sufficient care. But if (as I + believe) Dr. Dewees' theory of conception be correct, and as Spallanzani's + experiments show that only a trifle of semen, even largely diluted with + water, may impregnate by being injected into the vagina, it is clear that + nothing short of entire withdrawal is to be depended upon. But the old + notion that the semen must enter the uterus to cause conception, has led + many to believe that a partial withdrawal is sufficient, and it is on this + account that this error has proved mischievous, as all important errors + generally do. It is said by those who speak from experience that the + practice of withdrawal has an effect upon the health similar to + intemperance in eating. As the subsequent exhaustion is probably mainly + owing to the shock the nervous system sustains in the act of coition, this + opinion may be correct. It is further said that this practice serves to + keep alive those fine feelings with which married people first come + together. Still, I leave it for every one to decide for himself whether + this check be so far from satisfactory as not to render some other very + desirable. + </p> + <p> + As to the baudruche, which consists in a covering used by the male, made + of very delicate skin, it is by no means calculated to come into general + use. It has been used to secure immunity from syphilitic affections. + </p> + <p> + Another check which the old idea of conception has led some to recommend + with considerable confidence, consists in introducing into the vagina, + previous to connection, a very delicate piece of sponge, moistened with + water, to be immediately afterward withdrawn by means of a very narrow + ribbon attached to it, But, as our views would lead us to expect, this + check has not proved a sure preventive. As there are many little ridges or + folds in the vagina, we cannot suppose the withdrawal of the sponge would + dislodge all the semen in every instance. If, however, it were well + moistened with some liquid which acted chemically upon the semen, it would + be pretty likely to destroy the fecundating property of what might remain. + But if this check were ever so sure, it would, in my opinion, fall short + of being equal, all things considered, to the one I am about to mention—one + which not only dislodges the semen pretty effectually, but at the same + time destroys the fecundating property of the whole of it. + </p> + <p> + It consists in syringing the vagina immediately after connection with a + solution of sulphate of zinc, of alum, pearl-ash, or any salt that acts + chemically on the semen, and at the same time produces no unfavorable + effect on the female. + </p> + <p> + In all probability a vegetable astringent would answer—as an + infusion of white oak bark, of red rose leaves, of nut-galls, and the + like. A lump of either of the above-mentioned salts, of the size of a + chestnut, may be dissolved in a pint of water, making the solution weaker + or stronger, as it may be borne without any irritation of the parts to + which it is applied. These solutions will not lose their virtues by age. A + female syringe, which will be required in the use of the check, may be had + at the shop of an apothecary for a shilling or less. If preferred, the + semen may be dislodged as far as it can be, by syringing with simple + water, after which some of the solution is to be injected, to destroy the + fecundating property of what may remain lodged between the ridges of the + vagina, etc. + </p> + <p> + I know the use of this check requires the woman to leave her bed for a few + moments, but this is its only objection; and it would be unreasonable to + suppose that any check can ever be devised entirely free of objections. In + its favor it may be said, it costs nearly nothing; it is sure; it requires + no sacrifice of pleasure; it is in the hand of the female; it is to be + used after, instead of before the connection, a weighty consideration in + its favor, as a moment's reflection will convince any one; and last, but + not least, it is conducive to cleanliness, and preserves the parts from + relaxation and disease. The vagina may be very much contracted by a + persevering use of astringent injections, and they are constantly used for + this purpose in cases of <i>procidentia uteri</i>, or a sinking down of + the womb; subject as women are to <i>fluor albus</i>, and other diseases + of the genital organs, it is rather a matter of wonder that they are not + more so, considering the prevailing practices. Those who have used this + check (and some have used it, to my certain knowledge with entire success + for nine or ten years, and under such circumstances as leave no room to + doubt its efficacy) affirm that they would be at the trouble of using + injections merely for the purposes of health and cleanliness. + </p> + <p> + By actual experiment it has been rendered highly probable that pregnancy + may, in many instances, be prevented by injections of simple water, + applied with a tolerable degree of care. But simple water has failed, and + its occasional failure is what we should expect, considering the anatomy + of the parts, and the results of Spallanzani's experiments heretofore + alluded to. + </p> + <p> + This much did I say respecting this check in the first edition of this + work. That is what I call the chemical check. The idea of destroying the + fecundating property of the semen was original, if it did not originate + with me. My attention was drawn to the subject by the perusal of "Moral + Physiology." Such was my confidence in the chemical idea that I sat down + and wrote this work in July, 1831. But the reflection that I did not know + that this check would never fail, and that if it should, I might do + someone an injury in recommending it, caused the manuscript to lie on hand + until the following December. Some time in November I fell in with an old + acquaintance, who agreeably surprised me by stating that to his personal + knowledge this last check had been used as above stated. I have since + conversed with a gentleman with whom I was acquainted, who stated that, + being in Baltimore some few years ago, he was there informed of this check + by those who have no doubt of its efficacy. From what has as yet fell + under my observation, I am not warranted in drawing any conclusion. I can + only say that I have never known it to fail. Such are my views on the + whole subject, that it would require many instances of its reputed failure + to satisfy me that such failures were not owing to an insufficient use of + it. I even believe that quite cold water alone, if thoroughly used, would + be sufficient. In Spallanzani's experiments warm water was unquestionably + used. As the seminal animalcule are essential to impregnation, all we have + to do is to change the condition of, or, if you will, to kill them; and as + they are so exceedingly small and delicate, this is doubtless easily done, + and hence cold water may be sufficient. + </p> + <p> + What has now been advanced in this work will enable the reader to judge + for himself or herself of the efficacy of the chemical or syringe check, + and time will probably determine whether I am correct in this matter. I do + know that those married females who have much desire to escape will not + stand for the little trouble of using this check, especially when they + consider that on the score of cleanliness and health alone it is worth the + trouble. + </p> + <p> + A great part of the time no check is necessary, and women of experience + and observation, with the information conveyed by this work, will be able + to judge pretty correctly when it is and when it is not. They may rest + assured that none of the salts mentioned will have any deleterious effect. + The sulphate of zinc is commonly known by the name of white vitriol. This, + as well as alum, have been extensively used for leucorrhæ. Acetate of lead + would doubtless be effectual—indeed, it has proven to be so; but I + do not recommend it, because I conceive it possible that a long continued + use of it might impair the instinct. + </p> + <p> + I hope that no failures will be charged of efficacy of this check which + ought to be attributed to negligence or insufficient use of it. I will + therefore recommend at least two applications of the syringe, the sooner + the surer, yet it is my opinion that five minutes' delay would not prove + mischievous—perhaps not ten. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. REMARKS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE INSTINCT + </h2> + <p> + I scarcely need observe that by this instinct is meant the desire for + sexual intercourse. Blumenbach speaks of this instinct as "superior to all + others in universality and violence." Perhaps hunger is an exception. But + surely no instinct commands a greater proportion of our thoughts or has a + greater influence upon happiness for better or for worse. "Controlled by + reason and chastened by good feelings, it gives to social intercourse much + of its charm and zest, but directed by selfishness or governed by force, + it is prolific of misery and degradation. In itself it appears to be the + most social and least selfish of all instincts. It fits us to give even + while we receive pleasure, and among cultivated beings the former power is + even more highly valued than the latter. Not one of our instincts perhaps + affords larger scope for the exercise of disinterestedness, or fitter play + for the best moral feelings of our race. Not one gives birth to relations + more gentle, more humanizing and endearing; not one lies more immediately + at the root of the kindliest charities and most generous impulses that + honor and bless human nature. It is a much more noble, because less purely + selfish, instinct than hunger or thirst. It is an instinct that entwines + itself around the warmest feelings and best affections of the heart"—<i>Moral + Physiology</i>. But too frequently its strength, together with a want of + moral culture, is such that it is not "controlled by reason;" and + consequently, from time immemorial, it has been gratified, either in a + mischievous manner, or to such an intemperate degree, or under such + improper circumstances, as to give rise to an incalculable amount of human + misery. For this reason it has, by some, been regarded as a low, degrading + and "carnal" passion, with which family life must be ever at war. But in + the instinct itself the philosopher sees nothing deserving of degrading + epithets. He sees not that nature should war against herself. He believes + that in savage life it <i>is</i>, and in wisely organized society of duly + enlightened and civilized beings it should be the source of ten-fold more + happiness than misery. + </p> + <p> + A part of the evil consequences to which this instinct is daily giving + rise under the present state of things, it belongs more particularly to + the moralist to point out; whilst of others it falls within the province + of the physician to treat. But let me first remark that physicians have + hitherto fallen far short of giving those instructions concerning this + instinct which its importance demands. In books, pamphlets, journals, + etc., they have laid much before the public respecting eating, drinking, + bathing, lacing, air, exercise, etc., but have passed by the still more + important subject now before us, giving only here and there spine faint + allusion to it This, it is true, the customs, not to say pruderies, of the + age have compelled them to do, in publications designed for the public + eye, yet, in some small work, indicated by its title to be for private + perusal, they might, with the utmost propriety, have embodied much highly + useful instruction in relation to this instinct. + </p> + <p> + This instinct is liable to be gratified at improper times, to an + intemperate degree, and in a mischievous manner. + </p> + <p> + True philosophy dictates that this and all other appetites be so gratified + as will most conduce to human happiness—not merely the happiness + attending the gratification of one of the senses, but all the senses—not + merely sensual happiness, but intellectual—not merely the happiness + of the individual, but of the human family. + </p> + <p> + First.—Of the times at which this instinct ought not to be + gratified. With females it ought not to be gratified until they are + seventeen or eighteen years of age, and with males not until they are a + year or two older. The reason is, if they refrain until these ages, the + passion will hold out the longer, and they will be able to derive much + more pleasure from it in after life, than if earlier gratified, especially + to any great extent A due regard to health also enjoins with most persons + some restraint on this instinct—indeed, at all times, but especially + for a few years after the above-mentioned ages. It ought not to be rashly + gratified at first. Begin temperately, and as the system becomes more + mature, and habituated to the effects naturally produced by the + gratification of this instinct, it will bear more without injury. Many + young married people, ignorant of the consequences, have debilitated the + whole system—the genital system in particular; have impaired their + mental energies; have induced consumptive and other diseases; have + rendered themselves irritable, unsocial, melancholy and finally much + impaired, perhaps destroyed their affection for each other by an undue + gratification of the reproductive instinct. In almost all diseases, if + gratified at all, it should be very temperately. It ought not to be + gratified during menstruation, as it might prove productive to the man of + symptoms similar to those of syphilis, but more probably to the woman of a + weakening disease called <i>fluor albus</i>. In case of pregnancy a + temperate gratification for the first two or three months may be of no + injury to the woman or the coming offspring. But it ought to be known that + the growth of the foetus in utero may be impaired, and the seeds of future + bodily infirmity and mental imbecility of the offspring may be sown by + much indulgence during utero-gestation or pregnancy, especially when the + woman experiences much pleasure in such indulgences. + </p> + <p> + Having already glanced at some of the bad effects of an undue + gratification of this instinct, I have but little more to offer under the + head of Intemperate Degree. It will be borne in mind that intemperance in + this thing is not to be decided by numbers, but that it depends on + circumstances; and what would be temperance in one, may be intemperance in + another. And with respect to an individual, too, what he might enjoy with + impunity, were he a laboring man, or a man whose business requires but + little mental exercise, would, were he a student, unfit him for the + successful prosecution of his studies. Intemperance in the gratification + of this instinct has a tendency to lead to intemperance in the use of + ardent spirits. The languor, depression of spirits, in some instances + faintness and want of appetite, induced by intemperate gratification, call + loudly for some stimulus, and give a relish to spirits. Thus the + individual is led to drink. This inflames the blood, the passions, and + leads to further indulgence. This again calls for more spirits; and thus + two vicious habits are commenced, which mutually increase each other. + Strange as it may appear to those unacquainted with the animal economy, an + intemperate indulgence sometimes gives rise to the same disease—so + far as the name makes it so—that is frequently cured by a temperate + indulgence; viz, nocturnal emissions. + </p> + <p> + Every young married woman ought to know that the male system is exhausted + in a far greater degree than the female by gratification. It seems, + indeed, to have but little effect, comparatively, upon some females. But + with respect to the male, it has been estimated by Tissot that the loss of + one ounce of semen is equal in its effects upon the system of forty ounces + of blood. As it respects the immediate effects, this estimation, generally + speaking, may not be too great. But a man living on a full meat diet + might, doubtless, part with fifty ounces of semen in the course of a year, + with far less detriment to the system than with 2,000 ounces of blood. It + is a fact, that mode of living, independent of occupation, makes a great + difference with respect to what the system will bear. A full meat diet, + turtles, oysters, eggs, spirits, wine, etc., certainly promote the + secretion of semen, and enable the system to bear its emission. But a cool + vegetable and milk diet calms all the passions, the venereal especially. + Most men adopting such a diet as this will suffer no inconvenience in + extending the intervals of their gratification to three or four weeks; on + the contrary, they will enjoy clear intellect, and a fine flow of spirits. + This is the diet for men of literary pursuits, especially the unmarried. + </p> + <p> + As to the mischievous manner, it consists in the unnatural habit of + onanism, or solitary gratification; it is an antisocial and demoralizing + habit, which, while it proves no quietus to the mind, impairs the bodily + powers as well as mental, and not infrequently leads to insanity. + </p> + <p> + While the gratification of the reproductive instinct in such manner as + mentioned leads to bad consequences, a temperate and natural + gratification, under proper circumstances, is attended with good, besides + the mere attendant pleasure, which alone is enough to recommend such + gratification. I admit that human beings might be so constituted that if + they had no reproductive instinct to gratify, they might enjoy health; but + being constituted as they are, this instinct cannot be mortified with + impunity. It is a fact universally admitted, that unmarried females do not + enjoy so much good health and attain to so great an age as the married; + notwithstanding that the latter are subject to the diseases and pains + incident to child-bearing. A temperate gratification promotes the + secretions, and the appetite for food; calms the restless passions; + induces pleasant sleep; awakens social feeling; and adds a zest to life + which makes one conscious that life is worth preserving. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_APPE" id="link2H_APPE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [I here connect with this work, by way of Appendix, the + following extract from an article which appeared in the + Boston Investigator, a paper which, <i>mirabile dictu</i>, is so + "crazy" as to be open to the investigation of all subjects + which mightily concern mankind.] +</pre> + <p> + The only seeming objection of much weight that can be brought against + diffusing a knowledge of checks is, that it will serve to increase illegal + connections. Now, this is exactly the contrary effect of that which those + who have diffused such knowledge most confidently believe will arise from + it. To diminish such connections is indeed one of the grand objects of + this publication,—an object which laws and prisons cannot, or, at + least, do not, accomplish. Why is there so much prostitution in the land? + The true answer to the question is not, and never will be, Because the + people have become acquainted with certain facts in physiology; it is + because there are so many unmarried men and women,—men of + dissipation and profligacy, owing to their not having married in their + younger days and settled down in life. But why are there so many unmarried + people in the country? Not because young hearts when they arrive at the + age of maturity do not desire to marry; but because prudential + considerations interfere. The young man thinks: I cannot marry yet; I + cannot support a family; I must make money first, and think of a + matrimonial settlement afterward. And so it is, that through fear of + having a family, before they have made a little headway in the world, and + of being thereby compelled to "tug at the oar of incessant labor + throughout their lives," thousands of young men do not marry, but go + abroad into the world and form vicious acquaintances and practices. The + truth, then, is this,—there is so much illegal connection in the + land, because the people had not, twenty years ago, that very information + which, it would seem, some, doubtless through want of due reflection, are + apprehensive will increase this evil. I might quote pages to the point + from "Every Woman's Book," but I fear my communication would be too + lengthy. I content myself with a few lines. "But when it has become the + custom here as elsewhere to limit the number of children, so that none + need have more than they wish, no man will fear to take a wife; all will + marry while young; debauchery will diminish; while good morals and + religious duties will be promoted." + </p> + <p> + It has been asked if a general knowledge of checks would not diminish the + general increase of population? I think that such would not be the result + in this country until such result would be desirable. In my opinion the + effect would be a good many more families (and, on the whole, as many + births), but not so many overgrown and poverty-stricken ones. It has been + said, It is better to let Nature take her course. Now, in the broadest + sense of the word "Nature," I say so too. In this sense there is nothing + unnatural in the universe. But if we limit the sense of the word Nature so + as not to include what we mean by art, then is civilized life one + continued warfare against Nature. It is by art that we subdue the forest; + by art we contend against the elements; by art we combat the natural + tendency of disease, etc. + </p> + <p> + As to the outrageous slander which here and there one has been heard to + utter against the fair sex, in saying that fear of conception is the + foundation of their chastity, it must be the sentiment of a "carnal + heart," which has been peculiarly unfortunate in its acquaintances. "To + the pure, all things are pure." Chastity, as well as its opposite, is in a + great degree constitutional; and ought, in a like degree, to be regarded + as a physical property, if I may so say, rather than a moral quality. + Where the constitution is favorable a very indifferent degree of moral + training is sufficient to secure the virgin without the influence of the + above-mentioned fear; but where it is the reverse you may coop up the + individual in the narrow dark cage of ignorance and fear, as you will, but + still you must watch. An eminent moralist has said, "That chastity which + will not bear the light [of physiology] is scarcely worth preserving." But + verily, I believe there is very little such in the market. What there be + is naturally short-lived, and, after its demise, the unhappily constituted + individual stands in great need of this light to save her from ignominy. + What might it not have prevented in the Fall River affair? And if one of + two things must happen—either the destruction of fecundity or the + destruction of life—which of the two is the greater evil? In these + cases alone this light is calculated to do sufficient good to + counterbalance all the evil that would arise from it; so that we should + have its important advantages to the married in a political, a domestic + and a medical point of view, as so much clear gain. This, of course, is my + opinion; but since I have probably reflected more upon the subject than + all the persons concerned in my imprisonment put together, until it can be + shown that I have not as clear a head and as pure a heart as any of them, + I think it entitled to some weight. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Fruits of Philosophy, by Charles Knowlton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY *** + +***** This file should be named 38185-h.htm or 38185-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/1/8/38185/ + +Produced by David Widger + +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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