diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/54713-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54713-0.txt | 8798 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 8798 deletions
diff --git a/old/54713-0.txt b/old/54713-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a4fc099..0000000 --- a/old/54713-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8798 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By -Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution,, by Léopold Deslandes - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution, and other excesses. - -Author: Léopold Deslandes - -Release Date: May 13, 2017 [EBook #54713] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON THE DISEASES *** - - - - -Produced by deaurider, Wayne Hammond and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - A - - TREATISE ON THE DISEASES - - PRODUCED BY - - ONANISM, MASTURBATION, - SELF-POLLUTION, - - AND OTHER EXCESSES. - - BY - - L. DESLANDES, M. D., - - MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE AT PARIS, - AND OTHER LEARNED SOCIETIES. - - TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH, - - WITH MANY ADDITIONS. - - Second Edition. - - BOSTON: - - OTIS, BROADERS, AND COMPANY. - 1839. - - - - - Entered, according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1838, by - - OTIS, BROADERS & COMPANY, - - In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -To those who would complain of the publication of a work upon the -delicate subject to which the following pages refer, we would remark, -that the evil here depicted, is one of great magnitude. This cause -of disease is often entirely overlooked even by medical men, either -from false notions of delicacy, or because their attention has not -been drawn by fearful experience to cases which are ascribable merely -to onanism. The patient is unconscious of his danger, and perseveres -in his vicious habit--the physician treats him symptomatically, and -death soon closes the scene. “Many a young man,” remarked a physician, -who had seen much of disease from this cause, “many a one has come to -me, totally unconscious that his criminal act was sapping to the very -foundation his health and strength.” - -To call the attention of medical men to this source of disease, and to -point out to such persons not of the profession as may meet with this -book, and who indulge in this habit, the fatal precipice to which they -wend their way, has been the object of publishing it here. How very -many cases of consumption, that disease which annually destroys its -thousands, could, if the truth were known, be referred to this cause! -How many minds have been ruined by self-indulgence! - -If any apology were needed for this publication, it may be found in the -last annual report of the State Lunatic Asylum of Massachusetts, which -states that of the number of insane received at that institution during -the last year, no less than THIRTY-TWO lost their senses from this -cause. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PART I. - - EFFECTS OF VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - CHAPTER 1. DANGER ATTENDING VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - § 1. Power of the genital organs when at rest. - - § 2. Power of the genital organs when excited. - - § 3. Power of the genital organs when in action. - - CHAPTER 2. CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RENDER THE ACT - OF VENERY MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS TO THE CONSTITUTION - AND TO THE HEALTH. - - § 1. Circumstances connected with the act of venery - which render it more or less injurious. - - § 2. Circumstances foreign to the act of venery - which render it more or less injurious. - - § 3. Influence which the general state of the functions - at different AGES and the particular state of - some of them at different periods of life, may have - on the consequences of the act of venery. - - CHAPTER 3. SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES RESULTING FROM - VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - § 1. General symptoms of venereal excesses. - - § 2. Diseases resulting from venereal excesses. - - PART II. - - RULES OF PRESERVATION AND TREATMENT - RELATIVE TO VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - CHAPTER 1. MEANS OF PRESERVATION WITH REFERENCE - TO VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - § 1. First indication. To prevent the desire of onanism. - - § 2. Second indication. To resist the desire of onanism. - - § 3. Third indication. To take away from those - who wish to masturbate the power of doing so. - - CHAPTER 2. MODE OF REPAIRING THE INJURY ARISING - FROM VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - - - -OF - -ONANISM - -AND - -OTHER ABUSES. - - - - -PART FIRST. - -EFFECTS OF EXCESS IN VENERY. - - -Can the power possessed by man of indulging in the act of venery be -abused? or, in other words, can any injury arise to the health or -constitution, by indulgence in this act. It is sufficient to observe, -that the affirmative has never been doubted by any author, that no -medical man has ever been found at any time, or in any country, -so deficient in intelligence as to doubt that venereal enjoyments -were attended by venereal excess, and no one has ever disputed that -masturbation or coition may be injurious. - -The act of venery, then, may be followed by bad effects. But is it -so, and to what extent? This question is the only one which has been -debated, the only one to be debated. Let then those, who think that -venereal indulgences are followed only by the remembrance of them, -know, that deceived by their desires, and perhaps by their necessities, -they are rushing blindly toward a fatal precipice, which is to be sure -at a greater or less distance from them, but which however exists, and -to which those who do not take warning will arrive more quickly. - -It is generally thought that venereal excesses, particularly those of -masturbation, contribute in a considerable proportion to the ills of -suffering humanity. Some even consider this cause of disease, as one -of the most fatal and active. “In my opinion,” says Réveillé-Parise, -“neither the plague, nor war, nor small-pox, nor similar diseases, have -produced results so disastrous to humanity as the pernicious habit of -onanism: it is the destroying element of civilized societies, which -is constantly in action, and gradually undermines the health of a -nation.” (_Revue Medicale, April_, 1828, p. 93.) No one has disputed -the dangers of this kind of excess. Many authors, however, have -thought, that writers had exaggerated on this subject. Thus Montègre -says that “the bad consequences (although they do exist) attending -premature indulgences have _sometimes_ been exaggerated.” (_Dict. des -sc. med._ vol. vi. p. 100.) Georget’s opinion is similar. According to -him, (_Physiologie du système nerveux_ vol. i.) most authors and Tissot -among others have much exaggerated the effects of masturbation. - -It will be seen, with how much reserve these authors speak. The injury -arising from this habit, say they, is very great, but it has been -overrated. Let us now examine upon what grounds they and others have -been led to consider these fears as too great: we shall see by what -reasoning they have been governed, and if they are correct. - -Montègre was struck by the instances of individuals who were addicted -to onanism from early childhood, and who, however, in the prime of -vigour and health, had attained an age to which men do not generally -arrive, or to whom advanced age comes loaded with troubles. But do -we not see old soldiers who have always escaped bullets? Now what do -these facts prove except that such individuals exist? It has also -been stated, that influenced with what they have read in books, which -contain the most formidable cases, as those only are printed, many -physicians have attributed too much importance to the diseases caused -by onanism. But admitting this, may we not conclude also, that many -severe affections which it produces are not referred to it? That in -attending cases of dorsal consumption, epilepsy, paralysis, loss of -sight, &c., less dangerous diseases are overlooked, and that their -origin is not suspected? How often, for instance, are we ignorant of -the true cause of these affections whose characters are constantly -changing, which are seen every day, which at first produce uneasiness, -but with which one soon becomes familiar; which are not the symptoms -of a disease having its name and place among other diseases, so much -as the indication of constitutional affections, which appear from a -variety of influences, and are referred to each one of them. And yet -this kind of affection, as we shall state hereafter, is that presented -most frequently by individuals addicted but for a short time to -onanism, who indulge in it but seldom, or whose constitution resists -this kind of excess. - -Appeal has been made also to direct observation; the number of those -who have fallen victims to onanism has been cited. It has been said, -call to mind every thing which has occurred to you in the course of a -long practice, you will doubtless find deplorable and even numerous -instances of the diseases attending onanism; but does this number -approximate that of the individuals who abandon themselves to this -vice? There are few persons who are not addicted to masturbation; very -well, are there many whose constitutions are impaired and whose health -is destroyed? It is admitted that premature and too frequent and too -often repeated indulgences may injure and sometimes have caused great -detriment, yet those who live through them are very numerous, and the -distance between the use and abuse of the act of venery, is greater -than is generally admitted. - -This manner of counting the dead and wounded has something specious -in it, but it is defective in this respect, that it takes no account -of what has escaped observation, and cannot be estimated. Every -practitioner has undoubtedly seen more cases of masturbation than -he has seen victims to this habit. But how many circumstances have -prevented him from seeing all the diseases which are caused by this -habit, or have prevented him from referring these diseases to their -true cause? We have already mentioned the influence which his previous -reading and occupation have on this subject; to this cause of errour, -we may add others. How numerous are the affections which are borne -in silence and which never come under the notice of a physician. How -numerous too the practitioners who avoid the trouble of referring to -the immediate or remote causes of the diseases which are observed by -them, and who confine themselves simply to their treatment, without -tracing them to their source. How often too are diseases resulting -from onanism attributed to causes with which they have no connexion, -to causes which were indicated by persons who knew no better, or even -by the patient who believed himself to be interested in giving wrong -statements. How frequently also does the practitioner exclude himself -from obtaining information, by abstaining from making suggestions -to the parents, which all hear with displeasure, and repel with -indignation. How often, also, does he refrain from asking necessary -questions, for fear of wounding the modesty of the young patient, of -teaching him a thing of which perhaps he is ignorant, or at least of -exciting in him a dangerous curiosity! Finally how frequently are his -doubts removed by the art with which those who indulge in onanism, even -when young, know how to conceal a habit at which they blush in secret. -Now is it reasonable to expect, that the physician when surrounded -by so many causes of errour, should go into statistical details and -estimate from them the sum total of the ills produced by onanism and -other excesses of a similar character? This method would undoubtedly -lead to taking a part for the whole and consequently to forming too -narrow an opinion of the evil. Many authors having followed this -course, and having considered the evils which are unobserved by them -as only imaginary, have not denied the dangers and inconveniences of -venereal excesses, but have supposed that they exist less frequently -than is really the case. - -I do not wish to call in question the utility of observations, or -to pretend that they must be neglected. I only wish to say that in -attaching to them too much consequence we are led to false conclusions -which may inspire a dangerous security. The physician who commits this -fault, reasons as does the onanist, who being unable to distinguish, -either in his comrades or in himself, the effects of his pernicious -habit, concludes that it is an innocent practice and that it may be -indulged in unreservedly. The principal utility of observing the -diseases caused by masturbation is to determine _what are the maladies -produced by onanism and what is the relative frequency of each of -them_. We can also certainly form an opinion, from that which is -shown by observation, in regard to that which escapes us. But it is -only by induction, that the extent of the evils caused by venereal -abuses can be estimated. The bad effects produced by these abuses, -can be estimated only by considering what they may produce. It is -only after studying the genital system in its relations with other -organs, and considering the influence it exercises upon them, that we -can pronounce in regard to the maladies and infirmities and dangers -of all kinds which attend the abuse of the genital system. We proceed -to this subject first. We shall then state what is known from direct -observation in regard to the different affections which result from -venereal excesses. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -OF THE DANGERS WHICH MAY FOLLOW VENEREAL EXCESS. - - -To abuse oneself by onanism, by coition, is to abuse the organs which -serve for the execution of these acts. The genital organs in the -female are, the vulva, clitoris, vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and -ovaries. Those in the male are the penis, the seminal passages and -the testicles. These organs are then placed in such a state that they -become a source of disorder and of disease to the rest of the body. -Now, what is their power in this respect? Can they do much injury? -This is the question now to be examined. - -The injury which the genital organs can do to the rest of the body -when they are abused, is the natural consequence of the influence -exercised when they are not abused! This injury is in a direct ratio -with this influence; it is by this then that it must be measured. In -fact, it is clear that if the different organs have in the ordinary -state different degrees of power, they must, when they do injury, -exercise it in different degrees. Let us then attempt to estimate the -influence possessed by the genital organs. If it be demonstrated that -when these organs are in a state of rest, of excitement, or in use, -their influence on the other functions is considerable, some opinion -may be formed as to what may be their influence when abused. It must -be admitted that organs, which have a powerful effect on all parts of -the body, which regulate all the others, which cannot feel, act, and -perform their functions without the others taking part in what takes -place in them, it must be admitted I say, that when such organs are -made instruments of disorder, the bad consequences which follow may be -very great. - -The genital organs may be observed in three states; the first state is -that of _rest_. They then merely live, present no special sensation and -do not proceed to the act of venery. In the second state they become -the seat, the focus of more or less vivid sensations, and which have -for a special character to invite and to constrain with more or less -power to the act of venery. In animals, this state is called _rutting_: -in our species, it has no special name, except when existing to a very -great degree, and then it constitutes a disease, termed _Satyriasis_ -or _nymphomania_: I shall call it the state of _excitement_. The third -is that of _action_: it is the state in which the genital organs are, -when they perform their special functions, when they accomplish the -act of venery. They then do not simply live as in the first state, or -feel as in the second; but they act, and afterward return to one of -the preceding states, and particularly to the first: they rest. These -are the three aspects under which we shall examine these organs. To -render our remarks more intelligible, we will give a few definitions. -The power of bringing the genital organs into a state of action is -the _venereal_ power: this when put in action is the _act of venery_. -If this act results from the concurrence of the two sexes, it is -_coition_. If it be caused by solitary manipulation, it then receives -divers names; the terms most used are _masturbation_, or _onanism_. The -act of venery, whether it does or does not result from the concurrence -of the two sexes may or may not be injurious. When it is injurious -in any degree there is then _venereal excess, abuse of the genital -organs_. This sense is the only one attached in this book, to this mode -of expression: for if in a moral and religious point of view the simple -fact of coition in some cases and of onanism in every case be a vice, -an excess, an abuse, the physician should apply these terms only to -cases where the health is injured. - - -§ 1. INFLUENCE OF THE GENITAL ORGANS CONSIDERED IN A STATE OF REST. - -It might be thought that when these organs are at rest, when they are -neither used nor abused, when the venereal sense is as it were asleep -in them, and they seem occupied only with their own development, and -nutrition, it might seem I say that these organs take little or no -part in what is going on around them: but this is a mistake. We shall -see that this dull life which then occupies them is sufficient to make -them a powerful focus of action; that all the other organs owe to them -a part of their mode of existence their form and substance. By this -we can judge of what the genital system is capable, when excited, and -when by the hand or otherwise it is brought to the highest degree of -activity. - -Consider him who was born an eunuch, the man who has never had genital -organs, whose body, mind, and heart are developed without their -influence: compare him with other men and see in what he is deficient: -for his physical moral and intellectual relations will of course be -deficient in all that depends on the genital organs. This study will -reveal to you their power, and will point out to you the difference -between a man in whose development they have assisted, and one in whose -development, the genital organs have taken no part. - -Eunuchs are very seldom tall: they are frequently short and sometimes -very short. A woman fifty-two years old, who had no uterus, and whose -genitals were presented to the academy of medicine by M. Renaulden, -was only three and a half feet high. The limbs of eunuchs when they -are not percolated with white fluids, are generally thin and badly -developed. Their bones have neither their usual size nor form, as has -been remarked by many observers, particularly by M. Mojon of Geneva. -(_Alibert_, _Nouv. El. de therapeutique_, 3d edition, vol. ii., p. -115.) This defect in growth is much more remarkable in the larynx. -This organ which generally acquires two-thirds of its size at puberty, -remains as in infancy, and the voice preserves that shrillness which -it has in young people, but becomes a little stronger because the -chest enlarges. The different tissues are not only less developed, -but some are not developed at all. Thus in eunuchs the beard and the -hairs on the pubis are deficient; their skin remains as free from -hairs as in early youth. The genital organs then have a powerful -effect on nutrition, because when they are deficient, the growth is -defective or ceases entirely. This influence is manifested also by the -characters presented by the different tissues after the action of the -genital parts ceases. To understand these characters, we have only -to compare the flesh of animals who have been castrated with that of -those who are perfect; for example the flesh of the ox with that of -the bull, that of the capon with that of the rooster &c. In the eunuch -these characters are no less marked. His organization is in a measure -stationary. When an adult, he preserves in great part the physical -attributes of youth, and then when these are lost, those of old age, -and not those of manhood, present themselves. It is the genital organs -then which in a perfect man, give colour to the skin, give to the flesh -more consistence and firmness and which gradually take up from the -cellular tissue those white fluids, which prevent us from seeing the -prominences of the bones and muscles. The organization of the eunuch -is then unfinished, imperfect. The organs which should have appeared -at the period of puberty are not seen: others acquire only a part of -their growth: all retain a part of those characters which they ought -properly speaking to lose and do not obtain those which belong to them. -These facts are highly important. The study of them demonstrates the -extent of the derangement caused by venereal excesses: for the organs -abused by the onanist and libertine, are those which take so active and -special a part in the internal economy of all our tissues: which stamp -them with the seal of virility, of which the eunuch always remains -destitute. - -Consider the eunuch now in his life of relation: look in him for the -thought, activity, and sensibility of the man. In these respects -also how much he is deficient; he is inactive, indifferent, and -destitute of energy. The lymphatic temperament is marked in him by -his insensibility, his apathy, no less than by the delicacy of his -flesh, and the whiteness of his skin. He has preserved from infancy -the disposition given by feebleness, to be excited by the least -cause: hence he is timid and pusillanimous and cowardly. Devoid of -any internal feeling which renders the soul gay, he is morose and -wearisome. He is destitute of those feelings which attach man to man -and render one capable of attachment, love, and devotion. He lives, -he vegetates only for himself: he is a perfect egotist: if he has any -sentiments they are those of envy or hatred: in fact they are repulsive -sentiments: but most frequently he has none or they are very slight. -The crimes of the eunuch come in fact less from the sentiments he has, -than from those he has not. His mind, like his body and heart, remains -a perfect waste. His intelligence is but moderate and he is never -known to conceive or execute great ideas. This picture is not drawn -from the imagination; it is the result of long continued observations -at all periods, in all places, and upon all kinds of eunuchs. One of -them observed by M. Bedor embodied in himself the principal features of -this picture. He was an eunuch from birth who had become a conscript. -His appearance was humble and languishing; his eyes were downcast and -averted; he was very timid and cowardly, was afraid of dead bodies, -and of darkness. He admitted that he had never been attached even to -any member of his family: but he was also incapable of dislike. He -was not pleased with musick, and had no idea of singing: finally he -was insensible to all enjoyment. He did not however complain of his -situation. His intelligence was very slight, his conversation was -obscure and incorrect, and he was so incapable of being instructed that -although he had lived in the barracks a year he had none of the moral -habits of the soldier. (_Journal de med. chir. et phar._ vol. xxv. p. -75.) - -Such is the eunuch. The operator in mutilating him mutilated his heart, -his senses, his mind. The development of the moral and intellectual -faculties then like that of the body is connected with the existence -of the genital organs. Deprive a child of a limb of his four limbs, -that is of the half at least of his frame, and he will continue to be -developed, the same as if no part had been taken from him. But take -away the testicles, and all his tissues, all his faculties will bear -indelible marks of this mutilation. These organs alone then have much -more power than the four extremities. It is with these, with this -power, that the onanist trifles from childhood, without hesitation -and without moderation. Is it necessary now to follow this train of -reasoning to show that his course of conduct is dangerous? It is -also to the influence exercised by the genital organs on other parts -that the sexes owe their peculiar differences. Their organization, -influenced by a different genital apparatus, presents a different -mode of existence, action and sensation. Thus the sexual characters -are slightly marked at birth, become distinct as the genital organs -develope themselves, suddenly enlarge at the period of puberty, exist -in the greatest degree when these parts have come to their perfect -state, and lose their energy in old age. The destruction of the -testicles in the male and of the ovaries in the female prevents the -regular development, or even alters the special distinctions of sex. -We have already seen that this destruction renders man effeminate: -we will add that it renders the female more masculine, and gives her -characters, which in the natural order of things belong exclusively to -the male. This conclusion is drawn from facts which seem authentic, -and it is strengthened too by the fact that when the activity of the -genitals is destroyed by age, the voice becomes rough, resembling -that of the male, the upper lip and chin are covered with hairs, the -moral character acquires more firmness, the taste and habits are much -modified and approximate those of the male. A similar thing occurs in -animals according to Dumeril. (_Dict. des sc. med., art. continence_, -p. 118.) - -It is not only by comparing the sexes that we see that different -genital organs have a different action, but it follows also from -observing those doubtful beings termed _hermaphrodites_. In these -individuals the genital organs disturbed in their regular development, -present doubtful appearances and belong at the same time to the two -sexes. In these individuals the organization being influenced in -another manner is developed differently. Faithful to these organs which -generally impress in the body the seal of sex, the general state of the -body becomes equivocal like them and presents a mixture in different -proportions of the male and female attributes. Thus in a girl whose -history is stated by Beclard, and who among other imperfections of the -external genital organs which rendered her sex doubtful, presented a -complete closure of the vulva, and a clitoris so much developed that -it resembled a penis, the larynx and voice were like those of a youth: -the upper lip, the chin and cheeks presented a white beard, long and -coarse hairs covered the lower extremities and surrounded the anus; -finally the proportions of the trunk and limbs and the formation of -the pelvis resembled those of man. (_Bull. de la Faculté de med._ vol. -iv. p. 273.) It would be easy to refer to similar facts which have -been frequently recorded. The general state of the economy, then, is -somewhat connected with that of the genital parts, varies like them and -takes part in the changes which they undergo. Hence it is astonishing -to see libertines and onanists render themselves effeminate, and -demoralize their constitution by using these parts in such a manner as -to fatigue and change them: and to observe women robbing themselves in -the same manner of their beauty, the delicacy of their form and the -charm of their voice. - -When man has attained his perfect development, the bonds which unite -the genital organs to the rest of the body become less apparent and -probably less intimate than before: they however are not destroyed. -Castration certainly does not deprive the adult of all the characters, -of all the faculties which had been developed by puberty: but it -modifies them very much. The beard has been known to come out after the -loss of the testes as if its existence were connected with theirs, as -an effect is with its cause. The intellectual faculties particularly -lose much of their energy, when the genital organs are removed. Those -persons who have been mutilated not unfrequently become melancholy and -finally commit suicide. (_Orfila, Leçons de medicine legale_, 1823, p. -126.) A remarkable case of enervation was observed by Richerand, in -some soldiers whose testes had been shot away in action. Among other -cases, he mentions a soldier who had previously been celebrated for -his activity and valor, and who, after his mutilation took an aversion -to any violent exercise, and to gain his livelihood, applied himself -to such labours as are carried on by females, particularly to sewing -gloves. (_Richerand, nosographie chirurgicale_, 2nd edition, vol. -iv. p. 292.) Compare these facts with what takes place when age, that -great operator, extinguishes the principle of virility. When one is -old, is he as affectionate, as sensible, as devoted, as intelligent, as -he was in youth? do not the general characters of an eunuch gradually -come upon him? The genital organs then, even when in repose, regulate -in more than one respect and at every period of life, the rest of the -human body. - -But it is particularly before and during puberty that these organs -deserve the most serious attention, for then they possess the most -power. This power commences with them, and like them increases every -day. Thus the tastes, the characters, the inclinations, and generally -all which distinguishes the sexes in a moral and physical point of -view, are marked from infancy. That poverty of body of heart and -of spirit which characterizes eunuchism, is seen in young eunuchs, -in those for instance who are born destitute of genital organs. -The soldier whose case is stated by Bedor, always presented that -indifference and languor common to eunuchs; he always avoided all -trials of skill at wrestling, running, leaping and finally all youthful -exercises, and as we have already remarked, never exhibited attachment -to any one, even to his parents. The influence of the sexual organs -then commences with life. But it does not attain all its intensity -until puberty. - -At this period, which in our climate commences from the twelfth to the -sixteenth year, a little sooner in females than in males, the genital -organs have the most vitality. Until that time they are developed -slowly and almost imperceptibly; they suddenly increase with great -activity, and their growth is not arrested till they have arrived at -perfection. This is not the place to enter into details as to the -labour which then takes place in them: we will merely remark that -the change is often so intense as to present all the characters of -inflammation. It is then admissible that in such a state these organs -should exercise on the economy a much more powerful action than -before, when their development was imperceptible, and also than they -do afterward, when they have only to preserve themselves. This in fact -is proved by observation. At no period of life, does the body grow as -rapidly as during puberty. The researches of Quetelet and Villermé on -the weight and height of men at different ages, (_Annales &c._ p. 26) -leave no doubt on this subject. Thus the annual increase in the weight -of the body which until the period of puberty was only from three to -three and a half pounds, suddenly rises to five and six pounds when -this period commences, and gets to be twelve pounds when it is at the -summum of intensity. And it is worthy of remark that in females who -arrive at the age of puberty about two years earlier than males, this -increase of growth also commences two years sooner. A similar fact -is observed in those monsters who present in early infancy traces -of virility: in them the mass of the body is in a direct ratio with -the development of the genital system; hence their height and weight -are enormous. This is proved by a great number of facts related by -authors and particularly by Moreau, Fages, J. G. Smith, Gedike, Meckel, -Dupuytren, &c. Let us now compare these facts with those pointed out -when speaking of eunuchism, and it will be shown that the power of the -genital organs in its nutrition follows in its variations those which -they experience: that the general growth conforms to theirs, that if -one advances the other does, and if one be imperfect, the other is -imperfect. - -This increase in the activity of the nutritive powers during puberty, -is not shown simply by the increase of the substance of the body, it -manifests itself by other symptoms. More heat is generated in the -tissues, as is indicated particularly by the facility with which -individuals at the age of puberty resist cold, and by the interesting -remark of Quetelet and Smitz, that the summer of all seasons of the -year is most fatal to them. Ailments of every kind too show in most -subjects, that the influence of the genital organs on all parts of -the body may be so great as even to derange the functions: of this -character are pains, heaviness in the head, vertigos, redness of the -face, numbness in the limbs, dulness and oppression, palpitations -of the heart, bleeding from the nose, painful engorgements of the -lymphatic ganglions, different inflammations, &c. &c. Finally the body -responds like an echo, to all that takes place in the genital system. -Need we say that nothing of the kind takes place in eunuchs. - -The active development of the genital parts exercises an equal -influence on the functions of the life of relation, in the faculties -of sensation, action, and thought. These faculties, which are so -feeble in the eunuch are extremely active during puberty. This is the -age of muscular activity and agility. If those who are growing up, -sometimes are reluctant to take exercise, this feeling of reluctance -depends on a hyperemia of the nervous centres, which soon disappears. -Numerous different and generally transient sensations, denote the part -which the nervous system takes in what passes in the genital system; -and this is proved also by the frequency of convulsive and spasmodic -affections at this period of life. The moral susceptibility is then -still more exalted than the physical susceptibility. The mind directed -and controlled by the most vivid, most varied, and most transient -impressions, takes up and lays aside the most opposite opinions, and -adopts the most hazardous enterprises. This disposition has existed -to so great a degree as even to constitute a kind of monomania, so -transient as to be almost imperceptible, and during which crimes, -(particularly that of arson) were committed. This fact rests on the -authority of Osiander, Henke, of the faculty of medicine at Leipsick, -of Marc and of many other authors. (_See Marc’s memoir on incendiary -monomania, Annales d’hyg._ October, 1833.) But the mental state -resulting from the change of puberty is characterized particularly by -the readiness with which one shares the affections of others, partakes -of their sympathies, and sympathizes with them. This is the moment of -generous ideas, or as is remarked by those, whose minds no longer feel -the action of organs which have become mute, the period of illusions. -How much experience ought not the mind to gain when passing through -this moral tempest? Is it astonishing then to find weak minds and cold -hearts among eunuchs? Being deprived of these organs which at the -period of puberty give so marked an impulse to the system, they do not -feel it: the most active of all moral excitants is absent. Judge from -this of its power, and yet it is this stimulant which is so much abused -by the onanist. - -Let us resume our remarks. We have seen by comparing the eunuch to the -perfect individual, the male to the female, and the hermaphrodites to -those persons whose genitals are perfect, that the genital organs, from -the simple fact of their existence, exercise a well-marked influence -on the physical intellectual and moral constitution of individuals. We -have also seen by comparing the period of life when the genital organs -are actively developed, with that when they are simply preserved, that -the influence which has been spoken of, is exercised with a variable -degree of intensity, and is in a direct ratio with the vital activity -which exists in these organs. We may then state as a positive truth, -that the genital system modifies extensively the action and sensation -of all our organs, and modifies it in proportion as it is itself -excited. This fact stated, the question whether venereal excesses can -or cannot do much injury is resolved. We may, _à priori_, affirm, -that when the genital organs pass from a state of repose to that of -excitement, and from this to a state of action, their influence on the -other organs is always in an increasing ratio. To prove this requires -no new facts. This action and this progressive increase of power, -result, inevitably from the comparisons we have made. Life is so -mysterious and on the other hand, coition is so transient, that what -takes place in the tissues during its continuance is concealed from -view: but we may be certain that something takes place in them, that -some disturbance there occurs and that the disturbance is greater -during the act of venery than during the preceding states. This act -then exerts more influence than it appears to exert, as it affects -all parts of the organization. If when the genital system appears at -rest, it exercises so much influence on the vitality of the other -organs, what must be its power when the venereal sense is excited in -it, and further when this sense is carried by masturbation or coition -to the greatest degree of excitement. How much then must these secret -functions be modified, whose exercise is so intimately connected with -that of the genital organs! Certainly those who say that the possible -consequences of venereal excesses are exaggerated, have not taken this -view of the subject. - - -§ 2. POWER OF THE GENITAL ORGANS CONSIDERED IN A STATE OF EXCITEMENT. - -When these organs are in a state of _excitement_, they present a -greater degree of excitement than at any of the phases of the state -of repose, not even excepting that of puberty. We may say that they -have passed from the chronic to the acute state. They not only -become the seat of a vivid and special sense, but they also present -a kind of turgescence of erethism, and I will say of very remarkable -inflammation. They swell, become firm and redder, hotter, and moister: -their sensibility becomes extreme. Their power ought certainly to -be increased in proportion to the distance between this state and -the one of repose. This excitement however is so transient, and the -functions on which it reacts are so mysterious, that a great part of -its immediate influence cannot be estimated. For in order to mark the -action of the genital organs on the mode of existence on the action -of the different tissues we must compare individuals to individuals, -that is a whole life with a whole life, or at least we must compare two -long portions of the same life. On this point the study of the state of -repose, of that state which is incomparably the most common, has been -useful to us, for we have arrived at facts, by considering their remote -consequences, which at the moment of their production, constantly -escape. The state of excitement however does not manifest itself solely -by the sensations which attend it. Different signs show that the rest -of the economy feels that the power of the genital organs is increased. - -In fact when this state is well marked, the heat of the other parts -of the body is increased. The eyes are more brilliant: the colour of -the complexion is more lively, the pulse is quicker, and the patient -experiences a kind of febrile agitation which in satyriasis and -nymphomania, that is, in the greater degrees of human venery, presents -the characters of a highly marked fever. The secretions also undergo -important modifications, which are but slightly marked in man, but are -easily recognised in a great number of animals, who exhale during the -_period of heat_, a strong and most generally a disagreeable odour. The -function of nutrition also suffers from this state: thus if it appears -too frequently, or is continued too long, the embonpoint disappears, -the flesh becomes dry, and the body exhibits that leanness which is -seen so frequently in those who are extremely salacious. But, I repeat, -a great part of the influence exercised upon the nutritive functions by -the genital organs when in a state of excitement would be overlooked, -if only the phenomena mentioned were taken into account. In fact these -phenomena are only those which fall directly under the notice of the -senses, and we believe that their number and proportions would increase -infinitely, if the observer could directly inspect the tissues closely. - -But the most striking fact in the state of excitement is the -development of a special sense, the _venereal_ sense. This fact -characterizes this state and it effaces the others to such an extent -that it seems to form it alone. We shall not attempt to describe the -genital sense: a sense cannot be described. We may however ask what is -required? Even as hunger impels to eat and thirst to drink, this sense -impels to the act of venery. It is the bond which brings the two sexes -toward each other, which unites them and which makes, in the words of -the disciples of a new belief, a perfect individual of the male and -female. This sense may be only feebly excited, and then may have only a -moderate degree of power. But when it is exalted, the chain with which -it binds the free will is of incalculable power. The male dreams of the -female: the latter of the male. One of the opposite sex is continually -present to the mind and eyes and imagination. Individuals and forms -which at other times appear by no means remarkable, now seem perfect -and excite transports of admiration. Riches and honors are no longer -esteemed, and even life itself is considered as not worth possessing. -All necessities have disappeared before one only. Hunger and thirst -are no longer felt. In fact it is a state of delirium. All the senses -are concentrated in one: it commands them and receives from them, like -a blind master, all the illusions which they present to it: and then -fatigued by this violent state and exhausted by its excess, even when -not satisfied, it is as it were extinguished. Such is the power of the -genital organs, those organs which are abused by the onanist. Who then -can question the physical evils with which its abuse may be attended. - - -§ 3. POWER OF THE GENITAL ORGANS CONSIDERED IN A STATE OF ACTION. - -If the individual either by legitimate modes or otherwise, wishes to -satisfy his desires, the state of excitement becomes changed to one of -action, and the genital organs then arrive at their greatest degree -of power. All parts of the genital system are interested, and combine -their actions: the testes prepare the semen: the excretory ducts convey -it: the prostrate gland and the muciparous follicles secrete their -special humours, and the mucous fluids flow to the sexual parts. The -erectile tissue, which forms the whole of the glans, the cavernous -bodies, the clitoris, and most of the external and internal labia, the -vagina &c., solicits to itself and retains the blood, becomes swelled -by as much as it can contain, hardens and enlarges to the utmost of -its capacity. At the same time the genital sense passes rapidly through -all the degrees of excitement: and finally arrives at that point beyond -which it cannot extend: every muscle, every mature fibre in the genital -system is then convulsed: the seminal vesicles, the muscles surrounding -the urethra and those which are attached to the anus contract with -violence, and the semen, the loss of which causes so much exhaustion -even when discharged involuntarily, is convulsively expelled. - -The scene now changes: the genital apparatus, lately so full of life -now becomes flaccid: the scrotum becomes loose and pendent, and a -sensation of torpor, of fatigue, of chill follows. The convulsive -motions are succeeded by a kind of paralysis, and all attempts at new -excitement are vain. - -During this tumult and after this crisis, the general state of the -patient conforms in every manner to that of the genital system. Thus -the face reddens, the neck swells, the veins become filled; the skin -is now burning and now moistened with sweat, the heart beats with -rapidity; in fact there is a state of fever, which almost justifies -us in placing the act of venery among diseases. At the same time the -nervous centres, the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the spinal marrow, -experience a very powerful impression. As the state progresses, -consciousness is lost, and the subject is as it were in a state of -delirium. The will is suspended, and the muscles are not controlled by -it, but by the nervous centres which are so much irritated. Thus the -trunk and limbs are agitated by involuntary motions and chills. This -disturbance increases until the crisis arrives, when the convulsion -affects the genital system; a fit of epilepsy as it were ensues: the -sight becomes dim, the trunk stiffens and the neck is thrown back: and -finally this state might be regarded as a violent access of disease if -the beginning and end of it were not known. - -Now however the individual is changed: his face has lost its color, -his limbs are stiff, without motion and as it were paralyzed: the head -is painful, the mind is slow and the limbs are incapable of the least -effort. The hearing is dull, the sight is deranged, and the external -senses impart to the brain only imperfect impressions. The pulsations -of the heart are feeble, the pulse is small, the veins are collapsed -and the eyelids are livid. The soul is left in a state of languor and -sadness and becomes as it were melancholy. - -This picture although giving the principal points is far from being -complete; in order to be perfect it should include that which is not as -well as that which is seen. If the simple labor which takes place in -the genital organs at puberty, is sufficient to modify materially the -functions of nutrition, functions which when deranged give rise to many -diseases, what must be in this respect the influence of the venereal -act, and a fortiori of venereal excesses. This influence, like that -exercised by this act on the nervous system cannot be appreciated at -the moment it is produced, for it is not immediately perceptible. An -idea of this can be gained only in two modes: one consists in measuring -the long intervals which exist between a state of repose and that of -action: we then say that if the first can modify to such an extent the -texture of these organs, their powers of sensation and of action, how -great must be the power of the second. In this manner we reason in this -instance. - -In the other mode an opinion may be formed by remarking the physical -alterations and functional disorders which have been the consequence -of them. This kind of proof which we shall soon examine will not fail -us. We shall then see that the diseases affecting the nervous system, -that system which is powerfully disturbed during coition, are not -the only ones resulting from venereal excesses. We shall see that -all alterations of tissue, every physical disorder, may be caused by -them: and thus we shall complete the proof of this fact that the act -of venery not only produces that convulsive state which is so powerful -while it continues but that it also exercises on all parts of the body -an action which is extremely powerful and is also the source of many -evils. When we think of the power of the act of venery, and consider -that it may be indulged in as often as an individual chooses, and that -if the legitimate mode of indulgence, the concurrence of the sexes is -denied, the individual may abuse himself; when we reflect we say on -all this, we may fearlessly assert that most of the inconveniences and -diseases afflicting the human species, arise from venereal excesses. - -We have hitherto considered masturbation and coition abstractedly -and as if there were no circumstances to change the influence they -exercise. But is this always the case? Are there not individuals who -are rendered indisposed by a single act of venery? Are there not others -who can repeat this act with impunity at near intervals and for a long -period of time? Farther is its influence always the same? Are there not -circumstances which render it more or less injurious and dangerous at -different periods of life? And now what are the circumstances and the -causes of all the differences we have mentioned? This subject will be -considered in the next chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RENDER THE ACT OF VENERY MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS TO -THE CONSTITUTION AND TO THE HEALTH. - - -These circumstances are of two kinds: some depend on the act itself: -others are independent of it and depend most frequently upon the -disposition in which the economy is at the moment of its occurrence. -Let us study in succession these two orders of circumstances. - - -§ 1. CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH THE ACT OF VENERY WHICH RENDER IT -MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS. - -We have seen in the preceding chapter that the influence of these -organs is much greater the more vivid their excitement is: that, -for instance, this influence has more intensity during the state of -excitement than during that of repose: finally that its greatest -degree is felt in the act of venery. The natural consequence of these -facts is that the greater the excitement of the genital organs during -this act, the stronger must be the impression caused by it. We may -then say that its power of doing injury, other things being equal, is -in direct ratio with the force and duration of the excitement which -attends it. And further this result is proved by observation. - -Compare the two sexes together: the female presents instances of -venereal excess, much less frequently than the male. Whence is this -difference? Is it not because the genital sense in females is much -less susceptible of excitement than in males, and therefore the act of -venery causes them much less fatigue? I know that this fact has been -disputed: and it is asserted that the female is fully as sensual as the -male; and that if females show their feelings less, it is because they -are controlled by custom. I know also that the reluctance of females -to submit to the approach of the male is ascribed to a kind of tender -coquetry which tends to increase the ardor of the former. Finally, the -redness of the genital organs of females during the period of heat, has -been mentioned as proving the intensity of their sensations. (_Marc_, -_Dict. des Sc. med._, _art. Celib. etc._) But these arguments cannot be -maintained in opposition to that which daily experience proves to be -true, viz., that as a general fact, females are much less addicted to -the pleasures of love than males, and experience less fatigue during -sexual intercourse. - -The inferiority or perhaps the advantage which females have over males -in this respect, depends on the passiveness which they naturally -exercise in the act of generation: and hence their desires are less -strong. The state of manners justifies their reserve in this respect, -and points out a physiological fact, or rather they are the consequence -of it. As to the pretended coquetry of animals, I do not believe in it -strongly; and in regard to that of females I believe that it has caused -more to err than their desires. If the venereal passion be equally -developed in the two sexes, why is onanism more common in males than in -females, notwithstanding certain conditions ought to produce a contrary -state of things? And farther do not many wives yield themselves to the -caresses of their husbands, without desire and without enjoyment? and -yet this indifference does not prevent conception, for the sensation -of love is not with them, as with the male, an indispensable condition -of the work of generation. Finally would there be any prostitutes, -if coition caused in females the same exhaustion as in the male? -Females then are indisputably less sensual than males; and when this -fact is taken in connexion with the circumstance that women are less -frequently victims of venereal excess, does not this tend to prove, -that, other things being equal, the act of venery is, as before stated, -less injurious, in proportion, as the sensations attending it are less -vivid? Perhaps this explains why females generally live longer by two -or three years, than males, notwithstanding the pains and dangers of -pregnancy, parturition and lactation: and this fact may be deduced -according to Sir John Sinclair, from the registers of mortality of -different countries, and from the rent tables which have been kept -in Holland for a hundred and twenty-five years. Farther, it is well -ascertained that every thing which contributes to give more force and -duration to the sensations attending the act of venery, also increases -the fatigue and disorder which follow it. Coition taken in its simplest -sense, and considered only as an excretion of semen, undoubtedly -causes much less injury than if it occurs with other sensations. Thus -intercourse with public women and generally with those who do not -excite strong sensations is generally attended with less derangement, -as Hunter has remarked, than if accompanied with violent passion. Some -authors however as Sanctorius and Tissot have advanced a contrary -opinion; but they have evidently confounded the state of the mind with -that of the body. When the soul is possessed of a violent passion, the -ardors of love continue a longer time, are not so soon satisfied: -but does it follow from this that the body presents more resistance. -Certainly not, but only that the pernicious effects are felt less at -the time; although at a later period they will be perceived. - -One reason why masturbation is more pernicious than coition arises -from the state of mind during the two acts. The onanist, and here we -allude only to those who have some ideas of sexual intercourse and -love, having no material object which is the beginning and the end of -its pleasures, the imagination must supply and invent it. This mental -labor renders the sensations stronger and the body more disposed to -feel them. Added to these, the onanist is desirous of prolonging his -feeling, and having under his control certain circumstances which in -sexual intercourse hasten the denouement, he retards it. Thus with -fatal skill he gives to this destructive vice all the power it can -possess, and experiences all the evil which this vice can cause. - - -§ 2. CIRCUMSTANCES INDEPENDENT OF THE ACT OF VENERY, WHICH RENDER IT -MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS. - -The economy is not equally affected by venereal excesses in all -individuals at all periods of life. There are some circumstances -which make it necessary for masturbation or coition to be more or -less frequently repeated in order to be injurious. Hence if we wish -to know the real influence of these acts, these circumstances must -be considered. These are numerous but they are not all known. Two -individuals indulge in onanism: one becomes ill in a few weeks: but the -other resists the pernicious habit longer. These two individuals were -certainly in different states, as the event proves. This fact however -was indicated previously by no circumstance: their age, constitution -and manner of living before this were similar: in fact the reason why -they were affected so differently cannot be told. The difference here -presented by two individuals may be observed in the same person, when -considered at different epochs and periods of life. He will resist the -excess of masturbation and coition to a greater degree at some times -than at others, although the circumstances on which these differences -depend are not known. There are then unknown circumstances which have -an effect on the consequences arising from onanism. These remarks are -highly important and seem to be well understood; and it is clear that -there is no possible security for the onanist: in vain does he look -for encouragement by comparing himself to others, or by remarking of a -comrade: “if he had been as healthy as I am, his health would still be -good, he would not have died:” or by saying “why should I fear what I -have indulged in so long with impunity.” This mode of reasoning is out -of the question when the truth of the preceding remark is admitted, and -it is then impossible for a person to deceive himself; and the reason -that so many abuse themselves is because they think themselves stronger -than others. - -Besides these circumstances, there are some which are well known -and which contribute more or less to render the act of venery more -detrimental. These circumstances consist first, in the general state of -the functions at different ages and in the peculiar state of some of -them at different _periods_ of life; second, in a coincidence of action -between the act of venery, and other causes of disease; third, in the -alterations which the constitution may have already suffered, and in -the disposition existing to contract certain diseases; fourth, finally -in the state of the diseases with which the patient is afflicted, when -he indulges in the act of venery. - -§ 3. INFLUENCE WHICH THE GENERAL STATE OF THE FUNCTIONS HAS AT -DIFFERENT AGES, AND WHICH THE PECULIAR STATE OF SOME OF THEM AT -DIFFERENT PERIODS OF LIFE MAY HAVE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACT OF -VENERY. - -Life is composed of three very distinct periods. In the first, the -body is developed and formed: it is a period of progress: while it -continues, the organs gain in force and substance: it terminates when -they have arrived at their greatest degree of perfection: and this -generally takes place about the twenty-fifth year. During the second -period man uses the organs as they are formed and constituted. The only -process which takes place in them is one of reparation, of renewal: -this is the period of maturity: it generally terminates about the -fiftieth year. The third period is the opposite of the first: it is the -period of decline. There is, during this latter period, a progressive -deterioration of the strength and of the tissues. It terminates with -life. Thus a state of development, that of maturity, and that of -decline are the three aspects under which life presents itself. Let -us trace the effect of venereal excesses in these different phases of -action. - -_First period._ No animal, and particularly no one of the vertebrated -animals can procreate on entering the world. The genital organs -doubtless exist at that time, but their form is rudimentary, which -proves that they are incapable of doing much. These organs do not -acquire the power of fulfilling their special functions, until a more -advanced period of life, which period varies in different species of -animals, but is nearly the same in all individuals of the same species. -Until this time there is no secretion of prolific semen in the male, -nor creation of ovales in the female: the procreative power does not -exist. - -Man is no exception to this common rule; his genital organs, although -distinct, are scarcely developed at the moment of birth. The penis in -males, the nymphæ and clitoris in females appear it is true to have a -certain size, but this size does not depend on the development of the -true spongy, erectile tissue of these parts. The genital apparatus -continues to grow, although slowly during infancy, but it does not -become filled for reproduction until after the rapid development seen -at puberty. Hence in man, as in all animals, the power of reproduction -does not exist until after some portion of life has elapsed. What is -this portion? why does not the power come earlier or later? this is of -but little importance: existence is necessary a certain time before -it appears. But as God has made nothing useless in this world, we may -fearlessly assert that those who before the age for procreation, excite -in themselves the feelings attending this faculty, do an unnatural act -and one which is necessarily pernicious. - -Thus _à priori_, and by the application of general laws all premature -indulgences are reproved. This opinion is confirmed by the study of -the human body in the first third of its existence. This period of -life is marked by two facts of the highest importance. It is then -that the organs form, that they become perfect in substance, extent, -and texture. It is then also that they acquire in action and in the -power of receiving impressions the characters which form their special -constitution, that is, the state which considered at the same time -in all the organs, composes what is called the _temperament_. During -Infancy and in youth, the formation of the substance of the body and -of its constitution, is going on. Let us compare with this process, on -the regularity of which the health, and well-being of the individual -depends, let us compare, we say venereal indulgences, or rather -masturbation, for this alone is then possible; we shall then see why -the generative faculty was not born with us, and why the precocious -excitement of the genital sense is attended with so much danger. - -The first result of this excitement is to hasten the material and -sensitive development of the genital organs. The preternatural size -which masturbation gives to the penis in children is so remarkable -that this alone is often sufficient to reveal this habit. Farther -this excitement not only awakens the venereal sense long before the -legitimate period of its appearance, but it acquires so much power -that the youngest persons brave all connective means to satisfy it. -Here then we have a system of organs forcing their development forward -at the expense of the other organs. This state undoubtedly causes -derangement and if we compare the genital organs with those which have -the least sensibility, we may form an opinion of the consequences -of it. If we reflect on the symptoms attending dentition which are -often severe; or those depending on too rapid growth of the bones, and -then measure the great difference between the vitality of the osseous -and genital systems, we can form an idea of the injury caused by the -premature enlargement of the genital apparatus. Although there may be -no real disease, yet the wasting of the body, the enervation which -results from excessive growth are often sufficient to give to a young -man the appearance of an onanist. - -If such feelings arise simply from the osseous system, what must we -expect when onanism, with its train of moral and of sensual feelings, -forces the genital organs to take part in the efforts of growth. The -power which is then impaired is the same which we have seen extend -over all parts of the organization, that, whose action when regular, -contributes so much to make each tissue perfect, in fact that which -when removed gives to man the characters of an eunuch. Now consider -onanism as possessing this power and using to do injury all the -energy which it possesses to do good; what limits shall be assigned -to its injurious effects? and yet some authors question them. Many -general phenomena of puberty also appear prematurely, when premature -indulgences call them into development. Thus the beard appears on the -chin, the pubis is covered with hairs, the voice assumes a deeper tone, -and the first indications of virility show themselves much earlier than -is proper. These symptoms serve to trace the aberrations which onanism -causes in the formation of the organs. This vice too does not surely -hasten or retard; it deranges: for the derangement of the functions -is not generally manifested by irregularities in formation, aspect, -and texture, but by material alterations, by diseases. Hence why -inflammations of all kinds, and numerous organic affections result, as -observation proves, sooner or later from anticipated pleasures: now as -the susceptibility of the organs varies in individuals, and as in one, -the heart, in another the lungs, the stomach &c. is most liable to be -affected, we see why the list of diseases caused by onanism, comprises -most of those which afflict the human body. - -Nor is this all; if the excitement of a sense, which affects all the -other organs, and to which they respond, occurs at a time when their -mode of action and of sensation, or their temperament is not formed, -this latter varies from what it would be, if developed calmly and -uninfluenced by this excited sense. Hence not only the _health_ but -the _constitution_ suffers from the too precocious use of the genital -organs. He who might have attained the age of manhood, with a robust -temperament by which his body resists numerous bad influences by which -it is constantly assailed, will after indulging in onanism, be exposed -to all these influences. This vice then compromises both the present -and future health of the body; the present by the diseases with which -it is accompanied, and the future by those for which it prepares. -Hence if the young man escapes with life, he is as it were loaded with -a tribute of ills which he must pay before long and perhaps always. -Thus the indirect influence of onanism in producing human suffering is -enormous. I consider it even as greater in proportion than that of the -most immediate consequences of this fatal habit. This is confirmed not -only by daily observation, but it cannot be otherwise. How much then -do those deceive themselves who seek for the diseases of masturbation -without believing in their existence, and who continue to indulge -because they do not see its abuses. - -If premature indulgence cause so much injury it should be one of -the most interesting duties of humanity to prevent children and -young persons from abusing themselves, and although the practice of -onanism cannot be controlled by laws, legislators might however fix -the age under which marriages could not legally take place. We must -however admit that circumstances connected with the social state of -different people, with the power of procuring the means of subsistence -for a family and the necessity of having vigorous children have -contributed not a little to fix this age. Thus the laws frequently -present differences which can only be explained by taking into view -the necessities under which they were passed. Females however are -allowed to marry much younger than males: this depends on two facts, -first because puberty takes place earlier in females than in males, -and secondly because the latter require their organization to be more -advanced to resist the fatigue of generation. - -The age at which the venereal power enters into full action, and when -its exercise is attended with the least detriment has been generally -determined on two distinct grounds: first, the physical aptitude for -sexual intercourse: second, the general state of the organization. -The marriageable age has been fixed at an earlier or later period -according as legislators have assumed one or the other of these bases. -The first served as foundations for the matrimonial laws of the Romans: -and probably the second served as a guide to Lycurgus, who prohibited -men from marrying before the age of thirty-seven, and to Plato who -recommended that every child born of a female younger than twenty years -old or begotten by a man less than thirty years, should be branded with -infamy. J. J. Rousseau too reasons in the same manner: “until the age -of twenty,” he says, “the body grows and has need of all its substance: -continence is natural, and if not observed it is at the expense of the -constitution.” - -Although the physical aptitude for coition comes at the age of puberty, -this fact proves nothing except that the genital organs can then be -used. It does not follow that the genital power is fully developed -or that the body is in the state most favorable for its use. Who -would venture to say; that because masturbation is practicable in -early infancy that it is not more injurious than at a later period of -life? Hence the cause and degree of the evils attendant on premature -indulgence is to be sought for in the degree of perfection of the -organism as we have already stated. We therefore think ourselves -justified in saying that other things being equal the period of life -when the act of venery is attended with the least trouble, is that -which begins when the organization is completed, is perfected; and as -a reverse of this formula, we may say, that other things being equal, -venereal enjoyments anterior to this period, are more detrimental, the -less perfect the system is. - -The _perfect state_ then is the point to which the system must -arrive, before the act of venery is permitted, and before marriage -is allowable. There is then no longer any fear of disturbing the -formative process. Look at animals, those at least which are not -domesticated; they do not indulge in the act of reproduction, until -they have attained their full vigor, and how often too do severe -battles take place for a female. The domestic animals live in a manner -which hastens the development of the venereal sense; and they often -indulge in procreating at an early period, but suffer for it, and the -genital faculties soon become extinct. It seems also to be proved by -the researches of Hofalker of Inspruch and Girou of Buzaringues, that -both in man and animals the age of the individuals has an influence -on the sex and quality of the offspring. But why look to animals for -proofs? Daily observation and the testimony of all authors, put beyond -all doubt the danger of precocious indulgence. There are certainly -numerous individuals of every age who indulge in venereal excesses; -but those cases which come under our notice, or whose histories are -related by authors, are generally those of young people. Different -causes I know may contribute to this result; one of the principal is, -that masturbation is the act of venery most frequently practised before -the adult age, and that this is generally more pernicious than coition. -We have already stated one reason for this difference; we may add that -as onanism does not require the concurrence of the sexes, it is more -liable on this account to excess. But do these causes alone explain -why the immediate consequences of venereal excesses are not seen with -but few exceptions except at an early period of life. The enormous -disproportion arises from the precocity of these excesses, and also -from the state of the economy before it is perfect. - -We have now to determine at what period of life the body arrives at -its perfect state and the distance which separates it from this state -at the different ages which precede it. This period however is varied -by many circumstances, and it is far from being the same in every -individual, in the same country or in the same climate. We can then -present only mean results, deduced from those collected in France which -are the most numerous and authentic. - -As we have already said, the organization of the human body is -composed of two parts: the development of the tissues and that of -the constitution. The economy then cannot be said to be in a perfect -state until this double development is finished, and the organs -have gained all their power and substance. Unfortunately the labor -of the constitution and its progress in activity and in receiving -impressions, cannot be estimated by positive rules: but it is connected -so intimately with the development of the body, that this can give a -sufficiently exact idea of its progress and state. We may then simply -by a glance at the development of texture, fix with a certain degree -of precision, the value of these words: _premature_ and _precocious -enjoyments_. - -It would be out of place to examine the different organs separately and -trace their growth, and in the present state of science we cannot give -this labor the precision necessary to attain our purpose. But there is -one fact which can be measured, viz., the weight of the body. Let us -state then the varieties in weight presented at different periods of -life, as determined by Quetelet and Villermé. - -The mean weight of a male child at birth is three kilogrammes and -twenty decimetres. Each year its weight increases in the following -proportion: - - At 1 year he weighs 9 kil. 45 dec. - 2 " " 11 34 - 3 " " 12 47 - 4 " " 14 23 - 5 " " 15 77 - 6 " " 17 74 - 7 " " 19 10 - 8 " " 20 76 - 9 " " 22 64 - 10 " " 24 52 - 11 " " 27 10 - 12 " " 29 82 - 13 " " 34 38 - 14 " " 38 76 - 15 " " 43 62 - 16 " " 49 67 - 17 " " 52 85 - 18 " " 57 85 - 19 " " 60 06 - 25 " " 62 93 - 30 " " 63 95 - 40 " " 63 67 - 50 " " 64 46 - 60 " " 61 94 - 70 " " 59 52 - 80 " " 57 83 - 90 " " 57 83 - -This table shows us that man attains the maximum of weight at forty -years of age. At this age then we may regard the economy as being -perfect. Now when we consider that persons from twelve to eighteen -years indulge most frequently in masturbation and that this habit may -be formed at a very young age, we may easily conceive of the ills -with which it may be attended. This consequence is seen more clearly -and exactly by the following table. The mean weight of man when the -organization is complete being sixty-three kilogrammes sixty-seven -decimetres, at the time of birth he has yet to gain sixty kilogrammes -forty-seven decimetres. - - At 1 year old 54 kils. 22 dec. - 2 " 52 33 - 3 " 51 20 - 4 " 49 44 - 5 " 47 90 - 6 " 46 43 - 7 " 44 57 - 8 " 42 91 - 9 " 41 02 - 10 " 39 15 - 11 " 36 57 - 12 " 33 85 - 13 " 29 29 - 14 " 24 91 - 15 " 20 05 - 16 " 14 00 - 17 " 10 82 - 18 " 5 82 - 20 " 3 61 - 25 " 0 74 - 30 " 0 02 - -Hence it will be seen that a man who at the moment of birth only -possesses about .05 of the growth he afterwards attains, will have at -most only a quarter of his full weight when 5 years old, at which age -many children begin to indulge in masturbation. When ten years of age, -he has yet to gain nearly .60 and nearly .40 of his weight when he has -arrived at his fourteenth year. When sixteen years old, one fifth of -his weight is still deficient, and at eighteen years nearly one tenth; -his growth although nearly completed at the age of twenty-five, is not -entirely attained, since even when thirty years old, the weight of the -body is capable of a slight increase. - -_Of the effect of venereal excesses when the subject of them has -attained his growth._ The age of maturity is the period when venereal -pleasures are attended with the slightest derangements and dangers. At -this period these pleasures may not only not be injurious, but may even -be necessary. This last circumstance would be sufficient to distinguish -this period from those of the growth and decline of the body, when -these pleasures are never useful. Let it not be thought, however, that, -at the age of maturity, they may be indulged in to excess, or that the -pleasures of love are limited only by the power of indulging in them, -this is a great mistake; abuses are less frequent, but they do occur, -as is seen both by experience and by simple reasoning. Although at -the age of maturity the body increases but slightly, yet the process -of nutrition is not arrested. It is true that the size and weight of -the body no longer increase, but its substance is constantly renewed. -The act of venery may then interfere with and derange as before the -function of nutrition. The constitution also may be affected, and -although the regular course of its formation may not be deranged, yet -it may be deteriorated and its influence on the action and sensation of -the different organs is so great, that if this deterioration proceed -to any extent, these organs will suffer. Thus the health may be -injured and the constitution impaired in adults, by venereal excesses; -their influence however is resisted longer. The adult age may even -present more unfavourable conditions for venereal excess than the -period of growth. It may be attended with diseases transmitted from -preceding years. In the adult age, the errours of youth are atoned -for: wretchedness, debauchery, and excesses of every kind may leave -their mark upon the body. Venereal excesses then find the constitution -impaired, the health deranged, and they increase the evil already -existing. Those particularly who have indulged in masturbation in -their youth, perceive on arriving at the adult age, that if they wish -to taste the pleasures of love, even to a moderate extent, they are -affected with bad feelings which prove that premature indulgences must -be paid for with interest. - -Different circumstances may render the act of venery injurious at the -adult age, but as these do not belong exclusively to this age, we shall -speak of them hereafter. - -_Of the effect of venereal excesses in the period of decline._ The -faculty of procreating in mankind has its limits: as this power is not -attained till at a certain period of life, so too it continues only -for a certain period. The spermatic animalculæ, the microscopic sign -of the power of generating, are seen only during a portion of human -existence: they do not appear till puberty, and disappear in advanced -life. This is true also in regard to all animals: the rule is a general -one. God has willed that the period of maturity should be the only one -devoted to love: is it not a fair conclusion that those who transgress -this law expose themselves to its penalties? As the sense of venery -precedes, so too it may outlive, the procreative power; it then excites -to indulgence at too late a period of life. Examples of this anomaly -are very common; hence we need not refer for them to the works of the -old writers, we will merely say that a large portion of those committed -for attempts at rape are old men. Fortunately the venereal sense is -that which suffers the soonest from excesses; and if sometimes the -venereal desires are excited, the state of the genital organs prevents -their indulgence. - -Sometimes, however, the case is otherwise: excited in different ways -the genital organs in old men, may for a few moments appear to have -regained a faculty which they considered to be lost; these imprudent -persons soon pay dearly for their indiscretion. Let us reflect a moment -on the state in which venereal pleasures find man in his old age. -His substance, instead of increasing or of continuing sound, wastes -away. We have seen in a former page, that after the fortieth year the -weight of the body begins to diminish; the tissues also vary in every -respect from the perfect state as seen at the age of maturity. Farther -the sensibility is diminished, the vital activity is enfeebled, the -faculties become enervated, in short the economy is impaired. Need -we now to make any remarks in regard to the most exhausting of human -actions to show its danger? And yet we have only pictured old age as it -progresses of its own accord, gently and slowly, without being hurried -on by any infirmity; but this rarely happens. - -In speaking of the adult age, I have pointed out the affections with -which it is attended. But the case is worse in old age. All parts of -the body have suffered so many attacks, have been so often affected, -that hardly one of them can be called sound. Hence every cause of -disease is serious and important, the body being as it were ripe for -a diseased affection. What ought then to be the influence of the act -of venery? Will it not quicken into life, the seeds of disease which -are as it were already sown? In fact it often has a violent effect on -the system, and sudden death follows exertions which ought not to be -made. How many old men have yielded up their existence in the nuptial -bed, when their term of life might have been continued, if they had not -exhausted their strength in unnatural exertions. - -We have said that the peculiar state of some functions may render the -act of venery more injurious at some periods of life than at others. -The functions to which we alluded, were digestion, menstruation, -pregnancy, and lactation. - -Masturbation and coition are often practised after taking food. -Sometimes the general excitement attending the labor of digestion -extends to the genital organs, and excites to these acts. We cannot -say that they are then always injurious: as this would be contradicted -by facts; but that they frequently are is supported by the opinions of -all authors, who have written on the subject. “Coition after eating,” -says Sanctorius, “is injurious,” and he attributes the same effect to -thoughts of venery. His commentator Lorry confirms this opinion. - -The act of venery during digestion, may injure in two modes. First by -deranging the digestive system, and by exposing it to the affections -which are the usual consequences of such a derangement. To this -must be referred most of the derangements usually presented by the -digestive organs of onanists, who merely watch their opportunities -for self-pollution, without regarding whether digestion is or is not -finished. Happily vomiting then sometimes rids the stomach of food -which might be badly digested, and thereby cause more disturbance. - -The second mode in which the act of venery acts during digestion, is -by causing a general state of excitement, which adds to that caused -by the digestive process. All the organs as the heart, lungs, brain, -&c., are during digestion in a state of hyperemia, of congestion; -they are crowded with blood, as is indicated by a great number of -symptoms. It can easily be imagined that venereal excitement under -such circumstances, may become the cause of inflammations and organick -affections, or may, at least, contribute to their development; -by increasing also a congestion caused by an abundant repast, it -may immediately excite severe and fatal symptoms. Instances of -individuals who have died during the act of coition, after leaving the -dinner-table, are by no means rare. Campet states a case where a man on -quitting the dinner-table, at which he had drank freely, was accosted -by a public woman, went home with her, and died in her arms. A marshal -of France a few years since, met his death in a similar manner. - -The act of venery, if indulged in during the period of menstruation, -may sometimes derange this function. - -The injuries resulting from coition during pregnancy have never been -doubted; by some, however, too much importance and by others too -little has been attached to this state. Levret attributes most cases -of abortion, which cannot otherwise be accounted for, to this cause. -Zimmerman, Gardien, Murat, Dugès, &c., also regard this act as a -frequent cause of miscarriage. Different conclusions have been drawn -from these opinions. Some authors assert, that females have a right to -deny their husbands during gestation. Montaigne is of this opinion. -Some natives as the Mahometans, repudiate all intercourse with pregnant -females. In some African tribes, pregnant women are secluded, and no -one is allowed to have intercourse with them. Pallas states that the -Calmuck Tartars condemn the person, whose incontinence has caused -abortion, to pay a fine, the amount of which is directly in proportion -to the age of the fetus. - -The most general opinion however of physicians on this subject, is -that coition to a moderate extent during pregnancy, and where there is -no disposition to miscarriage, is not generally detrimental: but that -when this act is repeated imprudently, it may cause great excitement in -the uterus, and be attended with abortion. Continence is particularly -recommended to nervous females, and must be insisted upon when there -is reason to fear abortion. We must however observe, that venereal -excesses have often been indulged in during pregnancy with evil -intents, but without producing the desired result. - -Lactation has also been considered by some authors as contra indicating -the pleasures of love. Children it is said have been known to become -convulsed, when nursing just after their mothers had indulged in sexual -intercourse. Lascivious nurses have generally been regarded as bad. -Many mothers, however, admit the embraces of their husbands, and their -offspring does not suffer. We are far from thinking that the influence -supposed to be exercised by the act of venery upon the milk of nurses, -is entirely unfounded; hence this act should be used with moderation. - -_Influence which the act of venery may have, when coincident either -with the action of other causes of disease, or with alterations in the -constitution and health._ When an individual suddenly changes his mode -of living, and the influences to which he has been exposed, and becomes -a subject to new influences, his health most generally suffers to a -certain extent. This is seen in the young man who comes directly from -the pure air of the country into the confined atmosphere of the city, -and in those who remove from the temperate to the torrid zone. The -action of powerful causes of disease, of excessive heat, of deleterious -exhalations, often adds to the simple change of habit. Thus all authors -who have written on the diseases of warm countries, consider the act -of venery, as one of the most active occasional causes of yellow -fever, of malignant fevers, of cholera morbus, and generally of the -severe diseases contracted by Europeans. A similar disposition may -be seen in young men, who pass many hours in the infected atmosphere -of hospitals, and particularly in dissecting-rooms, if they indulge -with females or in onanism: typhus fevers have been caused by it. -The individual who lives in a filthy neighbourhood, who experiences -privations, who indulges to excess in wine or spirituous liquors, -who labors hard either corporeally or mentally, who is deprived of -sleep, who is affected with sadness, &c., bears the act of venery -badly; it adds to the enervation already felt, and generally robs the -individuals of health. Venereal pleasures should be abstained from, -during the prevalence of epidemics: every person is then disposed to -the prevailing disease, and a single act of coition may produce it. - -The influence of the act of venery is much more injurious, when the -causes which we have mentioned, and generally all those which may -impair the constitution, have affected it to a greater or less degree. -Diseases of long duration, if badly treated, excesses and the causes -mentioned above may bring the system to such a state, that enjoyments -even if seldom indulged in, may produce great suffering and disease. -Venereal excesses may also create predispositions and change them -as well as those which have a different origin into other morbid -affections. - -It is well known that the venereal desires do not generally exist, -except the person be in a state of health. The same may be said too -of the generative power, if we may judge from Haller’s remark that -the spermatic animalculæ disappear during disease. It is ascertained -that the number of conceptions is in a direct ratio with the degree -of health enjoyed by a people; they increase in a healthy season, -and diminish in an unhealthy season. This fact is established by the -researches of Villermé in regard to the births and deaths in France, -Italy, England and Belgium, and also in regard to the marshy parts -of France at different periods of the year, (_Ann. d’hyg. publ._, -_January_, 1831.) Thus then the genital sense, like that of hunger, -and probably the power of procreating, like that of digesting, is -most generally suspended during disease. Is not this one of the many -warnings of the organization, as to the preservative power? - -It is true however that individuals indulge in coition and masturbation -although even in an advanced state of disease. This is most frequently -seen in onanists. “I have seen,” says Pinel, “a person affected with -a dynamic fever who was entirely exhausted, and yet his passion for -onanism was so powerful, that on the sixth day of the disease he -still attempted to excite his organs, although death was coming upon -him.” Similar cases have been witnessed by every practitioner, which -we shall mention in the course of this work. Thus then even a severe -disease does not entirely prevent the act of venery. Let us now inquire -what is the effect when such people indulge. It must be admitted that -this indulgence is at least useless, except in very rare cases, where -continence is the cause of sickness. Strictly speaking, this may be -the case in certain chronic affections and in some few individuals, -but it is rare. The power of the act of venery is so great, and the -diseased organs are generally so sensitive to the impressions made -on the economy, that if there are apparently some diseases which -seem unaffected by this act, it is because the modification which -they experience escapes observation. We may then state as a general -rule that if the act of venery be indulged in by sick people, it is -injurious and generally to a great degree. How great is the injury when -the disease is caused by venereal indulgences. - -It often happens that diseases resist to an unaccountable extent all -remedial agents: suspicion is excited and finally we find that the -patient, an onanist before he was taken sick, has continued to abuse -himself through his sickness: and again, the symptoms of the disease -under treatment gradually disappear: but the strength does not return, -nor does the patient become convalescent. Debility increases instead -of diminishing: the patient becomes thinner and the fever continues: -finally the sick person falls into a consumption and the fatal habit -is at last discovered. In others the disease seems to be terminated, -but is suddenly re-excited, the patient being too hasty to indulge -in masturbation or coition. This happened to a man fifty years old, -who was gouty, and much addicted to the pleasures of the table, and -whose case is related by Hoffman. Having indulged in coition soon -after he was convalescent from pleurisy, this man had a relapse which -was much more dangerous than the original illness. The same author -states a similar case, where the imprudence was followed by death. -Scrofula, rickets, gout, and stone are says M. Marc, diseases, which -on arriving at a certain point, are aggravated by coition. The same -remark applies to all other maladies. M. Falret mentions a female -affected with melancholy at the hospital Salpetrière, whose mental -affection has several times been re-excited by onanism, after she was -thought to be cured. Cutaneous diseases in particular may give an idea -of the influence exercised by the act of venery on those maladies -which are deeply situated. Alibert mentions the history of an herpetic -disease which was always more intense after the patient had indulged -in onanism: this unfortunate individual was then tormented by a severe -itching. - -The irregularity and singularity of the symptoms of those sick people -who indulge in onanism, are particularly remarkable. The nervous system -evidently feels an influence in addition to that of the disease, or is -disposed to be particularly affected by all those which occur. This -fact, established by Tissot and Georget, should always be remembered -by physicians. We may form an idea of the derangement caused by the -act of venery in the progress and appearance of diseases by the severe -symptoms which it produces in wounds and particularly those of the -head. Tetanus, delirium, and other nervous symptoms have often been -caused by it. Fabricius de Hilden states the case of a young man whose -hand was amputated, and whose physician forbid having any intercourse -with his wife, who was also informed of the danger. But when all -the symptoms disappeared, and the cure was progressing rapidly, the -patient feeling desires to which his wife could not respond, procured a -seminal emission without coition; it was immediately followed by fever, -delirium, convulsions and other symptoms, and in four days the patient -died. - -Death also often follows coition in patients affected with diseases -of the heart and large vessels. This was seen in the case of Corroy, -a servant at the hospital la Chardité. One evening while intoxicated -he met a courtezan with whom he proposed spending the night, but in -the midst of his transports he suddenly died. On examining his body it -was found that he had an aneurism near the commencement of the arch of -the aorta. The rupture of this tumor was evidently the cause of his -sudden death. Probably also a similar occurrence happened in the case -mentioned by Felix Plater. The patient having married a second time, -experienced, while consummating the marriage, such a violent degree -of suffocation that he was forced to suspend his efforts: the same -symptom re-appeared whenever he again attempted it. Having consulted -a charlatan, he was recommended to persevere: he did so, and died. -Examples of sudden death during coition are not rare. Death generally -arises from aneurism or apoplexy. Pliny the naturalist mentions two -cases, and Tabourdot in his _Bigarrures_, has preserved the epitaphs of -several who have perished in this manner. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES CAUSED BY VENEREAL EXCESSES. - -The genital organs when they are abused are precisely in the same state -as if they were diseased. In this case in fact, they are not in their -normal state for they are in action when the health demands that they -should rest. Hence when we consider them either specially or as to -their action on the rest of the body, we see that they resemble organs -in a morbid state; they are, as it were affected with an intermittent -malady, having distinct periods of access, which are repeated more -or less frequently, according to the acts of the onanist. The local -condition of these organs is at first that which they present during -the act of venery, but at a later period they may present different -alterations, which continue after the periods of access, in the same -manner as the tissues are modified, if the cause which renders them -diseased continues to act on them. The general state of onanists is -also perfectly analogous to that observed in diseases. In them, the -genital organs are the seat of different symptoms, and the focus of -numerous diseases. The symptoms appear first only during the periods of -access, or for a few hours afterward: then they continue longer and the -intermissions become shorter and afterward are only remissions: finally -the disease is perfectly continued. This is the usual course of the -symptoms of this affection which may be called the _genital_ disease. -Frequently however, one of the derangements of the reproductive system, -assumes, on account of its individual peculiarities a more determined -character than the others, and becomes as it were independent of them. -This disorder is then no longer a symptom but becomes a disease which -is in one phthisis, in another myelitis, epilepsy, amaurosis &c. So too -with a wound; this which at first caused only fever and other symptoms -intimately connected with it, becomes afterward gastroenteritis, -tetanus, or some other disease which has its regular place in systems -of nosology. _Voluntary pollution_, when it becomes injurious must -then be considered as an _affection_ having its symptoms, and also as -a _cause_ of disease. We shall proceed to consider it in these two -relations in two different sections. The first will be devoted to the -symptoms arising from this pollution, the second, to the diseases -caused by it. - - -§ 1. SPECIAL SYMPTOMS OF VENEREAL EXCESSES. - -Before proceeding to describe these symptoms, we would remark, 1st -that the results of venereal excesses are so analogous to those -of involuntary pollution, that it is impossible to point out any -difference between them: 2d that the general effects of these -pollutions, whether voluntary or involuntary, are also extremely -analogous to those caused by the slow destruction of an organ; those -for instance observed in phthisis pulmonalis, cancer of the uterus, -profuse suppurations, chronic diarrhœa, &c. Thus then the results -of masturbation and of coition are the same as those of involuntary -seminal emissions, which is decidedly a disease of the genital organs, -and as those of other severe maladies affecting different parts. -Are not these analogies sufficient to prove that we were correct in -regarding the state in which the genital organs are momentarily when -abused, as a state of disease. - -One of the most constant effects of excessive masturbation is the -loss of flesh. This symptom shows itself more or less rapidly, and -extends to a greater or less degree. We may regard it as one of the -circumstances in which onanists most resemble those affected with -phthisis, with diarrhœa, and generally, individuals confined with a -severe and long continued illness. The loss of flesh arising from -onanism has not unfrequently been attributed to a too precocious growth -and vice versa. This symptom is much more striking in some onanists, -as it is attended with excessive appetite and a healthy state of the -digestive organs. How great must be the influence of the genital organs -when abused, on the nutritive process, to cause this loss of flesh, -even under the conditions most favorable for its gain. It is not -uncommon to see onanists affected with a complete state of marasmus: -their frame is reduced to a skeleton and presents in anticipation a -picture of the state in which death will soon place them. Many parts, -as the loins, thighs and lower extremities are often remarkable for -their extreme emaciation. Sainte Marie who has observed this fact, -attributes it and also the debility of these parts, to a morbid state -of the spinal marrow, and not unjustly. The facility with which -onanists regain their flesh on leaving off these bad habits, is equally -remarkable with their rapid loss of substance. There are individuals -however who remain thin and dried up through life, in consequence of -abusing themselves while young. - -The loss of strength generally follows the loss of flesh and returns -also with it. At first debility only follows the act temporarily, but -afterward it continues longer: new emissions of semen take place, and -even before the subject of them has regained the strength exhausted -by a previous indulgence. In the morning he rises from his bed with -difficulty: during the day he is idle, stupid, and indolent, and -pursues his avocations without any spirit. If he goes up stairs, or -ascends a hill, his heart beats forcibly, and he pants very much. This -debility, if the cause which produces it does not cease to act, may -increase to a frightful degree. We have seen onanists whose bodies were -bent down by the weight of the head and chest and curved as in old -men: these individuals could not stand erect, their lower extremities -could not support their weight, and at the least motion they felt giddy -and faint, and finally terminated the remnant of their existence on a -sofa or bed which they could not leave. Many authors, Sanctorius and -Tissot among others, have asserted that this debility is greater or -less according to the position of the body during the act of venery; -but we attach but slight importance to this circumstance, although -they may have some effect. We think more of Sainte Marie’s opinion, -that the lower part of the body is frequently weaker than the upper, -because the spinal marrow is affected by seminal emissions. As the -flesh returns when the onanist ceases from his bad habits, so too -does his strength, and generally rapidly. But there are many, who are -affected during their whole lives with great debility, which unfits -them for many occupations. It is very common to find individuals who -complain of being incapable of any physical effort, and who request -their physician to give them strength. On questioning them, almost all -admit that in their youth they have been addicted to onanism. Some do -not wait to be questioned but refer to their former excesses as the -source of their troubles and denounce them as the cause of their actual -debility. Most invalids however do not refer so far back to the origin -of their illness or even do not dream of it: they remain at peace -with themselves and their ignorance might deserve to be respected, -if they were not or would not probably be fathers, and if it did not -become us to excite their vigilance in regard to their children. Thus -then venereal abuses may cause not only a transient debility, but an -exhaustion which may be continued, as long as life lasts. - -The loss of flesh and strength is not the only symptom of consumption -which _undermine gradually_ the onanist: many signs indicate that -all the functions are affected as it were with a loss of strength. -The countenance instead of the vermilion glow of health, is pale and -without freshness, or of a yellowish, earthy, leaden, and livid teint; -the lips lose their color, a bluish circle surrounds the eyes, the -eyelids are puffed out with œdema: the flesh is soft and flaccid: the -pulse is small and feeble: upon the slightest motion or during sleep, -the forehead, chest and palms of the hands are bathed with profuse -perspiration: in some patients the hands and feet are edematous: in -short, the symptoms are those of general atony, which are attended with -a slow hectic fever, denoting that the economy does not yield without -reaction to the destructive disease. - -We ought perhaps to wait before speaking of the disturbance of -the digestive organs, which almost constantly attends venereal -abuses, until we had finished describing the symptoms of voluntary -spermatorrhœa and were stating the diseases resulting from it. In fact -the digestion is deranged then only because the digestive organs are -diseased, and are affected with dyspepsy, gastritis, erteritis, &c.; -but these derangements are so common after the loss of the seminal -fluid, that we think ourselves authorized to treat these derangements -as symptoms. Venereal excesses may affect the digestive organs in -several ways, first by disturbing digestion if they occur while this -process is going on: this fact has already been stated. We might -add that when food is taken too soon after masturbation or coition -digestion is seldom performed well. This fact did not escape the notice -of Sanctorius, who remarks, _Cibus copiosior solito post immoderatum -coition interimeret nisi succederet aliqua ciborum corruptela_. -Venereal excesses may also affect the digestive apparatus in another -manner besides that of directly disturbing its functions. This system -is so intimately connected with all parts of the human body that all -are influenced by it. If then the digestive functions are disturbed by -most morbid states, can they remain uninjured when so many symptoms -are presented by the genital apparatus which has become the focus of -so many symptoms! Certainly not: these functions also take a part -and a large part in the disorders which are the usual consequences -of venereal excesses. A moderate exercise of the genital organs may -excite the stomach, render the appetite more keen and the digestion -more rapid. Hence why young men who begin to masturbate or to indulge -with women have frequently an insatiable appetite, which leads them to -eat constantly, which is very striking inasmuch as debility and loss of -flesh ensue in just the same manner. But such a state of things cannot -long continue: thus numerous signs soon show that excesses in venery -may act on the digestive tube in another manner than by rendering the -appetite more keen and the digestion more easy. In fact the appetite -does not long resist excesses of onanism: it first diminishes, then -disappears, and is often replaced by a decided disgust for every kind -of food; in some patients it becomes irregular, capricious: in others -it remains: the latter have most cause of complaint, for it continues -longer than digestion is performed. “My appetite remains,” writes -an onanist to Tissot, “but it is a misfortune, as eating is followed -by pain in the stomach and my food is rejected.” Many onanists feel -pains of a similar character after eating. In others there is a sense -of oppression, of fulness, in the epigastric region. In some there -is a gnawing feeling resembling that produced by a want of food: -this symptom is very common in girls, who in consequence of secret -practices, have become affected with leucorrhœa. In some the face and -cheeks present a redness which contrasts remarkably with their habitual -paleness: onanists are frequently affected with headache, vertigo, -flushed face, &c. In some the slowness of the digestion is indicated by -eructations, which occur long after taking food: or the belly is tense -and filled with wind. Food, which was formerly digested with ease, is -now oppressive: and the list of articles of diet is shortened every -day. Some onanists have been known in these cases to indulge in ardent -spirits with the vain hope of exciting their appetite, and regaining -their strength. Repeated vomitings, constant pain in the belly and a -slow fever are also frequent symptoms of the deep-seated affections of -the digestive organs. In many patients the intestinal canal is more -liable to be affected by venereal excesses, than the stomach. Obstinate -constipation in some, diarrhœa and borborygmi in others are the usual -signs of the affection of this canal. Fournier and Begin mention the -case of a young man, who almost constantly experienced after excess -in coition, severe colics followed by excessive diarrhœa and an -insupportable tenesmus. Rest, gummy drinks, the use of farinaceous food -and a small quantity of red wine, soon dissipated these symptoms, which -sometimes threw him into an alarming state of languor and debility. -(_Dict. des. Sc. Med._, _art. Masturbation_.) Hoffman relates a -similar case. We have more than once met with similar effects. A young -man whom we attended in 1832 died, after excesses in onanism, with -diarrhœa. This unfortunate individual, although in the last stages -of consumption, still indulged as soon as he was left alone, in his -deplorable habit. Diarrhœa, or rather intestinal ulcerations, which are -then the cause of it, generally appear in onanists as in those affected -with consumption, at the last stages of life. Thus a young man, -nineteen years old, addicted to masturbation from childhood, died a few -years since at Hotel Dieu. The most active watching and the strictest -mechanical methods could not arrest his fatal manipulations. Diarrhœa -was added to his habitual loss of semen, and he died three months after -entering the hospital, in a perfect state of marasmus. - -Many authors have repeated after the statements of Hippocrates, that -individuals affected with consumption, arising from venereal excesses, -have no fever. This is an error: they die as we have already stated, -with true hectic fever, which is caused by the state of the different -organs, and particularly by that of the genital system. Of this, -numerous instances might be cited: the following is related by Dr. -Federigo, the Italian translator of Portal’s work on consumption. “I -knew,” says he, “a female who was affected for many years with extreme -debility and entire loss of appetite. A slow fever every evening had -rendered her extremely thin: her eyes were pale and sunken; her skin -was very hot, and it was highly painful for her to stand erect: a -profuse discharge weakened her still more; and she was in an advanced -state of marasmus. All the active remedies, as preparations of iron, -decoctions of cinchona and mineral waters were tried without success. -She died in a most deplorable state of consumption. I attempted, by -questioning her as to her mode of living, to discover the cause of -this disease, but unsuccessfully. A month before her death however, -she told me with tears in her eyes, that she brought her debility upon -herself, by indulging constantly and for many years in a secret and -murderous habit.” We will add that Sainte Marie having found that daily -involuntary pollution occurred in diseases of languor, as soon as he -became acquainted with the dissertation of Wichmann, discovered that -many slow nervous fevers were kept up by this affection. - -From our remarks on the influence exercised by the genital organs -on the nervous system, even when simply in a state of excitement -or repose, it will not surprise, if we should state, that in this -system are seen the affections resulting most frequently from the -abuse of these organs. In fact the diseases of motion, sensation -or of intelligence, that is of the faculties which are situated in -the nervous system, are in fact the most common consequences of -masturbation, and of venereal excesses generally. We have already -spoken of the gradual diminution in the locomotive powers of the -onanist. That of sensation presents very different phenomena, it is -exalted as much as the first is diminished. Farther it is admitted -that these two faculties are in an inverse ratio to one another. This -increase of the susceptibility may take place at any age in consequence -of venereal excesses; but it occurs much more readily in young -persons, that is at that period of life when the mode of sensation -assumes those characters which at a later period more than all the -others constitute the temperament. Thus the excessive susceptibility -generally presented by onanists, does not belong to those transient -symptoms which disappear when the habit ceases: but, on the contrary, -it continues, long after the habit has ceased, and its influence is -long felt. How many persons of every age complain of being extremely -nervous. Some know that this depends upon their own conduct, which they -deeply regret. Interrogate them, and many will admit the excesses of -their youth. We have rarely neglected to verify this remark and the -responses have generally confirmed my suspicions. These individuals are -seldom free from disagreeable feelings, from pain and inconvenience of -some kind: their symptoms may vary extremely, and change very suddenly, -but they are generally or always indisposed one way or another. -This can be readily imagined: every thing affects them: cold, heat, -dryness, moisture, rain, snow, food, drink, exercise, rest, in fact -all these modifying circumstances find in them an organization ready -to be acted on. The act of venery, the first source of their nervous -susceptibility, subjects them to constant privations. A young man, -twenty-two years old, whom we attended a few months since, told me in -a depressed manner the constant inconveniences which he experienced -from onanism. The following is his narrative, which we shall give -here because it presents a faithful picture of the state in which the -nervous system exists in most persons who have indulged in onanism. - -“At sixteen years of age,” said he, “I learned to masturbate; this -habit, I continued, for several years, with a kind of fury. My health -soon became affected, my strength failed and also my digestion. I -soon perceived a heat and constant pain in my stomach: my throat -was inflamed and my feelings were extremely bad. The advice which I -received and the alteration in my health, caused me to renounce this -habit. My situation soon improved and I gained daily, but at the same -time my desires returned and I shortly relapsed into my former errors. -The same cause produced the same effects and I again abandoned onanism, -promising never to indulge again. For two years I kept my word: -unhappily this time however my health was not restored as at first, and -I continually experienced all the sufferings which I have described. -Besides I have become so sensitive that every thing incommodes me: -the least change in the weather and particularly a storm causes me a -great deal of suffering. Farther I cannot say what temperature is best -for me, for I do not experience much difference whether it be cold or -warm. I have but little desire for females, and although indulging at -times after long intervals, yet I have always suffered for several days -afterward, in the same manner as after masturbation. I feel constant -pains of a lacerating character in the limbs: sometimes also, but more -rarely pains in the back; often also, I have pains in the stomach and -colic. My digestion although better than before, is far from being -good: I can take but a few articles of food, and the smallest portion -of wine, spirit, or coffee produces great distress.” This was the -young man’s statement: he was deeply affected by the slightest cause: -his appearance was sad, he was tired of himself and was constantly -tormented by thoughts of his former excesses. I have seen him several -times since; and I have reason to believe that his obedience to my -advice improved his health. - -It may be said that this patient is a hypochondriac. I admit it: but -what is hypochondria, save an excessive susceptibility, added to all -the inconveniences which result from it, and the derangement of the -digestive functions? And hence all authors who have spoken of this -disease, and of hysteria, which resembles it in so many respects, have -classed venereal excesses among their most common causes. I might -cite in proof of this, Tissot, Louyer-Villermey, Fodéré, Foville and -many others. Oppenheim, physician to the grand vizier, attributes -the frequency of hypochondria and of hysteria among the orientals, -to their abuse of the pleasures of love. Pinel gives the history -of a hypochondriac who at the age of puberty abandoned himself to -masturbation which was followed by frequent involuntary pollutions. -In another place he speaks of a similar case: and almost every -practitioner can mention several. - -The affection of the nervous system in onanists consists not only in -an increased susceptibility, but is indicated also, by a number of -symptoms, as pains sensations and spasms of every kind. Angelot has -related the case of a young man affected with constant discharge of -semen, who, among other phenomena, presented so great a degree of -nervous irritation that he experienced a vibration over his whole -body at the slightest noise. Some patients experience pains in the -limbs as if they had been beaten; others are affected with intense -headache and pains in the loins which reappear at each pollution: -or wandering pains, which however are sometimes fixed, are felt in -the course of the nerves and are similar to neuralgia. We shall see -hereafter that painful affections of various kinds have been the -more or less direct consequence of venereal excesses. Sensations of -giddiness, of formication or crawling, &c., may also be perceived: some -patients experience cramps which at first are felt only during the -act of venery, but which afterwards reappear at other times. Spasms, -contractions and generally the convulsive motions so often observed -in onanists usually result from severe affections of the nervous -centres, affections which we shall speak of directly. A very frequent -symptom and one too which has never deceived me as to its nature, says -Georget, are palpitations of the heart attended with difficulty in the -respiration, slight suffocating feelings, &c. He remarks also that -fainting and partial or general trembling appears on the slightest -contradiction and often without any known cause in onanists. These -remarks are very true: palpitations and stifling sensations continue -sometimes for years after onanism has ceased, and fainting fits, -trembling sensations, &c. show themselves during or immediately after -the act of venery. - -The heart and the mind suffer as much as the body from excesses of -masturbation. To be assured of this we have only to remember the -power exercised by the genital organs in the physiological state, on -the ideas and feelings. Generally the necessity which the onanist -experiences for dissembling his tastes and for concealing a habit which -is both ridiculous and vile, renders him taciturn: his eyes are turned -from the gaze of those around: he loves solitude, avoids the world and -is embarrassed, and almost as it were ashamed of himself. His manner -might sometimes pass for timidity, we might almost say for innocence, -but it is entirely changed, when being in company with professed -onanists he no longer feels restraint. - -It is to this habit of dissimulation, this inquietude with which the -onanist is constantly haunted, that Montegre attributes particularly -the difference between self-pollution and coition: but this moral -torment is far as we shall see from being the only one with which the -onanist is affected. - -In fact, he constantly experiences a sensation of sadness and ennui, -which is impressed on his countenance and which is the natural -consequence of restlessness and of the fatigue which he feels -constantly. He is sad as one is when suffering, and when debility are -felt. This inward feeling of shame which is banished with difficulty -when the actions reputed to be bad are often repeated, must also -contribute to increase his melancholy and sadness. But perhaps -the worst feelings which torment him, are regret and remorse. The -exhaustion of his system, his sufferings, the near approach of death -often render him desperate. He remembers the time when he did not -indulge in onanism: he remembers those who first taught him that vice: -his shame, his pains and fears all come up strongly before him. Being -the author of his own misfortunes he constantly reproaches himself, -and he remembers all that has been said to wean him from the habit. -Now picture with these regrets these fears, and the despair we have -described, the existence of this fatal habit which cannot be overcome. -The onanist knows this danger and yet he cannot break himself of his -bad habit. - -It can readily be supposed that onanists tortured by the present and -by the thoughts of the future which appears to them overshadowed with -clouds, have often wished to terminate their sufferings criminally. -This has in fact sometimes happened. “I do not believe,” writes an -onanist to Tissot, “that any human being has suffered as much as I -have. Without the special care of Providence I should find it difficult -to support the burden of life.” Some have not the courage to sustain -life. Esquirol has often known masturbation to lead to melancholy and -suicide. Orfila also mentions among the occasional causes of suicide -“the physical and moral disgust, intellectual apathy without any hope -of cure which often follows premature indulgences of every kind.” -If the resources of nature had been known to those who thus abandon -themselves to despair; if they had witnessed, as we have, the rapidity -with which the health is restored, when onanism is arrested, if they -had believed in the healing power of time, they would have seen that -their pains might disappear, their strength might have been restored, -and they might have enjoyed a long and happy life. The following case -will teach onanists not to despair. - -A gentleman, twenty-four years old, says M. Sainte Marie, in order to -avoid conscription shut himself up in an isolated chateau under the -charge of an old and confidential domestic. There in order to lighten -the ennui of his situation he gave himself up to onanism. After three -years of this forced seclusion and dangerous excess, he reappeared in -the world; he was excessively pale and thin, which was attributed to -the extreme loneliness in which he existed. Marriage was urged upon -him as a mode of relieving, by an agreeable establishment, this long -ennui; his strength however failed him the night of his marriage, -and he was unable, as Montaigne says, to consummate the nuptials. He -became disgusted with himself, and this feeling soon settled into -one of deep and fixed despair. One day he swallowed a large dose of -arsenic, but vomited it soon after with the food which he had eaten. -He then came to Lyons to seek a death which he considered more worthy -of his birth and station. He followed very closely for several days a -celebrated fencer, and finding an opportunity to insult him, did so, -with no other intent than that of losing, sword in hand, a life which -had become hateful to him. The fortune of arms decided otherwise: -although feeble and languid, he wounded his adversary, and this slight -advantage suddenly changed his resolution. He now saw that life was not -a series of defeats and humiliations: he desired to live, and in this -frame of mind he came to consult me. His impotence seemed but a slight -symptom. I readily saw that it was only the symptom of a well marked -dorsal consumption. I prescribed ice to be taken internally, iced water -douches to be used along the vertebral column and a milk diet. After -continuing this treatment three months, the patient’s health seemed -perfectly restored. He left Lyons, and rejoined his family, who were -much concerned at his long absence. I learn now that he is very happy, -and that his wife has presented him with three living pledges of -affection. (_Wichmann_, _p._ 91.) - -Besides the intellectual and moral effects which we have mentioned, -onanism often produces a very marked debility of the mental faculties, -and particularly of the memory. Young men, who previously showed -considerable vivacity of mind and aptitude for study, become, after -being addicted to this habit, stupid, and incapable of applying -themselves: it is evident, that this transitory state which immediately -succeeds the act of venery, becomes continued when this act is -frequently repeated, because time is not allowed for the effects of -it to pass off. This debility of the intellectual faculties must not -always be considered as irremediable: in fact, these individuals -sometimes regain their original acuteness, when the habit which -had enfeebled them is discontinued, before the deterioration is of -long standing. We might adduce instances of this return. The most -remarkable, assuredly, is that of an idiot girl, who was restored to -reason by amputation of the clitoris--an operation performed by Dr. -Graefe, of Berlin. In a future page, we shall give this interesting -case in full. Unfortunately, the simple cessation of onanism is -not always sufficient to efface its effects completely; and many -individuals preserve, during their whole existence, a certain -feebleness of mind, which arises from the excesses of their youth. -The debility of the intellectual faculties does not always stop at -the point indicated: it may extend almost to idiocy--to the most -complete stupidity. Most generally, then, the brain, or its appendages, -are deeply injured, which is indicated by different symptoms, as -loss of sight, hearing, fits, paralysis, &c. This was the case with -an individual, whose case is stated by Serrurier, and who became, -through onanism, perfectly imbecile. This is true, too, of an idiot, -who was under the charge of Pinel, in the infirmary of Bicêtre. He -was a sculptor, who had previously been exhausted by intemperance -and venery. He remained almost motionless and quiet, or at intervals -indulged in a foolish laugh. His face was destitute of expression, -and he had no remembrance of his former state. His appetite was -always good; and, even at the sight of food, his jaws began to move. -He constantly remained in a recumbent posture; and, finally, became -affected with hectic fever, which terminated fatally. - -It is worthy of remark, in those onanists who become idiots, that, -while the external senses and the intelligence diminish, the genital -activity is increased: all these faculties seem to be blended in -one, the proportions of which seem much greater, as the others -are diminished. This opposite state of things, found in all cases -produced by onanism, is particularly remarkable in a case observed at -the Hospital St. Louis, by Alibert. The patient was a peasant-girl -twenty-two years old, who was constantly employed in tending sheep. -The seclusion of this girl’s situation favored the development of -onanism. She concealed herself in retired and quiet situations, to -indulge this horrid inclination. Two years elapsed, during which her -intellectual faculties were progressively enfeebled: she became stupid, -while the venereal sense was excited to the highest degree. Things -came to such an extent, that she fell, as it were, into a species of -nymphomania, for which she was carried to the hospital. The unfortunate -girl presented a kind of automatic motion, which she could not repress. -Her head, chest, and upper half of her body were excessively thin, -while the other half was remarkably plump. The sight, and much more -the contact of a male, caused in her a state which was soon terminated -by a pollution. By merely touching this girl, her whole person could -be agitated and convulsed to a distressing degree, and it was thought -expedient to send her home. (_Dict. des Sc. Med., Vol. XXXVI., p. 582._) - -Are the alternate states of excitement and collapse experienced by the -brain, during and after the act of venery, the only cause of weakness -in onanists? Does not the constant state of their mind contribute also, -as Tissot and many other authors think, to this unfortunate result? Of -this, we have no doubt. - -The yoke which onanism imposes on those who are completely abandoned -to it, is such, that they have constantly before them a certain set of -ideas. All their study is confined to avoid the looks of others, and -to call to mind all the remembrances, and to create all the illusions, -upon which their senses revel: their strength of mind is consecrated -to these objects alone. To dissemble, and enjoy themselves, is all -they wish. The intellectual faculties, being thus neglected, must -remain imperfect; or even, if we may be allowed the expression, must -lose their vigour, and waste. We can understand well how the necessity -arising from this state of things may aid the development of the -most wicked thoughts. Was not this the case with a young girl, whose -history, as stated by Parent Duchatelet, is as follows:-- - -This girl, whose early childhood was spent with her grandmother, a -respectable and religious woman, was about seven years old, when she -returned home. For the first four months after her return, she was -very sad and was not as playful as children are generally, and never -caressed her father and mother. She lost flesh rapidly. The cause of -this was sought for in vain; when, one day, a few questions having been -put to her, she stated, that from the age of four years she had been -in the habit of seeing boys from ten to twelve years old; that since -she had returned home, she had had no opportunity, and had indulged in -self-pollution. In vain did her parents try to wean her from this vice: -they reasoned with and caressed her; they gave her presents, and all -the clothes she desired; physicians visited her; the powers of religion -were tried. But all in vain: the child abused herself, even in her -sleep. - -But a horrid inclination soon appeared: she now desired to see her -parents dead, and even to murder them. This wish she expressed freely, -and also her regret at not being able to satisfy her wishes. She -promised herself to embrace any opportunity which presented. The only -motives which induced her to do this, were to possess her mother’s -jewels, and then to go with the men. Things soon came to such an -extent, that the parents, for their own safety, were obliged to lock -up their daughter every night, as she did not conceal her intention -of assassinating them during sleep. The child, being in this manner -less exposed to observation, abandoned herself to her habits without -constraint, it being the only wish she could gratify. She never -laughed, nor cried. She sat the whole day in a very small chair, with -her hands crossed, and she abused herself as soon as her mother’s back -was turned. Punishments succeeded no better than presents or caresses. -One day, her father tied her to the bedstead: she said, “You may -kill me; but I will not change.” These facts gave rise to a judicial -investigation, from the minutes of which this statement is taken. -(_Arch. d’hygiene et de med. legale_, _January_, 1832.) - -This young girl certainly had inclinations which were the result of her -organization. She never became attached even to the grandmother who -brought her up; and whom also she would have destroyed for her jewels. -She was not animated by the wish to kill, as by that of acquiring a -desired object. One day, while a man was talking with her, she looked -attentively at his breast-pin: when questioned on the subject, she -admitted that she would kill this man for the sake of this jewel. Her -passion for venereal pleasures also came from an organic arrangement: -she had never been led into these enjoyments by men or women. When four -years old, she sought after little boys; and it was not till she was -deprived of them, that she resorted to onanism. She admitted that she -preferred the boys. - -Now, I would ask, if this primitive exaltation of a sense, which -masturbation excited still more every day, could govern a disposition -which caused her to regard homicide as the best mode of satisfying -certain desires? Could that state of fatigue, which is constantly felt -in those individuals who are addicted to onanism, excite in this young -girl the sympathies which unite each individual to his fellows, and -give strength to those bonds which she was always ready to break? Was -it possible for her to love her parents, who constantly thwarted her -desires? Would not the irritation she constantly felt at not being -able to give herself completely up to venereal pleasures, react on -her other inclinations? Would not the obstacles she encountered tend -to make her think herself surrounded with enemies? Governed by one -sense, was she in a state to listen to and understand all that was said -to her, to modify her bad inclinations? Did not her state resemble -that of animals, who, although mild and amiable, become dangerous and -wicked, when the genital sense is excited? Finally, does not this case -prove that deviations of character may result from onanism--that good -feelings may be changed by this habit--or, at least, that bad ones may -be called into action? - -Moral depravity of another kind may result from onanism. The mind, -accustomed to seek pleasure in a certain circle of ideas, or a -peculiar series of sensations, cannot find any in any other manner. -The enjoyments of onanism are then the only ones which the onanist -can realize. The union of the sexes has no attraction for him: he -indulges with repugnance, and thinks the sensations much less agreeable -than those arising from self-pollution. The genital sense, the power -of proceeding to the act of venery, and of procreating, remain: but -depraved tastes have taken the place of the legitimate desires. Tissot -regards this perversion as more frequent in females than in males: he -remarks upon the case of a female as stated by Bekkers, over whose -mind self-pollution had taken such possession, that she detested the -legitimate modes of gratification. - -We believe, that if there are females who prefer onanism to coition, -it is because the sensual results of the latter are generally very -uncertain. Besides, Tissot does not exclude the male sex from this -kind of depravation: the same author states the history of a man, who, -in being taught onanism by his preceptor, experienced, when first -married, so great a disgust for the natural relations which result from -it, added to the exhaustion caused by his manipulations, that he became -melancholy; which state, however, yielded to appropriate remedies. - -A fact published by Alibert is very analogous to the preceding. He -states, that a young man, brought up in a boarding-house, contracted -the habit of onanism in his childhood. Tissot’s book was put into -his hands, which frightened, but did not entirely cure him. After -reading it, however, he was more moderate, and indulged only at long -intervals, and when he was excited by very violent desires. Hence, his -temperament did not change; but he continued robust, and his moral -faculties preserved their energy: but the frightful habit which he had -contracted, prevented the development of any desire for the other sex. -Even when thirty years old, he had never been excited by the sight of a -female; and his feelings were called into action only by vain images, -or by the phantoms of his depraved imagination. He had early studied -drawing, which he had always pursued with ardor. The beautiful forms of -men, in this beau-ideal of painters, which nature has never realized, -affected him, and finally inspired him with an extraordinary emotion--a -vague passion, for which he could not account. It is necessary, -however, to remark, that this passion had no connexion with the tastes -of sodomy, and that it could not be excited by the sight of any man. -Such was his strange situation, when he came to ask my advice. He then -presented, as I said before, no physical symptom of impotence. He was -healthy and well-made, and nature had not been unkind to him; but he -had so abused the use of her gifts, that it was difficult to restore -to him their proper use. The patient was perfectly acquainted with his -situation. “There is no effort,” said he, “that I am not willing to -make, to free myself from my ignominious situation--to drive away from -my thoughts the infamous images which haunt me. They have deprived me -of the legitimate enjoyments procured by the union of the sexes--of the -power possessed by the lowest animals of reproducing their species. I -am dying of chagrin and shame.” - -I considered his disease as a perversion of the venereal appetite. I -thought that the most urgent indication was to restore nature to its -true type. In fact, the individual was very robust, at the period -of consulting me; and farther, as I have said, the beauty of the -ideal forms of man excited in him voluptuous sensations, during the -continuance of which the genital organs became excited, and there was a -discharge of semen: this favored the supposition that he still retained -some stamina. Hence, there was neither destruction nor essential -alteration in his physical sensibility; but rather a false direction -of this faculty of the organism. The following course of treatment -was proposed. I have already said, that the patient was very fond of -drawing, and that he applied himself to it with that ardor which is -the sure guaranty of success. I required him to study carefully the -female form, and to make drawings of it--to break through his habits, -and to renounce the Belvidere Apollo for the Venus de Medicis. He did -so. Nature gradually resumed her rights: he soon preferred a round -and delicate arm to that which was strong and masculine; and when he -contemplated the elegance and softness of contour in the female form, -he began to be cured. After constructing an imaginary model, he sought -for it in the physical world. Time was required, and perseverance; but -he was perfectly restored. - - -§ 2. DISEASES ARISING FROM VENEREAL EXCESSES. - -There are but few diseases which have not been observed as occurring -after venereal excesses. The influence of the genital organs is so -great, and extends so perfectly to all points of the organism, that the -slightest morbid disposition of the latter is favored by its action. -Capable of fecundating all the germes of the diseases which occur, the -abuse of the genital organs produces all those which may happen in -the body. Hence, we must not be astonished to see venereal excesses -mentioned in enumerating the direct or indirect causes of most of them. -We should certainly sometimes be embarrassed to justify this indication -by positive proofs; for we do not know all that exists, and written -science does not represent all that has been seen: but, as we know that -a powerful influence only requires to exist with a morbid arrangement, -to make of it a disease, the knowledge of this fact alone authorizes us -to place venereal excesses, which have so injurious an effect, among -the productive causes of most affections of the body. - -Those diseases which are the consequence of this cause generally have -a special mark, which depends not only upon the fact, that in a great -many cases it continues to act when they are developed, and therefore -deranges their course; but which results also particularly from the -presence among their symptoms of those which belong particularly to -venereal excesses. Hence, if, in consequence of these excesses, an -individual should be affected with phthisis, epilepsy, a chronic -disease of the brain, spinal marrow, caries of the vertebræ, &c., the -patient will present, besides the special symptoms of these different -affections, the signs of consumption already mentioned by us, and which -are generally the consequences of the prolonged abuse of masturbation, -or of coition; he will become thin, his strength will be exhausted, -his eyes will be sunken, and present a dark ring beneath them; his -countenance will be melancholy and suffused; his digestion will be -deranged; he will suffer from wandering pains, from trembling, and -from spasms; his mind will become enfeebled; and, finally, he will -show many of the phenomena which we have described as general symptoms -of venereal excesses. In these cases, there is, properly speaking, a -complication of the special disease which they have produced, and of -this other disease resulting as we have seen before, from the abuse of -the genital organs. There are, at the same time, the general effects -of this abuse, which may be seen in all those who are the victims of -it, and the special characters of diseases which might have arisen from -some other cause. The practitioner who should be unacquainted with -these facts, in regard to which we find nothing precise in authors, -would be liable to mistakes which would render him liable to errors of -prognosis and of treatment. - -The instances of individuals who have died of _apoplexy_, either of -the cerebrum or cerebellum, during coition, are by no means rare. We -can readily imagine, that if there be a marked disposition to this -disease, and that if it be disposed to come on, the derangement in the -respiration and circulation produced by the venereal action might hurry -it. This has happened more than once during the digestion of a full -meal. Most old men who have died during coition, have been affected -with apoplexy. Hence, authors have generally placed venereal excesses -among the causes of this affection. - -We will mention Cœlius Aurelian, Areltœus, Lomnius, Tissot, Pinel, -Cruveilhier, Londe, &c. Henry Van Hers mentions a man, forty years -old, who was attacked with apoplexy while with his wife, the first -night of his marriage. The attack, however, could not have been very -severe, as it yielded readily to treatment: but the patient indulging -in the pleasures of love a few days after his recovery, was again -attacked, and died. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, _art. Apoplexie_.) Hoffmann -mentions one. It was that of a soldier, who died in the act of coition. -It was found, on opening his body, that blood was effused in the -brain. Serres’ work on the comparative anatomy of the brain states -a similar instance. It is that of a man, thirty-two years old, who -became affected with apoplexy during coition, and after drinking more -freely than usual. Firm erection of the penis, which continued nearly -until death had closed the scene, was added to the violent symptoms -of apoplexy. The cerebrum was healthy; but the median lobe of the -cerebellum exhibited traces of severe irritation; and the substance -of the cerebellum was broken in several places; and small abscesses, -filled with blood, were grooved along the superior vermicular process. - -In some individuals, apoplexy supervenes so soon after venereal -excesses, that we might reasonably anticipate that they contributed -to its invasion. Thus, a steward, forty-nine years old, whose case is -mentioned by Andral, fell down in the street, on coming from a house -of ill-fame. He was immediately carried to the Maison de Santé, near, -where he died shortly afterward. On opening his body, two apoplectic -lesions were found; one in the right hemisphere of the cerebellum, the -other in the left hemisphere of the cerebrum. - -In coition, a marked congestion of blood takes place toward this -organ. It is fair to presume, that such an act frequently repeated -may predispose to an attack of apoplexy, which is decided sooner or -later under the action of different causes. It is a fact, however, -that this affection occurs frequently in those individuals who are -accustomed to indulge in venereal pleasures. Serres reports the case of -a man who indulged frequently, and who was attacked with apoplexy soon -after a day passed in a house of ill-fame. He died two days afterward, -presenting, among other symptoms, the erection of the penis, and an -abundant discharge of semen. Post mortem examination showed, as in the -preceding cases, apoplexy existing in the cerebellum. A similar case -was reported by Dr. Guiot. It was that of a man, fifty-two years old, -who was much addicted to women, and who, after several times suffering -from cerebral congestions, was affected with mania. His genital -organs were very much developed, and he was frequently affected with -pollutions. He died, finally, of congestion, with hemiplegia, in twelve -hours. Among the symptoms presented, were remarked erection of the -penis, and as it were automatic motions of masturbation. - -Deep and chronic lesions have been observed in the encephalon of -onanists, much more frequently than acute diseases. We published, -in 1817, a case of chronic arachnitis, which seemed to depend on -this cause. The patient was a boy seven years old, who entered the -Hospital des Enfans, at the beginning of the preceding year. This -child, who was much addicted to masturbation, was usually affected -with convulsions during this act. He finally became idiotic. He was -extremely repugnant to take exercise, and he remained very quiet. His -strength failed, his limbs wasted away, and finally he became affected -with almost total blindness. The hearing, and generally the external -and internal senses were also much weakened. Galvanism and other -remedies were employed in vain. The patient died; and on opening the -cadaver, we found a very marked inflammation of the portion of the -meninges which follows the course of the superior longitudinal sinus. -The surface of the brain, also, appeared to some assistants to be -inflamed. In another patient, whose history is stated by Desruelles, in -his memoir on the effects of onanism, the substance of the brain was -affected. There was paralysis of the left arm, convulsions of the right -arm and of the muscles of the face. On opening the cadaver, an encysted -abscess was found in the hemisphere of the brain, on the side opposite -to the paralysis, and corresponding to the convulsed limbs. - -Chronic alterations have frequently been found in the cerebellum of -onanists. They have been mentioned by some as the cause, by others as -the effect of onanism. But even admitting that in some cases these -alterations may have been the beginning of this habit, this fact shows -the bond which unites the genital organs and the cerebellum, and -renders more probable the influence which they may exercise upon it. In -fact, when the disease of one organ deranges the functions of another, -we may be satisfied that an opposite result is possible. Farther, -it would be impossible, in most of the cases of which we speak, to -distinguish whether the cerebral affection or the masturbation had -precedence. The only thing positively known is their coincidence; and -this latter has appeared too frequently not to attract attention. We -will mention several instances of it. - -A female, addicted at an early age to the pleasures of venery, finally -indulged in prostitution; she was at the same time addicted to -onanism, and at last became affected with nymphomania. Ashamed of her -situation, she submitted to cauterization of the clitoris, but without -any good result. She finally died; and we found chronic irritation, -with induration of the middle lobe of the cerebellum. Small sinuses, -with callous edges, indicated that an inflammation had existed for a -long time in this organ. - -Gall (in his treatise on the functions of the brain, Vol. III., p. 314) -has given us the history of a boy, three years old, who was strongly -addicted to onanism, and in whom two thirds of the cerebellum was found -to be suppurated. - -A young man, nineteen years old, was so much addicted from his infancy -to masturbation, that all mechanical means were tried in vain to -conquer this fatal habit. It was even proposed to scarify the penis, -in order that his motions might be prevented by pain. All attempts -were in vain; and this unfortunate young man, exhausted by continual -losses of semen, died three months after entering Hotel Dieu, in the -most complete state of marasmus. He had often experienced attacks of -epilepsy. On opening the dead body, we found in his cerebellum an -encephaloid tumor the size of a nut, which had began to soften. - -A girl ten years old, addicted to masturbation, and of a melancholy -temperament, complained for four months of severe pains in the head. -These pains increased to such a degree, that for the last three weeks -of her life she was constantly crying. She was finally carried to the -Hospital des Enfans. The only additional information obtained in regard -to her was, that the patient was bedridden for twelve days--that she -was affected with vomiting of bile, followed by somnolence--that for -three days she had ceased to speak, or answered with difficulty--that -she constantly kept her hand to her head, which was thrown back. During -the last four days, she was comatose: there was a slight degree of -strabismus, and dilatation of the pupil. A post-mortem examination -showed inflammation, with purulent infiltration of the arachnoid -membrane, at the upper part of the cerebellum. The substance of the -brain presented tubercles and a softening. - -Combette has related a case, which to our knowledge is unparalleled; -viz., complete destruction of the cerebellum in a girl eleven years -old, who was addicted to onanism. In place of this organ was found a -gelatiniform membrane, attached to the medulla oblongata by a peduncle -of a similar character. The genital organs of this girl presented -evident marks of her habit: the finger could easily be introduced -into the vagina; the hymen was absent; the external labia were of a -bright red colour, and seemed to have been frequently irritated. All -that is known of this patient, who died at the Hospital des Enfans, in -1831, is reduced to a few facts. She was born healthy and well-made, -although she was slight; and her physical and intellectual development -was slow, and very imperfect. On entering the Foundling Hospital the -13th of January, 1830, she was feeble and ricketty, had but little -intelligence, and seemed indifferent to surrounding objects. She -answered questions with difficulty and hesitation. Her legs, although -feeble, still supported her; but she fell frequently. She was in the -full possession of all her senses: her appetite was good. Her health -suffered more the following months, and she was finally obliged to -remain constantly in bed. Her constitution then appeared impaired, and -she was as it were stupified. She was depressed, and complained neither -of pleasure nor pain; if questioned, she merely answered yes or no. -She laid constantly on her back, her head turned to the left, and she -moved her limbs with great difficulty. She soon became affected with -a continual diarrhœa; and she died fifteen months after entering the -hospital, in a state of complete exhaustion. What was the effect of -masturbation in this case? Was it the cause or effect of the malady, -which had disorganized the brain? This habit certainly had a great deal -to do with it. (_Revue Medicale, April, 1831._) - -To these facts others might easily be added, where the affection -of the brain was manifest, although not verified by a post mortem -observation: thus, in the following case mentioned by Serrurier, the -epilepsy, loss of sight, and the destruction of the intellectual -faculties, certainly indicated a deep lesion of the brain. “I always -remember with horror,” says this author, “the frightful picture -presented by a young soldier, after frequent indulgence in onanism, -and of nocturnal pollutions, which were more violent and copious after -each epileptic fit. This young man was in a perfect state of marasmus: -his sight was lost entirely; he was perfectly imbecile, and even the -calls of nature were unanswered by him. His body exhaled a particularly -nauseous odour; his skin was livid; his tongue trembled; his eyes were -sunken, his teeth decayed; and his arms were covered with ulcers, which -indicated a scorbutic affection. This state continued for six months, -when the melancholy man died, having struggled for a long time against -death, which finally terminated his sufferings.” - -In the preceding case we can remark, in addition to the symptoms of -the cerebral affection, the symptoms of the exhaustion of the cachexy, -presented by individuals who have been reduced very low by onanism. A -similar state is seen in the following case related by Tissot. Here the -encephalic affection, to judge of it by the throwing back of the neck, -and the violent pains experienced by the patient in this part, seemed -to be situated in the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, or in those parts -of the arachnoid membrane which are near them. - -L. D---- was by profession a watchmaker. He had lived prudently, and -had enjoyed a good state of health, till he was about seventeen years -of age. At this period, he gave himself up to masturbation, which -he repeated every day, sometimes even to the third time; and the -ejaculation was always preceded and followed by a slight insensibility, -and a convulsive motion in the extending muscles of the head, which -drew it very much back, whilst the neck was extremely swelled. A year -had not elapsed, before he began to feel a great weakness after every -act. This notification was not sufficient to rescue him from his -filthy practices: his soul, already devoted to this base habit, was -incapable of forming any other idea, and the repetition of his crime -became every day more frequent, till such time as he was in a state -which gave reason to apprehend his death. Too late grown wise, the -evil had already made so great a progress, that he was incurable; and -the genital parts were become so easily irritated, and were so weak, -that it was no longer necessary that this unhappy youth should be an -agent, in order to shed his seed. The slightest irritation immediately -procured an imperfect erection, which was constantly followed by an -evacuation of this liquor, which daily increased his weakness. This -spasm, of which he was not before sensible but in consummating the act, -and which ceased therewith, was now become habitual, and frequently -attacked him without any apparent cause, and in so violent a manner, -that during the whole period of the fit, which sometimes lasted fifteen -hours, and never less than eight, he felt such violent pains in the -back part of the neck, that he did not scream out, but absolutely -howled; and all this while it was impossible for him to swallow either -solids or fluids. His voice was become hoarse; but I did not observe -that it was more so while the fit continued. He entirely lost his -strength, and was obliged to give up his profession, being altogether -incapacitated: thus overwhelmed with misery, he languished, almost -without any assistance, for some months; and was the more to be pitied, -as what memory he had remaining, and which he was at length entirely -bereft of, only served him to take an incessant retrospect of the -cause of his misfortunes, which were increased by all the aggravating -horrors of remorse. I heard of his situation, and went to him; I found -a being that less resembled a living creature than a corpse, lying upon -straw, meager, pale, and filthy, casting forth an infectious stench; -almost incapable of motion, a watery palish blood issued from his nose; -saliva constantly flowed from his mouth: having a diarrhœa, he voided -his excrement in the bed without knowing it: he had a continual flux -of semen; his sore, watery eyes were deadened to that degree, that he -could not move them: his pulse was very small, quick, and frequent: it -was with great difficulty he breathed, reduced almost to a skeleton in -every part, except his feet, which became œdematous. The disorder of -his mind was equal to that of his body; devoid of ideas and memory, -incapable of connecting two sentences, without reflection, without -being afflicted at his fate, without any other sensation than pain, -which returned with every fit, at least every third day. Far below the -brute creation, he was a spectacle, the horrible sight of which cannot -be conceived, and it was difficult to discover that he had formerly -made part of the human species. I had immediate recourse to the -assistance of strengthening remedies, in order to remove these violent -spasmodic fits, which so dreadfully brought him back to sensibility -only by pain: I contented myself with having given him some ease in -this respect, and I discontinued administering remedies, which could -not ameliorate his condition; he died at the end of a few weeks, in -June, 1757, his whole body having become dropsical. - -In a case related by Bouteille, surgeon-general of the hospital at -Lyons, most of the symptoms resulting from the cerebral affection -existed in the right side of the body, and consequently indicated an -affection of the opposite side of the cerebrum. The patient was a young -girl twelve years old, whose constitution was weak and irritable, and -very slightly developed--doubtless, on account of the enervating habit -of onanism, in which she had indulged for several years, and which -her mother’s vigilance could not prevent. Just after recovering from -a severe illness, which yielded readily to remedies, this young girl -was very much terrified, which had a great deal of influence upon her, -as she was extremely sensitive; her sensibility being increased by the -weak state of her nervous system, produced by onanism. Soon after, she -was affected by slight convulsive motions in the right foot and arm, -accompanied by a disagreeable pain in the right knee and in the sole -of the foot of the same side. Notwithstanding the use of remedies, the -disease increased, and she was soon unable to carry her food to her -mouth, her arm was so much agitated. The appetite was variable, and -the pulse was regular. Sometimes, and contrary to her usual custom, -the patient was silent; sometimes she was extremely lively, and even -foolish; sometimes her ideas were incoherent, and she often indulged in -tears. - -Headache and dizziness were perceived, but they soon yielded. At a -later period, the sight and hearing of the right side were considerably -weakened: at the same time, the pain in the sole of the foot, knee, -and part of the right hand became more intense, and the difficulty -of walking increased. After a time, the disease seemed to improve a -little: the convulsive motions abated; the intelligence and memory -returned, as before the disease; but the sight and hearing remained as -they were. An active mode of treatment was now used: electricity formed -the principal remedy. The patient was finally cured. Need we remark, -that in all probability the fright was only the occasion which excited -the development of a disease already prepared for by the onanism. -(_Traité de la chosée_, p. 352.) - -The convulsive form, the _epileptic_, is one of those assumed most -frequently by the cerebral diseases produced by masturbation; we can -easily conceive of this by remembering, that what takes place in the -act of venery has, as we have already seen, a striking analogy with an -attack of epilepsy: hence the ancients termed the act of coition, _a -short fit of epilepsy_. It is unnecessary to state here the numerous -testimonials found in authors, in regard to the influence of onanism as -a cause of epilepsy. This influence is a fact mentioned and assented to -by all. We shall relate a few examples. - -There are some individuals who are so susceptible, and present so -great a disposition to epilepsy, that they have a regular attack of -it whenever they indulge in the act of venery. Didier knew a merchant -of Montpelier, of whom this was true. Similar cases are related by -Galen, Van-Hers, Tissot, Hoffmann, Haller, and many other authors. A -similar thing is observed even in animals. Alfred Menard had a strong -watch-dog, who was affected with epilepsy whenever he coupled with a -slut. These attacks were characterized by convulsions, and a loss of -consciousness: their duration varied, and was always connected with -the ardour of the animal, who never was affected except under the -circumstances mentioned. (_Revue medicale_, March, 1825.) - -Epilepsy sometimes supervenes directly after the excesses which cause -it. Cole, cited by Esquirol, relates the case of a female, who became -epileptic three days after marriage: but venereal abuses generally act -slowly, and prepare the body for an attack of epilepsy, which this -or some other cause excites. Esquirol relates the case of a young -man, twelve or thirteen years old, who early in life was addicted to -masturbation, and became extremely nervous, although strong and robust: -at fifteen years of age he was affected with epilepsy. These attacks -came on at the moon’s first quarter, and were very sudden: the patient -fell down, uttered loud cries, and was generally convulsed: his eyes -were open, fixed, and injected: the pupils were very much dilated: -and when the fit passed off, he remained exhausted the rest of the -day. This young man, like most onanists, was extremely susceptible, -fretting upon the slightest pretext. After six months of treatment, -the attacks became less frequent: at the end of a year they ceased. -This young man might have been considered cured, but the pleasure of -seeing his mother, from whom he had been separated for two years, -caused a relapse: the same remedial means were again employed, and with -success. He has, since that, entered into business, and has travelled -extensively: his nervous system is strengthened: he married when -twenty-seven years old, and has continued in good health. - -Another curious fact has been communicated to us by the celebrated -Dr. Goupil. A little boy, only eighteen months old, who had been put -out to nurse, returned home with the habit of masturbation. At first, -his parents thought but little of this; but when two years old, he -was affected with an epileptic form of disease, characterized by loss -of consciousness, convulsions of the muscles of the face and eyes, -stiffness of the limbs, and sometimes he fell down. These fits becoming -more and more frequent, Dr. Goupil was consulted. The patient was now -three years and a half old, and still continued his bad habit. He was -constantly sad, morose, and stupid. The doctor, not being at first -aware of the cause, employed different medicines, but unsuccessfully: -he then discovered the cause, and tried mechanical modes. He put on the -boy, at night, a kind of strait jacket, by which his arms were kept -crossed in front of the chest; and during the daytime, he was watched -carefully. These means succeeding but imperfectly. Dr. Goupil employed -another strait waistcoat, which was laced behind, and was furnished -in front with a silver apparatus, to contain the genital organs, and -having only an opening for the urine. This new obstacle did not answer -as well as was expected, and the child sometimes escaped all vigilance: -but as this was rare, he soon gained flesh, and also his strength and -vivacity. The fits of epilepsy gradually became less frequent. This boy -is now from nine to ten years old; enjoys good health; and, with the -exception of a remarkable loss of memory, retains no trace of former -indiscretions. - -These two cases show how far the system can be restored, when the cause -which disturbs it ceases to act. The following, which was communicated -by Zimmerman to Tissot, proves the same thing; but it also shows how -soon a return to the bad habit destroys the good effects resulting from -its abandonment. - -“I have seen,” says Zimmerman, “a man, twenty-three years old, who -became epileptic, after debilitating his body by frequent masturbation. -Whenever he had nocturnal pollutions, a fit of epilepsy ensued; and -the same thing occurred after masturbation--from which, however, he -did not abstain, notwithstanding the bad symptoms with which it was -followed. After the fit had subsided, he felt very severe pains in the -kidneys, and around the coccyx. Having, however, abstained from his -manipulations for some time, the pollutions disappeared; and we had -hopes of curing the epilepsy, the attacks of which were less frequent. -He had regained his strength, appetite, sleep, and color, after -resembling a cadaver; but having returned to his bad habits, which were -always followed by fits, he was found dead in his chamber one morning, -bathed in blood.” - -Another convulsive affection, _St. Vitus’ dance_, has sometimes been -caused by onanism. Marc Ant. Petit has published a case of it, which -was communicated by Dr. Morelot. It is as follows:--A young girl, eight -years old, became remarkably thin: her lower limbs were agitated by -extraordinary motions, which were extended to the upper limbs. She soon -lost all control over them. The twitching in the muscles of the face -and eyes was excessive; the patient could not continue in her bed, and -she was confined to a large chair. Her attending physician thought that -this might be attributed to the presence of worms, and gave several -anthelminthics, but without success. Dr. Morelot was consulted at -this period, and thought that he could perceive the effects of a bad -habit: he soon became convinced of its existence. By means of great -watchfulness on the part of her parents, the use of cold baths, musk, -and camphor, she was radically cured. - -Mental derangement is often the prevalent symptom in diseases of the -brain, produced by excess of masturbation or coition. We have already -spoken of idiocy; but this is by no means the only change observed -in consequence of these excesses. Every variety of affection of the -mind may be caused by them, as is proved by statistics collected by -several authors, in insane asylums. Yet these abstracts are far from -presenting the truth. “So many circumstances combine,” says Esquirol, -“to embarrass the discovery of causes of mental alienation, that the -one mentioned, like other causes, must often be unascertained by -physicians.” According to this sagacious observer of all the forms -of mental alienation, mania is produced least frequently by venereal -excesses. He adds, that maniacs, during the duration of the periods of -access, are less addicted, generally, than other deranged persons to -masturbation; but when they do indulge, this act must be considered as -a bad symptom, since it constitutes an insurmountable obstacle to the -cure: it destroys the strength, and finally produces in the patients -stupidity, phthisis, marasmus, and death. - -Dementia is, perhaps, the kind of derangement most frequently observed -after masturbation. I saw a remarkable instance of this disease in -a young man, twenty years old, who, indulging in these excesses for -several years, gradually lost his mental faculties, became averse -to even his relatives and dearest friends, and finally fell into a -most perfect state of dementia. The relative frequency of this form -of mental alienation in onanists has been pointed out in France by -Esquirol, and in Norway by Holst. (_Annales d’hygiene publ._ December, -1830.) - -Holst has remarked, that paralysis, that fatal symptom which so -frequently attends all varieties of derangement, particularly monomania -and dementia, is observed particularly in those insane who are addicted -to onanism, and to other venereal excesses. This remark is confirmed by -the two facts, that paralysis is much less common in females than in -males, and that onanism produces mental alienation much less frequently -in the former than in the latter. Thus, of 256 persons, admitted at -the asylum at Charenton, during 1826-7-8, there were 44 men, in whom -derangement could be attributed to libertinism or to onanism, while -the same was true of only 3 women. Dr. Holst has shown that a similar -proportion exists between the deranged of the two sexes in Norway. This -relation, however, must not be considered as strictly correct; for -females, being generally very reserved in their disclosures, onanism -probably passes undiscovered in them more frequently than it does in -men. It is well ascertained, that one twentieth of the deranged at -Salpetrière, is composed of public women, who are for the most part -affected with dementia and paralysis. Now, consider that masturbation -is much more frequently a cause of derangement among the rich than -among the poor. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, vol. xvi., p. 179.) And -remark, too, that at the Charenton asylum, where only persons in easy -circumstances are received, there are proportionally more patients with -paralysis than at Bicetre, the population of which is composed of men, -belonging to the poorest classes of society. - -We have only to consider the phenomena which attend and usually follow -the venereal act, to infer that the spinal marrow may frequently -be affected in consequence of the abuse of that act. Agitation, -the involuntary contractions of the muscles, particularly of those -surrounding the pelvis, and the tetanic spasm with which they are -affected at the time of the ejaculation of the semen; the cramps -which frequently attend it; the general feeling of pain, fatigue, and -debility, which follows it--a feeling which is always more perceptible -in the loins and lower part of the body, than elsewhere, indicate the -powerful impression made on the spinal marrow, and the part which -it takes in all going on. This participation is also demonstrated -by different pathological facts, and by the results of experiments -which we shall mention, when treating of the influence exercised by -affections of the spinal marrow, as the cause of venereal excesses. - -The local symptoms of the medulla, in onanists, consist in different -and more or less acute sensations felt along the vertebral column. At -first, these sensations do not appear until after the act of venery, -and pass off; they then continue a longer time; and finally become -constant. The pain is generally of a dull character--inconvenient, -rather than severe--which obliges the patient, when sitting or -standing, to change his position frequently; and it is generally less -perceptible, or even disappears, when the patient assumes a horizontal -position. Sometimes there is a feeling as if of ants crawling over the -body, descending from the head along the spine: this symptom was first -noticed by Hippocrates. Sometimes, these sensations have a special -character, which each patient expresses in his own manner: thus, a man -who indulged night and morning, for two years, in coition, complained -to me that he felt beatings constantly between his shoulders. Others -say that they have a knot in the back. The pains in the spine are -sometimes very severe; sometimes they are extremely sharp. Onanists, -and individuals affected with pollutions, most generally complain of -their loins. - -The frequent occurrence of the symptoms mentioned in persons exhausted -by venereal excesses, has caused the terms _consumption_, phthisis -dorsalis, and tabes dorsalis, to be applied to the state which they -then present. - -The other symptoms of the affection of the spinal marrow are more -or less severe pains--more or less distinct sensations of cold, of -numbness, and formication in the limbs, particularly in the lower -extremities; cramps; constant trembling, or convulsive motions in these -parts; a kind of tetanic stiffness; gradual debility of the lower half -of the body; and, finally, paraplegia. We shall find these symptoms, in -addition to the other effects of masturbation, in cases to be mentioned. - -Pains in the loins and extremities were very marked in an individual -of whom Serrurier remarks as follows:--“A patient whom I attended -was reduced to a most dreadful state of marasmus, in consequence of -nocturnal pollutions, determined by venereal excesses. I prescribed -a tonic mode of treatment, and varied it in every form; but the -patient died, after four months of frightful pains in the loins and -articulations.” There was apparently, in this case, an affection of -the lumbar part of the medulla, or of its membranes. A similar malady -existed, probably, in a man whose case was published by Hattè, and who -was affected, in consequence of excesses in coition, with a lumbago, -which alternated with satyriasis. There is no doubt, in regard to -the affection of the spinal marrow, in the following case related -by Van Swieten:--“For three years” says he, “I used all the aids of -medicine for a young man, who, in consequence of onanism, was affected -with general wandering pains--with a sensation, sometimes of heat, -sometimes of cold, which was extremely unpleasant, over the whole body, -but particularly in the loins. After a time, these pains diminished -slightly; and then the thighs and legs were so cold, that although -these parts, on being touched, seemed to preserve their natural heat, -yet he was constantly warming himself at the fire, even during the -warmer days of summer. I observed, particularly, a constant rotation of -the testicles in the scrotum; and the patient felt a similar motion in -the loins, which was very troublesome to him.” - -Was the spinal marrow perfectly healthy in the onanist who wrote to -Tissot the following:--“My nerves are extremely weak. My hands have no -strength: they tremble constantly, and perspire freely. I have violent -pains in my stomach, arms, and legs; and sometimes in the kidneys, -chest,” &c. Persuaded, also, from a great many cases, that most of -the pains termed rheumatic are neuralgic, and that many neuralgias -depend on an affection of the spinal marrow; I think there is reason to -suspect this affection, whenever it is found in onanists. - -The following case, related by Dr. Bertini of Turin, presents, as a -principal symptom, convulsive trembling of the lower extremities. The -disease commenced, as is frequently the case, under the influence of an -accidental cause; but when this had occurred, the patient presented for -a long time symptoms of an affection of the medulla; and it is evident -that their origin must be ascribed to onanism. - -The patient was twenty-eight years old, and of a lymphatic-bilious -temperament. When twelve years of age, he became addicted to -masturbation, and then began to perceive tremblings in the arms and -legs, vertigo, and pains in the head. He continued his fatal habit till -twenty-two years old. At the beginning of August, 1824, he was attacked -with a tertian intermittent, but for this he took no medicine. On the -20th of the same month, while cutting wood in Sesia, and while in a -profuse perspiration, he went in swimming. He soon felt a sensation -of shivering, followed by cold, spasms, vertigo, pain in the head, -and thirst; aversion to food, difficulty of respiration, sensation -of oppression in the sacrolumbar region, constipation, pains, and -trembling in the lower extremities. These latter symptoms became so -urgent, that the patient was obliged to have advice. In this state, -he was carried to the hospital of Vercelli; and in a few days he was -bled eleven times, and drastic purgatives were administered without -success. A month afterward, he left the hospital; and since that time, -the man has become a beggar and an object of public commiseration. The -18th of October, at which time he came under the charge of Dr. Bertini, -he presented the following symptoms: he had no fever, nor pains in -the head, nor derangement in the intellectual faculties; but he had a -pain in the two sides of the sacrolumbar region, which was increased -by pressure. The patient complained, also, of a kind of formication in -the legs and feet, which parts, as also the rest of the body, trembled -constantly: the agitation was so great, that the patient could not rest -in bed, nor sit without support. Twenty-five leeches were applied to -the lumbar region, and these drew about twelve ounces of blood. The -trembling diminished, and the patient could soon rise and walk without -a stick, and in fact without assistance. From this time, he felt no -pains nor trembling, and he left the hospital eight days afterward. Dr. -Bertini has since seen him, and he was well. (_Revue Med._, Dec. 1825.) - -The tetanic form of the disease of the spinal marrow has rarely been -observed as arising from onanism. Tissot saw a case of it in a young -man:--“The disease commenced with rigidity of the neck and spine; this -extended successively to all the limbs; and the patient, for some -time before death, was obliged to lie in bed on his face, unable to -move either his feet or hands. All motion was impossible; and he was -obliged even to be fed. He lived several weeks in this sad state; and -died, or rather sunk away, almost without suffering.” - -Paralysis, which is the consequence of myelitis, or of any other -affection of the spinal marrow, has been seen much more frequently -than tetanus, in onanists. It is most generally confined to the lower -parts of the body; but if the disease be seated in the cervical portion -of the spinal marrow, the four extremities may be paralyzed. This was -seen in the case of a young man who was under the care of Dupuytren, in -September, 1833:-- - -This young man was twenty years old: he was very much addicted to -masturbation, and his disease could be attributed to no other cause. -This affection had existed for two years, when the patient entered -Hotel Dieu. The attack of paralysis had been sudden, like a clap -of thunder: the patient had lost the use of his limbs suddenly. -The muscles of the neck were paralyzed, and the head fell in any -direction: a short time before, however, the patient had recovered -the power of sustaining it. The paralysis of the four limbs, also, -varied in degree, alternately increasing and diminishing. After the -patient entered the hospital, it was not equal on both sides: thus, -he had some power over his left arm, but not over his right arm. Both -the upper limbs, also, were atrophied, or wasted: those of the right -side more so, however, than those of the left. Many remedies had been -tried for this patient, but without success. At the time the case was -published, purgatives and moxas were proposed. Dupuytren remarked to -his pupils, that the situation of the myelitis corresponded in this -young man to the cervical vertebræ; and that, if it ascended a little, -and extended to the origin of the diaphragmatic nerve, it would cause -death. He regarded the passion for masturbation, which existed in this -young man, as the probable cause of this myelitis; and, consequently, -of an atrophy of the anterior roots of the spinal nerves. (_Lancette -Française_, 1833, p. 339.) - -The disorganization, also, occupied an elevated portion of the -spinal marrow, in the following case stated by Tissot:--“I was called -upon,” says he, “to visit in the country a man, forty years old, who -had been very strong and robust, but who had indulged excessively -in sexual commerce and in wine, and who had been often engaged in -athletic exercises. He began to be affected, a few months since, by a -weakness in his legs, which made him totter in his walk, as if drunk. -He sometimes fell, when walking on a plane; he could not descend -the stairs without much difficulty; and hardly dared to leave his -apartment. His hands trembled very much; he wrote with very great -difficulty, and very badly; but he dictated with ease, although his -speech, which had never been very fluent, began to be less so. His -memory was still good; and the only ground for suspecting a lesion -in his mind was the want of attention at the _jeu de dames_, and the -change of countenance. His appetite was good, and he slept well; but it -was difficult for him to turn in bed. - -It occurred to me that his gallantries, and a too free use of wine, -were the first causes of the disease; and that his athletic exercises, -in which he had been frequently engaged, were the origin of the -particular affection of the muscles. The season was not favorable for -the use of remedies; but it was necessary to attempt to arrest the -progress of the disease. I advised frictions of the whole body with -flannels, and some tonics. I directed the doses to be increased, and -to add also the use of the cold bath, at the commencement of summer. -In a few weeks, the trembling of the hands seemed to be a little -diminished. A consultation was had in the month of April: the disease -was attributed to his having written some months, two years since, -in a chamber recently plastered. Warm baths--oily frictions, with -diaphoretic and anti-spasmodic powders, were employed without benefit. -In the month of June, in a second consultation, he was advised to visit -the medicinal spring of Leuk, in Valais. On his return, the trembling -and stiffness had increased. From this time, (Sept. 1760, to Jan. -1764,) I saw him but three or four times. In 1762, he procured from -Frankfort the remedies mentioned in the English treatise, _Onania_, -which were of no use. He consulted a foreign physician the last year -with as little success. The disease has slowly, but daily progressed; -and for several months before death, his legs were too weak to support -the weight of his body. He could not move his hands nor arms without -help; his speech was so embarrassed, and his voice so feeble, that -it was difficult to understand him; the extensor muscles of the head -allowed it to fall continually on the chest; he had constant pains in -the loins; his sleep and appetite were sensibly diminished. During the -last few months of his life, there was much difficulty in swallowing; -after Christmas, there came on an irregular fever, and his eyes were -singularly dim; when I saw him in the month of January, he passed -the whole day and most of the night reclining on a sofa, with his -feet in a chair, with a domestic constantly in attendance near him, -in order to change his position, raise his head to feed him, and to -listen attentively to all he said. As he approached the period of his -dissolution, he was obliged to articulate letter by letter, which -was written down as it was pronounced. Seeing that I gave him no -encouragement, as I only employed some palliatives for his fever and -oppression, and actuated by a desire of living, he sent one of his -friends to tell me the cause to which he attributed all these symptoms, -viz., _masturbation_; that he commenced this infamous practice several -years since; had continued it as long as possible; and that he had -perceived his difficulties increase, in proportion to his indulgence in -it. He confirmed this statement a few days afterward; and it was this -which induced him to use the remedies recommended in _Onania_.” - -This case shows us paralysis confined at first to the abdominal limbs, -but extending afterward to the upper part of the body. We find a -similar case of this progression, in a case related by Olivier, of -Angers:-- - -“M--, of a sanguine temperament, of a strong constitution, and of -a lively and gay character, had always enjoyed good health until -seventeen years old, when he unfortunately became addicted to -masturbation. He soon languished, and grew debilitated. Having, -however, conquered this fatal habit, his strength gradually returned, -and a proper regimen soon restored him to his former vigor. When -twenty years old, he perceived a marked debility in the motions of -the articulation of the right foot; but this disappeared: he was then -affected twice with blenorrhagia, the last attack of which continued -for several months. - -“When twenty-five years old, he again indulged in masturbation, and -similar symptoms to those first presented soon appeared: the lower -extremities, also, became weakened; at times, also, the sensibility of -the skin was obtuse, and even lost; but it soon reappeared. Under the -influence of remedies, the weakness in the limbs diminished slightly. -M-- could walk three quarters of an hour without resting, but he could -not stand longer; his legs, which were evidently wasted, refusing to -sustain him. He was extremely costive; and since the last attack of -blenorrhagia, the excretion of urine was painful. - -“This affection remained stationary for several years, and then -became more serious: the patient was now twenty-nine years old. At -this period, the paraplegia became complete. He could not walk, nor -even support himself on crutches; his lower limbs were often stiff; -both arms, also, were at times insensible; and sometimes the sense of -touch was blunted. The wasting away had increased; the excretion of -urine was often involuntary, and the constipation was habitual. He was -somewhat benefited by Hallé’s prescriptions, consisting in frictions -with cantharides, and douches to the spine; but the next year the evil -increased, the sensibility in the hands diminished, and there was -difficulty in moving the right hand. - -“Eighteen months afterward, the lower extremities became perfectly -paralyzed: they were less warm than the rest of the body; yet, when -cold water was applied to them, it produced a burning sensation. The -right arm, forearm, and hand, often felt fatigue: its motions were -less free, and the patient sometimes found it difficult to write. The -limb of the opposite side was not affected. The disease of the bladder, -which had existed for several years, was also increased. - -“Paralysis, during the following years, progressed slowly, but -constantly. The arm of the right side lost its motion entirely; the -forearm was flexed upon it, and retained this position. At a later -period, the fingers became stiff, crooked, and they continued to be -so flexed, that a tampon of linen was placed on the palm of the hand, -to prevent the nails from lacerating the skin. A singular symptom, -also, appeared: if the internal part of the thigh was gently rubbed, -the limbs extended quickly, as if by a galvanic shock, and then -resumed their first position, which was that of a permanent state of -semiflexion. - -The paralysis finally affected the left upper extremity, which had -hitherto been free from it; at the same time, the respiration became -more difficult, the voice more feeble, and speech more painful, so -that the patient choked, after talking a few moments. These different -symptoms, and those described above, gradually became intense; and -at the time this case was recorded, the patient was still alive--but -in a most lamentable situation. Very severe pains supervened in the -right side; the limbs were frequently convulsed; the constipation was -obstinate; the urine passed involuntarily; the intellectual faculties, -however, remained unaffected; and the patient, who was then fifty -years old, proved, by his easy and agreeable conversation, that, -notwithstanding his unfortunate situation, he had lost none of his -natural gayety of character.” (_Traité de la moelle epinière_, &c., -vol. ii., p. 594.) - -The lower part of the medulla alone was affected in an individual whose -case is mentioned by Tissot. - -In another case related by Weszpremi, the spinal marrow and brain -were affected. The patient, who was thirty years old, complained of -pains along the spine, especially when he stooped. His legs were so -weak, that he could scarcely stand erect for a moment; his memory -was considerably weakened, and he seemed stupid; his sight was also -affected, and he was extremely thin. This man, having long denied the -cause of his disease, finally confessed it. After some months, his -health was restored. (_Observ. Med._, p. 175.) - -The disease is not always confined to the spinal marrow, and -its membranes: it frequently extends to the parts adjacent, and -particularly to the vertebræ. The latter are then destroyed; and the -disease described by Pott, and which takes his name, appears. Sabatier -was aware of the influence of masturbation on the bony part of the -vertebral column. “The most terrible and most frequent results of -onanism,” says he, in a letter to M. A. Petit, “are nodosities of the -spine. My opinion has always been regarded as unfounded, on account of -the youth of the patients; but I was enlightened by the admission of -some of my patients, that many were guilty of this thing before their -sixteenth year.” This fact, which was afterward stated by Boyer, in his -lectures, is now no longer doubted. The relation, however, between the -caries of the bodies of the vertebræ in onanists, and the affection of -the medulla, or of its membranes, had not been observed; it had not -been remarked that this latter always precedes caries, which in this -case is only the result of the extension of the primitive disease. The -facts which are to be stated will prove this to be true. - -L. E. G., twenty-one years old, a turner, of a lymphatic temperament, -of a slender and delicate constitution, addicted to masturbation -from childhood, experienced, at the beginning of February, 1825, a -slight pain in the epigastric region, difficulty of digestion, and -constipation: he also had laborious breathing, caused by palpitations, -which were much increased by walking, and particularly by going up -stairs. - -On entering the hospital la Pitié, April 28th, 1825, this young man -presented all the symptoms of a hypertrophy of the left cavities -of the heart: these phenomena, which diminished after a few days, -were followed by symptoms of enteritis and peritonitis, which were -attributed to excesses in eating. During the continuance of this -latter affection, the patient complained of uncommon debility in the -abdominal limbs. These symptoms disappeared; and when it was expected -to see the patient convalescent, he was affected with complete -paraplegia. He lost the use of his legs: they, however, retained their -sensibility. As motion in them was lost, this sensibility was even -increased; for the patient cried whenever he was touched, or when -the position of the lower limbs was changed. The bladder was soon -paralyzed, and the sound was used, which caused inflammation of this -organ. A broad and deep eschar, followed by ulceration, laid bare -the whole posterior part of the pelvis. From this time, the symptoms -increased more and more, and the patient died the 11th of August, about -six weeks after the first symptoms appeared. - -On opening the body, a softened tubercle was found on the surface -of the right hemisphere of the brain; _the body of the third dorsal -vertebra was slightly changed_; the corresponding portion of the dura -mater presented a cancerous degenerescence, which extended from the -body of the third dorsal to that of the fifth cervical vertebra. The -bodies of all the vertebræ connected with this alteration were whitish, -and slightly softened. The tissue of the spinal marrow was softened, -especially on the level with the seventh cervical and first three -dorsal vertebræ: the softening occupied the anterior cords, which were -of a grayish white color; the posterior cords were slightly softened -but only on a level with the first three dorsal vertebræ The lungs -were healthy and crepitating; the right contained superiorly a small -softened tubercle. _The heart was healthy_: its size was normal; the -left cavities possessed their usual size and thickness. Traces of -inflammation were found in the peritoneum, intestines, and bladder. -(_Journal de Physiol. Experim._ July, 1825.) - -In this case, we see in a measure the mode in which caries of the -vertebræ is produced. This caries is only at its commencement; the -vertebræ are affected superficially, and in those parts only which -correspond to the diseased portions of the dura mater and medulla. -There are none of the local symptoms of Pott’s disease--no collapse of -the vertebral column--no gibbosity; yet the paraplegia appeared, as -in the cases where these alterations exist: it resulted, then, from -the softening of the medulla, or the alteration of its membranes. If -a little time had elapsed, and several spinous processes had deviated -from their true direction, this paralysis would have been attributed -to the commencement and progress of this deviation. These relations -between the state of the medulla and that of the vertebræ have been -already remarked by several authors. M. Latour, in a memoir inserted -among those of the Society of Emulation, has sought to establish that -paraplegia, in Pott’s disease, resulted from a primitive alteration of -the medulla. Janson has since expressed a similar opinion. Cases have -also been published by Louis, which leave little doubt on this subject. -(_Mem. and Recherches_, 1826, p. 410.) - -One symptom in the preceding case, which deserves to be noted, is the -difficulty of respiration, the palpitations, and other symptoms which -led to the belief that the heart was diseased. On opening the body, -however, this organ was found perfectly healthy. Similar phenomena are -often seen in onanists: it would therefore be wrong to consider them -always as signs of an organic alteration of the heart and large vessels. - -In the following case, the vertebræ were more changed. The spinal -column was gibbous: but this was preceded by paraplegia, and other -symptoms of myelitis. This case was published by M. Dalandeterie:-- - -A shoemaker, twenty-four years old, of good constitution, who has -always enjoyed good health, contracted the habit of masturbation at the -age of sixteen years, and became so addicted to it, that he indulged -seven or eight times a-day: his strength soon diminished, and he lost -flesh and his color. - -After an interruption, caused by an acute disease, the patient resumed -his fatal habit with the same earnestness. He finally became so weak; -languid, and pale, that he was discharged from military service, in -which he was inscribed. - -A little while afterward, this young man, who had never shown any -symptoms of scrofula, presented scrofulous engorgements in the groins -and axillæ, and swellings, with caries, in several phalanges of the -fingers. At the same time, a singular phenomenon appeared: the hair, -which was chestnut colored, came off; on growing again, it appeared -of several colors: but after coming off once or twice, it resumed its -natural shade. - -The patient continuing to indulge in onanism, finally became extremely -weak, and was obliged to keep his bed. Marked symptoms of myelitis -now appeared. The patient gradually lost the use of his lower limbs: -first they became weak, and showed a disposition to be crossed; but -finally wasted away, and lost the power of motion. He was now obliged -even to be turned in bed, as he could not move. The articulation of -the feet and knees became stiff and inflexible, and his legs were so -much retracted, that the end of the foot only touched the ground, when -the patient was placed in an erect position. The sensibility of the -limbs, also, was as much affected as their motions; they were cold, -numb, and even when pinched they were not painful. The general languor -was increased every day. He suffered from thirst, dyspepsia, pains in -the stomach, rumblings, night sweats, &c. At this period, the patient -quitted a woman with whom he had lived for a year, and who, having but -little inclination for coition, caused him to indulge in masturbation. - -The erections were frequent, powerful, short, and always terminated -with a more or less abundant discharge of mucus from the -urethra--perhaps, also from the prostate gland; or even the discharge -might be of thin semen. After a while, the ejaculations were composed, -instead of semen, of a half-clotted, blackish or yellowish blood: -sometimes, as much as a tablespoonful was lost. These emissions were -always painful, and were followed by extreme prostration. - -For some time, the patient was in this sad state, when he experienced -a crawling sensation, like that caused by ants, descending along the -back: he experienced, in the same region, a severe and fatiguing pain, -which extended into the ribs and loins. These symptoms subsided; but -at the lower part of the dorsal region appeared a hard tumor, which -at first was small; but it gradually enlarged, as long as the patient -continued to masturbate. This tumor was evidently formed by the curve -of the spine, and the projection of three spinous processes. - -In three months, the patient was improved by the use of moxas and of -antiscrofulous remedies, by a suitable regimen, and particularly by -abstaining from onanism, for which he had conceived not only disgust, -but even a horror. The abdominal limbs regained their strength, heat, -and sensibility; the patient could walk on crutches, and could even -stand erect for a few moments, and could take a few steps unaided. - -In this case, which is remarkable in more than one respect, the -symptoms of myelitis preceded the curve of the spine, and then -disappeared, although the spine did not regain its primitive -rectitude. The debility, numbness, retraction, and paralysis of the -limbs, appeared long before the pain in the back, after which the -curve in the back began to appear; and then these limbs regained -their sensibility, force, and motion, while the gibbosity remained -always the same. This curve, then, could not be the cause of the -paraplegia, because the latter appeared first, and the spine remained -curved after the paralysis was removed. The development of symptoms -apparently scrofulous, in a man more than twenty years old, who had -hitherto presented nothing analogous, and whose parents were healthy; -the loss of his hair; the affection of the seminal passages, and the -state of the genital organs, &c., &c.--facts to which we shall recur -hereafter--all contribute to render this case interesting. - -We shall see, in the following case, also related by M. Dalandeterie, -an instance of vertebral caries in an onanist:-- - -A cook, forty-five years old, of bad constitution, but having always -enjoyed robust health, indulged in masturbation, although not to -very great excess. Eighteen months before his case was published, -he perceived pains and weakness in the loins, frequent colics, -often followed by brownish dejections, and sometimes by obstinate -constipation. He suffered, too, from flatulency; and in the left haunch -there was a pain, which increased or diminished with this flatulence. - -The patient, notwithstanding the progress of these symptoms, continued -to masturbate. Debility and pains in his loins extended into the -abdominal limbs, and increased so much, that he was obliged to keep -his bed: he could only lie on his left side; but in this position his -motions were easy. The diminution in the natural heat, the livid color -of the skin, the softness and flaccidity of the flesh, debility, loss -of sleep and of flesh, thirst, constipation, &c., were added to the -symptoms already mentioned. - -At the same time, a hard, indolent tumor, the size of a pullet’s egg, -was formed at the lower part of the dorsal region. This tumor, which -did not enlarge, evidently resulted from the prominence of the spinous -processes, and consequently from a curve in the spine, which was -doubtless caused by a softening of the bodies of the vertebræ. - -Nearly at the same period, there was developed, at the lower part -of the sternum, a hard, indolent tumor; the color of the skin was -unchanged: it gradually became the size of a nut, suppurated, and -assumed the appearance of a scrofulous ulcer. The lymphatic ganglions -of the neck, which were somewhat swelled, now returned to their natural -size. The treatment was similar to that used in the former case, and -was attended with the same result: the strength, bodily heat, and -appetite returned. Finally, the patient was able to walk with crutches; -and could stand, unsupported, for a few moments. - -The circumstances in this case are not detailed with sufficient -accuracy, to enable us to follow exactly the cause of the symptoms. We -would remark, however, that one of these seen first was the neuralgic -pains, which extended from the loins into the lower extremities. Now, -as this symptom belongs to irritation of the medulla or its membranes, -more than to their compression, there is reason to think that this -irritation preceded the curve of the spine. In this patient, also, as -in the preceding case, the affection of the marrow had not so much -influence in causing the destruction of the bodies of the vertebræ, as -a disposition to caries--a disposition which was evidently increased by -onanism, and which appeared at the same time in several bones. - -The following case, from Meyrieu, is not sufficiently detailed, to -affect in any manner the question, how caries of the vertebræ is -produced in onanists; but it is interesting, as it shows that the -disease may extend to the soft parts which cover or are adjacent to the -affected vertebræ. - -L--, twenty-two years old, was moderately tall, with a narrow chest, -and had never enjoyed good health, particularly for the six years -preceding the time when he entered the prison at Bicetre, when he -indulged in the disgusting practice of onanism. In the course of -January, 1819, he was affected with general numbness, with frequent -cough and expectoration of mucus: these symptoms were occasionally -attended with slight fever. When admitted to the infirmary, the 1st of -February, he complained, in addition to the symptoms already mentioned, -of a violent pain in the posterior part of the neck. A slight swelling -was seen at the level of the first and second cervical vertebræ, and -pressure on that part was painful; the head was bent to the left side, -and remained motionless; the thoracic abdominal limbs were numb; and -deglutition was painful. Local resolvent frictions, blisters, and moxas -were used. The 15th of February, he was affected with hemoptysis, -which yielded in two days to the use of bleeding and astringents. -The vertebral disease, however, generally made progress, like that -of the chest, which seemed to relax. In July, the thoracic limbs -were perfectly paralyzed; and in August, this was true also of the -abdominal limbs. At this period, the head was absolutely immoveable; -the phthisis seemed as yet in the second degree. Finally, the patient -died suddenly, from moving his head, while the attendants were changing -him. - -_Post-mortem Examination._ The soft parts of the posterior region of -the neck were changed to a whitish, lardaceous substance; the right -condyle of the occipital bone was carious: there was also a deep caries -of the upper part of the right lateral mass of the first vertebræ, and -of the odontoid process. The transverse and odontoid ligaments were -degenerated and softened; and the medulla oblongata presented a kind -of strangulation, resulting from the compression caused by the left -posterior part of the edge of the occipital foramen: in fact, there -was a dislocation of this bone, on the first vertebræ. The cerebrum -was unaffected; the right lung was tuberculous, and very small; that -of the left side was also tuberculous, but was larger. The peritoneum -presented some marks of inflammation. - -In the preceding cases, the caries of the vertebræ was not attended -with a congested abscess. The following case, published by Levêque -Lasource, will present to us this symptom, which is so common in this -disease:-- - -N-- O-- was addicted to onanism, from twelve to eighteen years of age; -but could not renounce this fatal habit, although reminded of its -danger by a curve in the spine, and by other symptoms. When received -at la Charité Hospital, in 1806, beside a well marked gibbosity, he -presented a congested abscess at the upper and inner part of the thigh. -Two cauteries were applied to the sides of the vertebral prominences: -these suppurated freely, but did no good. The abscess was punctured -in several places. This young man, who could not survive, left the -hospital; so that the organic changes produced by his disease could not -be verified. (_Jour. de Med., Chir. and Phar._; vol. xvii., p. 261.) - -The same author has related another case, which terminated more -fortunately:--A child, seven or eight years old, addicted to -masturbation, entered at la Charité, affected with gibbosity and -paralysis of the lower limbs. During the month he stayed in the -hospital, several cauteries were applied around the tumor, which -suppurated; tonics and strengthening medicines were administered -internally. He left, perfectly cured of the paralysis, and of the other -symptoms caused by the affection of the medulla; but the deformity -resulting from the prominence formed by the spinous processes of the -vertebræ continued. Three years after, this child, who had abstained -from this bad habit, had experienced no relapse. - -We have seen, in several of the preceding cases, that permanent -contractions of the lower limbs resulted, in onanists, from affections -of the spinal marrow. Guersent, also, admits the possibility of -essential contractions--that is, those which do not result from a -disease of the nervous centres. According to this practitioner, these -kinds of contractions are seen most frequently in those nervous -children who indulge in bad habits, like that of masturbation. The -following case has been considered by him as an instance of this -affection:-- - -D-- E--, five years old, and addicted to masturbation, after passing -a part of the winter at the Hospital des Enfans, to be treated for -scrofulous engorgements of the glands of the neck, was sent to the -country in the spring. He had been there about three months, when he -was suddenly affected with a contraction of the lower extremities. -Examined the 5th of July, he complained neither of pain in the head -nor spine. The digestive passages were in very good state; there was -no derangement in the circulation or respiration; the muscles of -the lower extremities were permanently rigid: the tension, however, -was more marked in the adductors; for the patient constantly kept -his knees crossed. There was no deviation in the vertebral column. -Different remedies were employed, but without success; except a little -improvement under the use of carbonate of iron. The legs and thighs -of the patient could be flexed and extended with the hands; but he -could neither flex them when extended, nor extend them when flexed. -This child was cured in a singular manner. His state was as described, -when, at the beginning of September, he was affected with symptoms -of roseola. The contraction of the lower extremities disappeared, -when the fever came on. The eruption went through its course, and the -contraction of the limbs did not return. Thus, this disease, which -had resisted several efficacious remedies, disappeared before another -disease. - -The loss or debility of the external senses, particularly those of -hearing and sight, when this state is the consequence of venereal -excesses, often result, as may be seen in several of the cases above -stated, from a disease of the brain. This organ was probably diseased -in the old man whose case was mentioned by Réveillé Parise. This man -was desirous of living with a young Italian girl, whose temperament -was extremely ardent. He paid for his imprudence by blindness, which -occurred in eight days, and which was followed by death. Sometimes, -however, the eye alone is diseased: at least, the pathological -state which it presents is unattended by any symptoms indicating an -affection of the brain or its membranes. Many libertines present only -an irritation of the conjunctiva and of the edge of the eyelids. It is -a sort of chronic ophthalmia; their eyes are red, watery, fatigued, -painful; and they cannot engage in the evening in any occupation, -such as reading, which requires the attention to be confined to one -object. Sometimes, a severe and deep-seated pain proves that, beside -the outer parts of the eye, the interior of this organ is the seat of -a severe irritation. Hoffmann has seen several cases of this. He cites -that of a young man, who indulged in onanism from the age of fifteen -to that of twenty-three. “His eyes and head were so weak,” says he, -“that these organs were often affected with violent spasms, during the -emission of semen. Whenever he attempted to read, he experienced a -sensation similar to that of drunkenness: the pupil was considerably -dilated, and excessive pains were felt in the eye. The eyelids were -glued together every night; the eyes were also watery; and there was, -at the two angles, a collection of whitish matter. These irritations, -especially when seated within the eye, may be followed by the loss -of sight.” Dr. Juengken, professor of clinical ophthalmology at the -Berlin faculty, and who has published an excellent work on the diseases -of the eye, indicates, when speaking of amaurosis resulting from -masturbation, that the pupil assumes a peculiar form, which is found -only (says this professor) in those individuals habitually addicted to -this vice. In these cases, the pupil, instead of being in the centre of -the eye, is removed upward, but does not lose its roundness: the upper -part of the iris seems narrower, and contracted on its ciliary edge. -This symptom has been mentioned, also, by Dr. Sichel, as occurring in -certain scrofulous ophthalmias: iritis then exists. Photophobia, which -is a greater or less aversion to light, resulting from the pain which -it occasions in the eye, has been indicated, by Sanson, as sometimes -preceding amaurosis, caused by too frequent a loss of semen. - -All authors agree in placing venereal excesses, and particularly -those from masturbation, among the causes of amaurosis. They are so -unanimous on this point, that we shall cite no authorities. They -generally agree to regard amaurosis, in onanists, as produced by the -exhaustion caused by diurnal or nocturnal pollutions. Beer, and many -others, assimilate, in this respect, the loss of semen to that of other -fluids; and compares venereal excesses, especially those from onanism, -with cholera, diarrhœa, &c., as a cause of amaurosis. This idea of -exhaustion probably led Scarpa to remark, that amaurosis, resulting -from premature abuses of masturbation or coition, must generally be -regarded as incurable. This prognosis may be made, we believe, in -regard to most cases of amaurosis. Dr. Buzzi has published, with four -other cases of amaurosis, which were cured, that of an individual in -whom it had been produced by masturbation. It, however, yielded, on the -abandonment of bad habits, to the moderate use of good wine, combined -with milk diet. - -Dr. Rognetta, in a memoir on the causes of amaurosis, insists on -the opinion that onanism produces this disease, by exhausting the -sensibility of the body. He compares this habit to decay. “Nothing,” -says he, “enervates the body so much as too frequent emissions of -semen, especially when they are caused by the hand: the spasm which -attends them throws the body into all the infirmities of old age. The -retina and optic nerve then gradually lose their sensitive faculty, -which finally becomes extinct. Those who masturbate are affected with -amaurosis, like decrepit old men.” Rognetta adds, that he has the -notes of several cases of amaurosis, which had resisted all remedies, -and which were caused entirely by the _luxuria manuensis_. He relates -the history of a young ecclesiastic, nineteen years old, a native of -Palermo, whose sight became very weak. This unfortunate young man had -been in the habit of masturbating seven times a-day: he was also prone -to sodomy. Rognetta advised him to leave off this bad habit, and to -return to his native place and take cold baths. - -Sanson, also, places voluntary and involuntary pollutions among the -asthenic causes of amaurosis: he, however, regards these pollutions as -sometimes causing irritation of the retina. He assimilates them, as do -many other authors, to all abundant discharges of fluids. The following -case has been considered by him as one of asthenic amaurosis, produced -in this manner:--A notary’s clerk, twenty-four years old, experienced -for a year a progressive debility in his sight. He had labored much at -night, by lamp-light, and attributed his disease to this cause; but -another, which had contributed to the development of the amaurosis, -was the excesses of this young man, in onanism and coition. Venereal -disease, which he had contracted, might also contribute to this bad -result. The pupil was dilated; the iris was immoveable; the eye was -perfectly clear; and the retina, of a dull color, could be seen through -the pupil. An antivenereal treatment, purgatives, emetics, and -blisters around the organ, &c., produced no effect. - -In my opinion, blindness from amaurosis, being not so much a disease as -a symptom, or rather the consequence, of many other diseases, is not, -in onanists, the result of exhaustion, of asthenia, any more than the -debility and paralysis of the lower extremities are, when the spinal -marrow is diseased. Besides, what difference does it make, how the -sight is lost in onanists? the most essential thing to be known is, -that they can lose it. This unfortunate circumstance is to be dreaded -by those whose sight is much affected during the act of venery, and -who remain, as it were, in a mist for a few moments after this act. -Thus, amaurosis was predicted in a public girl, whose case is mentioned -by Hoffmann, and whose sight was obscured whenever she had connexion -with men. She finally became blind. (_De morbis ex nim. ven._, § 26.) -The sight is rarely lost suddenly: it commonly fades away gradually; -and the onanist, if he can understand this warning, may, by abandoning -his bad habits in time, preserve the vigor he still possesses; and, -sometimes, even may recover what he has lost. - -The weakness and loss of sight, and the other affections of the eye -already mentioned, are not the only ones which may arise from excessive -onanism or coition: the muscles of the eye may also be affected. Lorry -was, we believe, the first to notice this fact. “The eyes,” says he, -“are affected with convulsive and spasmodic motions, after venereal -excesses, rather than with blindness.” He states, that strabismus -may be caused by onanism. We have before stated the case of a young -man, whose eyes were affected with violent spasms at the moment of a -discharge of semen. Demours has observed similar facts. “Masturbation,” -says he, “affects the optic nerves, and also acts on the motor nerves -of the eye.” He admits that he can see no reason for this. The same -author mentions venereal excesses among the different causes of partial -paralysis of the muscles of the eye. - -We have already mentioned the wandering pains, which frequently affect -onanists; we have also alluded to those which depend on an affection of -the spinal marrow. We have reason to think, from our own observations, -and the statements particularly of English authors, that the number of -pains dependent on an affection of the spinal marrow is much larger -than is generally thought: we think, that most of the pains termed -rheumatic, particularly those affecting the trunk and the limbs, are -neuralgic; and that most of these neuralgias proceed from an irritation -of the medulla or its membranes. We do not say that the spinal cord -is always affected then, as in those cases of myelitis which attend -paralysis and death: we think that it is affected in some manner; -and that these pains, which are commonly so severe, and frequently -so general--sometimes attended with tumefaction, but more frequently -without it--which are felt in the course of these nerves, are the usual -consequences of this affection. Hence, it is not surprising, that the -act of venery, which excites the nervous system so much--which has so -marked an action on the spinal marrow, has frequently predisposed to -neuralgic or rheumatic pains, and has directly caused or increased this -kind of pains. It is well ascertained, and many authors--particularly -Hoffmann--have remarked, that those who indulge in onanism, during -youth, are more subject to these pains than others. The act of venery, -even when indulged in to a moderate extent, generally increases their -violence. I have often seen attacks of neuralgia supervene immediately -after coition. It was an affection of this kind which was felt by the -onanist who wrote to Tissot, that he felt in his face a pain similar to -that caused by applying a great number of pins. - -Individuals who have braved the usual causes of rheumatism with -impunity, not unfrequently become vulnerable to these causes after -venereal excesses. M. Villeneuve relates the case of a stonecutter, -who had long been exposed to changes of weather without inconvenience, -and who was violently attacked with rheumatism after unusual venereal -excesses. He also mentions the case of a groom, who had long slept in -a damp and narrow stable without suffering, but who was attacked with -rheumatism the winter after his marriage. Saucerotte has seen a similar -case: it was that of a man who had constantly braved the changes of -weather, and who was affected with rheumatism after indulging in -women and wine. The same author has established, in the memoir where -this fact was reported, that muscular rheumatism is only a variety of -neuralgia. Among the proofs which he gives of it, he states that many -authors, as Barthez, Scudamore, Chaussier, Olivier, and Ferrus, have -placed venereal excesses among the causes of neuralgias and those of -rheumatism. - -Most authors have considered these excesses as one of the predisposing -causes of gout. Hippocrates, probably, entertained the same idea, if we -may judge from these two aphorisms:--“_Eunuchi neque podagra laborant, -neque caluescunt. Puer podagra non tentatur ante venereorum usum._” -Sydenham also regarded excessive indulgence in venereal pleasures as -tending to produce gout. Guilbert remarks, that even hereditary gout -is neither a disease of infancy nor of youth: he admits, however, that -venereal excesses may produce it before the time it generally appears. -Roche exclaims against this opinion: he thinks that venereal excesses -can only cause attacks of gout. He says-- - -“What influence have masturbation and venereal excesses in producing -gout? According to men of the world, and even to some physicians, they -are the most fruitful source of this infirmity: and yet on what facts -does this opinion rest? On this, that several gouty people have been -great libertines in their youth. But how many chaste persons, and how -many prelates, too, are attacked by this cruel disease? On the other -hand, are there not as many, and even more libertines among the poor, -than among the rich? and yet, in general, they are not attacked by the -gout. Finally, the shameful vice of onanism is observed most frequently -among the young; and we have already said that gout is a disease of -manhood and old age. Hence, it is wrong to attribute to this order of -causes a part of the influence which it has not, and cannot have, in -producing gout. Here, doubtless, has been committed the error which -has been several times pointed out: attacks of gout have frequently -been known to supervene after venereal excesses or masturbation; and -it has been concluded that these causes concur powerfully in producing -the disease itself. Good living and gormandizing are, we repeat, the -real--the only sources of gout: sobriety, frugality, are the best -preservatives from it.” - -This last phrase shows clearly the origin of Roche’s opinion. It is -evident that he denies the influence attributed to venereal excesses, -in the production of gout, only to sustain a favorite theory. Roche -certainly never would have said, that there is more libertinism in the -lower than in the higher walks of life, if he had not been preoccupied -with the desire of proving that good living is the cause of gout, -to the exclusion of every other cause. It may be asserted, that one -mode of living predisposes to the gout more than another; and we will -agree with every author, that this disease appears particularly in -individuals who are well fed; but we cannot admit, that the possible -action of certain influences, as that of venereal excesses, should be -denied. Impressed, however, with the vast extent of the influence of -venereal excesses, and with the uncertainty of its limits, we prefer to -allow, with all authors, that venereal excesses, like many other known -and unknown causes, may predispose to gout. This opinion seems to be -more logical than that sustained by Roche with his usual ability. - -Roche, also, in accordance with other authors, regards venereal -excesses as injurious to those affected with gout. “The indulgence in -venereal pleasures,” says Barthez, “should seldom be permitted to those -affected with gout; for they should abstain from whatever weakens or -exhausts. Coste, who has written on gout, is much more formal. “A gouty -person,” says he, “should choose between living apart from his wife, -and being cured of his disease; or caressing her, and rendering his -disease incurable. Whenever a gouty person sees a female,” he adds, -“if young, a new root to his disease sprouts forth; and if he be old, -he drives a nail into his coffin.” This opinion differs from that of -Pietsch, who maintains that gout arises from the absorption of vitiated -semen, which is retained by continence in the seminal vesicles. - -Can venereal excesses cause hemorrhoidal affections? For want of facts -on this subject, we would remark, that these excesses _may_ contribute -to develop these affections, and particularly the exacerbations to -which they are subject. This was Montegre’s opinion: he admitted, that -the nervous debility which resulted from the abuse of the genital -organs, generally favored the occurrence of fluxes, motions which occur -most frequently in people subject to hemorrhoids; and also, that in -those females who have hemorrhoidal tumors on the rectum or vagina, the -abuse of coition may excite inflammation of these tumors. Montegre, -however, thinks that excessive continence has a more detrimental effect -on those affected with hemorrhoids than the contrary. He thought that -the irritation which extreme continence causes in the seminal vesicles -and adjacent parts, may excite a hemorrhoidal paroxysm: hence, he -regards the act of venery as generally useful to persons affected with -hemorrhoids, provided it is confined within certain limits. On this -opinion, we would say, that if the irritation of the seminal passages -may extend to the adjacent passages, venereal excesses which produce -this irritation may also cause inflammation of the hemorrhoidal tumors -much more frequently than continence. This is the opinion of Begin, -also, who mentions, among the direct causes of hemorrhoids, “excesses -in venereal pleasures--excesses which are always attended with a state -of orgasm and vascular fulness in the genital system, and in all the -parts connected with it; and particularly in the lower region of the -rectum, which receives the same vessels in the neck of the bladder, -the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles, in the male, and in the -uterus and vagina in the female.” - -We may believe, from the enervating action of masturbation, that the -development of scrofula may be excited or favored in those young -patients who are addicted to it. Few proofs of this, however, are found -in authors; and it is rare to find records of scrofulous symptoms in -the histories of those onanists which have been published. It, however, -would be absurd to conclude, from this silence, that the coincidence -of these symptoms and the ordinary effects of onanism never occur, or -that this habit cannot call into action a disposition to disease. But -we must admit, that if masturbation be an active cause of this disease, -this fact would have been noted more frequently. - -Further: Certain circumstances seem to indicate, that onanism must be -but little favorable to the development of scrofula. First, onanism -renders the limbs thinner, dries them, then deprives them of those -white fluids with which the flesh of scrofulous persons is generally -infiltrated. Next, since in these latter the sensibility is as it -were blunted, and the susceptibility is slight, onanism tends to -excite them. Besides, one of the most common effects of the action of -the genital organs, at puberty, is the disappearance of scrofulous -engorgements and other symptoms, if they exist. Sometimes, the normal -development of the genital apparatus excites in those who have arrived -at puberty the swelling of the lymphatic ganglions of the neck, axillæ, -and particularly of the groins: but in this case, these ganglions -are painful, and present a kind of inflammatory state, analogous to -that which is attempted to be produced when they are affected with -scrofulous engorgements. Cabanis has well described what then takes -place:--“From the time,” says he, “that the evolution of the genital -organs commences, there is a general motion in the whole lymphatic -apparatus; the glands of the groins, the mammæ, those of the axillæ, -and neck, swell: they often become painful. It is not only in girls -that the mammæ swell; in young men, I have frequently seen them form -tumors, which seemed inflammatory: they have often been considered as -such by ignorant quacks. This symptom generally causes uneasiness in -those who experience it: but this depends not so much on the pain, -(which sometimes impedes the free motions of the body,) as on the -influence of this new action--the commotion caused in the imagination -by the new system.” This state of the lymphatic system would be, as is -seen, rather antithetic, than analogous to what is seen in scrofulous -patients. Farther: we have only to compare the eunuch with him who -has vigorously passed through puberty, to see that the action of -the genital organs is not adapted to favor the development of this -affection. - -The act of venery often causes, also, ganglionary swellings; but they -do not resemble scrofulous engorgements, more than those which arise -from the influence of puberty. “The first essay of venereal pleasures,” -says Cabanis, “is often necessary to complete the development of the -genital organs: thus, the general swelling of all the parts where the -glands are situated, especially of the bosom, of the anterior face -of the neck, is often the consequence of this great commotion. The -characters which manifest this swelling are much more remarkable in -females; hence, perhaps, the old physicians, and even some moderns, -have stated the sudden swelling of the neck in young girls as a sign of -defloration. But it is wrong to consider this as a general and certain -sign: it is certainly not one.” If the act of venery can produce such -an excitement in the lymphatic system, it ought to be still more -manifest when a part of this system is already inflamed. This is -confirmed by a fact stated by Lordat, in the bulletin of the scientific -society of Montpelier. It relates to a young woman, in whom the jugular -glands being swelled, a few days after her marriage, increased or -diminished in size, according as she yielded to her husband’s embraces -or not. Thus, then, if we consider the genital organs, either during -the acute period of their development, or when the act of venery is -indulged in, we see that they extend their action to the lymphatic -apparatus, as they do to the other systems; but in a manner which seems -the reverse of that reputed to favor the production of scrofula. - -Symptoms, however, analogous to those caused by scrofula, have been -known to occur where there is evidence of venereal abuses. Two cases, -which we have already quoted from M. Dalandeterie, are instances of -this. The first relates to a young man, twenty-four years old, whose -health, before he was addicted to masturbation, had been good; and -whose parents, so far as could be ascertained, had never been diseased -with scrofula, and had never presented any disposition to the disease. -First, he was affected with numbness in the little finger of the -right hand, and the ring-finger of the left hand; the articulations -swelled, and formed in these parts tumors, which were regarded as -scrofulous, and which were soon followed by ulceration and caries. The -patient experienced no pain; and only felt an intolerable itching. The -lymphatic ganglions of the groin and axillæ were permanently swelled; -and the bodies of several vertebræ became, as we have seen, affected -with caries. - -The other patient, who was forty-five years old, presented an advanced -case of myelitis, and caries of the vertebræ, when there formed, at the -lower part of the sternum, a hard and indolent tumor, which soon became -apparently a scrofulous ulcer. The pus from this ulcer was ichorous, -and the edges were of a violet red, swelled and hard; and the soft -parts adhered to the subjacent bones. The lymphatic ganglions of the -neck swelled for some time, but they then returned to their natural -state. M. Dalandeterie adds, that these two cases have been selected -from many other similar or analogous facts: hence, he considers caries -of the vertebræ as having then been the consequence of a scrofulous -principle, which was developed by onanism. - -If, however, we carefully analyze these facts, we shall find that they -do not indicate a scrofulous disease, the development of which was -but slightly favored by the age of the patients, as a _tubercular_ -affection--that is, a disease which might be developed at every period -of life. We think that tubercles were developed, in the phalanges, -in the first case; and in the sternum, in the second; that these -tubercles softened, and suppurated; and thus were formed the apparent -scrofulous ulcers presented by these individuals. Probably, a similar -circumstance occurs in the vertebræ, the bodies of which are destroyed; -for distinguished observers, especially Delpech, have regarded Pott’s -disease as a tubercular affection of the body of these bones. The cases -of Dalandeterie would prove only that onanism favors the development of -tubercles. Unfortunately, they are not the only cases, as we shall see, -which establish this fact. - -Consumption, or phthisis tubercularis, is, in fact, one of the diseases -caused most frequently by onanism. The act of venery--that power which -has so much influence on the internal life of the tissues, and on the -respiratory organs, and which, to use Rullier’s expression, seems -to agitate the lungs--is commenced in most onanists exactly at that -age when the chest enlarges in every direction, and which phthisis -seems to prefer. “How many young persons,” says Portal, in his work -on phthisis pulmonalis, “have been victims to their unhappy passion? -Physicians find those every day, who remain imbecile, or who are so -enervated, physically and morally, that they barely drag along a -miserable existence: others die with marasmus; and many with phthisis -pulmonalis.” In another work, the same author relates the case of a -young person, seventeen years old, who was addicted to masturbation, -and who fell a victim to this disease. This young person, who had -became much deformed, was affected with raising of blood, and soon -died of phthisis. “It results from numerous well ascertained facts,” -say Fournier and Begin, “that those persons who indulge in onanism are -generally remarkable for the imperfect development of their thorax, and -for the promptitude with which the least exercise renders respiration -difficult and hurried. Almost all these individuals contract chronic -catarrhs, or more serious affections of the pulmonary organs; and -finally perish, in a complete state of phthisis.” Broussais, also, -places among the causes of phthisis pulmonalis, “erotic spasms, no -matter in what manner they are excited.” - -We have seen this affection, more frequently than any other, resulting -from onanism. Among other instances, we would mention that of a young -man, who died in 1833. This young man sustained himself so well in -public debate, that he was placed, at the expense of government, in a -public school. He was then sixteen years old; and his health, which had -previously been good, now failed. He became pale, languished, and grew -thin; and this, too, although his appetite was keen, and his digestion -excellent. Having my suspicions, and having communicated them to the -patient, and also to other persons who could enlighten me, we were led -to believe, from the answers made to me, that the too rapid growth of -the body was the only cause of the state presented by the patient; -and his state varied so little from that of health, that the young -man assured me that he was very well. I therefore simply directed him -to take more exercise, and to be more free in his diet. His loss of -flesh, however, and paleness continuing, his parents felt anxious about -him. I examined his organs separately: I could find none presenting -any marks of disease, or which could explain the general state of the -patient. My first suspicions then returned; but on questioning him, the -same answers were given. The patient, who had already seen an instance -of the bad effects of onanism, in the person of his younger brother, -seemed deeply impressed with the danger of his habit. He, however, -continued to lose strength. One day, after taking more violent exercise -than usual, he fainted away. At the same time, a dry cough supervened, -to which the patient at first did not attend. This was the first -symptom indicating an affection of any particular organ. This cough -soon became more frequent; and, by means of auscultation, we found that -the respiration, at the summit of one of the lungs, was imperfect. -At this time, the patient avowed to his father his deplorable habit. -This had been contracted at school; it had been indulged in for two -years; and of late, much more frequently than before. His danger was -fully pointed out to him; parents, friends, physicians, all conjured -him to abandon this secret vice. Treatises on onanism were placed in -his hands; and every attempt was made to arouse in him the feeling -of self-preservation. He was terrified; but the power of the habit -was so great, that he did not leave it off till consumption had -progressed very far. Deep abscesses successively formed in his lungs; -the expectoration soon became purulent and excessive. Night sweats and -diarrhœa followed; and the patient died in a terrible state of marasmus -and exhaustion. - -In 1829, we prescribed for a young man, whose career was much more -rapid. He had always enjoyed excellent health; and his parents -exhibited no marks of consumption. Having married a very pretty widow, -he indulged himself with her very freely at night, while during the -day both were assiduously engaged. The female was seven or eight years -older than her husband, and did not suffer much. He, however, soon -became affected with cough, attended with bloody expectoration. When -consulted, we informed the patient of his danger, unless he changed -his mode of living. Our advice was not followed; and shortly after, -hemorrhage from the lungs supervened so abundantly and obstinately, -that notwithstanding the most active treatment, he died in eight days. - -The young man, too, mentioned by Tissot, was also doubtless affected -with phthisis. “He came to Montpelier to pursue his studies; but was -affected with phthisis, from excessive onanism: and I remember that his -cough was so hard and constant, that all those who were near him were -incommoded by it. He was frequently bled; doubtless, with a view to his -relief. On consultation, he was ordered to go home, and take turtle -soup; and two hours after, he died.” - -It is with phthisis, as with most of the other diseases, caused -by masturbation. This habit causes disease, by cherishing and by -cultivating special dispositions. Thus, the onanist born of consumptive -parents, whose chest is narrow, with a long neck and thin limbs, -and who presents symptoms of scrofula, is more liable to be affected -with phthisis or consumption. This was the case with a young man, as -mentioned by Rozier. This patient was evidently scrofulous, and many -members of his family had been affected with the disease. He remained, -however, pretty well until he was eighteen years old, when, in -consequence of a contusion in one of his legs, he became affected with -an ulcer, which was a long time healing. After it was cured, however, -he remained in good health, and was lively, animated, and intelligent; -but when twenty-five years old, he commenced indulging in onanism. -He soon felt oppression at the chest, and cough; and although the -affection of his chest increased, and he was aware of the dangers of -onanism, he continued to indulge. Many physicians were consulted; but -he did not mention his bad habit. The affection of the lungs continued; -his sleep was interrupted; hectic fever supervened; his cheeks were -tinged with an unnatural color; and his expectoration was grayish -and purulent. The patient then decided on avowing his habit. Rozier -attempted, in the most touching and persuasive manner, to induce him -to abandon it; but in vain. Consumption continued to progress; and he -was soon unable to talk, to move, or to make the least motion, without -danger of suffocation. After remaining in this horrid state three -years, the patient died. - -We have already remarked several times, that the respiration in -onanists is frequently affected. Their breath is often short; they -pant on the slightest exercise; are subject to stifling, &c. These -symptoms, the existence of which cannot always be explained by that -of any organic alteration in the heart or lungs, finally assume, in -some individuals, the characters attributed to _nervous asthma_. -The authors who have written on this subject, have all classed -venereal excesses among its most frequent causes. “Individuals of a -nervous temperament,” says M. Ferrus, “seem most particularly liable -to it. But the influence of certain bad habits--as masturbation, -the abuse of venereal pleasures by young persons, excesses of the -table in old men, &c.--contribute, as powerfully as individual -predispositions, to produce this disease.” Jolly remarks, in nearly -similar language:--“Venereal excesses and masturbation,” says this -distinguished physician, “have appeared in some cases to produce -asthma. And if some authors think that too much importance is attached -to this cause, they may readily appreciate its value by observing the -effects of the venereal orgasm on the pulmonary circulation.” Daily -observation proves that persons affected with asthma have generally -used the goods of this life freely. To admit that venereal excesses -often prepare for or excite an attack of asthma, we have only to regard -an attack of asthma, whether excited or not by an organic lesion, as -consisting in a spasm of the glottis; or, as Reisessen and Cruvelhier -think, of the ramifications of the bronchi. - -Our remarks on asthma may apply to diseases of the heart and large -vessels. The frequent repetitions of an act which render the emotions -so powerful, frequent, and tumultuous, has often produced or increased -aneurismatic dilatations of this organ; the thickening of its parietes, -or other diseases, of the parenchyma, or of the vessels which leave -it and go to it. Thus, the abuse of onanism, and of the pleasures of -love, holds a high place on the list of causes of this affection. -We have seen dilatations of the left ventricle of the heart, which -evidently arose from this cause. “In some cases,” says Fournier and -Begin, “palpitations, and even considerable lesions of the heart and -large vessels, could have no other cause, in patients whose vigorous -constitutions have long resisted the destructive practice of onanism, -and who, notwithstanding their excesses, have attained an advanced -age.” This last remark is particularly just. These diseases are by no -means so immediately dangerous as is generally believed. The principal -symptoms of diseases of the heart may exist, although this organ may -not be materially altered. A remarkable instance of this may be seen -in one of the cases already mentioned. The patient experienced for -a long time difficulty of breathing; which increased on walking, and -especially on going up stairs. These symptoms were so marked, that on -entering the hospital, he exhibited all the symptoms of a hypertrophy -of the left cavities of the heart. Four months after his entrance into -the hospital, the patient died of the consequences of myelitis; and on -opening the body, the heart was found perfectly healthy, of its normal -size, and presented nothing unusual in the extent of its cavities, or -in the thickness of their parietes. - -Among the diseases of the heart which may be caused by venereal -excesses, there is one in particular mentioned by Blaud. He thinks -that too frequent coition predisposes to _polypi of the heart_. He -maintains, that the act produces its effects, either by weakening the -motive powers of this organ, which they over-excite momentarily; or -by causing too great an accumulation, and consequently a congestion -of blood, in the cardiac cavities. This last fact seemed to him to -be proved, by the oppression, the congestion in the head, and the -palpitations, which attend coition. - -If venereal excesses may cause diseases of the heart, they may increase -those which exist. They may also, by causing the rupture of an -aneurism, produce instant death. But having already treated of these -effects, we shall not return to the subject. - -Rachitis, and particularly alterations in the height, have been named -by many authors among the ordinary effects of premature indulgences. -We have already given, from Portal, the remarkable case of a young -girl, who, indulging in excesses of onanism, became humpbacked, and -then consumptive. In six months, the curve of the vertebral column -progressed rapidly; the chest was depressed at the lower part of the -sternum; there was a deep hollow in the epigastric region, while the -abdomen was prominent. The same author has observed other similar -cases. “I have seen,” says he, “four or five of these unfortunate -creatures, from fifteen to eighteen years old, in whom the back was -very convex, and the abdomen seemed pressed into the chest; the -extremities of the long bones, particularly those which form the elbows -and knees, were very much enlarged; the legs were thrown out, and -their muscles were scarcely developed; their eyes were sunken; their -countenances pale and white; and their voices acute. Any one, to judge -of their ages by their looks, would think that they were not more than -twelve years old. They were extremely weak, physically and morally, -and became imbecile long before they died.” Dr. Richard, cited by -Petit, has also seen considerable deformity of the ribs, resulting from -onanism. Tissot placed this habit first among the causes of rachitis. -M. Lonyer Villermey, also, regards onanism and involuntary pollutions -as an active source of deviations in height. On the other hand, Dr. -Laguerre, a gentleman who has attended to rachitic persons a good deal, -tells us that the habit has been observed by him only once, as a cause -of spinal deformity. - -It has also been advanced, that premature enjoyment may arrest the -growth of the body, and consequently prevent it from attaining its -normal height. We do not deny the possibility of such a result. We have -seen many onanists, however, grow very rapidly, notwithstanding their -excesses, and all the symptoms of extensive alteration. It follows, -also, from the researches of Villermé and Quetelet, that the mean -height of man is generally greater in the city than in the country; and -yet, in the former, masturbation is more frequent. We can see, too, by -comparing the increase in weight to that in length, during the first -twenty years, that the development of the genital organs exercises -much more influence on the mass of the body, than on its height: thus, -between the ages of four and fifteen years--that is, during the period -of puberty--the annual increase of weight is quadruple of what it was -in preceding years. Do not these reasons authorize us to think, that if -premature excesses have any influence on the height of man, this action -is less than is generally imagined? - -Besides rachitis, caries, and tubercles, which have been mentioned, -are the bones ever affected with any other disease, in consequence -of venereal indulgences? The only case in point is that already -mentioned,(p. 85) as reported by Serrurier, of a man who was reduced -to a complete state of marasmus, in consequence of venereal excesses -and nocturnal pollutions. In this man’s case, a remarkable circumstance -occurred. Having attempted, a few days before death, to rest himself -from the fatigues of the bed, by spending a few hours in the easy -chair, he fractured the bone of his right thigh at its centre, merely -by attempting to cross the right thigh on the left. Might not this -disease, which is very rare, and is termed friability of the bones, be -also caused by the excesses we have mentioned? - -These excesses, if accompanied by those of the table, or if indulged -in under unfavorable circumstances, may be followed by acute, as -well as by chronic affections, and particularly by fevers of a bad -character. This result of excessive enjoyments is frequent; and cases -of it have been seen by almost every physician. It was known to the -ancients. Hippocrates gives the history of a young man of Melibœa, who, -after indulging in women and wine, was attacked with all the symptoms -of typhus fever. Bartholin knew a person, recently married, who was -attacked, after conjugal excesses, with an acute fever, attended with -great depression, sinking, nausea, immoderate thirst, &c. This patient -was cured by rest and tonics. Hoffmann, who states this case, also -mentions that of a man, who never indulged in venereal excesses without -being attacked with fever, which continued several days. Tissot, in -1761 and 1762, knew two very healthy, strong, and vigorous young men, -who were attacked, one the day after, and the other the second night -of their marriage, with a very violent fever, preceded by no chill, -pulse quick and hard, wakefulness, many slight convulsive motions, very -great inquietude, and dry skin. The appearance of the second was very -much altered, and he was troubled with dysuria. He first thought that -an intemperate use of wine was in part the procuring part of these -symptoms; but I was of a different opinion in regard to the second. -They were cured at the end of two days. This circumstance added to the -character of the disease, leaves no doubt of the cause. - -Sauvages admits, after Dellon, that a typhus of exhausted persons -exists. The Portuguese term patients affected with this malady, -_esfalfados_. The exhaustion caused by immoderate indulgence in -venereal pleasures, says this author, is very common among the -Indians. It is a continued fever, in which the pulse is sometimes full -and strong, sometimes weak, and almost imperceptible. The urine is -sometimes very red, but transparent; the skin is hot and dry; and there -is watchfulness, nausea, and violent thirst. - -Farther: All authors who have written on the diseases of warm climates, -have mentioned the too frequent repetition of the act of venery among -the causes of these typhus affections, which have been termed _febris -ardens_, _causus_, _yellow fever_, &c. In temperate climates, adynamic -ataxic fevers, &c., and very severe acute diseases, have often been -known to occur from excesses in venery, or from masturbation. - -If _satyriasis_ and _nymphomania_ have been regarded as rare diseases, -it is only because the meaning of these terms has been too confined -to embrace numerous cases which, however, have the greatest analogy -with those diseases to which these terms are applied. Generally, these -persons are considered as affected with satyriasis and nymphomania, -who are irresistibly impelled to coition, and resort, to satisfy -their desires, to the most indecent actions, and to the most direct -provocations. Thus defined, these diseases are rare; and most -practitioners have never seen them. But if satyriasis and nymphomania -be regarded as an unusual state of heat, by which one is led to desire -and to practise not only coition, but the act of venery in any mode, -then the scene enlarges, and these affections deserve to be placed -among those which are observed most frequently. - -We shall adopt the latter sense. In our view, male and female onanists -are affected with satyriasis and nymphomania, as much as those to whom -these terms are generally applied. In both, the sense of venery, -existing to an unusual extent, affects the mind, and incites to -dangerous actions, repugnant both to modesty and reason. Onanists do -not, like other persons affected with satyriasis, expose their persons, -and solicit with voice and gesture those of the other sex: their -deranged and delirious imaginations pursue another course. What need -have they of the other sex? Their inclinations lead them to solitary -indulgence. Their thoughts and actions, however, are not less vile than -those of others affected with satyriasis; but they are indulged in -secret. Hence, between the satyriasis of books and that of onanists, -there is only a difference of form: the foundation is the same. Admit, -however, that it be desirable to distinguish this satyriasis from the -former, and to give it a special name; is it not better to consider -them only as two varieties of the same affection, one of which impels -to onanism, the other to coition? - -The degree of onanistic satyriasis and of nymphomania depends on the -power the venereal sense has over the will. These affections do not -exist in those with whom it is optional whether they shall indulge in -onanism or not, nor in those who can refrain from coition. Thus, then, -a person may masturbate, without being affected with satyriasis. This -is the case, when the sentiment of self-preservation is sufficiently -strong to resist desires, when the persons yield readily to reprimands -and punishments. Satyriasis may be considered as existing to some -extent in the onanist, if he cannot refrain. This was the case with a -young man, whose history is given by Begin and Fournier. From early -puberty, he was addicted to masturbation; and when eighteen years -old, he presented some of the bad effects of this habit. This young -man was endowed with a brilliant mind: but, although well educated, -and although he well knew the dangers of his habit, yet he could not -refrain. His good resolutions were formed only to be broken. He died. - -In a young woman whom we attended, the struggle with her passions -terminated more favorably. It was not the desire of preserving her -life, which induced her to leave off her bad habits; but the wish of -conforming to the will of her father. Her constitution was already -considerably affected, when the cause of it was discovered. The father -of this young girl told her how much pain and shame her bad habit -caused him, and requested her to abstain from it. She was extremely -mild and docile, and made every effort to please and obey him. It was -in vain: but whenever she was inclined to masturbate, the fault was -confessed as soon as committed. Coercive measures were finally resolved -upon. The patient not only consented to have her hands tied every -night, but requested it, and even stated the manner in which she might -be most effectually prevented from abusing herself. The venereal sense -gradually became subdued, and confined within the proper limits. And -thus, this habit--or, rather, the nymphomania, which was the result, -and also the cause of it--was cured. - -Satyriasis and nymphomania, arising from onanism, are most intense, -when the persons affected with it can no longer conceal their feelings, -but indulge openly in vile manœuvres. We have already mentioned some -remarkable instances of this state. The following may serve as the type -of the greatest degree of nymphomania. The patient was a little girl -less than three years old, who indulged freely in onanism. Neither -caresses, entreaties, threats, nor punishments, could correct her. -The child grew, however. But at the sight of any pleasant object, she -abandoned herself to her manœuvres. At the period of the crisis, she -seemed almost entirely to have lost her sight and hearing. Threats -and punishments finally restrained her, while in the presence of her -parents; but when alone, she still continued her bad habits. This -state resisted all remedies. When married, the legitimate sources of -enjoyment took the place of the passionate indulgences to which she had -been accustomed from infancy. She finally became pregnant, and died in -labor. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._; vol. xxxvi., p. 566.) - -Onanism is not only a direct cause of satyriasis and of nymphomania; -it may leave in the genital organs a certain disposition, which, if -cherished, may degenerate into one of these affections. The following -case, published by Duprest-Rony, seems to us to be an instance of -this:-- - -A young man, twenty years old, of a strong and almost athletic frame, -but who had been enfeebled by onanism, abandoned himself, from the age -of fifteen to eighteen years, to this destructive habit. He indulged -in this habit even while in the bath, and sometimes to the extent of -fifteen times in a day. His constitution was enfeebled; his mind was -affected; his memory impaired. In accordance with the advice of some -prudent people, this young man renounced this fatal habit. During the -next two years, he was perfectly continent. His constitution resumed -its vigor; his memory and other mental faculties were restored. His -parents now placed him with a merchant. He entered upon his new -occupations with zeal and activity; but receiving marks of attachment -from the merchant and his wife daily, he imagined that she was in love -with him. On his side, the passion was returned. Actuated by the fear -of violating the duties of gratitude, and the desire of possessing this -lady, who was neither young nor pretty, his situation daily became -more embarrassing. Whenever she looked at him, erections took place, -and there was a discharge of semen. During the night, he had frequent -pollutions. His faculties now became deranged: this derangement -supervened after reading the Phedra of Racine. He identified himself so -closely with the characters of this piece, that he supposed himself to -be Hippolyte, and considered his mistress to be Phedra, and her husband -as Theseus. More amorous than Hippolyte, and no less virtuous, he threw -himself one day at the feet of Theseus, and said, “Theseus! the crime -is not yet consummated--your wife is not yet guilty. I have hitherto -resisted her prayers--her tears: but I am no longer master of myself; -and if she is not removed from my presence, I must yield.” Great was -the astonishment of the supposed Theseus. He resolved to send the -young man away. This cured the delirium: but the erections and seminal -emissions continued. The stomach and intestinal tube became inert. The -patient’s appetite was good; but as soon as he ate food, pains occurred -in the epigastric region, and uneasiness in the rest of the body. The -disease finally yielded to the combined use of antispasmodics and -tonics. And now, this young man, who has been married for five or six -years, enjoys fine health. (_Diss. sur le Satyriasis._ Paris, an xii.) - -Instead of the disposition just mentioned, masturbation may leave in -the genital organs an irritability of a different kind, the results of -which are not less disagreeable. A case of this presented itself in a -young female, whom we attended. While at board, she indulged freely in -onanism. She was married when seventeen years old; and then expected -legally to enjoy what had seemed to her the extreme of pleasure. She -was disappointed, however: marriage was only the source of uneasiness -and pain. She was perfectly insensible to the caresses of her -husband--or, rather, in submitting to them, she experienced the most -disagreeable sensations. A painful state of spasms and convulsions then -affected her, which continued several hours after the cause had ceased -to act. We were called to her several times at night, to relieve this -state, which caused great anxiety. This lady’s susceptibility, also, -was very great; and she constantly complained of some of the attendants -of hysteria. She presented every appearance of a lymphatic temperament. -During her youth, too, she had been affected with symptoms of scrofula, -from which even now she is not entirely free, although twenty-two years -old. Do not these circumstances, not generally coexistent with extreme -sensibility, prove, that the extreme irritability of the uterine system -is to be ascribed to her self-abuse? - -Priapism, which signifies permanent erection of the penis, without -pleasure, and even in some cases with pain, sometimes follows -indiscretions. This has been seen particularly in young children, whose -genital organs have been excited: sometimes, too, it occurs in old -men. Cœlius Aurelian, (lib. iii., ch. 18,) relates, that an old man was -affected with priapism for several months. The erection was firm, like -a horn, but not very painful. Finally, it yielded. - -The genital organs may, from too much excitement, lose their -sensibility, and waste. The manipulations, which at first were followed -with the desired result, become unable to excite the genital sense. -They may sometimes cause the erection of the penis, and even excite a -painful or inconvenient priapism; but they cannot renew the fountain of -enjoyment. The remembrance of past pleasures remains; and the onanist, -disturbed by their recollection, torments his blunted organs. Obtaining -no satisfaction from the modes formerly employed, he now resorts to -others, which are sometimes dreadful. His hand which is now armed with -some instrument, no longer confines itself to the surface: the surface -no longer feels. He now ventures inside, and shrinks from nothing. This -continues until these dangerous resources fail, which happens, because -they also lose their effect, or because of the severe accidents with -which they are sometimes attended. - -The following case from Chopart, on diseases of the urinary passages, -shows the almost incredible extent of insensibility which the penis may -attain, or of delirium which may affect a man, who, having exhausted -his faculties by excesses, still remains a slave to his passions:-- - -“A shepherd of Languedoc, Gabriel Gallien, about the age of fifteen, -became addicted to onanism, and to such a degree, as to practise it -seven or eight times in a day. Emission became at last so difficult, -that he would strive for an hour, and then discharge only a few drops -of blood. At the age of six and twenty, his hand became insufficient: -all he could do, was to keep the penis in a continual state of -priapism. He then bethought himself of tickling the internal part of -his urethra, by means of a bit of wood, six inches long; and he would -spend in that occupation several hours, while tending his flocks in -the solitude of the mountains. By a continuation of this titillation -for sixteen years, the canal of the urethra became hard, callous, and -insensible. The piece of wood then became as ineffectual as his hand. -At last, after much fruitless effort, G., one day in despair, drew -from his pocket a blunt knife, and made an incision into his glands, -along the course of the urethra. This operation, which would have -been painful to any body else, was, in him, attended with a sensation -of pleasure, followed by a copious emission. He had recourse to his -new discovery every time his desire returned. When, after an incision -into the cavernous bodies, the blood flowed profusely, he stopped the -hemorrhage, by applying around the penis a pretty tight ligature. At -last, after repeating the same process, perhaps a thousand times, he -ended in splitting his penis into two equal parts, from the orifice of -the penis to the stratum, very near to the symphisis pubis. When he -had got so far, unable to carry his incision any farther, and again -reduced to new privations, he had recourse to a piece of wood, shorter -than the former: he introduced it into what remained of the urethra, -and exciting at pleasure the extremities of the ejaculatory ducts, he -provoked easily the discharge of semen. He continued this about ten -years. After that long space of time, he one day introduced his bit -of wood so carelessly, that it slipped from his fingers, and dropped -into the bladder. Excruciating pain and serious symptoms came on. -The patient was conveyed to the hospital at Narbonne. The surgeon, -surprised at the sight of two penes of ordinary size, both capable -of erection, and in that stage diverging on both sides; and seeing, -besides, from the scars, and from the callous edges of the divisions, -that this conformation was not congenital from his birth; obliged -the patient to give him an account of his life, which he did, with -the details which have been related. This wretch was cut, as for the -stone--recovered of the operation--but died three months after, of an -abscess in the right side of the chest; his phthisical state having -been evidently brought on by the practice of onanism, carried on -nearly forty years.” - -Whatever may be the degree of degradation attending onanism, we do not -think it possible to adduce a second instance of such a mutilation. -Gallien’s unhappy idea of introducing a foreign body into the -urethra, has often occurred to others, who had availed themselves, -but unsuccessfully, of the ordinary resources of masturbation. These -unfortunate people have always been obliged to call in medical advice, -either on account of the diseases caused by their dangerous manœuvres, -or--much more frequently--by the symptoms to which they fall victims, -through their carelessness. In fact, the implements used often escape -into the bladder; and then the acute suffering and fear of death oblige -them to reveal what they had formerly concealed, and to undergo an -operation which is always painful, and which is not exempt from danger. - -We will give a few instances of this kind of accident. An innkeeper, -near Saumur, was in the habit, like Gallien, of titillating the -urethra, by introducing foreign bodies. He used an iron wire, seven -or eight inches long, the end of which was crooked like a hook, to -obtain, probably, more exquisite pleasure. One day, while indulging in -this singular manœuvre, he suddenly felt severe pain. The membraneous -portion of the canal was ruptured. The unfortunate man made several -attempts to withdraw the wire; but the hook, which had entered the soft -parts, rendered it impossible. Overcome by suffering and shame, he -wished to get rid of it; and with this view, he rounded the loose part -of the wire into the form of a ring, proposing in this manner to pull -upon it more firmly. He exercised this force till the ring was nearly -broken, but the iron was still in its place. He now expected death; but -the suffering was so great, that he was obliged to call a physician; -and Dr. Fardeau, of Saumur, visited him. - -The penis, and also the skin of the scrotum, was enormously tumefied: -all the tissues which are inserted in the penis were also swelled, -hot, and painful. The belly began to be puffy, and the urine was -suppressed; the face was red, and the eye filmy; the mind began to be -affected; the pulse was hard, frequent, and corded. Dr. Fardeau grasped -the loose portion of the wire, pulled upon it slightly, and immediately -found that the other end was arrested by an immoveable obstacle. He -then examined the parts attentively; and found, to his astonishment, -that the hook was fixed in the inner edge of the ischiatic tuberosity. -An oblong incision was now made over this part, the hook seized, and -the wire was withdrawn through the perineum. The patient was relieved, -and finally was completely restored. (_Lancette Fr._, October 13th, -1831.) - -Saraillé has reported a similar case. The patient was fifty years old, -and called this surgeon the 18th of October, 1813. He stated that a -sailing needle, about four inches long, had unfortunately slipped into -the urethra; and the point had become fixed upward, near the root of -the penis. After suffering for eight days, during which the presence of -this body excited frequent erections, Lallemand operated, and extracted -it. - -Many individuals have been similarly affected. They have all imagined -that they could extract the instrument they used, when some unforeseen -accident has deprived them of it. A young man, nineteen years old, -whose case is mentioned by Louis Senn, made use of the stalk of a -plant, which he introduced into the urethra. It broke; and after much -suffering, the operation for stone was employed to extract it, and the -calculi which had formed around it. A similar circumstance happened -to a man, thirty-eight years old, a patient of Rigal’s. This man -introduced into his urethra the stalk of a sword lily, (_gladiolus -communis_.) This stalk broke, fell into the bladder, and after two -months of pain and danger, the operation for stone was employed to -extract it. It was two inches long; and was already covered with a -saline concretion, one or two lines thick. Bonnet, formerly surgeon at -Hotel Dieu, at Clermont, stated in his lectures, that a vine-dresser -used a vine-stalk for this purpose. During an emission of semen, he -dropped the stalk, which entered the urethra, and passed into the -bladder, where it caused symptoms which required the operation of -lithotomy. The foreign body extracted was three inches long, and three -lines thick. Would it be believed, that Civiale has extracted from the -bladder of a man, by means of lithotrity, a bean, which was introduced -eleven months before, and which gave rise to all the symptoms of stone? -A volume might be filled with facts of a similar character. Many may be -found in the Ephemerides Curiosorum, Memoirs of the Royal Academy of -Sciences, those of the Royal Society of Medicine, and of the Academy of -Surgery; in the works of Chopart, Deschamps, Lamotte, Tolet, Morgagni, -Van Swieten, Morand, Pouteau, &c. - -The dangers of these practices are not simply those which are stated in -the facts already mentioned; nor are they confined to exhausting the -rest of the sensibility preserved in the genital organs: they finally -cause chronic diseases of the urethra and bladder. These organs, when -constantly irritated by applications which in individuals not entirely -exhausted are always painful--these organs inflame; indurations, -ulcerations, and strictures, form in the urethra; after which supervene -all the symptoms of acute and chronic blenorrhea, detentions of urine, -and catarrh of the bladder. - -Venereal delirium has led other individuals to use processes no less -ridiculous, and equally as dangerous. The penis of those who are thus -unfortunate has remained in the places where it has been introduced, -with a view to imitate the natural process better. Sabatier has related -the case of a young man, who had passed his penis through the handle -of a key. The handle had been pushed far towards the pubis, and the -penis had swelled so as to conceal it from sight: the swelling was also -increased by the efforts of the patient to withdraw it. After oiling -the parts well, the handle was slipped down as far as the glans; but -here scarifications were required, to diminish the engorgement, before -the penis could be liberated. After this, escars sloughed off, which -were followed by cicatrices, which rendered the part deformed, although -a sound was introduced into the urethra, to prevent this result. - -The same author relates that a young man had passed his penis into a -copper ring: this, however, was fortunately divided with a pair of -strong scissors. Another used a rough iron ring for this purpose. The -penis puffed out, above and below this ring. A locksmith was called in, -to file it off, which could only be done by placing small bits of wood -between the penis and the iron ring. Much time was required to remove -it. In the same manner--that is, by filing--a ring was removed from -another patient, where gangrene had threatened to appear. - -One of the most horrid cases of this kind on record, is that of a young -man, who, on taking a bath, indulged in masturbation, by placing his -penis into the hole in the bottom of the tub, made for the removal of -the water. The glans soon became so much swelled, that he could not -withdraw it. His cries brought him assistance; but it was not easy to -remove him from the fetters he had forged for himself. (_Dict. des Sc. -Med._, vol. xxi., p. 167.) - -Many similar cases have occurred in Dupuytren’s practice. One was that -of a young man who came to the clinical lecture at Hotel Dieu, having -the socket of a candlestick, in front of which the glans was enormously -tumefied. Being unable, by any effort, to remove it, the cylindrical -portion surrounding the penis was filed, and thus taken from him. It -would occupy too much room, to enumerate all the facts of this kind -which have been noted by practitioners; but a common accident, and -which has been seen several times by Dupuytren, is the ligature of -the penis by a thread or wire. Some young men, and even adults, have -bound the penis in fits of erotic delirium, so that the knot could not -be loosed; and a circular section has been made in the skin, and the -urethra even has been opened and cut. It is evident, that, in these -cases, the only thing to be done is to divide the thread, to dress the -wound, and then to introduce a gum-elastic sound, in order to prevent -the formation of an urinary fistula, or of an accidental hypospadias. - -Another kind of strangulation--which is much less serious, however, -than those we have mentioned--may result from masturbation and coition, -in those individuals where the opening of the prepuce is too narrow. -This prolongation of the skin, after being drawn violently back behind -the corona glandis, strangles the penis, as would be done by a foreign -body, and cannot be brought again to its primitive situation: there is -then a paraphimosis. All authors who have treated of this affection, -have placed among the causes of it that which we have mentioned. We -have seen several instances of this character. I will cite that of a -young boy, seven or eight years old, in whom this accident was produced -during masturbation. The glans was tumefied, and the prepuce formed a -large fold around it. The frightened parents sent for our assistance. -Methodical and long continued pressure soon brought things to their -proper state. - -_Herpes praeputialis_, another affection of the prepuce, may arise from -the constant excitement of this part. Fortunately, this eruption is a -slight disease, and generally terminates in a week or two, even without -medical treatment. - -Persons who indulge in lascivious ideas, are often affected with a -discharge from the end of the penis--and this though there has been no -masturbation--of a viscid, whitish mucus, which leaves on the linen -spots similar to those produced by the white of an egg. The edges of -the meatus urinarius may also be glued together, by the drying of this -mucus. This discharge, which has been described by John Hunter, is -not a disease, although it has all the appearance of it; and it keeps -some people in constant fear, lest they have contracted gonorrhœa. It, -however, results from an unusual excitement of the mucous membrane, -lining the glans and urethra. Now, if the simple excitement of the -venereal sense can cause such an effect, what might not be expected -from excesses in coition or masturbation? Thus, these causes are -mentioned, whenever the causes of balanitis and blenorrhagia are -alluded to. All authors agree on this subject; and if but few cases are -brought forward in support of this opinion, it is because the subject -has not been disputed. The following is found in a dissertation of -Closs. The patient was a young man addicted to masturbation, who had -been affected for more than six months with a gonorrhœal discharge, -which had been neglected because it occasioned no suffering. The -matter of the discharge, however, becoming acrid, green, and yellow, -he was obliged to ask medical advice. He protested, under oath, that -he had never been exposed to contract disease; and Closs, therefore, -considered this blenorrhea as the result of masturbation, in which the -patient had indulged even before puberty. - -This symptom is seen still more frequently after excesses in coition, -especially if attended with excesses in drinking, as Lallemand has -remarked, or if one has cohabited with a female whose genital organs -were very small. It has often been observed in the newly married, and -has sometimes occasioned unmerited suspicions and reproaches. It is -said, too, that excesses indulged in by persons whose genital organs -are perfectly sound, may produce in one or both of them a more or less -intense blenorrhea. Cullerier and Ratier say, that they have verified -this fact several times. Can such a blenorrhea be communicated? Cassan, -in the Bulletin Universel of Ferussac, has inserted a note, in which he -states that many of the facts observed in man and animals, particularly -of the genus Bos, prove, that blenorrhea, which is simply the result -of venereal excesses between healthy individuals, easily assumes a -contagious character, and is attended with symptoms analogous to those -of syphilis, and requires the same treatment. - -Inflammation of the urethra may become very intense, and extend -to the bladder, particularly when venereal excesses coexist with -intemperate habits: the discharge of urine may then be interrupted, and -consequently all the symptoms of dysuria and strangury may supervene. -Chronic catarrh of the bladder is often observed, also, in those -individuals who have abused the pleasures of love. - -Montegre, speaking of a kind of cystitis, which he terms _vesical -hemorrhoids_, mentions among its causes venereal excesses, and -particularly those repeated titillations, which keep the genital organs -in a state of semi-orgasm, which is not terminated by any crisis. - -Lallemand reports the case of an individual, who, being addicted to -venereal excesses, experienced frequent desire to urinate, and found -it difficult to empty his bladder. Finally, unable to pass water -without the use of a sound, he learned to introduce it himself. This -was not difficult, although the bladder could not be emptied without -it. The urine was turbid, thick, and deposited a great deal of glairy -mucus, which adhered to the pot de chambre. The prostatic portion of -the urethra was cauterized, but without success. Lallemand thought -that there was a morbid development of the middle lobe of the prostate -gland. In another patient, whose history is given by this excellent -observer, excessive masturbation appeared to have predisposed to a -chronic inflammation of the genito-urinary organs, which were developed -under the influence of the abuse of coition. (_Obs._, &c., p. 440.) - -It is easily seen, that if coition and masturbation may cause all -these inflammations, so, too, they may sustain and increase them. -The pleasures of love, therefore, should be strictly forbidden to -persons affected with diseases of the genito-urinary passages. Acute -inflammation of the urethra, blenorrhagia, has often been known -to pass to a chronic state by a single act of venery; which, says -Lewedrain, may even cause this change several months after the apparent -termination of acute blenorrhagia. - -May an incontinence of urine be produced by excesses in coition or -masturbation? We have more than once seen this disease in young -onanists. Sainte Marie, also, places it among the symptoms of -daily involuntary pollution; and Lallemand has remarked, that most -individuals affected with this pollution had been subject, in their -infancy, to incontinence of urine. May not the relations between these -two affections extend to the causes which determine them? - -One of the most common causes of excesses in venery is, the -_involuntary loss of semen_. This disease, which has been termed -_spermatorrhœa_, _involuntary pollution_, may also arise from other -causes; but as it results most frequently from excesses in masturbation -or coition, we shall devote particular attention to it. - -Let us consider the mode in which the excretion of semen takes place in -the normal state. It is the remote consequence of a voluntary action, -and the immediate result of involuntary contractions. The venereal -sense is excited voluntarily, either by copulation, or by applying the -hand: this excitement is carried to as great an extent as possible; and -then a crisis, entirely independent of the will, terminates it. This -crisis occurs sooner or later. It may even be quickened or retarded by -the will, which may excite or modify the venereal sense; but when it -does take place, it is always by involuntary contractions--that is, by -a true convulsion. - -This last action has two well marked periods. In the first, the semen -passes from the seminal vesicles into the urethra; in the second, -this liquid is violently expelled. The contraction of the seminal -vesicles--and perhaps, also, that of the levatores ani muscles--are -the powers by which the semen comes into the urethra. The ejaculation -is caused by the muscles of the perinœum, and particularly by the -bulbo-cavernosus muscle. The swelling and hardness of the corpus -cavernosum furnish this muscle with a point of resistance, which -enables it to compress more efficiently the semen with which the -urethra is filled; and the straightening of this canal, by the -erection, renders the expulsion of this fluid more easy. All these -motions take place by jerks; and, we repeat it, convulsively, without -the aid of the will. - -The involuntary excretion of the semen, the morbid pollution, may take -place sometimes in the manner described, sometimes in another mode. -In the first case, it differs from what occurs in the normal state, -only not being preceded by those acts which are performed voluntarily -by man. Secondly, the semen is excreted without any convulsive effort; -it flows like the tears, the saliva, the bile. The semen comes into -the urethra, and escapes from it merely because it is there. There -is no ejaculation: and this is easily conceived of; for the genital -organs are not sufficiently excited, to cause the ejaculatory powers to -be convulsed, as is proved by the excessive weakness of the venereal -sensation. And, secondly, one of the indispensable conditions of -the ejaculation--erection of the penis--does not exist. There are, -then, two kinds of involuntary pollutions; one which is _convulsive_, -and the other which is _not so_. Between these two kinds, there are -intermediate degrees, in which spermatorrhœa partakes more or less of -one or the other. These degrees often mark the passage from convulsive -spermatorrhœa to that which is not convulsive; for the latter has -generally been preceded by the former. We shall see hereafter, that the -existence of one of these affections does not forbid that of the other; -and that the ejaculation of semen is possible in some individuals who -present habitually an insensible flow of this fluid. - -Involuntary pollutions have been distinguished until now in another -manner: they have been divided into _diurnal_ and _nocturnal_. -These distinctions are founded only on accessory circumstances. -What difference does it make, whether the pollutions occur by night -or by day, provided they are similar in other respects? If, on the -contrary, there are more essential differences, why not give to them -the importance they demand? Farther: is not convulsive spermatorrhœa, -like that which is not convulsive, seen both at night and day? These -are the reasons why we have sought to distinguish these affections more -logically, and which have led us to propose the new distinction just -mentioned. - -Convulsive spermatorrhœa may occur in all individuals, and under the -influence of a great many causes, without being necessarily a disease. -After excessive continence, it may even prove a salutary crisis. This -pollution has a pathological character, when it is repeated too often, -or under unfavorable circumstances; and then it produces the same -result as excesses in coition or masturbation, and generally occurs -only in individuals already enfeebled by this kind of excess. Sleep -is the most favorable state for an attack of spermatorrhœa; and from -this circumstance it is called nocturnal pollution. The temperature of -the bed, and lying on the back--circumstances which favor the warmth -and excitement of the lower part of the spinal marrow--may also cause -the convulsive excretion of the semen. But another cause of it is, -that during the sleep of the external senses, the internal senses have -control, and have more power, because the action of the others is -completely suspended. Cabanis remarks this fact, in saying that the -genital organs do not participate in the repose of the external senses, -but seem to be more excitable when these are asleep. We consider, that -what takes place then is analogous to what is observed in idiots, -who, deaf, blind, and dead to all the feelings of relation, abandon -themselves to every excess, to satisfy a sense, the excitement of which -in them often amounts to constant satyriasis. - -If the sleep be very profound, pollution may take place without the -consciousness of the patient, or, at any rate, without his remembrance -of it. When he wakes, the loss of semen is then discovered only by its -stain, and the state of fatigue, weakness, and malaise attending it. A -lascivious dream, however, generally attends a pollution. These dreams -are not, as is generally thought, the cause of the pollution: if they -exist, it is because the venereal sense, which is excited, speaks for -itself, even as hunger, thirst, or any internal sensation may do. These -dreams have a peculiar character, which has been pointed out by many -writers. The individual is rarely placed in voluptuous circumstances, -where his imagination places him during his waking hours; but he is -surrounded by females who are hideous and repelling, and whom he is as -it were compelled to enjoy. - -In fact, these pollutions fatigue more than those which are excited -voluntarily. On rising, the patient experiences a general and more -or less distinct feeling of feebleness and of suffering. His loins -and limbs seem as if he had taken a long walk, or as if they had been -bruised; the countenance is pale; the eyelids are swelled and bluish; -the patient is sad and stupid. Finally, he presents physically and -morally the consequences of an abuse of venery. It may readily be -imagined, that the periods of spermatorrhœa render the exhaustion more -rapid than the voluntary excesses already commenced. If, contrary to -custom, the onanist remains one night without pollution, the organs -which he permits to rest supply the unaccustomed activity. Happy is -he, when these symptoms do not seem to him an evidence that this flow -of semen is necessary. Every thing which specially excites the genital -organs, as lascivious thoughts, voluptuous sights, riding, a soft and -warm bed, &c., and also every thing which produces a more general -excitement, in which these organs participate, as wine, liquors, -coffee, spices, &c.; are so many causes which combine with the direct -provocations of the patient, to multiply the causes by which he is -excited. - -The nocturnal pollutions, however, are not formidable to those onanists -who are reformed. Inspired by the sentiment of self-preservation, -warned by the sufferings, counsels, and by reading, they have resolved -to abandon for ever the manœuvres which they know to be dangerous. -This resolution they will be able to keep: they, however, anxiously -demand if they are not too late. The genital organs rebel against the -decision. How melancholy must be the state of the patient! He sees, in -perspective, sufferings, even a death, which seems to be inevitable. -To avoid it, he had made a sacrifice; he has abandoned those tastes -which exercised such absolute control over him: but his organs, which -have been irritated, continue the work which he wished to interrupt. -He is irritated--he despairs. Let him be of good cheer; when the will -perseveres, it generally triumphs. I attended an onanist, who was -suddenly converted by reading the work of Tissot, and who experienced -all the troubles to which we have alluded. He was constantly tormented -by the remembrance of the past night, and the fear of that which was -to come. He slept on a coarse bed; and always enveloped the privy -parts with linen, wet with vinegar and water, before going to sleep; -promising himself to awake, as soon as he was assailed by dreams. -By his will, however, he finally succeeded; and he had the power of -watching himself during sleep. His pollutions gradually became less -frequent, and finally disappeared entirely. This is generally the case -where all bad habits cease. - -Convulsive spermatorrhœa is not very common, while a person is awake: -it then rarely presents the purely convulsive character, with perfect -erection, and distinct ejaculation, that is seen in a healthy emission -of semen. This state, however, is possible: an instance of it may be -seen in the case of satyriasis stated by M. Duprest-Rony. Whenever this -young man beheld his mistress looking at him, erection took place, and -ejaculation followed. He, however, had refrained from masturbating for -two years, and had regained in a great measure his former strength. M. -Sainte Marie has reported a case of priapism, during which the patient -ejaculated fourteen times in a few hours. But this affection was not in -consequence of venereal excesses, and the emission of semen presented -nothing more extraordinary than other cases of priapism. Diurnal -convulsive pollution is seldom accompanied, in individuals exhausted -by abuses of masturbation and coition, with a perfect erection. The -size of the penis increases, but it does not become hard. The semen is -then emitted only to a short distance, if there be any ejaculation. The -least cause, the slightest touch, is sufficient to excite this. Thus, -in a man thirty years old, whom Tissot has mentioned, after Boerhaave, -the semen escaped whenever there was a commencement of an erection, -for it was never complete; and instead of being expelled forcibly, -it oozed out drop by drop. The patient became impotent. This symptom -(adds Tissot) is very frequent among those who are exhausted, and it -contributes to continue the exhaustion. The slightest excitement causes -the commencement of an erection, which is followed by an emission. -We have seen a similar phenomenon in one of the patients of M. -Dalandeterie. There were frequent painful erections, of short duration, -which always terminated by a more or less abundant discharge of fluid. -These kinds of pollutions were always painful, and were followed by -extreme prostration. It is evident, from the remarks we have quoted, -that there was no ejaculation in this patient; and probably, also, -the erections, though painful, were imperfect. Daily convulsive -spermatorrhœa assumes then, as it were, a bastard character in -onanists: it occupies an intermediate place between proper convulsive -spermatorrhœa, such as occurs during sleep, and the non-convulsive -spermatorrhœa, which we shall mention directly. - -There is a phenomenon very similar to this bastard spermatorrhœa, and -which shows itself when the patient is inclined to indulge in coition -or masturbation: the emission of semen takes place on the commencement -of the act of venery. It is a quasi involuntary pollution. In this -case, which is by no means rare, the erection is not complete, simply -because there is not time for it to be so, the premature emission of -semen not admitting it to be perfect. Sometimes, erection is radically -impossible, and prevents the ejaculation. This was the case with the -onanist who wrote to Tissot, that the semen would flow, but there was -no ejaculation. Farther: when there is no erection, either because -this is impossible, or because the semen is discharged prematurely, -the person becomes impotent, because the power of procreating requires -erection and ejaculation. - -In persons affected with spermatorrhœa, the seminal fluid must preserve -its normal characters. It is generally thinner, less opaque, and -similar to serum: sometimes it resembles a fetid sanies or corrupt -mucus; in other cases:, the seminal vesicles are evidently affected. -Sometimes, blood is exhaled from these vesicles, and is even -ejaculated. We have already stated instances of this emission. Tissot, -also, has published a case of it. It was a young man, less than sixteen -years old, who indulged in onanism to such an extent, that blood was -finally emitted, instead of semen. This emission was soon followed by -excessive pains, and an inflammation of all the genital organs. We must -remark, that blood never seems to be discharged, unless the pollution -is excited directly: this, at least, would seem to follow from the -cases stated, and particularly from one mentioned by Dalandeterie. The -erections (said he) always terminate with a more or less abundant flow -of mucus--perhaps, also, of prostatic fluid, or even of a very diluted -semen. In ejaculations excited by the hand, a semi-clotted, blackish -blood comes, instead of semen: sometimes, a teaspoonful is discharged. -This is always attended with pains, and followed by great prostration. - -We have seen that involuntary pollution may take place, like voluntary -pollution, by the convulsive contraction of the ejaculatory muscles, -with erection of the penis, and sensations of venery. We have also -seen, that the semen may be discharged, although the erection of the -penis, the sensation of venery, and the convulsive contraction of the -ejaculatory muscles is slight, and almost nothing. When this exists -to a still greater degree, we have _non-convulsive_ spermatorrhœa, or -_diurnal involuntary pollution_, as it is called: here there is no -erection, convulsion, nor ejaculation; there is no feeling of venery; -the semen flows, instead of being expelled; and there is no feeling of -pleasure attending this discharge. - -This affection may arise from different causes. It is owing most -frequently to venereal excesses; and, as but little is known in regard -to it, we shall enlarge on the subject. This pollution for a long time -was confounded with all the discharges from the urethra, which were -blended under the term gonorrhœa. A contrary opinion was then adopted, -and the existence of the disease was denied _in toto_. The remarks -of several authors, and particularly of Wichmann, Sante Marie, and -Lallemand, place its existence, however, beyond a doubt. The first -ideas on this kind of spermatorrhœa may be referred to the earliest -periods of medicine. It was known to Hippocrates, who has mentioned -(_De Morbis_, lib. ii., sect. 5) one of the principal symptoms, the -loss of semen, during the emission of urine, and of feces, when -describing the tabes dorsalis which affects libertines and those -lately married. Celsus, also, (_De Medicina_, lib. iv., ch. 28,) has -admitted that there may be loss of semen, without pleasure, without -voluptuous dreams, and which may be followed by a fatal consumption. -After this, we find no mention of the disease for a long period. -Tauvry says positively, (_Naw. Anat. raisonnée_, 1693, p. 164,) that -men who abuse themselves are liable to have emissions of semen on -the slightest compression of the seminal vesicles, when they pass -urine or feces. Morgagni admits that the semen may escape without any -pleasurable sensation, as happens from the effect of an injection which -is too warm, and from the excretion of hardened feces; but he adds, -that the fluid discharged may come in some from the prostate gland, -in others, from the seminal vesicles. There is much uncertainty on -this point of science among authors, many of whom have considered as -spermatic most of the discharges from the urethra. The dissertation of -Wichmann, however, on the subject of diurnal pollution, is valuable. -This dissertation was printed in 1782, at Gœttingen. In it, Wichmann -states, first, the characters which distinguish diurnal from nocturnal -pollution. The first occurs when the patient is awake, and without -his experiencing erection or desire. He is unconscious of it; and -this circumstance, with the absence of any swelling of the corpora -cavernosa, and of all venereal ardor, serves to distinguish this -pollution from the flow of the fluid of the prostate gland, or from a -loss of semen, which takes place in some persons when they are excited -by desire. To these characters, Wichmann adds another, drawn from the -mode in which the excretion of semen takes place. In diurnal pollution, -(says he,) men do not lose their semen constantly by a continual -excretion of this fluid, like females subject to leucorrhea; but they -ejaculate, at a single time: and this circumstance has rendered the -term pollution applicable to this disease. He does not consider, as -a diurnal pollution, the gonorrhœa in which the semen is continually -escaping drop by drop. He, however, doubts the existence of this -last affection, and remarks that authors are very much confused on -the subject. Nor would a pollution which was involuntary, and during -the hours of waking, be considered as a diurnal pollution, if the -evacuation of semen had been caused by any aphrodisiac substance. And -on this topic, he relates the case of a man, who, having been addicted -to onanism in his youth, was affected with involuntary pollutions if a -blister was applied to him, if he perceived the odor of cantharides, or -even spoke of them. - -According to Wichmann, the semen never escapes with the urine: thus, -it is not a seminal discharge which comes from persons affected with -external or internal hemorrhoids, who pass off with their urine a -milky fluid. He, however, admits, with Hippocrates, that the straining -of persons at stool often occasions, in those affected with diurnal -pollution, the discharge of a greater or less quantity of semen. When -the existence of this affection is suspected, we must attempt to -ascertain its truth; and for this purpose, the patient should be made -to urinate freely; and then, in passing the feces, he should sit in -such a manner that the penis may be outside, and one can see all that -escapes from it in the efforts at stool. In a diurnal pollution, there -is rarely as much semen lost as in a nocturnal pollution. The disease -is quite as serious, if it be semen which escapes--if it occurs once -a-day, and even more frequently; and at the lightest effort to stool, -and without any pleasure, to inform one of the risk which is run. - -Thus, then, involuntary emissions of semen, while the patient is awake, -without erection, without pleasure, and while the patient is ignorant -of it; an emission which takes place, not drop by drop, but at one -time, and especially while at stool, are, according to Wichmann, -specific characters of involuntary diurnal pollution. - -The general effects of this diurnal pollution, as he has often observed -them, are those seen in onanists. He remarks:--When you see a man -extremely thin, pale, stupid, enervated, complaining of great debility, -especially in the thighs and loins, lazy in his actions, and with -sunken eyes, you have reason to suspect this cause. - -Patients in this state never complain of any absolute pain. Their -digestive powers are ruined: the appetite, however, continues--even -increases, and sometimes becomes voracious. After taking food, they -seem to have more strength; but this advantage is soon paid for, by the -inconveniences resulting from digestion--especially if that variable -appetite be too much indulged. As the stomach and most of the other -viscera do not perform their functions properly, the more that is eaten -the more the belly is tumefied, by the relaxation of the digestive -organs. This swelling is attended with a painful feeling of anxiety, -which exists in these unfortunates at other periods of the day, and -impels them to avoid society. They are more disposed to sorrow than -to joy--that is, the news of an unfortunate event brings with it more -sorrow than that of a happy event causes pleasure. In them, as in -onanists, there is a want of intelligence; they are stupid; natural -sleep does not refresh them; the memory and sight are particularly -debilitated. And this is the state of things, until the patient becomes -affected with phthisis. At first, neither moral causes, nor affections -of the soul, nor disappointment, can be suspected. There is apparently -no viscus affected; nor can we ascribe the disease to any deleterious -substance concealed in the body, and consuming the flesh. The patient -has no pain, excepting that obtuse, compressive pain, which is referred -to the hypochondria, and which depends on the swelling of the weak -intestines. If you add to the characters the absence of fever, and of -the ordinary causes of exhaustion, you may be persuaded that diurnal -pollution exists--that it is the hidden cause of all the symptoms. This -is a general description of the disease, drawn up from a considerable -number of cases which we have observed. - -Wichmann, also, remarks the resemblance between individuals affected -with diurnal pollution and those affected with phthisis pulmonalis. -Experience has taught me, (says he,) that in many patients who have -been considered as affected with true phthisis, the disease must be -referred to this cause alone. The symptoms of diurnal pollution are not -very dissimilar to those of the first period of phthisis pulmonalis, -at this purely spasmodic period, which I should be tempted to term -insidious, if I considered merely the difficulty and uncertainty of the -diagnosis at this period. The cough which then attends some patients, -also, leads physicians to dread phthisis: or, rather, consumption, -arising from diurnal pollution, assumes so much the characters and -form of this disease, that one is disposed to treat it by the ordinary -method, to the great disparagement of the patient, whose state requires -opposite remedies. Farther: it is clear, that the disease of which we -speak must infallibly terminate in phthisis, if it be not soon arrested. - -In 1772, Wichmann observed internal pollution for the first time. The -case was that of a young man, over twenty years of age, who for a long -time had been affected with spasms. “He was manifestly in a state of -cachochymia, and of wasting away. The physicians whom he had consulted -before he came to me judged, from these appearances, that he was -hypochondriac: in fact, different symptoms led to the belief that the -disease was situated in the hypochondria. The loss of strength--the -languor of digestion, although the appetite was not lost--the paleness -of the countenance--the sadness and pusillanimity which led him to -seek solitude--the vivid redness which rushed over his cheeks in -conversation--his restlessness of character--and, finally, a certain -weakness of intellect--seemed to justify the diagnosis. He had formerly -indulged with females, and had been affected with venereal disease, -to which he attributed his present state. Although there was not the -slightest trace of these old affections, the physician, misled by the -false conjectures of the patient, had kept him for a long time on -mercurial preparations, by which the symptoms were aggravated, the true -cause being overlooked. - -“Mercury was then abandoned for tonics; and the ferruginous waters were -employed, with the idea that the patient suffered from hypochondria. -But this was no better than the former treatment; and the patient -begged me to take charge of him. I could not attribute the extreme -thinness which existed to the remnant of an imperfectly cured venereal -affection, nor to the usual cause of exhaustion and fever. I then -asked the patient if he indulged with females, or in onanism; or if -he was affected with involuntary loss of semen. He almost swore to -the contrary. I then told him of his obligation to speak the truth, -and assured him that I should not prescribe for him until he was -attentively examined. Some days after, he came to me again, and told -me that he had been affected with something like loss of semen. I -satisfied myself that the observation was correct. The cause of the -evil being known, the treatment was simple. In a few months, the -patient was restored to health; and this happy effect of the remedies -proved that we had attacked the origin of the evil. - -“This young man had probably indulged in premature excesses: in fact, -this is the most usual cause of involuntary pollution. All the patients -observed by me, (says Wichmann,) were from twenty-five to forty years -old. All were addicted to the pleasures of love, or to onanism; or had -become affected with blenorrhœa, by intercourse with diseased women. - -“I am led to believe,” (adds he,) “that the effects of onanism would -not be so pernicious, were it not for this diurnal pollution; that -without it, this shameful habit would not be followed with consumption, -and other symptoms of phthisis. In fact, onanism does not always give -rise to this pollution. If this were the case, the number of onanists -affected with consumption would be very great. The number of men -addicted to this vice from early childhood is immense; for we do not -know a greater scourge than this social corruption. From the fact, too, -that onanism sometimes produces involuntary diurnal pollution, we ought -to investigate if it does not exist in those who have renounced this -pernicious habit. Advice to them would be useless, inasmuch as, having -renounced this vice, they do not suspect the enervating cause which -destroys them. About eighteen years ago, before I had discovered this -cause of consumption, I knew a young man, thirty years old, who had -been addicted to masturbation from the time he was ten years old, and -who learned this pernicious habit from his preceptor. He died, after -experiencing all kinds of infirmities, with extreme debility of all -his physical and moral faculties. He acknowledged his error, and that -for a long time he had renounced his bad habit; but his late return to -continence did not save him. Now, I feel confident that this shameful -habit had brought on an involuntary diurnal pollution, which caused his -death.” - -Wichmann remarks, that it is at the commencement of the fine season of -spring that the patients are most conscious of their situation. They -owe this increase of their ills (says he) to that general procreative -faculty which becomes more active in all animated beings at this period -of the year. The more full the vesicles of semen, the more liable are -patients to lose it. We must also remark, that most patients secrete -prolific semen, and preserve their procreative power. This, however, -requires the patient to have the faculty of erection; for, otherwise, -he would be impotent. This was the case with an individual, whose case -is stated by Henry Van-Hers. - -A young man of rich family, and who had arrived at puberty, consulted -this physician, avowing, that from the time he was ten years old, he -had enjoyed frequent intercourse with young girls, who had excited him -by their lascivious touches; adding, that from this period the power -of erection had disappeared. He had travelled for a long time, and -had received advice from several French physicians. He went to the Spa -waters, and there his case was examined by Van-Hers. The sensibility -and weakness of the genital organs were so great, that on the slightest -touch, and without any desire for coition, or any sensation, there was -a discharge similar to thin milk. This excretion continued both night -and day, whenever he passed urine, or on the least rubbing of his -shirt. A great many remedies had already been tried. Van-Hers regarded -the disease as incurable, but the young man would not listen to his -advice; and being very rich, he continued to travel in Italy, France, -England, and Germany, in the hope of recovering his lost virility. -He consulted many physicians. He then had recourse to quacks; and -even tried the powers of magic: but all in vain. After six years of -travel, he returned to Van-Hers, regretting that he had not taken his -advice. The young man then returned home, deploring the advantages of a -large fortune, which rendered him the victim of a precocious abuse of -pleasure, of a kind of premature depravity. - -Wichmann’s dissertation was but little known in France, when Sainte -Marie undertook its translation; and not only this, but added many -important notes, which have shed new light on diurnal pollution. -Wichmann had said, as we have seen, that patients affected with this -disease _ejaculated_ the semen. This expression was inexact, and has -been rectified by M. Sainte Marie. The patients (said he) do not -ejaculate the semen; but it runs away from them: it is not emitted with -force. The characters which it presents had briefly been alluded to by -Wichmann: his translator has stated them more clearly. According to -him, the semen which runs away in diurnal pollution is paler, thinner, -and more watery, than that which escapes when the act is attended with -pleasure. Its odor, also, is fainter; and the stains it leaves on the -linen are slight, superficial, and not very apparent. Wichmann had -admitted the existence of a discharge from the prostate gland, which -ought not to be confounded with diurnal pollution. Sainte Marie has -attempted to point out the characteristics of this discharge. Those in -whom it exists, (says he,) find the glans moistened in the morning when -they rise with an unctuous substance: if they then compress the urethra -from the root to the end of the penis, they press out some drops of a -greenish, gluish, and slightly fetid fluid. They thus lose a little of -this fluid after indulging in desires, or after erections which have -not been followed by the act of venery. Sainte Marie considers it as -probable that the mucus of the urethra then mixes with the fluid of the -prostate gland, and forms a part of the discharge. - -This author confirms Wichmann’s remarks on the general effects of -diurnal pollution. He says, “Since I read his treatise, I have found -this pollution in diseases of languor, which I could not attribute to -a special or primitive alteration of any organ; and I have discovered, -that a great many cases of hypochondria, of slow nervous fevers, of -consumptions, were kept up by this kind of gonorrhœa, to which the -patients, unable to observe themselves, had paid no attention. I have -known several individuals, who have been affected with this diurnal -pollution for a long time, without experiencing any marked derangement -in their health: to them, it was an inconvenience; rather than a -disease. But in these cases, diurnal pollution is not habitual: it only -occurs when continence of days or weeks, an exciting or substantial -regimen, long exercise on horseback or in a carriage, have accumulated -semen in its reservoirs, or have irritated specially the genital -organs: then the least effort to expel the feces causes the seminal -vesicles to pour forth the surplus of fluid which they contain. Let not -this state inspire too much security. Diurnal pollution is commenced: -it is not yet serious; but it may progress, return every day at -each evacuation, and finally produce all the bad results noticed by -Wichmann.” - -Wichmann said nothing in regard to the organic conditions of the -diurnal pollution: he merely stated that this affection was the -result of debility. M. Sainte Marie, on this point, makes many -interesting remarks. He considers diurnal pollution as sometimes -the cause, and sometimes the effect, of dorsal consumption; and he -considers this to be an affection of the spinal marrow. We will quote -this passage:--Diurnal pollution (says Sainte Marie) is sometimes -only an effect; the origin of which must be sought after in a serious -and primitive alteration of an important system of organs. Thus, we -must reason, for instance, in respect to dorsal consumption. It is -said, that one remarkable symptom of this disease is an abundant -discharge of watery semen, which comes sometimes at each emission -of urine. Involuntary diurnal pollution is here only a symptom: it -occurs, because the genital organs do not receive, _from the spinal -marrow_, the nervous and well regulated influence which they require -to perform their functions properly. Hence, the super-abundant -secretion of semen--its unfitness for fecundation--the relaxation of -the seminal vesicles, which allow it to escape so readily--the atony -of the scrotum--the inconvenient pulling of the spermatic vessels--the -weakness of the erections--impotence, &c., &c. The same state of the -organs which deprives the genital organs of life, explains, on the -other hand, the wasting of parts which respond to this sensitive -centre--the thinness of the loins, thighs, and lower extremities--the -debility--the paralysis of these extremities--the obstinate -constipation, complained of by the patients, and which is similar -to that of old men, yielding only to the employment of stimuli--the -formications along the back--the incontinence of urine--the gangrenous -eschars, which at a more advanced period of the disease form on the -sacrum, hips, and trochanters. We might easily pursue this subject, -and extend it to the most general symptoms of consumption, as deep -melancholy, weakness and slowness of the pulse, disposition to faint, -and all those marked symptoms which assimilate this disease to slow -nervous fever; but this would estrange us from the principle we seek to -establish--which is, that diurnal pollution is sometimes the cause, -and sometimes only the symptom, of dorsal consumption. Wichmann has -treated only of the first: the second is connected with a general -disease, and cannot be studied separately. These remarks of Sainte -Marie will be admitted to be much more important, if compared with our -remarks on the abuse of the genital organs on the spinal marrow, and -with what we shall say hereafter on the power which this has on the -same organs. - -Swediaur, who was acquainted with and approved of Wichmann’s work, -admits, in addition to the diurnal pollution described by this latter, -and which he considers as arising either from relaxation or from -irritation of the testicles and seminal passages--he admits, we say, a -blenorrhœa of the prostate gland, the characters of which, as stated by -him, are precisely similar to those of diurnal pollution. Blenorrhœa of -the prostate gland (says he) is a morbid discharge of the mucus from -this gland, sometimes mingled with the fluid of the seminal vesicles. -It occurs particularly during the day, and without venereal desire. -This disease is soon followed with general debility or weakness: this -exhaustion is attended with emaciation of the body, and is followed -by death, if the patient delays consulting a well-educated physician, -as is too often the case; or if the proper remedies are not used in -time. He admits, also, that the discharge from the prostate gland does -not occur in some individuals, except when they go to stool; and that -hardened feces, in passing through the rectum, press the prostate -gland more firmly. The discharge is clear mucus, and of a particularly -nauseous odor. Cullerier describes two kinds of spermatorrhœa: one -with loss of semen and of the prostate fluid; the other, produced by -constipation. He remarks--Persons who are habitually costive often see -a few drops of semen ooze from the penis, while they are at stool. -We have been consulted several times for cases of this kind. Some -regard it as resulting from a relaxation, a debility of the genital -organs: they imagine that their genital powers are lost, and that their -procreative power is lost. Others attribute it to old blenorrhœas, -which have _struck in_, as it is said. All, generally, are terrified -at the effect; and quacks have often profited by its existence, to -persuade patients that they were affected with an inveterate venereal -disease, and thus to dispose of their remedies. This effect arises, as -every one knows, from the pressure of the feces in the rectum on the -seminal vesicles, and may be removed by removing the constipation. - -This was the state of science, when Lallemand devoted himself to the -study of the diseases of the urinary passages, and enriched it with -many important remarks. As, in acute inflammations of the urethra, -the irritation sometimes extends, following the course of the seminal -passages to the testicles; so, in retentions of urine, produced by -chronic inflammation of the prostatic portion of the urethra, the -irritation extends more or less to the seminal vesicles and testicles, -producing in the former normal contractions, and in the latter an -excessive secretion, whence would result a spermatic flux. In patients -thus affected, the ejaculation is very sudden: nocturnal pollutions -are frequent--or, rather, the semen is expelled during the emission -of urine, and of the feces. It is also more liquid, less odorous, and -in short less elaborated than usual. In many patients, the venereal -desires are nearly extinct; the erections are feeble, imperfect, or -even impossible. This spermatorrhœa has general effects, analogous to -those which have been attributed to other pollutions: the patients -become timid, idle, indifferent to all which is not connected with -their disease; all the functions of the economy languish, and are -deranged; and, finally, both body and mind are degraded. - -Lallemand has known all the phenomena which we have described to -disappear, on curing the retention of urine--or, rather, the disease -of the urethra which caused it--and relates cases of this character. -Do not the remarks of this practitioner, compared with our remarks on -convulsive spermatorrhœa, and particularly on the different states -which the semen may present in this affection--do they not establish -clearly, that in many, perhaps in most cases of spermatorrhœa, there is -not relaxation, weakness of the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts, -but irritation or inflammation of these parts? - -It would, then, seem well established, that the semen may be discharged -without pleasure, without erection, and without ejaculation; and that -this discharge may give rise to accidents analogous to those observed -after all free discharges of this fluid, arising from any cause -whatever. This fact, however, has been contested by different authors. -Boerhaave says positively, that he has never known the semen to escape -spontaneously, without solicitation; and that when such a case has -been suspected, the fluid discharged was not probably semen; and that, -farther, if this kind of spermatorrhœa exists, it must be very rare. -Swammerdam, Hunter, and Haller, have expressed a similar opinion: the -latter admits that a discharge may take place from the penis, under the -circumstances mentioned above; he thinks, also, that this discharge -comes from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. But the fluid -which escapes is only the mucus secreted by these parts--it is not -semen; and unless opinions had been made up from wrong evidence, wrong -consequences, it would not have been attributed to it. At present, the -opinion that all cases of spermatorrhœa are only blenorrhœas, is still -very prevalent. Descamps, physician at Castilliones, having brought -before the Medical Society, in 1821, two cases of spermatorrhœa, the -consequences of masturbation; Chantourelle, who was the reporter, -raised some doubts, which the society seemed to admit, as to the nature -of the discharge, thinking it was mucous, rather than spermatic. We, -however, are disposed to think, that when the subject of diurnal -pollution is better understood, it will be observed more frequently, -and then its existence will not be denied. It is with the hope of -contributing to this result, that we have dwelt so long on the subject. - -If the imperceptible loss of semen may be followed by all the symptoms -which are referred to it, it is evident that those authors who have -advanced that the emission of semen should be counted as nothing in -the influence of the act of venery, and that the nervous disturbance -which attends it is the only cause of its consequences--those authors, -we say, who assert this, have advanced too positive an opinion, and -are consequently mistaken. The same may be said of those who ascribe -the danger of venereal excesses simply to the discharge of urine. It -is well ascertained, that those individuals who have carried the act -of onanism to such an extent as to procure enjoyment without losing -semen, have finally became diseased, and their constitution has been -impaired. Instances of this might be cited. Fournier and Begin mention -that of a young man, who, at the moment of ejaculation, compressed the -remote parts of the urethra, so that not a drop of semen was lost. -The fatigue, however, following efforts of this kind was very great, -notwithstanding these exertions. Finally, the strength diminished, and -the person wasted away as much as if the semen had been discharged. -(_Dict. des Sc. Med._, Art. _Masturbation_.) - -There is frequently some derangement in the functions of the testicles, -in those who have lost the genital sense, where the penis is no -longer capable of erection, or who are affected by one or other of -the pollutions mentioned by us. But these organs may be affected more -evidently. In many onanists, these parts are extremely tender, or -more or less vivid pains are felt, which extend along the cord. These -symptoms sometimes assume an evidently neuralgic character; and it -may readily be imagined, that, in individuals affected with wandering -pains, excesses in venery may fix them in these parts. This has been -remarked in gout. Hallé and M. Guilbert observed, in a middle-aged -man addicted to excesses of this character, a severe pain in the -left testicle, unattended by swelling, which extended to the whole -surface of this organ: this pain followed an attack of articular -gout. Irritation of the testicles sometimes constitutes an attack of -orchitis--that is, an inflammation, which, among other consequences, -may be attended with the loss of these parts. Brodie has published two -cases of this character. The first was that of a young man, thirty -years old, who entered St. George’s Hospital in 1805, affected with -pains in the left testicle. This testicle was soft, flabby, and one -third smaller than that of the opposite side. The patient had never -received a blow on this part, nor had he been affected with blenorrhœa; -but he admitted, that for five years he had been addicted to onanism, -and that a day seldom passed without his indulgence. Before wasting -away, the testicle had been the seat of a swelling, which had been -preceded by severe pains. These pains had continued to be felt, and -the disease was attended with such a degree of moral depression, -that the countenance of the patient assumed a sombre and melancholy -character. This young man was treated by various remedies, but he left -the hospital uncured. The other patient, on applying to Mr. Brodie, in -1820, was thirty-one years old. Here the two testicles were wasted, and -the patient was impotent. This man stated that his intercourse with -females began when he was fourteen years old; that he had indulged -excessively for many years; that, when twenty years old, in consequence -of external violence, he was affected with severe inflammation of the -testicles; that this inflammation had been completely cured; and that -the wasting of the testicles had commenced some time afterward. In -three years, the testicles had shrunk to their present size. (_London -Med. and Phys. Journal_, October, 1826.) - -According to Morgagni, the too frequent return of venereal ideas will -produce varicocele and hydrocele. Some authors, also, place venereal -excesses among the causes of the first of these two diseases, and also -of circosele. We have seen several cases of varicose dilatation of the -spermatic cord and testicle in onanists. This fact is also confirmed -by Breschet, in his memoir read at the Academy of Sciences, Jan. 13th, -1834. He thinks that circosele and varicocele are by no means diseases -of adult and old age, but that they are seen most frequently in young -men. These affections seem to him to be caused most particularly by -venereal excesses. He adds, that the varicose tumors of the bursæ, -and the organs they contain, are not only very troublesome, causing -severe pain in the cord, but that in some patients they cause extreme -melancholy. - -One consequence of onanism, which has been omitted by Deslandes, may -be stated here. We allude to the smallness of the genital organs. In -several severe cases of onanism, which have fallen under the notice -of Dr. A. Sidney Doane, of New-York, this important feature has -been observed. The same fact has been remarked by Professor John W. -Francis, of New-York; Professor Otto, of Germany; and by other eminent -pathologists. - -Excesses in masturbation and coition, _in females_, cause affection of -the several organs much more frequently than in males. By too frequent -titillation, the clitoris may become enormously large. This cause (says -Bouillaud) may determine schirrous engorgement, or even a cancerous -degenerescence of this organ. The most frequent alteration, however, -of the genital organs of the female, which may be thus produced, is -an inflammation of the membrane which lines the vulva and vagina. -This inflammation is constantly indicated by a more or less abundant -leucorrhœal discharge, and often by swelling, redness, and pain. -When this discharge continues, which is often the case, it occasions -in young females symptoms analogous to those of diurnal pollution. -The complexion loses its color, and becomes yellowish; the eyes are -constantly suffused, and the countenance is sad; the patients are -feeble and careless; they generally experience gnawing sensations in -the epigastric region; and, thinking that these are occasioned by -hunger, are constantly eating. Sometimes, the appetite is voracious, -and the digestive powers are preserved; but these are commonly soon -altered. Severe and constant pains are often felt in the back and -epigastrium; the body wastes; and a short, dry, and frequent cough, -renders the patient, parents, and sometimes the physician, anxious -as to the state of the chest. Add to these symptoms those already -described, when speaking of the general effects of masturbation, and -you have the state most frequently presented by girls addicted to this -habit. - -As females have no testicles, nor organs which, like the testicles in -the male, serve to prepare and excrete the semen, they cannot have -seminal pollutions: they, however, like men, are subject to voluptuous -dreams, and then there may be a secretion, analogous to that which -exists in them at the moment of the act of venery. May a too frequent -return of this symptom have any influence on the health? The only -remarks on the subject, to our knowledge, are to be found in Swediaur. -He says, when speaking of diurnal pollution--I have seen, although much -more rarely, similar diseases in the other sex. I have under treatment, -at this moment, a female, twenty-eight years old, who, since her -miscarriage, a year and a half ago, suffers from frequent involuntary -nocturnal pollutions, excited by libidinous dreams, and attended with -all the symptoms of the tabes dorsalis, described by Hippocrates, as a -disease of the male. Even the lungs begin to feel this disease. She, -however, has been cured. - -Inflammation of the external organs of generation, and the fluor albus, -resulting from it, is most generally, at least in young girls who have -not arrived at puberty, a consequence of onanism. We are convinced, -too, that if it were possible to arrive at the facts, we should find -that the cause of fluor albus in adults was either recent or former -abuses. Whenever we have addressed females on the subject, to ascertain -this fact, our conjectures have been verified. This has frequently been -the case with servant girls. We have seen several, who were so weakened -by fluor albus, and the irritation of the sexual parts, that they have -been obliged to quit their situations, being unable to do their duty. -We will even say, that the most sincere of these girls have given me -such information as to their habits, that we suspect most of this class -of onanism. - -Besides, all authors who have spoken of leucorrhœa and blenorrhœa in -females, have mentioned excesses in masturbation and coition as among -their most frequent causes. It would be easy to adduce general evidence -and special cases in support of this proposition; but this would be -useless. - -For the same reasons, we may state, that diseases of the uterus may -very frequently be determined by these excesses, and more particularly -by those of coition. Daily observation proves that acute and chronic -inflammations of the body and neck of the uterus frequently appear in -those females who have indulged in premature enjoyments. - -We have attended, for more than ten years, a lady affected with chronic -metritis, arising from this cause. This lady had began to masturbate -before she was eleven years old. She soon became affected with fluor -albus, from which she has never been free since. When eighteen years -old, she married a vigorous man, and then became addicted to another -kind of excess. She now experienced constant pains in the loins, lower -part of the belly, and in the groins: she was also troubled with a -disagreeable feeling of fatigue in the upper part of the thighs, and -experienced as it were a weight, as if something was constantly trying -to escape from the sexual parts. The neck of the uterus, instead of -retaining its usual situation, proved on examination to be almost -at the external orifice of the vagina. Our advice, as to moderation -and abstinence, was but imperfectly followed: she was so addicted to -onanism, that, although she indulged lawfully, and was the mother -of several children, she continued in this habit. It may readily be -imagined that she did not derive much benefit from my advice: in fact, -the symptoms mentioned above, and many others, still continue. Similar -cases are related by other authors, and have fallen under the notice of -almost every practitioner. - -In this case, there was evidently _prolapsus uteri_, or a falling -of the womb: the neck of the uterus was almost at the vulva. This -displacement, which is the usual consequence of inflammations of -the body of the uterus, very often results, like it, from venereal -excesses. This fact has been noticed by all writers on this subject. -Schirrous and cancerous affections of the neck of the uterus, also, -arise from this cause. Cullerier remarks, that uterine affections -in females are loo frequently the sad and cruel consequence of -solitary manœuvres. Richerand, after stating that premature or too -frequent indulgence is a cause of cancer of the uterus, says, that of -forty-seven females affected with this disease, eleven had indulged -with males before the period of puberty, seven at this period, and -most of them were barren. He adds, that those public girls who escape -venereal disease generally die of cancer of the uterus. Bayle and Cayol -have attempted to verify this assertion, by examining numerous cases, -but they have obtained no marked result; which is not surprising, -considering the number of causes, which, especially in hospitals, -render such investigations useless. The influence of excessive -indulgence, in producing such a disease, is very great. A short time -since, we were called to a lady, who had a slight syphilitic ulceration -of the neck of the uterus. She, however, still admitted the embraces -of her husband, although they were painful, and were followed by a -discharge of blood. The parenchyma of the neck, around the ulceration, -was gradually engorged: it became schirrous, then cancerous, and -the patient finally died. Probably, coition had great influence in -developing this disease. Such a thing might happen frequently; for -Ricord has shown, that superficial ulcerations of the neck of the -uterus are frequent. The cancers which affect these parts, in public -women, are, probably, often produced in this manner. - -In the lady whose case has been mentioned, the act of coition produced -a discharge of blood from the vulva. We have seen cases of a similar -character, where the neck of the uterus presented no evidence of -organic alteration to the touch. Females in whom this occurs should, -however, be very careful in their pleasures, as this slight accident -indicates a bad state of the system, and one which should be -mistrusted. Sometimes, blood appears on return of coition, when females -have not indulged for a long time. Rondelon cites an instance of this. -It occurred in a lady from whom her husband had been absent for three -years: at the end of this period, he returned. The frequency of coition -the first night caused excessive uterine hemorrhage. A similar accident -may result from this act, and a fortiori from its abuse, during or -just before the menstrual period. Very serious hemorrhages have often -occurred in consequence of excessive copulations. Tissot states--In -1746, a girl, twenty-three years old, submitted to the embraces of six -Spanish dragoons, at a house near the gates of Montpelier. She died -the next day, from excessive hemorrhage of the uterus. A similar case -has been related by Virey. We know (said he) that a public woman, who -submitted in one night to twenty-one soldiers, the next day died, with -hemorrhage of the uterus. This was a dark, thin woman, in the flower -of her age. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, vol. xiv., p. 339.) Onanism causes -in young women, and even in children, a discharge of blood from the -vulva. This fact was mentioned by Duges. The blood lost is then never -abundant, and the occurrence is by no means serious. - -The irritation produced or kept up by too frequent coition, is very -often the cause of sterility. Even as, generally speaking, an inflamed -surface refuses to absorb substances applied to it, so irritation of -the uterus and vagina renders them unfit for impregnation. Thus, then, -libertinism, instead of adding, as we might think, to the chances of -fecundation, acts in a contrary manner. Marc remarks, that two hundred -public girls do not produce more than two or three children annually. -Farther: it seems well ascertained, that if these girls resume a -regular life, they again become fruitful. The English, wishing to -people Botany Bay, transported there a large number of public women. -Those who were sterile in their own country proved fruitful, when -subjected to the rigid laws of marriage. Is it not notorious, too, that -among the public girls, those who bear children are not those most -frequently liable to become mothers? De Chanes, physician at Macon, has -established, by statistical researches, that but few conceptions take -place in the early months of marriage--that is, when the congress of -the sexes is most frequent, and causes the most irritation. Villermé -has ascertained the same to be true in the early days, and even the -early weeks, after marriage. Hence, this learned physician regards -the fecundity of copulations as being inversely as their frequency. -It may, then, be stated as a fact, that females may become barren, in -consequence of venereal abuses. - -These abuses are not only injurious, as opposing reproduction, but -they also injure, by causing a deterioration of the human family. -Marc asserts, that the few children born of prostitutes rarely have -the strength and health of those born in lawful wedlock; and that the -mortality of the former is fifty per cent greater than of the latter. -Too early marriages are attended with results similar to those arising -from libertinism. Aristotle mentioned this fact. Delafontaine, first -surgeon of the last king of Poland, attributes the extreme physical -debility of the Polish Jews to these premature marriages. Marc -says--It is proved, that the physical strength of the child depends, -in the main, on the mother, rather than on the father; and this is -confirmed, too, by referring to domestic animals. The height of the -pony depends on the mare, rather than on the stallion. Mules, too, -furnish a striking proof of this. The eggs of pullets, whatever may be -the size of the cock, are much smaller than those of hens. Farther: it -is well known, that females who become mothers before attaining their -strength, generally give birth to small children, which are raised with -difficulty. - -We have seen in a former page, that men had recourse to artificial -means to procure a semblance of coition. Accidents of a similar -character have happened to girls; and they have been obliged to call -in surgeons to their assistance. There are numerous instances, where -foreign bodies have been introduced into the vagina, and particularly -into the urethra, and could not be withdrawn. We shall mention some -of them. Pamard has reported that of a girl, thirty-one years old, -who used an ivory whistle, three inches and a half long, and five -lines round in its centre. This she introduced, not into the vagina, -but into the urethra. One day, it entered so far, that she could not -remove it. After many efforts, it was withdrawn, with polypus forceps. -Another girl, seventeen years old, was less fortunate. She was in the -habit of introducing a large piece of wood into the urethra. This -instrument having entered very deeply, fell into the bladder. Faure -was called, and was obliged to cut for it, to extract it. Rigal was -obliged to do the same, to relieve a young girl, twenty years old, who -used a wooden needle-case in masturbating. Needles and pins have often -escaped into these passages. Morgagni asserts that it is by no means -unfrequent in Italy for the lascivious girls to introduce into the -urethra the golden pins worn in their hair, and that they sometimes -fall into the bladder. This they conceal for a long time; but they -are finally obliged, through pain, to confess their fault. Moinichien -mentions a Venetian girl, whom Molinetti relieved of a golden needle, -which had slipped from the hand into this organ. In 1751, Lachese, -(according to Morand’s report,) was called to a girl twenty years old, -who had introduced into the urethra a toothpick, which she had lost; -and after two months, it was extracted. A happy circumstance favored -Lamotte in a similar case. An old maid had introduced into the bladder -a very large pin. Having sounded several times very patiently and -attentively, Lamotte finally felt the pin distinctly. He sounded for -the fourth time, when, by accident, it became engaged in the sound. -Wishing to withdraw it, and finding some resistance, he introduced his -finger into the vagina, and ascertained whence it proceeded. By skilful -manipulation, he now succeeded in withdrawing it. These symptoms -usually happen only in those who are imprudent, and who introduce -into the urethra an instrument designed for an adjacent passage. The -vagina is so short and large, that foreign bodies seldom remain in -it. For such a thing to take place, certain conditions are requisite, -which are not very common. This, however, is possible; and many cases -of it are recorded. The following is mentioned by Dupuytren. A female -consulted him for some derangement in the vulvo-uterine passage. On -examination, a foreign body was felt, the nature of which could not at -first be determined. The patient refused to give any information on the -subject: by examining, however, it was found that the body presented a -large opening or deep cavity. The tumefied walls of the vagina covering -the edges of the kind of vessel, prevented its disengagement. After -much effort, however, the body was removed; and it proved to be a -pomatum-pot, which had been introduced by its base. (_Additions à la -Med. Operat., de Sabatier_; vol. iv., p. 96.) - - - - -PART SECOND. - - - - -RULES OF PRESERVATION AND TREATMENT RELATIVE TO VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - -There are two indications, which embrace every thing relating to -venereal excesses. The first is, to prevent the bad effects; the -second, to remedy them. To _preserve_, to _recruit_, is what these -excesses require. Hence, some of the remedial measures must be -hygienic, and others therapeutic. To these, we shall devote two -chapters of this second part. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -PRESERVATIVE MEANS RELATIVE TO VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - -The preservative rules which relate to venereal excesses present -fundamental differences, as to the success and facility of their -application, according as reference is made to the act of masturbation -or coition. Let us point out these differences. - -Coition is an act, the mode and purport of which, considered in a -scientific point of view, are legitimate; and which, consequently, -is lawful, so long as the constitution and health are unimpaired. -Hence, it should not be prohibited, except when abused--that is, -when indulged in too often, or under circumstances which render it -injurious. Except in these cases, it may be permitted, or even advised. -When it is forbidden, the advice is generally understood, as it is -commonly addressed to adults, children having neither the power nor -the opportunity to indulge in coition. This advice may be easily -followed, as the individual who indulges in coition to excess, may -find it absolutely impossible to indulge: in fact, means to satisfy -his taste can only be found by the concurrence of another. Hence, it -is only necessary to shun this concurrence, to render this kind of -excess impossible. To address one’s self to the reason of an adult--or, -rather, of a young man--and to create for him, if he cannot create -for himself, obstacles to sexual relations, these are the only two -preservative indications which abuses of coition require. We have -discharged the first, or have stated the mode of fulfilling it, by -mentioning the bad consequences attending these abuses, and by making -known the circumstances which render the act of venery injurious to -those addicted to it. Hence, we shall not return to the subject. The -second indication can find no place in a book, and consequently will -not detain us. Our remedies, then, as to preservation, will apply -exclusively to onanism. In a subsequent page, when we are treating of -the restorative remedies, the distinction here laid down between this -habit and coition will disappear; and we can then treat of all venereal -excesses conjointly. - -Although coition, if confined within certain limits, and under certain -circumstances, may not be forbidden, this is not the case with -masturbation. This latter indulgence has nothing legitimate in it; -and nothing respectable--nothing which can palliate the veto of the -physician. We are aware that onanism is not always necessarily followed -by any inconvenience or danger; but, practically, this distinction -disappears. But onanism, without regard to the mode, its frequence, or -the individuals or circumstances under which it occurs, may always be -considered an abuse, and, consequently, be earnestly proscribed. - -This view of the subject rests on two facts: one is fundamental, -and applies to all individuals, without distinction of age, sex, -or constitution; the other relates only to those who are addicted -to onanism, before they are perfectly formed and constituted. The -first of these motives is founded on this, that when this practice -is not actually bad, it may constantly be suspected of becoming so. -When onanism once commences, it is difficult to say how far it will -extend. The taste for it, and the facility of indulging in it at night, -and often in the day, cause this habit to be in a measure indulged -in without limits. It becomes so soon imperious, and the despotism -it exercises is so absolute, that we ought always to attempt its -prevention. It should be regarded as a scourge, and be treated as -such, without waiting for the bad effects which may result from it. -This course is still more necessary, when children, young patients, -and individuals who have not attained their growth, are interested. -When maturity arrives, the evil is possible; before it happens, it -is probable, and often certain. Farther: our remarks on precocious -enjoyments prevent our recurring to the subject. - -Before speaking of the preservative means, a question presents itself. -How can it be told when these means may be used? or, in other words, -what are the signs which indicate that an individual is an onanist, or -may become so? The suspicion may extend very far: in fact, every age is -exposed to it, as onanism is possible from early life to old age: it, -however, belongs to the age before puberty. A great many young girls -and boys masturbate: hence, this maybe suspected of every one. This -habit is less frequent, but it is far from being rare. The precautions -to prevent onanism, and constant vigilance, should then be exercised -constantly towards children and young people--in fact, towards all who -are not of mature age. This rule is an important one; and cannot be -neglected, without exposing one to danger and to deep regrets. - -It would be desirable to ascertain the existence of onanism before its -effects appear; but this is seldom the case. There is in children a -kind of instinct which leads them to conceal this manœuvre, although -they have not learned that it is an illicit act. The art with which -they elude vigilance is often inconceivable. Watch where the child -goes. Have an eye to him who seeks solitude--who remains a long time -alone, and who cannot give a good account of himself. Be watchful -about the periods of lying down and of rising. At this time, the -onanist may be detected in the act. His hands are never out of bed, -and his face is often hidden under the bed-clothes. Soon after lying -down, he appears sound asleep: this circumstance, which always causes -distrust in the experienced man, is one of those which contribute the -most to inspire the parents with a feeling of security. The affectation -of sleep in the young person may serve to detect him. When approached, -he is frequently found red, and covered with sweat, although neither -the temperature of the chamber, the weight of bed-clothes, nor any -other cause, can explain this state: at the same time, the respiration -is more hurried, the pulse is fuller, harder, and more frequent; the -veins are larger, and the heat is greater, than usual; in fine, there -is that kind of fever, of general turgescence, which usually attends -the act of venery. - -When the young person is disturbed suddenly, his hands, if he has not -had time to remove them, will be found on or near the genital organs. -The penis, also, may be found in a state of erection; or you may even -find marks of recent pollution, which might be known by the peculiar -odor arising from the semen, and which comes from the soiled fingers. -Have an eye to those young persons, whose hands, when in bed, or during -sleep, are in the position described: they are onanists, or will -become so. The same is true in those who frequently have erections -of the penis. This erection, and this attitude, are certainly not -positive signs of onanism; but they are the probable, or precursory -signs of it: they should not, then, be neglected. The stains of semen, -on the bed-clothes or dress, may also increase suspicion. When the -patients are very young, they are not very evident, the fluid which -they emit not having the characters of real semen: the traces which -it leaves, however, are too remarkable, not to cause suspicion as to -their origin. In those who have attained the age of puberty, there -would be nothing equivocal: the only question then would be, that they -might be produced by involuntary pollution. On this topic, we would -remark, that this pollution seldom occurs before the age of fifteen or -sixteen years, and is seldom frequent before twenty. When involuntary -discharges of semen are frequent in young persons, you may be assured -that they are the indirect results of onanism: hence, there is reason -to regard stains of semen as positive proofs of onanism, when the -patients have not attained the age of puberty; and as more probable -signs of this habit, when older, if these stains be frequent. - -A loss of color, or an earthy tint of the countenance--a violet -appearance of the eyelids--a languid expression of face--an air -of fatigue and _nonchalance_, when the patient rises from bed--a -difficulty in getting up--are all signs which may lead to the discovery -of this pernicious habit. Here we might trace the physical state -produced by onanism, if this had not already been done. Unfortunately, -it is consumption which sounds the alarm; and this disease must be -advanced, too, before the parents seek the cause. Sometimes, the true -cause is overlooked, and all remedies are directed to an imaginary one. -We will admit, however, that it is not always easy to refer the wasting -caused by masturbation to its real origin. A young man, although not -addicted to onanism, may lose his strength, grow thin, and present, -both morally and physically, the characters belonging to this habit: -this effect is often produced by intestinal worms, by dentition, -puberty, by a too rapid growth of the body, &c.; and likewise by some -chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, lungs, heart, &c. -Hence, we should not be too quick to attribute to masturbation a state -which may be produced by other causes. The practitioner who would -pronounce too precipitately that a patient indulged in onanism, would -commit an error which might be serious in more than one respect. - -When a young patient presents signs of consumption, there is cause -to suspect that onanism is the cause of it; and modes may be used to -ascertain whether this be the case. Sometimes, the patient is watched, -as has already been stated. Sometimes, we attempt to discover if -any other cause has produced consumption; and when this cause is not -found, the existence of onanism is supposed. The patient, for instance, -presents all the symptoms of exhaustion, and these increase. We inquire -if this state may not result from a want of nourishment, or from -improper food--from hard work--from long watching--from melancholy, -&c.; if it may not be caused by a disease about which the patient is -silent, or by one of those maladies which produce effects similar to -those of masturbation. Now, if the gradual sinkings of the patient -cannot be explained by any of these causes; if he is weak, pale, thin, -&c.; if, notwithstanding abundant and nutritious diet, a moderate -degree of labor, the absence of all chagrin, &c.; if he presents no -sign of disease--or, rather, if the first symptoms of diseases which -he would present are not manifested until after the appearance of -those of consumption; farther, if these diseases are too slight to -have caused this state; if they cannot explain the numerous and varied -symptoms observed, and particularly the countenance, the character of -which is so significant, that it alone often reveals onanism: then we -may consider, if not as certain, at least as very probable, that the -patient is a victim to this habit, and we must act accordingly. - -But, of all the proofs, it is most important to obtain an avowal of -the habit from the patient. First, it removes all doubt; then it -renders the action of the physician more frank, and consequently more -efficacious. He is no longer fearful of wounding his feelings--of -compromising his character, by showing a wrongly founded suspicion; -of awaking the attention of the young patient to a subject of which -he was ignorant, or of teaching it to him. Advice, remonstrances, -punishments, and all the moral remedies, are now easily applicable; and -if therapeutic or coercive measures are called for, the patient can no -longer deny their utility, and reject their use. Finally, an avowal -places the physician, parents, instructors--in short, all who have -authority over the patient--in a position to proceed directly to their -aim, and thereby attain it. - -An avowal never takes place spontaneously: to obtain it is difficult. -With males, one need not be so particular; but we must be careful with -females. On this topic, no positive advice can be given: much must -be left to the _tact_ of the practitioner. We will only add, that we -have more than once simply given advice; and we could see, from the -manner in which it was received, that our conjectures were right. The -physician, however, should always attempt to acquire the confidence -of the onanist, to place him at his ease. They have no frankness when -a person is stern, or when a moral lecture is expected. The physician -should confine himself to his profession. In his eye, onanism should -be regarded as a cause of disease--as a cause similar to an excess -of labor, bad regimen--in fact, like any influence which might prove -injurious to the health. If he should moralize, he would probably be -debarred from that confidence which would enable him to give advice, -and prescribe the resources of the art. - -Masturbation is often overlooked, because it is thought that the hand -is a necessary agent in producing it: this is far from being the -case; as it may be indulged in, by both sexes, without the aid of the -hands. When this is suspected, it is soon discovered, by the manners, -face, and silence of the onanist: there is something unusual in the -appearance of the patient, which is readily observed; and generally, -also, the thighs are crossed, or, at least, are pressed closely -together. - -To prevent the development of the habit, and, when it is developed, -to arrest it, are the two indications prescribed by hygeia. These two -indications may be embraced in one--that of _preventing_ the occurrence -of onanism. If, for instance, you have before you the case of two -individuals, one of whom is not addicted to onanism, while the other -may be, you should _prevent_ one from continuing, and the other from -commencing it. In the two cases, the means used have the same tendency; -only when you wish to prevent the habit commenced, you have need of -more efforts than in the first case, where it does not exist. These -means are, then, preventive--essentially preventive; for, whatever may -be their mode of action, they all tend to prevent the act. Although -the prevention of onanism, and the arrest of the habit, are apparently -different, yet we shall state the mode of attaining this double result, -to avoid repetitions. - -In masturbation, we must consider three things--the desire, the will, -and the power. Onanism is not possible, where these three conditions -do not exist: there is no wish without desire; and the latter is often -completely mastered by the former, and both present no result, if there -be no possibility of indulging. Hence, to prevent masturbation, and to -arrest it, the desire, the wish, the power to indulge, must not exist. -These are, as it has been seen, three distinct indications. It is -sufficient to attain one of them. It is easily seen, that by appeasing -the desire, the will is aided; and the obstacles opposed would be more -efficacious, the less vivid the desire, and the weaker the will. It is, -therefore, sufficiently understood, that the three indications we have -mentioned, although very distinct, require each of them special means, -the attainment of one of which renders that of the others useless, -while they all can and may be pursued conjointly. - - -§ 1. FIRST INDICATION. TO PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF THE DESIRE TO -MASTURBATE, TO PREVENT ITS RETURN, AND TO ABRIDGE ITS POWER. - -The desire of masturbation is very distinct from venereal desires, -which may be felt without experiencing the other. This desire is -special: it is that of onanism, and no other. The influences, also--the -result of which is more or less proximate, and which is to excite the -genital sense--are only the _indirect_ and _predisposing_ causes of -onanism. The direct and efficient causes are those which lead to the -indulgence of it, and the preferring of it to coition. Consequently, -two indications relate to the desire of masturbation: one consists in -preventing the exaltation of the venereal sense, or in appeasing it; -and the second, in preventing or destroying the special causes of -the desire of onanism. We proceed to study these two indications in -succession. - -1. _Rules relative to the general or indirect causes of onanism._--The -genital sense, and, consequently, the venereal desires, may be felt too -vividly and too early, in consequence of different circumstances, which -may be divided into two groups. Some belong to the human body, and -consist in certain innate acquired arrangements of the organization, -in consequence of which the venereal sense presents more or less -susceptibility. Others consist in different influences, as education, -food, climate, kind of life, &c.; which may act on the sensibility in -general, and particularly on that of the genital system. We will begin -with the rules connected with the former. - -_Of the innate or acquired causes of venereal excitement, and of the -rules of preservation connected with them._--Some individuals seem, as -it were, marked by their organization, to become victims of venereal -excesses. In them, the genital sense is excited, and exercises great -power, long before the usual period of its manifestation. In others, -on the contrary, this sense is not excited until late: in fact, it is -so slight, that even this excitement may be doubted. In the present -state of the science, these differences can by no means be accounted -for. In many cases, however the great development of certain organs, -the increase of their vitality or their diseased state exercise -considerable influence on the strength and precocity of the venereal -sense. - -Gall, and the phrenologists of his school, place amativeness in the -cerebellum. They consider this organ as the legislator of the sexual -parts, the seat of physical love; and assert that the differences in -the mass and vitality of this portion of the brain, correspond exactly -to the differences of the intensity of the genital desires. We will -proceed to mention the different facts on which these physiologists -formed their opinion. - -Comparative anatomy furnishes them with no argument worthy of mention: -in fine, facts contradictory to Gall’s opinion may be derived from -numerous classes of animals who have been deprived of their cerebellum, -and yet have exercised the act of reproduction. This opinion applies -only to man, and the mammalia resembling him. The relation between -the development of the cerebellum and that of the genital organs, has -furnished a more plausible reason: it has been adduced as an argument, -that, in the encephalon, the fibres of the cerebellum are the last to -appear distinctly; and this organ is not perfect, till from the age of -eighteen to twenty-six years. A remark of Sœmmering, also, has been -adduced, to show that the cerebellum, at the period of puberty, is to -the cerebrum as one to five, while in infancy it is only as one to -seven. - -We have already seen that the genital sense is more powerful in males -than in females. But it is said positively, that the cerebellum is -commonly smaller in females than in males. - -Phrenologists have also sought to establish a reciprocity of action -between the genital organs and the cerebellum, by means of the results -of castration, and also the influence which the development of the -cerebellum may have on the testicles. Castration, (say they,) while it -opposes the development of the sense of venery, prevents the cerebellum -from gaining the size it would otherwise have attained. Observe, too, -how much broader the neck in the bull is, than in the ox. They have -also advanced, that if castration occurs only at a period when the -cerebellum acquires its development, the genital sense may survive this -operation; that, in some cases, it may reduce this organ to a state -approximating atrophy; that the removal of one testicle from an animal, -whatever may be its species, may produce atrophy, or some alteration -in the lobe of the cerebellum, on the side opposite to the testicle -removed. They have added, that the alteration of the cerebellum had -caused a wasting of the testicles; and that, in the cases where one -of the lobes only was disorganized, the testicle of the opposite side -was alone affected. According to Gall and his disciples, the size of -the cerebellum is discerned externally by the size and breadth of -the nucha. They remark, that this part of the skull is generally more -convex in males than in females--in entire animals, than in those -who have been castrated--in early life, and in those individuals who -are distinguished for their salacity, more than in those who are not -susceptible to the pleasures of love. Larrey pointed out to Gall a -soldier, whose antipathy to females amounted to mania: the sight of a -female caused in him violent convulsions, and almost fury. Spurzheim -saw a similar instance in England. Now, in both of these individuals, -the cerebellum was but slightly developed. The portraits of Newton, -Charles XII., and Kant, according to Gall, by the narrowness of the -neck, show that the organ of which we were speaking was but slightly -developed in these great men, who history states had but little relish -for venereal pleasures. Dispositions diametrically opposite, on the -contrary, co-exist with an enlarged volume of the brain. The following -is related by Gall:-- - -“A highly intellectual lady was affected from infancy with very -passionate desires; and her careful education alone saved her from -those excesses to which she was exposed by her violent temperament. -When arrived at a more advanced age, she was left to herself. She -attempted every mode to satisfy her burning passions; but enjoyment -seemed only to irritate her. She was frequently almost in a state of -mania. In despair, she left her house, quitted the city, and took -refuge with her mother, in a desolate country, where the want of -exciting objects, and the utmost severity, and the cares of gardening, -prevented the evil. After a time, she returned again to a large city, -was again threatened with relapse, and took refuge a second time with -her mother. On returning, she came to see me at Paris, and complained -to me in great despair. ‘On every side, I see images of luxury--in -every place--at table, and even in my sleep, the demon pursues me. I -shall either be mad, or die.’ - -“I told her briefly the natural history of the instinct of propagation. -I called her attention to the form of her neck. Although her head was -very large, yet the diameter of the nucha exceeded the distance from -ear to ear. She formed an idea of the cause of her state. I advised her -to visit her mother again; to vary her occupations, so as to diminish -the activity of her cerebellum; to apply leeches to the nucha, to -diminish the irritation of this organ; to avoid all stimulating meats -and drinks, &c. &c. - -“I have seen at Paris,” says the same author, “a boy, five years old, -who seemed sixteen, in respect to his corporeal strength. His genital -organs were perfectly developed; his beard was strong; his voice was -rough and hoarse: in short, he presented all the signs of virility.” - -Dr. Gall was struck, also, with the development of the cerebellum in a -boy ten years old, who had been detained in a house of correction at -Leipzick, for having violated a young girl. He had also seen at Paris -a young mulatto, less than three years old, who was remarkable in the -same respect. He made advances, not only to young girls, but to women, -and urged them to consent to his desires. His sexual organs, with the -exception of long-continued erections, exhibited nothing remarkable. -As he was surrounded by girls who indulged him, he died of consumption -before he was five years old. His cerebellum was unusually developed; -the rest of the head was of the common size. Gall has related other -instances of the kind. - -A case published by Dr. Chauffard, of Avignon, deserves to be stated -here. This physician accompanied the prefect in 1823, in his tour to -the departments, to examine those young men who wished to be discharged -from military service. A stout farmer, with coarse beard and hair, and -disagreeable odor, was undressed, being, as it was said, affected with -a disease which he dared not name. It was at the close of December; the -season was cold, and the room very chilly. No sooner was he undressed, -than the penis began to swell. He was confused--he blushed--he turned -his back to the assistants. He could not avoid the priapism; nor, -finally, an emission of semen, which took place without a sensible -diminution in the size of this organ. This man was ignorant and stupid, -but he answered questions correctly. He said he was always tormented -by continual erections, often followed by seminal emissions. He even -admitted that he was accustomed to solicit them. His neck was short; -broad, and thick; the posterior portion of the occipital bone presented -a very marked slope: finally, the cerebellar portion of the cranium -was very prominent, and much developed. This man was reformed. (_Jour. -univ. des Sc. Med._, December, 1828.) We have also observed a very -remarkable development of the posterior part of the skull, in a boy -eight years old, who was addicted to masturbation for several years, -and whose penis was almost constantly in a state of erection. This -prominence so elongated the antero posterior diameter of the cranium, -that the mother found it difficult to fit caps to his head. - -One of Gall’s most distinguished pupils, Dr. Voisin, has tested -phrenology, in a visit recently made to the convict galley, at Toulon. -Renaud, the Director, informed of the scientific purpose of the -visit of this physician, allowed him to examine the cerebral organs -of 350 thieves, forgers, or homicides; among whom he had designedly -distributed 22 other convicts, condemned for rape, requesting M. Voisin -to discover them from this number, by examining the posterior part of -the head. This gentleman picked out 22, 13 of whom only were condemned -for violence. Thus, then, he had selected nine who were not guilty of -this crime; and, on the contrary, had allowed to escape him nine who -had been committed. Now, the nine wrongly selected were libertines, -whom the Director admitted required to be constantly watched; and -the nine, on the contrary, whom he had not detected, were guilty -by accident, or when intoxicated: with them, libertinism was only -accidental, and not organic. - -A few experimental proofs have been invoked, in support of Gall’s -opinions of the cerebellum. We will cite a remark made by Serres, as -to those bulls killed by striking them on the back of the neck. “The -penis, in those where the cerebellum was injured, oscillated very -evidently during the experiment.” The same gentleman observed a very -marked erection in a young horse, who was killed by plunging a knife -into the cerebellum. Segalas has produced the same effect in Guinea -pigs, by pushing a stylet into this organ. - -The principal proofs, however, have been drawn from the action of the -diseased cerebellum on the genital apparatus. Thus, the erection of -the penis in those who die by hanging, has been attributed, by Gall, -to the affection of the cerebellum in this kind of death. Cruvelhier -has contested this explanation. He thinks it may be explained by the -stasis of the venous blood. “Respiration,” says he, “is retarded, in -consequence of the medulla oblongata; and hence results a semi-asphyxic -state, favorable to erection. In hanging, there may be an affection of -the cervical part of the medulla; and priapism has been observed more -than once in lesions of this part.” Phrenologists have also shown, that -this symptom often follows the application of a blister or seton to the -neck. Another fact, to show the connection of the cerebellum with the -genital apparatus, is that of a soldier, whose generative powers had -disappeared, after the fleshy scalp of the occiput had been removed -by the blow of a sabre. We doubt whether similar cases to this, which -was observed by Larry, have often occurred; although Dr. Bischoff has -advanced, that wounds of the back of the head, and blows on this part, -have often been followed by inflammation of the genitals. - -Peculiar excitement of these organs has more than once attended a -disease of the cerebellum. We have already mentioned this fact; and -the cases stated were selected as those where the affection of the -cerebellum might be considered as produced by venereal excesses. In -those now to be mentioned, the genital excitement is, or seems to be, -the consequence of this affection. - -Erection of the penis, with or without pollutions, has several -times been noticed as a symptom of apoplexy of the cerebellum. This -phenomenon may have been observed in some cases of this affection -which we have cited. Serres was the first one to call attention to -this phenomenon, in his Memoir on Apoplexy of the Cerebellum, inserted -in the Journal of Experimental Physiology; the principal facts of which -have been adduced in his work on the comparative anatomy of the brain. -One fact is, that of a man, forty-six years old, who died with violent -apoplexy of the cerebellum, during which satyriasis and ejaculation -appeared, with swelling of all the genital organs. Similar cases, -which it is unnecessary to state here, might be added. One of them was -observed by Falret. “The priapism was presented to my observation with -a very remarkable circumstance. The patient had been affected with -apoplexy, and presented a complete paralysis of the left side of the -body. Different nervous symptoms indicated that there was also great -irritation of the encephalon or its membranes. This man, although -half frantic, made amorous proposals to the female who attended him, -and presented a semi-erection of the penis: this part, instead of -being straight, presented a concavity, which looked towards the side -not paralyzed. I regret that I could not examine the cadaver of this -individual. The affection of the genital organs, in apoplexies of the -cerebellum, might probably have been noticed in many cases, if it had -been sought after.” It has not been noted, in any of the cases analyzed -by Andral. Cruvelhier, also, has never noticed priapism, in a case of -apoplexy of the cerebellum which he has seen; but he adds, that he -would not dare to say that it has never existed--at least, temporarily. -In fact, it may easily escape observation. - -Hydrocephalic patients often show a great passion for venereal -indulgences. Gall, in noticing this remark, observes, that of all -the parts of the encephalon, this is the least changed in these -individuals. Chauffard has seen a hydrocephalic patient, fourteen -to fifteen years old, with an enormous head, who was addicted to -masturbation, and spoke of the pleasures he derived from it. - -An acute or chronic irritation of the cerebellum, or of its envelopes, -may cause venereal symptoms more than the alterations just mentioned. -In a cadaver, brought from the hospital Bicetre to the amphitheatre, -where the penis and testes were considerably swelled, the whole of the -cerebellum was inflamed. One of the most interesting facts of this -kind was reported by Chauffard. It was that of a man, fifty-three -years old, of pleasant manners and mild character, who, in falling, -struck his head against the bed-post. The inferior occipital region -became inflamed; and subsequently, the habits of the patient were much -changed: he became affected with satyriasis, and was so salacious, -that he persecuted his wife and daughter, and all the females around -him. This man, hitherto pious and modest, gradually became affected -with the most violent erotic delirium, and finally committed the most -indecent acts. During the next three months, this state increased; -but, at the same time, his strength and intelligence failed. Finally, -one day, after a violent fit of anger, occasioned by the refusal of -his wife to listen to him, he became convulsed. The pain left the back -part of the head, and affected the top of it. The left side of the -body now began to be paralyzed; and the satyriasis was replaced by -religious delirium, with constant mumbling of prayers. The patient died -eight days afterward. According to Chauffard, at first, there was an -affection of the cerebellum. When the state of the patient was changed, -the organ of veneration was affected: this organ corresponds to the -central posterior and superior part of the frontal bone, where the -patient finally felt severe pain. - -Was not the cerebellum, also, affected, in the following case reported -by Sainte Marie:--“A merchant of Lyons, an educated and honorable man, -seemed to be cured of an inveterate venereal affection, for which -he had undergone a course of treatment with mercury. He, however, -complained of restlessness, heat in the throat, _pains in the occiput -and nucha_, and frequent erections. In 1812, after domestic troubles, -he became affected with furious delirium. This state lasted three days, -and terminated in priapism; during which, the patient had fourteen -emissions in a few hours. This singular crisis resulted in a perfect -calm: extreme debility, however, remained, which soon yielded to -tonics and analeptics. Two years and a half afterward, this disease -reappeared, under the influence of these same causes, and with similar -symptoms. The termination was the same. There was a slight return of -it after two years; but, this time, the patient escaped with slight -erections, without much loss of semen.” - -Facts of a similar character have induced several authors to attribute -satyriasis and nymphomania exclusively to an innate or accidental -state of the cerebellum. “The material condition of satyriasis,” says -Voisin, “resides in the encephalon; and in all cases, the deranged -manifestation of it depends on the nature and preponderating power of -the cerebellum, or on those moral and intellectual causes which have -favored the development of this organ--or, rather, on the external -circumstances which at the moment of disease have brought it violently -into action.” On the other hand, the localization of physical love in -the cerebellum has been violently contested by excellent observers, -particularly by Flourens and Bouillaud, who consider as the special -function of this organ its presidence over locomotion. Bouillaud, -particularly, has attempted to establish, by analyzing the observations -of Gall and Serres, that they are not so conclusive as these authors -asserted, and that they may be interpreted differently. Chauffard -thinks that Gall has gone too far, and that his remark, that physical -love and erections should not be attributed to the presence of the -semen and the irritation which it causes, should be qualified by using -the term _exclusively_. We also think, that, thus altered, Gall’s -remark would be more just. The cerebellum has certainly a powerful -action on salacity; but we shall see that each part of the genital -apparatus exercises one equally great; and that, consequently, the -organic principle of the state of rutting, and of venereal excesses, -cannot be sought for solely in the encephalon. - -In consequence of Gall’s opinions, many authors, among whom we will -mention Chauffard, Voisin, and Londe, have thought it necessary, in -order to subdue too great a degree of amativeness, to make applications -directly to the cerebellum. Some attempts have seemed to justify -this view of the subject. Sainte Marie says, that a physician of -Lyons has cured inveterate nocturnal pollutions, by applying ice to -the occiput and nucha before going to bed. A man, thirty years old, -had three or four seminal emissions every night, which Lallemand had -tried in vain to cure, by cauterizing the ejaculatory canals. Gensoult -applied leeches and ice to the nucha: the pollutions were arrested, -as if by magic. Serres, who reports this case, adds, that, since the -publication of his memoir on cerebellar apoplexy, he has seen two cases -of apoplexy, where erections appeared during the paroxysms. Both were -cured by applying leeches and emollient cataplasms to the nucha. Might -not narcotics be applied, endermically, near the cerebellum, to subdue -the onanistic satyriasis? Might not belladonna, opium, &c., introduced -in this manner, be used with advantage? Might not, also, the hair of -the head be kept short, especially behind, and rest on a pillow of -hair, instead of feathers? Setons and blisters, also, should be applied -to the neck, in onanists, only with the utmost care; and they should -be removed as soon as they are considered indispensable. Besides the -irritation caused near the cerebellum, the influence of the cantharides -is to be guarded against. - -We have already stated, that there is a reciprocity of action between -different organs: if there be one which exercises a marked influence -on the other, the latter will in turn affect the former. This may be -proved by the cerebellum, which sometimes becomes diseased after abuses -of the genital organs, and sometimes communicates to these organs the -over-excitement which is accidentally seated in it: the spinal marrow, -also, confirms the fact. - -Willis, who, before Gall, had sought to localize in the nervous centres -the faculty of reproduction, had designated the spinal marrow as the -organ of this faculty. Numerous observations, and many experiments, -have lately given some credit to this opinion. Segalas, who produced -erections of the penis in Guinea pigs, by introducing a stylet into -the cerebellum, caused ejaculations by pushing this instrument into -the spinal column, near the lumbar region. Serres repeated this last -experiment, and the result was similar: he therefore concluded that the -lower part of the spinal marrow acts on the secretory and excreting -seminal apparatus, as the cerebellum acts on the genital sense. We -shall see, also, that this opinion is too positive, as the lesions of -the medulla exert a marked action on erection of the penis and the -venereal sense, besides the influence on the ejaculation attributed to -it by Serres. - -A case, reported by Lenhossek, seems to establish, that compression and -atrophy of the spinal marrow may oppose the development of the genital -organs. This patient was twenty-four years old: he was thin, wasted, -and his height was that of an individual twelve years of age. Neither -his face nor genital system presented the characters of puberty. This -individual died suddenly; and it was found, that in consequence of a -malformation of the first and second cervical vertebræ, the diameter of -the occipital foramen was contracted one half. The medulla oblongata -had been compressed in this part, and its development was impeded. -Might not the singular disease, observed by Larrey in Egypt, and -afterward in Paris, be referred to an affection of the spinal marrow? -Here the testicles gradually wasted; the patient lost the power of -feeling venereal sensations, and also that of erections; the lower -extremities shrunk away, and tottered; the face was discolored; the -digestive powers and intellectual faculties were deranged. Does not -this coincidence, of a considerable weakening of the lower extremities -and the wasting of the testicles, indicate that this latter has been -the consequence of an affection of the spinal marrow? - -Dupuytren long since established the fact, that priapism was caused -by a lesion of this organ. Numerous instances of this are found in -Olivier’s work on the spinal marrow: they prove, that every part of -the medulla, but particularly the cervical portion, when injured, may -cause an erection of the penis. Potain, Renauldin, and Hedelhofer, have -stated similar facts. This last author saw a man who fell upon his -sacrum, and instantly had an emission. Professor Fages was in the habit -of mentioning the following case in his lectures:--“An aid-de-camp of -General Dumourier was affected with complete paralysis of the lower -extremities, in consequence of a fall from his horse. This paralysis -was attended with a great degree of priapism, which encumbered him -very much, and caused retentions of urine, which were treated by the -most active refrigerants. Going through Montpelier, on his way to -Balaruc, he rested several days at the military hospital, where it -became expedient to sound him. In order to do this, it was necessary -to uncover the whole body, to expose it for some time to the cold air, -and to apply to it cold water; and, even then, the sound had to be used -promptly, otherwise erections would soon have supervened, merely by -touching the penis, and by the presence of the sound in the urethra. -The baths of Balaruc almost cured the paralysis; and as motion returned -to the lower extremities, the priapism disappeared.” - -Do not these facts show that the spinal marrow has a marked influence -on the genital organs. We have already mentioned the opinion of Sainte -Marie, who regards involuntary pollutions as sometimes the cause and -sometimes the result of affections of the spinal marrow. May not an -original or accidental state of this organ be, in some subjects, -the indirect cause of venereal excesses? Remark the influence of a -recumbent position, in producing voluptuous dreams and emissions of -semen. Does not this singular effect depend on the heat of the spinal -marrow caused by this position? This is possible, particularly if you -consider the advantages derived in involuntary pollution, priapism, -and satyriasis, from douches of cold water along the vertebral -column, particularly on the lumbar and sacral regions, and also from -the application of ice to these parts. Sainte Marie has sometimes -arrested the spasm of the genital organs by frictions on the sacrum -with bladders full of ice. We think, then, there are cases where these -remedies may be used successfully to combat the habit of masturbation. -Narcotic frictions and endermic applications may be made along the -vertebral column, as we have said, when speaking of the cerebellum. In -vigorous patients, leeches and cups may be applied to the loins. We -will not allude here to the remedy recommended by many old authors, of -a sheet of lead to the kidneys, for this cannot produce the refrigerant -effect expected from it. - -The organic conditions of venereal desire are confined neither to the -cerebellum nor spinal marrow: they may exist, also, in all parts of the -genital system, as we shall demonstrate. - -A considerable part of this system is formed of a tissue termed the -_erectile_, on account of its power of swelling, hardening, and -becoming erected. It constitutes the whole of the cavernous bodies--the -glans, which is the loose extremity of these bodies--the spongy part of -the urethra--the clitoris--and a considerable portion of the vulva and -vagina. The part taken by this tissue in the work of generation, would -indicate that it is affected in amatory desires, and that its state -must exercise some influence upon them; which is demonstrated by the -facts we shall mention. - -There is no vice in the human species without its representative in -some class of animals. Thus, the inclination to theft, to destroy, -&c., are found in some species existing to a great degree. So, too, -with luxuriousness. There is a class of apes--the dog-faced--which -represent it. It is impossible to form an idea of the lasciviousness -of these animals, which is manifested at sight not only of a female -of their own class, but at that of a woman: they show by their looks, -gesture, and voice, that they are excited. They are extremely jealous -at sight of a man. They indulge in coition to great excess; and if -this be impossible, they abuse themselves. How does their organization -differ from that of other animals?--in the cerebellum?--in the spinal -marrow? No: but according to Desmoulins, by the enormous mass of -erectile tissue which they have. This tissue abounds not only around -the sexual organs, but is found in the haunches and pubis. In the face, -it is not confined as in us to the lips, but it covers the face, and -there presents a brilliancy of color which exceeds that of the vulva -and glans in our species. It should be remembered that the kunocephali -do not exhibit this lasciviousness until puberty, when this tissue is -developed, and assumes its brilliant colors. - -Here, then, are animals, in whom the erectile tissue evidently performs -the part attributed by phrenologists exclusively to the cerebellum. -Why may not the same thing exist in our species? Are not the penis -and clitoris, generally speaking, much larger in those who have a -marked propensity for the pleasures of love? Is not their erection the -most constant sign of the activity of the venereal sense? Is not the -erectile tissue developed at puberty, at the same time with this sense, -and does it not collapse in old age? Finally, does not the genital -sense exist at its highest degree in the glans--the clitoris--that is, -in the organs formed entirely of this tissue? - -There is, then, reason to seek the principle of masturbation in this -tissue, and to this remedies should be applied. This is done in a -vigorous and healthy patient by blood-letting, and by applying leeches -or cups around the sexual parts. Lotions and cold applications to these -parts, and cold hip-baths, act in the same manner; and as they do -not contribute to the exhaustion, they are employed more frequently. -Sainte Marie recommends that the genital organs of individuals affected -with spermatorrhœa should be covered with bladders of pounded ice, -which should be removed as often as it melts. This remedy seems more -efficacious and convenient than the application of wet sponges or -linens to the parts. It might also be used in those onanists who will -consent to it. The same indication is fulfilled by forbidding children -to be washed in warm water, and by causing them to use hard cushions -to sit on; and likewise, by keeping the pelvis lightly covered, and the -clothes large enough to allow the air to circulate freely around the -genital organs. The cold injections, in girls, may also be somewhat -useful. There is also another remedy which is applicable to parts -formed of erectile tissue, and which we shall mention--viz., their -removal. - -Some nations are accustomed to practise upon their female children -a kind of circumcision, which consists in cutting off several parts -of the vulva. This custom is very ancient, and exists particularly -in Egypt, Ethiopia, around the Persian Gulf, and in several parts of -central Africa. What portions of the vulva are cut off? Many authors -think that these are the nympbæ, clitoris, and even the hymen. In fact, -Niebuhr has given a colored plate of the sexual organs of an Egyptian -girl, eighteen years old, drawn by the painter Baurenfiend, the -original of which is in the library at Gottingen, in which the parts -just named seem to have been extirpated. Sonnini, who has examined two -young Egyptian girls, one of whom had been circumcised for two years, -while the operation was performed on the other in his presence, states, -contrary to Niebuhr’s opinion, that this operation has reference to -the interior of the vulva, and is confined to the excision of a thick, -flabby, and fleshy excrescence, covered with skin, which in several -African races rises above the commissure of the external labia; the -length of this was only six lines, in the two girls observed by him, -but it may be four inches long, at the age of twenty-five years. As the -opinion of Niebuhr agrees with that of all authors who have lived in -these countries, the facts observed by Sonnini are exceptions, rather -than the rule. Hence, it appears, that in many nations it is the custom -to remove from the females a considerable portion of the erectile -tissue, which is found around their sexual organs. - -What is the origin of this singular custom? Is it to remove in infancy, -from the vulva of the girls, certain prominences which, at a later -period, might prove inconvenient? Has this custom been established -with a view to cleanliness? May it not be, to take away the power of -self-abuse? Whatever may be the reason of its existence, its effect is -to deaden the venereal sense, by removing a portion of the surfaces -in which it is situated. This seems positively established, by the -testimony of Niebuhr, and many others. - -If this be so, may not the removal of the internal labia and of the -preputial portion of the clitoris--especially if these parts are -large--be attempted, in order to avoid a more extreme thing, which -we shall mention directly. Might not this removal blunt, if it did -not deaden, the propensity to solitary enjoyments, and render the -other remedies employed more efficient? Although we have but little -confidence in this operation, yet, when we consider that a superficial -cauterization of the nymphæ and clitoris has cured nymphomania, as -will be stated hereafter, we can conceive that the excision of the -internal labia may in some ca«es present a chance of success. Farther: -this operation is not very painful--is easily performed--and cannot, -even under the least favorable circumstances, be attended with any -inconvenience, except that of being useless. It certainly would not be -practised generally if it caused severe pains, or was followed by bad -consequences. In Africa, it is performed by the females of Said, who -use a razor. And it should be remembered, too, that it is not children -who submit to this operation; but girls eight or ten years old, as may -be seen in the travels of Niebuhr and Sonnini. - -The exquisite sensibility of the clitoris, and the size it commonly -presents in lascivious females--that which it acquires in those who -masturbate, or who are affected with nymphomania--have led to the -opinion, that voluptuous desires are situated exclusively in this -organ, and that its removal will extinguish them. Levret was, we -believe, the first who conceived the idea of curing nymphomania by this -operation. Dubois performed it on a young girl, who was so addicted -to onanism, that she was almost in the last stages of marasmus. Aware -of the danger of her situation, and yet too weak, or too much under -the control of voluptuousness, she could not resist. In vain were her -hands and limbs tied: she rubbed herself against the bed, and thus -procured excessive discharges. Her parents applied to Dubois, who -proposed amputation of the clitoris. This was assented to. The organ -was removed by one stroke of the knife: the hemorrhage was arrested by -the actual cautery, and the girl recovered her health and strength. -Richerand, who has reported this case, considers the operation -performed on this young girl as the most efficient remedy in such a -case. If the idea of cauterizing the vessels is disagreeable to the -patients, the vessels of the clitoris might be tied, as are those of -the penis after amputation. (_Nosog. Chirurg._, second edition, 1808; -vol. iv., p. 326.) - -The following, which is similar to the preceding, but more remarkable -in some respects, was published in the Journal of Surgery, by Graefe:-- - -“The subject of this case was born in 1807, and grew very well, till -the age of fourteen months, when she became ill: for eight days, she -was affected alternately with constipation, diarrhœa, and vomiting. She -remained sick till she was two years old, and did not walk till she was -four. She, however, never learned to talk, and exhibited symptoms of -idiocy. This idiocy resisted the most varied treatment, progressively -increased, and the patient was finally reduced to a state below the -brute. She swallowed her feces, and passed hour after hour in a corner, -her tongue lolling from her mouth. - -“The most experienced physicians considered her case as hopeless. A -physician at Berlin undertook to cure her. She was now fourteen years -old. He remarked first in her a strong inclination to onanism: she -indulged in this practice night and day. In this, there was a curative -indication, which the physician embraced immediately. It seemed evident -to him that masturbation prevented the development of the intellectual -faculties. Hence, she was prevented from sitting down; and the head -was cauterized, to obtain revulsion by the pain. The wound from this -operation did not suppurate till after six weeks. Cold effusions were -applied to the wound, and a solution of antimony was injected into it. -These remedies were followed by a slight degree of amendment. Douches -and emetics were then used, but in vain. Finally, when the patient was -fifteen years old, her physician resolved to extirpate the clitoris. -The operation was performed June 20, 1822, by Professor Graefe, of -Berlin. The wound soon cicatrized; and the good effects of the process -exceeded all expectations. The disposition to onanism was removed; the -mind became expanded; and the education of the patient commenced. In -three years, she could talk, read, write, and even play a few tunes -on the piano--to be sure, rather imperfectly; but still she might be -regarded as being in the way of recovering from her long and cruel -disease.” - -The details of this case are not sufficient to establish whether -idiocy was the cause or effect of onanism. We may conclude, however, -from the result, that it was at least in great part the consequence of -this habit. It, however, was necessary to put a stop to the onanism -before the idiocy disappeared. Farther, this case shows the extent -of the restorative power of nature, when it is no longer impeded by -masturbation. It also shows, by the good effects arising from removing -the clitoris, that it would be wrong to think, as several authors, and -particularly Voisin, have asserted, that nymphomania always depended -on an affection of the cerebellum. Powerful and the most energetic -revulsives had been applied to this latter organ, but unsuccessfully. -It was not the first time the remedies had been used. Villeneuve long -since recommended the application of caustics to the legs, and of cups -around the genital organs, with extensive scarifications, to appease -venereal desires. - -The two following facts were communicated by Biett. The first is that -of a lady, thirty-five years old, who became affected with nymphomania, -after long absence from her husband. After many unsuccessful efforts -to cure this disease, extirpation of the clitoris was decided upon. -The operation was not easy, and there was considerable hemorrhage, -requiring the application of ligatures. In a few weeks, the patient -recovered. - -The success of this operation induced Biett to advise a similar one in -the following case:-- - -“Mademoiselle C***, ten years old, of strong constitution and good -muscular developments, had been addicted to onanism since she was two -years old. She was taught it by her nurse, who remarked that she was -quieted, when crying, by titillating the clitoris, in which she was -soon imitated by the patient. The habit finally caused great moral -and physical degeneration. At first, the cause of her wasting away -was unknown; but when it was discovered, the parents tried every mode -to break her of it. Their vigilance was in vain--she still continued -it. Her mind remained unaffected, but not so with her physical -constitution. Mechanical means were now employed: the apparatus of -Lafont was applied, but without success; and there was danger of her -becoming idiotic. Her parents, after long hesitation, decided to have -the clitoris removed. The operation was performed June 26, 1831, with -perfect success. The patient became restored, and her voluptuous -feelings disappeared.” - -Many have scruples in regard to this operation. They ask whether -it is right to nip the enjoyments of love in the bud, &c. These -considerations seem to me only to impose circumspection in respect to -the operation, and to show that the operation never should be employed -until all other remedies have been tried. But when life is to be saved, -or the mind is to be preserved, then we ought not to hesitate. We then -do, as in amputating a limb--we sacrifice a part for the whole. Nor is -it demonstrated, that the venereal sense is for ever extinguished, by -removing the clitoris. This organ is not the exclusive seat of venereal -sensations, as we have already seen, and shall see again. Hence, it may -be feared, for this reason, that the operation may not be successful. -In fact, only the prominent part of the clitoris is cut off: a large -portion of the cavernous bodies remains. If the operation is performed -before puberty, perhaps by developing their tissue, this feeling may -extend at this period of life: but, even then, if these chances of -reparation did not exist--if it were certain to destroy all sexual -desires--still this operation ought to be performed; as, without these -feelings of love, a female may become a good mother, and a devoted wife. - -Our remarks on the cerebellum, spinal marrow, and erectile tissue, -may apply to all parts of the genital apparatus; as each part may be -a direct cause of venereal excitement, and consequently an indirect -cause of venereal excesses. This is certainly true of the mucous -membrane, which lines the genito-urinary passages. Every one knows -that acute inflammation of the interior of the urethra often causes -painful erections, and which may attend a deformity of the penis; and -hence the term _chordee_ is applied to these blenorrhœas. We have seen, -when speaking of diurnal pollution, that chronic inflammations of this -canal may be followed by losses of semen. The presence of a stone in -the bladder usually causes an itching and tickling at the end of the -penis, which has sometimes been the beginning of bad habits. If, after -excesses of the table, coition is indulged in to excess, it is because -the abuse of wine and liquors stimulates the mucous membranes, and -particularly those of which we are speaking--excites their action, -and new desires arise. Is it not on the special character possessed -by cantharides, of inflaming the urinary passages, that the violent -satyriasis caused by this remedy depends? - -The phenomena we have mentioned are seen much more frequently in -females than in males, as the mucous membrane of the genital organs is -much more extensive and more exposed to the action of external agents -in the former. We have known several cases of nymphomania to be caused -by herpetic affections, which were seated within the vulva. Biett knew -a case of it in a female, sixty years old, affected with prurigo of -this part. Trousseau has known similar cases. Hence, the irritations -of the vulva, attended with itching, have been considered by many -authors among the causes of onanism. Eczema, when it has extended to -the vulvo-vaginal mucous membrane, has been known to induce this habit -violently in females. Ascarides, which have escaped from the anus, have -often caused violent itching, and afterward a venereal excitement, -which was followed by the same result. Beck has known these worms to -produce nymphomania in a female seventy years old. Bitter injections -into the vagina were followed by the evacuation of a great number of -these animals, and by the cessation of the symptoms. - -The remarks of many authors on the salacity of individuals afflicted -with herpetic eruptions must apply particularly to those who are -afflicted with pruriginous diseases of the skin around or near the -genital organs. The excitement then extends to these organs, and awakes -in them the sense of venery; a similar result may attend irritation of -the inner surface of the rectum. Wichmann thinks, and a case published -by St. Marie confirms the opinion, that simply the presence of -ascarides in this instance may cause discharges of semen. Hemorrhoidal -irritation has sometimes produced them. Thus Wichmann relates the case -of an individual, in whom hemorrhoids caused an obstinate diarrhœa -during the day, and frequent pollutions at night. Nymphomania has been -produced by drastic enemata, and particularly by those made of gratiola. - -It is not uncommon to see symptoms of inflammation appear at the same -time or successively in different mucous membranes. The membrane lining -the genital organs is not more exempt from this, than others. The heat -which patients feel in the genital parts, the redness and swelling -which are there developed, are generally the only symptoms which then -become known to the physician. But there is another, the excitement -of the venereal sense, which often escapes him; either because the -patients are too young to explain it, or because a natural feeling -prompts them to conceal it. Hence this symptom is frequently unnoticed, -except in rare cases, where it exists to a great degree, and presents -characters analogous to those of satyriasis and nymphomania. Dr. -Desportes was we believe the first one to point out a certain relation -between venereal excitement and different catarrhal affections among -which he has particularly mentioned the aphthous inflammation of the -pharynx termed by Guersent _angina pultacea_. M. Desportes has known -attacks of at least eight cases of this angina to be preceded by a -vivid excitement of the reproductive system, an excitement which is -sometimes manifested by an irritation, which although not exactly -the venereal appetite, is analogous to it, and causes in the patient -an evident feeling of distrust, inquietude, and chagrin. As this -phenomenon has presented itself as a precursory symptom in at least one -half of the cases of angina pultacea observed by him, he regards it -as an index of the imminent invasion of this disease. He also thinks -and with reason, that this phenomenon may, in young patients, become a -cause of masturbation, and even in some cases, may pervert momentarily -the ideas and sentiments, so as to impel individuals to the commission -of acts reputed criminal or culpable. This opinion of Desportes is -supported by eight facts. The most remarkable is that of a lady seventy -years old, in whom the angina pultacea, was preceded for about a month -with vivid and frequent venereal desires: they became so irresistible, -that notwithstanding her religious opinions, she forgot herself so far -as to relieve her ardor by onanism. - -Desportes has attempted to explain this singular feeling, by the -connexion of the nerves of the neck with certain parts of the -encephalon, the commencement of the spinal marrow. He might, we think, -have explained this more naturally, by observing that the genital -excitement, instead of appearing simultaneously with the affection of -the pharynx, disappeared simply from the appearance of the latter. -Thus, in one of these patients, a man of fifty years old, whose habits -were chaste, and who was suddenly affected with unusual venereal -desires and priapism, these symptoms ceased, when after twenty days, -an angina appeared; which was followed by an eczema which affected -the hairy scalp, and the parts behind the ears. In another of the -cases reported by Desportes, the genital excitement which appeared -during convalescence from pleuro pneumonia, was suddenly replaced by -an inflammatory irritation of the digestive passages, and particularly -of the inner membrane of the mouth. Is it not evident that the -irritation was transmitted in these cases from one membrane to another. -If, however, Desportes has erred in the manner in which the genital -excitement is produced, he deserves credit for pointing out a symptom -which merits the attention of practitioners. - -The irritation of the internal integuments of the genital parts, is not -only, as this physician has thought, a precursory sign of that of the -pharynx. It may show itself during the continuance of an inflammation -of any other portion of the mucous membranes, or it may even follow -this inflammation. Dr. Mirambeau has communicated to me two cases which -confirm this fact. The first is that of a boy who was affected after a -chill, with a very obstinate gastroenteritis. This disease was nearly -terminated, when the mucous surface of the penis became the seat of a -very severe irritation, which was soon attended with satyriasis. Things -came to such a pass that his hands were obliged to be tied to keep him -from those manipulations which he had never indulged in before. The -subject of the second case was a girl nine years old, who presented the -same circumstances as in the preceding case. She also was obliged to be -tied. This fit continued in these two cases, from ten to twelve days. - -Hence irritation of the mucous membrane which lines the genito urinary -passages may alone cause venereal excitement, and consequently onanism, -independent of any affection of the nervous centres. This fact is -highly essential on account of the important indications which may -be deduced from it. Aware of the possibility of its existence, the -physician will be more attentive to discover this irritation; he will -find it more frequently and may in a degree prevent a fatal habit: he -will also carefully remove every cause of irritation from the mucous -integument of the genital parts and discuss as promptly as possible -the inflammations which may be developed there. The mode of doing -this is by attending to the following rules. To keep the sexual parts -perfectly clean by repeated ablutions: to forbid all excesses of the -table, and the use of such food and drinks as tend to render the urine -more irritating, and the genito urinary mucous surface more irritable; -hence to discard the use of wine, liquors, coffee, tea, spices, -beer, particularly that made strong with hops: to allay irritations -of the interior of the rectum, around the anus or those affecting -the integuments around the genital organs. When children complain of -itching around the anus, you must ascertain whether this be not caused -by ascarides which is easily done by inspecting the parts and the -feces: no means should be spared to get rid of these worms when they -exist:[1] and finally the most efficient remedies should be used to -cure the itching of the genitals as soon as this affection commences. -Ozanam communicated to the academy of medicine August 12, 1828, a -very acute case of nymphomania which had resisted antispasmodics, -narcotics, cold baths, &c.; and which was finally cured by applying to -the internal labia and clitoris a solution of four grains of nitrate -of silver in an ounce of water. There was a marked inflammation of -the parts to which this was applied. (_Rev. Med._, _Sept. 1828._) In -1833, we employed successfully another remedy, for a lady thirty-four -years old and subject to nervous affections. She experienced a -feeling of heat and irritation in the vulva and vagina which caused -her excessive trouble. Solutions and injections of an infusion of -the wild cherry-tree, produced no relief. The introduction into the -vagina of a pledget of lint moistened with a solution of the extract of -belladonna, (one grain to the ounce,) had a better effect. Different -symptoms indicated the absorption of this drug into the system and the -irritation disappeared. But it returned a few days after, and we then -advised the application of ice within the vagina which relieved her, -and finally brought about a permanent cure. - -The irritation of the uterus in this lady might have had more or -less influence in producing these distressing symptoms. Venereal -desires, and nymphomania may in fact also depend upon the state of -this organ. The excitement preceding and attending the period of -menstruation, renders females much more lascivious. This phenomenon -is much more marked in the small number of animals who menstruate: it -always coexists in them with the period of rutting. This remarkable -fact, which has long been known, of asses and monkeys, has lately -been ascertained to exist in the roussettes by Carnot and Lesson, and -in the genette by Cuvier. Farther inflammations and diseases of the -uterus have often been observed in those affected with nymphomania. -Helwiel relates the history of a lady, who, after being for a long time -indifferent to conjugal pleasures, became extremely salacious. She died -some time afterward, and on opening the dead body, fibrous tumours were -found in the tissue of the uterus, and hydaleds in the ovaries. Calmeil -found in a monomaniac, who was most furiously addicted to onanism, and -who had a perfect hymen, that the os tincæ and a part of the neck of -the uterus were of a violet colour, and were softened and ulcerated. -This author observes that generally, when deranged females imagine -themselves pregnant, or that they have been violated, are finally known -to think of their genital organs, there is commonly some lesion of the -uterus. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, _art. Alienes_.) In the cases which -have been mentioned, the affection of the uterus was not so much the -cause as the result of the excesses which had been committed, but this -cannot be said of those cases where Lisfranc has seen cauterization -of the neck of the uterus to be followed in the genital organs with a -kind of erethism which is attended with void desires. Is not this an -experimental proof, that an irritation of the uterus may produce an -exaltation of the venereal sense. - -This excitement from congenital or accidental dispositions, may -affect the ovaries; to prove this we have only to consider that -their development exactly follows that of the venereal sense: that -at forty-five years they begin to diminish in size, and finally they -disappear: their removal or destruction too is always attended with the -extinction of venereal desires. The respective size of the veins and -arteries of the ovaries has been mentioned by some authors as a cause -of salacity: the amorous ardor of animals, say they, is much greater, -when the veins of the ovaries are smaller and fewer than the arteries. -Haller found that the last-named vessels were very much developed in a -female whose temperament was extremely amorous. Different alterations -in the ovaries have been found in those affected with nymphomania. -Bosset, Blancard, Vesalius, Riolan, Mangel, Dimmerbroede, Riviere, -Lieutaud &c. have observed cases of this. De Blegnay states that one -of the girls confined at the Salpetrière, and who had been affected -several times with furor uterinus, was once seized so violently -that it was necessary to tie her. This unfortunate girl perished by -suffocation, while struggling to extricate herself. On opening the dead -body the left ovary and Fallopian tube were found much diseased. - -The removal of the ovaries has been performed successfully to appease -excessive uterine ardor; a swineherd, irritated by the conduct of his -daughter, extirpated these organs and thus extinguished her passions. -The ovaries however have been extirpated several times on account of -disease. The operation has been performed on several women and with -success by Dr. Sacchi of Italy, and Dr. D. L. Rogers of New York. The -usual effects in those who are fortunate enough to survive, are a -wasting of the mammæ and a perfect indifference to the act of venery -(_Bulletin therapeutique_, vol. iv., p. 313.) - -We need not make many remarks on the effects of castration in the male -to show the influence of the testes on the development and vivacity -of lascivious desires. We know that it has been asserted that these -desires may remain after the loss of these organs. In support of this -opinion have been quoted Galen, Juvenal, Brantome and many other -authors, particularly Franck, who states that four eunuchs in a city -had so many intrigues with females, that the police were obliged to -interfere. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, vol. iv. p. 269.) But these facts -only prove that eunuchs may indulge in pretended coition and that they -preserve some sparks of the fire which is generally seated in the -testicles. Most authors have attributed the action of these organs -in the sense of venery, to the fluid secreted by them, to the semen. -They say that this fluid awakes this sense either by the qualities it -assumes, when accumulating in the testicles or seminal vesicles, or -because it is carried by absorption to all parts of the body. This -opinion is certainly much too positive: but in the present state of -science, can we, as do many authors, assert that it has no foundation? -The qualities of the semen may certainly vary much, as may be proved by -the presence or absence of the spermatic animalculæ. It is entertained -for instance, that these animalculæ do not appear before puberty, and -that they are not to be found in old age, that they disappear during -sickness, and that in many animals, in most birds for instance, they -occur only during the season of mating (_Dumas_, _Dict. class. d’hist. -nat._, _art. generation_.) The venereal sense becomes imperious, when -the individual secretes real semen, and this sense may be felt in -old men, after semen is no longer formed. The fulness of the seminal -vesicles cannot be absolutely necessary for venereal desires, because -these organs do not exist in birds, in many cold-blooded animals and -in some of the mammalia. Are these persons in whom the testicles, -instead of descending into the bursæ as usual about the seventh mouth -of fetal life, remain in the abdomen, are these persons, who are termed -cryptorchides more addicted than others to sensual pleasures? This has -been asserted by many authors, and particularly by Monro and Hunter. -They certainly are not less so. Poliniere has related a case of a -person of this character 17 years old whom he saw at Brest in 1812, and -who indulged most immoderately in venereal pleasures contrary to the -advice of his physicians. Death soon put an end to his career. - -The sensuality attributed to the cryptorchides has been explained -by the greater degree of heat experienced in the testicles, when -they remain in the abdomen. Be this as it may, the excitement of -these organs probably exalts the sense of venery. When the state of -excitement is very marked, they swell and become more sensible: these -symptoms however are much more marked in animals during the period of -rutting, than in our species. Accidental irritations of the testicles -have sometimes also caused an unusual excitement of the sense of -venery. Moreau attended for a long time a man advanced in age, who -consulted him particularly for pollutions attended with amatory dreams. -These symptoms which were very distressing constantly occurred, -whenever the fibrous membrane of the testicles was affected with -chronic rheumatism. - -From our remarks, we can conceive that extirpation of the testicles -would be a powerful remedy, in fact the most efficient of all remedies, -to quell lascivious desires, and to put an end to venereal excesses. -Hence individuals have been known to sacrifice these organs, and thus -to rid them«elves of a salacity which rendered them unhappy. Baldassar -relates the history of a man on whom he tried every remedy, and -finally found nothing better than fasting and prayers. “Not recovering -under these remedies,” says this author, “he wished the operation of -castration to be performed, but I thought it inexpedient. The patient -however pressed me very earnestly, and sought to win over to his -views by presents those who opposed his wishes. He even promised me an -ambling poney of remarkable beauty, if I would consent to perform it.” -Reduced to despair some individuals have even castrated themselves. -Origen, it is well known, mutilated himself, in order to extinguish -the warmth of his temperament. This operation has been performed by -surgeons and with happy results. A surgeon of Bernstadt was less -fortunate: he removed the testes of a man 73 years old, in consequence -of the unusual desires he experienced. The operation was not attended -with the expected result. (Sprengel, _Hist. de la med._, _vol. ix_.) -Hence this remedy is not infallible. We will add that it is far from -being without danger, particularly in those individuals who are already -exhausted by excesses. Farther, the operation is not confined, as in -amputation of the clitoris, to the extinction of the venereal sense: it -takes away the procreating power, and causes that moral and physical -deterioration which is seen in eunuchs, even when they have lost their -testicles after puberty. These therefore are reasons why this operation -should not be performed; an operation which is disapproved of by most -authors. We will except however Simon, who advises as a last resource -in those affected with onanism to press upon or tie the vas deferens -or the spermatic artery; for it is better, said he, that the patient -should live a eunuch, than that he should inevitably perish. (_Hygiene -de la jeunesse_, p. 174.) Some practical conclusions may be drawn -from the facts we have mentioned. Thus in some patients, cold lotions -or applications of ice to the scrotum, and of leeches around it, may -be used with advantage. Young patients also should have these parts -clothed lightly. - -Diseases affecting various parts by their action on the organs -mentioned, that is on the cerebellum, spinal marrow and the genital -system, may cause a kind of a state of rutting and thus become the -occasion of venereal excesses. For instance an unusual venereal -excitement is sometimes a forerunner of an attack of gout, which may -be explained by considering that the invasion of the local symptoms of -this disease, is usually preceded by the irritation of several mucous -membranes. Does not the salacity which all authors have mentioned -as being peculiar to phthisical persons depend on the part which -the genito-urinary membrane takes in the general excitement of the -mucous membranes which is so common in the tuberculous affection of -the lungs? Pathological anatomy has thrown no light on the subject. -Of forty patients affected with phthisis, where the prostate gland, -seminal vesicles, and vasa deferentia were carefully examined by Louis, -three only presented an alteration of these parts; this consisted in -the deposition of a quantity of tuberculous matter in the prostate -gland: in one of them this matter was found in the seminal vesicles -and vasa deferentia. (_Recherches anatopath. sur la phthisie_, 1825, -p. 132.) Louis says nothing in regard to the amatory passions of these -individuals. - -The affection of the genito-urinary mucous membrane, accounts also -for the venereal sensations which many authors have mentioned as a -symptom of the elephantiasis of the Greeks, otherwise termed lepra -tubercularis. The frequency of this symptom was so remarkable, that -the ancients confounded elephantiasis with satyriasis. Sonnini saw at -Cana, in the island of Candia, a great many individuals of both sexes, -affected with this kind of leprosy. They were confined according to -custom, in barracks without the walls of the city, and there they -indulged in the most unbridled licentiousness. Even the old men were -very lascivious. He gives an instance of a leper who, on the night of -his death, indulged his desires. Niebuhr speaks of another leper who -carried away by his ardor, imparted his disease to a woman of Bagdad, -who was admitted with him into the lazaretto of that city. Vidal -and Joannis assert that they have seen this _libido_ in those Greek -sailors affected with elephantiasis. After these proofs, it required -some boldness to deny the possibility of this symptom, which to us -seems easily explained. Consider the nature of elephantiasis: while -it affects the skin, it extends to the mucous membranes, where we -find tubercles, ulcerations, softenings, &c. Why should the membrane, -lining the genito-urinary passages, be exempt from these alterations? -Is it not then probable that this membrane was diseased in some way -or other, in those individuals affected with libido? We can easily -imagine, too, that as these alterations cannot be constant in lepra -tubercularis, the symptom of which we are speaking must often be -deficient, which explains why different authors who have observed cases -of elephantiasis, particularly Alibert, Rayer and Cazenave, have not -met with it. An affection of the genital organs may produce results -completely opposite to libido: it may arrest the development of the -genital organs when it appears before puberty. The individuals then -present the marked characters of eunuchs, which has been observed by -Adams, (Obs. on morbid poisons.) and probably Pallas, who asserts that -the Tartans affected with elephantiasis, are averse to the pleasures of -love. Farther, in lepra tubercularis, the sexual parts are often, and -according to Alibert, most generally affected; this would necessarily -extinguish all venereal desires. This probably was the case in the -patient mentioned by Cazenave, in whom the testicles, glands and -prepuce were found converted into a lardaceous tissue; and where, too, -the corpora cavernosa were destitute of blood, and presented an evident -hypertrophy of their septa. - -It often happens that the genital sense is exalted, because it is the -only one, or nearly so, which continues. This is frequently seen in -idiots, and in those affected with dementia. The imbeciles, if left to -themselves, “says Esquirol,” sometimes at the period of puberty become -affected with onanism, nymphomania, or hysteria. Idiots also often -indulge in the most unrestrained masturbation. This can readily be -imagined: these individuals are in a measure isolated by the debility -or weakness of their senses and intelligence. As they receive no -external impressions, those which are inherent, exercise unlimited -power. The internal senses are then much more regarded, because they -speak alone. That which is in others only a desire, becomes in idiots -a want: hence there are many who seem to live, merely to eat, drink, -and indulge in licentiousness. When speaking of the effects of onanism -on the mental faculties, we have shown that the venereal sense becomes -heightened, as these other faculties are weakened. This fact may be -remarked, whatever may have been the cause of derangement: for many -individuals become affected with onanistic satyriasis, because they are -imbecile or idiotic. Finally, idiocy may be the effect and cause of -onanism. Sometimes the disease appears first, sometimes the habit--but -as soon as they exist they strive continually to increase, and we are -unable to say which of the two exercises the stronger influence on the -other. - -Our remarks on idiocy are equally applicable to cretinism, which is a -variety of this affection. The cretins, though small, goitrous, hideous -and imbecile, are extremely salacious, and this feeling is allayed by -intercourse between them, or by onanism. A remarkable fact which has -been observed twice, once in a cretin and once in an idiot, may throw -some light on the organic causes of the inverse progress followed by -the external and internal senses in this kind of patients: it is the -_hypertrophy of the ganglionnary nervous system_. One of these cases -is recorded by M. Schiffner. He found, on the cadaver of a cretin, -that the ganglions of the great sympathetic nerve, situated along the -vertebral column, were unusually large. The sympathetic nerve of the -left side, on a level with the 6th vertebra presented a ganglion the -size of a hen’s egg. Before this case of Schiffner, in 1819, Cayre -also, in a thesis on idiotism, had mentioned the excessive development -of the ganglionnary system, in one born an idiot. The cervical -ganglions were three times their usual size; those of the thorax were -larger than in the healthy state, and this was the case also with the -semilunar ganglions. - -We have seen that individuals appear much more lascivious, as they -become more stupid and insensible; venereal sensuality often developes -itself under very different circumstances. It may be only an episode, -and sometimes it is an effect of the general susceptibility. A person -is lascivious, because he is alive to vivid impressions; because the -genital organs, like the rest of the economy, are easily excited, -and their excitement is vividly felt. This disposition occurs often -in hypochondriac and hysterical people; that is, in individuals who -are so susceptible as to be habitually sick. They are easily excited, -and have nocturnal pollutions from the slightest cause. The genital -organs, also like the others, may become affected by an irritation -which is seated at a greater or less distance from them; for instance, -in the stomach, lungs, skin, &c. Those persons who are affected with -cutaneous diseases, which cause itching, are generally extremely -lascivious. Symptoms similar to priapism and satyriasis, appear in -numerous diseases. Nervous or flatulent colics have often been known -to produce a similar effect. A woman observed in 1833, at Hotel Dieu, -in the ward of Bouillaud, and whose case is reported by Donne, (Revue -Med., June, 1833,) presented a phenomena, which, notwithstanding its -strangeness, is explained by what we have said. She was thirty years -old, of a strong constitution, and hysterical. After an attack of acute -rheumatism affecting the wrist, her hand became exquisitely sensible, -and the slightest friction upon it, procured for the patient all the -sensations arising from coition. This aberration of the sensibility -disappeared with the last traces of the rheumatic inflammation, and -the part regained its natural state. A highly respectable man, Dr. -Mirambeau, communicated to us the case of a child who procured similar -sensations by pulling his umbilicus. His health suffered so much -in consequence of this singular habit, that coercive measures were -employed to check it. We must remark, however, that notwithstanding the -sensations mentioned, this patient presented no erection nor any other -phenomena in the genital organs, similar to those of the act of venery. - -_Of the things which may produce venereal excitement, and of the modes -of preservation which are connected with them._ These things are all -those which are capable of increasing the sensibility in general -and particularly that of the organs of venery: the means are, the -influences which may be used to act in a contrary direction. - -The venereal desire may develope itself at all seasons. The most -favorable to its appearance, however, is spring. This fact was well -known to the ancients: but it did not rest on a scientific foundation -till recently. The confirmation of this fact is owing to the -statistical labors of Villermé in France and of Quetelet and Smits in -Belgium. - -Villermé proposed to establish, from the register of births, the -periods of the year when conceptions occur most frequently. He arranged -the months in the following order. May, June, April, July, February, -March, December, January, August, November, September, October. - -Hence the three months when there are the most conceptions are April -May and June, and those in which there are the fewest are September, -October, and November. Hence it is in spring, at that period of the -year when vegetation sprouts forth and when the trees are covered with -foliage, when most animals seek their mates, that pregnancy is most -common: while in autumn, that season in which vegetable life is as it -were extinguished, is also the period when the human race labors least -at reproduction. The results obtained by Quetelet and Smits, conform -entirely with the above. It now remains to know whether the difference -between spring and autumn arises from there being less procreative -exertion or whether conception or impregnation at that time are more -easy. - -To resolve this question Villermé consulted the criminal calendar to -ascertain at what period of the year there were the most attempts -at rape: and he found that it was the same as that when the most -conceptions occur, that is in the spring. The same result was obtained -by Quetelet and Smits. May not these crimes be more common in the -spring because then men have more opportunity of being guilty, as -at that time females may be found alone and loosely clothed, in the -woods and distant places? But these same circumstances exist in the -months of August and September, and yet the respective number of -these crimes diminishes in these two months. Nor can this greater -number of pregnancies be attributed to the fact that more marriages -are contracted at one period of the year than at another, for the -_maximum_ and _minimum_ of births can be referred in every country and -at all times, with but few limitations to the same periods, while the -_maximum_ and _minimum_ of marriages in different countries present -great and numerous differences. We may then consider it as determined -that man is subject to a certain extent to a kind of _periodical heat_, -which returns every year in the spring. - -It is not the heat of weather which produces this phenomenon, for if -this were the case, it would appear in July and August rather than -in April and May: but it is _the return of early warmth_. Perhaps -this phenomenon also arises from influences now unknown, which would -contribute in early spring to the vernal resurrection of organized -beings. The slight variations in the period of heat in men, in -different climates, confirms what has been said as to the action of -spring. Villermé having compared the different parts of France, of -Europe and even of the two hemispheres, found that the maximum of -conceptions is, like this season, more precocious in warm than in cold -climates. There is then a period of the year when man is more disposed -to indulge in these excesses and when his desires should be more -carefully controlled. We have already seen that Wichmann regards the -spring as a cause why diurnal pollutions are more active and frequent; -the same may be said of nymphomania. In a female whose history has -already been given and who was affected with this disease, the period -of the greatest degree of salacity extended from the beginning to the -end of this season. - -There is another observation which at first seems only of a moderate -degree of importance but which may present practical deductions of -great interest. Villermé has found that the maximum and minimum of -conceptions are much less marked in the cities than in the country, and -still less so in the large cities. This fact confirms our remarks on -the influence of seasons, for it shows that this influence is less, the -more individuals are exposed to it. It shows too how far the salacity -of men may be influenced by his mode of living. This remark has long -been made in regard to animals: the period of rutting ceases to be -marked periodically when they pass from a savage to a domestic state. -We have now to learn in what manner a retired life acts on the venereal -sense. Another observation of M. Villermé seems to us to throw light on -this topic. - -The law of _maximum_ and _minimum_, which has just been treated of, -presents a remarkable exception which is seen in cold countries as -Sweden, Finland, St. Petersburgh, &c. In these countries, exceptions -occur most frequently in the months of December and January, in short -in winter. Different causes have been supposed to account for this -exception: there is but one however, which will explain it well--that -is the manner in which the inhabitants of these countries are clothed -during the cold season. By means of dress and warmth they then create -an artificial climate by which they are enabled to resist the rigor -of that in which they dwell. The whole body is enveloped in numerous -thick and warm garments, which fit accurately, envelope it exactly -and preserve for the body its natural temperature: placing these -individuals in a position analogous to that of vegetables which are -hastened in their growth by manure. Farther they preserve in their -dwellings a degree of temperature which would be insupportable in a -temperate climate. In fact if the inhabitants of the polar regions -should keep civil registers of births, their examination would -doubtless demonstrate that in these rude climates, the fine season is -not that of amours. It is well known that puberty in these countries -is more precocious, as is the case under the tropics. Thus the Samoid -women menstruate at the age of 11 years and are often mothers at 12. -(Klingstadt, _Memoire sur les Samoides_, pp. 41. & 43.) This is not to -be wondered at when we consider that they live in subterranean caves, -where there is a stifling heat produced by throwing water on redhot -stones. Dwellings then in cold countries may be considered as hot -houses which act on man as they do on vegetables. - -These facts established, let us consider their consequences; do they -not prove, that an artificial climate may develope the venereal sense -prematurely or too vividly? That on the coming of winter a young man -ought not to be clothed too warm? That too many quilts should not be -put on the bed at night? That the cold should be braved? That we should -forbid too long a continuance in warm rooms? These principles are -deduced naturally from observations on the seasons. It is unnecessary -to say, that these rules, good as they are, are more particularly -applicable to those who are suspected or convicted of masturbation. -In our preceding remarks we have paid regard only to the temperate -zones of the two hemispheres, that is, to those countries where there -are four distinct seasons nearly equal in length. But if we approach -the equinoctial line, those regions of the globe where the year is -divided into a very long summer and a very short winter, the influence -of seasons is effaced by that of _climate_. We shall not repeat in -this place all that has been said in regard to the precocity of the -inhabitants of warm countries, their ardor in love, the excesses to -which they are addicted, the rapidity with which they grow old; all -these facts are well known. But we will make a remark which seems -to us important: if the habitual and long continued action of solar -heat, hastens the appearances of the venereal sense, and gives it so -much power, why will not the continued action of any other heat, for -instance of clothing, dwellings, baths, &c., produce a similar result? -It seems to us that the admission of the first fact necessarily implies -the other. Thus whether we regard the influence of seasons exerted -around us, or that of climates which are far distant, we always arrive -at the conclusion that by a delicate education, and by taking care to -preserve children from the slightest cold, we hasten the excitement -of their sensual feelings, to which they are more liable to become -victims. Hence in prescribing a change of scene for a young man -addicted to onanism, we should be careful not to expose him to hot -climates. - -Are there any emanations which have the power of deadening the -venereal sense? From a case already mentioned, and which we owe to M. -Villermé, we might suspect that emanations from stagnant waters have -this effect: but it is probable that if procreation is less active in -marshy countries during the most unhealthy seasons, it is because the -number of sick is greater. It is well known that notwithstanding all -emanations, the venereal sense may be very precocious, and may lead -whole communities to indulge in excesses: we might cite as instances -the inhabitants of the marshy parts of the Landes of Bordeaux, and the -Solognese. - -The power which certain odors have of exciting to desire is by no -means doubtful, at least so far as animals are concerned. Most of the -mammalia at the period of rutting, exhale certain emanations which -serve to inform the male at a distance of the presence of a female and -to excite in him the desire of copulation. Even in the insect kingdom -some facts exist which cannot be accounted for except on the principle -of odorous effluvia. Thus if we shut up in a perfectly close box a -female bombyx, we shall soon see males flying around it, who cannot be -guided there by the sense of sight. Does any thing similar occur in -the human family? Many authors assert the affirmative. “Odors,” says -Cabanis, “act powerfully on the nervous system: they incite it to all -pleasurable sensations: they communicate to it this slight disturbance -which seems to be inseparable from it, and this because they exercise -a special influence on the organs which are the seat of the most vivid -pleasure granted us by nature. In infancy, the influence of smell is -but slight: in old age, it is feeble: it is most active at the period -of youth which is that of love.” (_Rapports du phys. an morale de -l’homme_, vol. I, p. 222.) Among many nations even in remote antiquity, -voluptuous females excited their visitors to desire by the cosmetic -use of different perfumes, particularly by musk. This substance has -been said to be capable of producing even nocturnal pollutions. (_Luc. -Lebrœchus, Hist. Moschi_, ch. 24, p. 153.) On the other hand, we read -that Henry IV. thought that the natural odor of the sexual parts was -more powerful than any cosmetics. Notwithstanding these testimonials -and many others of a similar character, which might be adduced, we -believe that in our species, where the sense of smell has so little -influence compared to what it has in animals, that odors have but a -slight effect in exciting to sexual pleasures. We think it prudent -however to forbid the abuse of cosmetics in young people. - -Irritation of the skin, particularly in the neighborhood of the sexual -parts, may act on them as we have seen, and produce venereal desires. -Debauched libertines have frequently sought pleasure in this, and -have sometimes lashed themselves with thongs, or other instruments -of torture. In the time of Nero, the art of invigorating the virile -powers with green nettles was known and practised. Many authors have -stated details on this topic which may be found in the treatise of -Melbourne, (_De flagrorum usu in re venerea_, Lugd. Batav. 1643,[2]) -and an article by Virey. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, art. _Flagellation_.) -The pleasures of flagellation, however, also have their limits: it -has therefore been prescribed to deaden carnal desires, as well as to -excite them. More than one saint has flagellated himself with this -hope. In order that it should be efficacious, it should be used with -severity. - -It can easily be imagined that this remedy may have a very different -effect from that proposed. Castigation, and also the denuding of the -body, which is necessary, often have an effect on children, indicated -by the erection of the penis. Young persons sometimes desire this -punishment. The sensations caused by it have been so strong, as to -be followed by an immediate emission. How many children have become -addicted to onanism, in consequence of this imprudent punishment! -how often has the fatal habit of onanism been encouraged by it! -These consequences have been pointed out by many authors. Pic de -la Mirandole, Rhodoginus, &c., have related instances of it. The -following is from Serrurier. “One of my school-fellows,” says he, -“found an indescribable pleasure in being whipped: he took every -occasion to provoke the master, who never pardoned an offender, but -had him scourged, by individuals to whom this duty was committed. This -same school-fellow declared that he was sorry when the punishment was -ended, because then the pollution was not complete. What has been -the consequence of this horrid discovery. The unhappy person became -addicted to onanism. Reduced to the lowest stage of consumption, in -consequence of the habitual loss of semen, his death presents us a -picture of depravity, and an instance of the danger to which one is -exposed by this fatal passion.” Castigation is much more to be dreaded -when practised by one of an opposite sex from that of the patient. Even -young children notice this difference. Rousseau, describing the effect -produced on him by being punished by Mademoiselle Lambercier, says, -he was then eight years old, “For a long time she confined herself to -threats, and the threat of punishment seemed very dreadful to me; but -after it was performed, I found it less terrible than I expected; so -much so, that it required all my natural sweetness to prevent me from -seeking a return of the punishment, by averting it: for I found in -the pain, and even in the shame, a mixture of sensuality which had -left rather a desire, than a fear to be punished by the same hand. -The same punishment from the hand of her brother would doubtless have -been less agreeable.” Rousseau having exposed himself a second time to -punishment, it was seen _by a certain sign_, that this chastisement -did not produce the desired effect: he therefore escaped afterward. -Thanks to his temperament, Rousseau did not contract, at that dangerous -period, a habit which would have extinguished, at their source, those -admirable faculties which were afterward developed. - -The importance of separating the sexes in schools can be seen from the -preceding remarks: this is done in many institutions, and should be -practised in all. The rod, too, should also be excluded from families, -and physicians should explain to families the double danger of a loss -of modesty, and of exciting the senses. - -Certain articles of clothing may excite the skin, cause an itching, -and thus produce effects similar to those of flagellation. Haircloth -and sackcloth, with which some orders of monks are now clothed, have -contributed, it is said, together with the mode of life to that -reputation for incontinence possessed by some orders of friars. A want -of cleanliness has also had the same effect. Be this true or not, it -is wise to avoid the use of flannels next the skin, particularly in -young patients, and around the pelvis. Hence woollen pantaloons should -always be lined. The importance of keeping the sexual organs clean, has -already been pointed out; the same remarks apply to the whole body. - -This cleanliness must be maintained by lotions and baths. The former -ought generally to be cold: this rule is seldom contra-indicated. As -to baths, we would remark that hot baths ought seldom to be prescribed -for onanists and for young persons generally, because of the excitement -which they cause. Tepid baths should also be used with care, as they -render one susceptible and delicate. Cold baths ought always then to be -preferred, when the season and health of the patients permit. There are -other rules to be mentioned hereafter. - -The venereal appetite may be much modified by food and drinks. This -passion and the excesses with which it is attended may be connected -with the diet used. Hence when we attempt to cure a young person of -onanism a good selection of food and drink is very essential. It is -therefore important to state the dietetic conditions by which the -venereal appetite is excited or depressed. - -_Sine cerere et Baccho friget Venus_ is an old proverb, which however -is too obsolete. Generally speaking abundance of good food is more -favorable to venereal desires than a contrary mode of diet. This may -be seen on a large scale by comparing years of plenty with those of -scarcity. We can then remark how injurious periods of public distress -are to the procreative power. This has long been observed, but has -now been demonstrated beyond a doubt, by the patient researches of -Villermé. He has ascertained from several statistical tables of -population in France, that at the period of the revolution when -the duty was removed from wine, salt, &c., when the laborers found -themselves unusually prosperous, when they indulged in feasts and -celebrations, in short, lived better, the number of births evidently -increased. Eleven tables were examined by Villermé, and to this -remark--he found but one exception. On the contrary, when the diet -of the people is poor and insufficient, the number of conceptions -diminishes and never resumes its level till abundance is restored. It -would even seem that after the period of scarcity has passed away, it -still continues to exercise an extraordinary degree of energy. - -These facts were very manifest after the bad harvest of 1816: the -number of conceptions, proportionally speaking was less, from November -1816 to September 1817, especially during the months of April, May, -June, and July, than in other years. (_Ann. d’hyg. publ., Jun. 1834._) -Similar observations have been made in animals: it is remarked that the -period of heat supervenes when they are best fed, and that generally -they are much more productive when they are domesticated than when in -a wild state, where they are often liable to long fasts. Hence there -is reason for prescribing fasting to deaden carnal passions. Villermé -has remarked that in all those catholic countries of which he has seen -statistics, Lent, as it is now observed, and particularly as it was -formerly kept, seems to exercise an unfavorable influence on generation. - -The facts which have been mentioned may be explained in several ways: -first by the action of plenty and scarcity on the health of the public. -Probably in times of scarcity, a state of things is observed analogous -to what is seen in marshy countries during the reign of epidemics. -The action of abundance on the power of procreation may be explained -also by the direct influence of the labor of digestion on the organs -where the venereal sense is located. It is known that amorous desires -are often developed directly after taking food. Nocturnal pollutions -sometimes occur directly after lying down. Serrurier speaks of a -maniac who had seminal emissions on taking food after long abstinence. -(_Dict. des Sc. Med._, vol. xliv. p. 116.) Farther the effect alluded -to may be produced as is readily imagined, more easily and forcibly -when the excitement attending the labor of digestion is excessive when -for instance, the repast has been great, composed of many exciting and -stimulant articles of food and of good wine or with a small quantity of -alcoholic drinks. Those individuals who are subject to pollution, feel -the direct influence of these circumstances. - -Beside the immediate effect mentioned, a warm and analeptic diet by -giving the body an increase of excitement and force, may render amorous -desires more frequent and vivid. Thus the habitual free use of meats, -game, pork, ragouts, spices, heavy wines, liquors, coffee, &c., must -be considered as an indirect cause of venereal excesses, particularly -if the persons who live on this regimen do not counteract its effects -by active exercise. The use of vegetables, especially those which are -not very nutritious, have contrary effects. This remark must not be -considered too obsolete. A debilitating diet and excessive salacity -sometimes coexist: The Landes of Gironde are a striking instance of -this; their diet is very miserable; they live on vegetable soups made -with rancid lard; broths of meal, of coarse bread, and water, pure or -acidulated at most with vinegar, &c. Hence they are extremely thin, are -dark and sallow, and have an appearance of unhealthiness: this however -does not prevent their indulgence in love, to which they are extremely -addicted. - -Different articles of food have been mentioned as contributing more -than any others to excite the genital powers. Among them are found -_fishes_. It would seem that this quality has long been attributed -to them; this opinion however has not been received by moderns with -much credit until it was admitted doubtingly by Montesquieu. (_Del -l’esprit des lois_, Book xxiii. ch. 15.) Many authors have admitted -this to be fact on the authority of this great man, and then instead -of investigating whether it was true or not have attempted to assign -the reasons for it. Thus the prolifick virtue of fish has been said -to depend on the aromatics and other condiments with which they are -prepared; on their seasoning: on the phosphorus contained in their -flesh and more particularly in their milt: and by this fact, that -populations on the sea-coast live almost exclusively on fish. This has -been carried still farther: the parts of fishes which furnish the most -of the seminal material have been determined: and this property has -been ascribed to the milt, either because the semen is here secreted, -or on account of the phosphorus which Fourcroy and Vauquelin have -discovered in it. Some fishes however are thought to induce venereal -passions more than others. - -We have attempted to find the origin of this opinion in regard to -fish but without success. In fact it has not the support of popular -notoriety which arises insensibly from daily observation. Thus -Benoislon has proved directly by statistical facts that fecundity -is not greater among the inhabitants of maritime coasts than among -those who live in other places. (_Bulletin de Férussac_, Jan., 1827.) -Villermé has noticed that in Greenland and among the Esquimaux, who -live principally on fish, on sea-calves, that is, aliments, containing -these oily parts, which are regarded as so prolific, women have rarely -more than two or three children during their life. Besides if fish has -the property ascribed to it, why is it that during Lent, that period -of the year when this form of food is most used, the procreative -power should be most inactive; a fact which is proved from documents -collected in almost every country by the laborious investigations of -Villermé. (_Annales d’hygiene publ._, Jan. 1831.) Hence it is extremely -improbable that fish possesses this property, which it is important to -establish in order not to discard from the regimen of youth, an article -of diet which being both nutritious and slightly stimulating, is well -adapted to prevent genital excitement or to subdue it. - -Many other articles of food beside fish have been regarded as -aphrodisiac. Many insect eating reptiles, a bird called torcol and -numerous insects of which it is useless to speak. Eggs have also been -regarded as having the same property, and also truffles, mushrooms, -artichokes, celery, cocoa and all its preparations, onions and -condiments as ginger, pepper, and vanilla, and finally certain fruits -as strawberries, apricots, peaches, pineapples, &c. - -Among the articles which we have named there are certainly some which -being heating and exciting, may cause desire although containing -nothing more specific than a great many substances which are esteemed -as antiaphrodisiac, because being cooling and soothing they may -produce the opposite effect. Among these latter, we find milk, which, -according to Ste. Marie, generally contributes less to form the semen -than most other articles of food. Among these also we may mention fresh -vegetables and particularly the sorrel, purslain, lettuce, endive, -cucumber, mushroom, melons, &c. To these may be added the flesh of -young animals, chicken, lamb, veal, &c., and also cooling drinks, -as orgeat, lemonade, &c. The regimen best adapted for appeasing all -carnal desires consists as we have seen in an antiphlogistic diet which -is composed of those fluids or solids which when introduced into the -stomach are digested and assimilated with the slightest possible degree -of excitement and heat. This regimen is that which should be prescribed -to those patients who possess a certain degree of vigor and wish to -protect themselves against urgent and dangerous desires. - -Different medicines have also been prescribed for the same purpose: -many of them act in the same manner as the articles of food we have -mentioned: of this character are tisans of marshmallows, violets, -barley, emulsions, water distilled from lettuce, purslain, &c.: -of a similar character are iced drinks, ice given internally, and -even prepared ices. To calm the excitement of the genital organs -drugs having a positive influence on the nervous system are also -administered. Thus camphor given alone or in combination with nitre -has often been prescribed for this purpose. The special action of this -article on the urinary passages, leads to the belief that in some -cases it may be useful. Primrose and St. Basil have boasted of the -internal use of cicuta for moderating too ardent desires. Opium and its -preparations have been prescribed for the same purpose. The use of this -article by the Orientals and its effects upon them render us rather -suspicious of it; there may be cases however in which it is useful. -Belladonna deserves more confidence. Dr. Powell, in the London medical -magazine for April, 1824, relates the case of a young girl 27 years -old, who for more than three years experienced twice a month and even -more frequently violent attacks of a libidinous hysteria: her cure was -attributed to a potion composed in part of the tincture of belladonna, -which was used to such an extent as to produce dilatation of the -pupils. The results obtained by Chaussier, and by many others, from -applying belladonna to the neck of the uterus either to combat rigidity -in labor or to alleviate puerperal convulsions, lead us to think that -medicine may prove efficacious in satyriasis and nymphomania. Thridace -also may be tried in these cases, and Angelot has related a case of -spermatorrhœa supervening in consequence of excesses at the table which -was cured by this remedy. Distilled cherry-tree water also might be -added which Louyer Villermay indicates as useful in nymphomania. - -Boracic acid, formerly termed the sedative salts of Homberg, has also -been recommended to subdue amorous passions. This is true likewise of -nitre, which, under this name, or that of Sal Prunelle and mineral -crystal, has been much esteemed as an antiaphrodisiac. The use of this -remedy according to Baldassar cured the man, who demanded so earnestly -the removal of his testes, and whose case has already been mentioned: -this salt was used because Prevatius, a physician at Pavia, having -administered it to a man for an affection of the bladder rendered him -impotent. The hemp and the willow have also been recommended: Etmuller -believes particularly in the action of this latter; and recommends the -extract of its leaves, and the sap obtained from its young branches in -spring. (_Trait du bon choix des medicamens_, 1710. Lyons.) - -But among all drugs, those which are the longest known, and which were -most esteemed, are the _agnus castus_ or _vitex_, and the _nenuphar_. -Human credulity is severely taxed, to believe what has been said -as to the virtues of these articles. The Greek women, according to -Dioscorides, slept during the festivals of Ceres, on the leaves of -the agnus castus to preserve their chastity. Arnaud de Villeneuve -states that an infallible mode of preserving the breast from all -men’s attempts, is to carry a knife, the handle of which is made of -this wood. Even now its leaves and seeds are used both externally -and internally in monasteries to support more easily the rigors of -celibacy. At present, however, no one believes in its virtues. The -same is true of the nenuphar. Its reputation, as soothing the genital -organs, belongs to the early periods of sciences. It is mentioned in -Dioscorides and Galen, and its history is as fabulous as that of the -agnus-castus. The list of antiaphrodisiacs would terminate here, if -Montegre had not mentioned a tree called mairkonsia, which grew in the -East Indies, and which was used by some fakirs to render themselves -impotent. Every day those children, who are designed to be fakirs, -swallow a small roll of its leaves: the dose is gradually increased, -and at the age of twenty-five, the effect is irrevocably produced. This -tree is yet to be known by scientific men. (_Dict. des Se. Med._, _Art. -Continence_.) - -Besides those articles which act as stimulants on the genital organs -specially, these latter are excited by whatever tends to increase -the sensibility in general. A great degree of susceptibility, and a -moderate development of the venereal sense, may co-exist, and are often -found combined: but this only proves that the genital apparatus may -escape certain influences, and not respond to the excitements which -are impressed on it. Thus, whatever _tends_ to develop, or to diminish -the sensibility of a subject, must be considered not as necessarily -modifying that of the genital organs, but as having the power to modify -it, and as exercising this power in many cases. - -Now if we consider that the abuses of the genital organs arise most -generally, because the sensibility of these organs has been excited -too soon, or too vividly, we can imagine that a very great degree of -susceptibility may predispose to these abuses, and, that consequently, -to prevent and repress them, we must attend to every thing which favors -the development of the genital organs. The power of sensation, like -that of thought and action, is in many respects just what it is formed. -The _education_, that is, the cultivation of these three faculties, may -then give the senses a precocious language, and become indirectly a -principle of excess. It may also, when properly directed, be a powerful -means of preventing any excess. Let us see then how education acts, and -how it is directed. - -It is only by exercise that the faculties are cultivated. It would -be very wrong, however, to suppose that each one of them has an -individual existence, and by use may be developed separately, and -independent of the others. The human faculties seem to have a certain -extent of power in common, which they divide in such a manner that one -cannot increase except at the expense of the others. An individual -who possesses excessive sensibility, rarely enjoys a great degree of -muscular vigor. Those men who are noted for muscular strength, are -seldom distinguished for the brilliancy of their intellect. Education -then acts in two ways: directly, by developing the faculties which it -exercises, and indirectly, by opposing the progress of those which it -neglects. What it gives to one, it takes from another: it is both a -positive, and a negative power. As to the modes of directing it, they -act by regulating the use of the three faculties during the period -of life when they are forming. This is not the place to say how far -education should be carried, so that, in a physical, intellectual, and -moral point of view, it should be good: we seek only to determine what -it ought to be, in order that a too vivid, or too precocious a facility -to receive impressions, may not become the causes of venereal excesses. - -It is not among the working classes, that those subject to hysteria and -hypochondria, are most numerous. The fatigue of body, when constant, -dulls the senses. On the other hand, whatever enervates, renders one -susceptible to excesses. These facts, which are generally known, and -are confirmed by daily observation, ought to show the influence of -exercise and rest on the venereal passion. Onanism is arrested in those -children, much more readily, who are extremely active and always in -exercise, than in those who are sedentary. The period of puberty, this -emancipation of the genital organs, is later, by two or three years, -in those individuals who take just enough of repose to rest them from -fatigue, than in those who take exercise simply because wearied of -repose. Other things being equal, the adult who depends upon his daily -labor for his bread, thinks less of sexual pleasures than the idler. -Helvetius (_de l’homme sect._ 10, _note_ 4,) attributes the lascivious -tastes of the Asiatics to their idleness, and the indifference of -the Canadians to the pleasures of love, to the fatigues experienced -by hunting and fishing. Villermé has attempted to show by statistics -the influence of great labor on conceptions, but has not accomplished -it. He, however, is disposed to regard the influence of fatigue on -the sexual feelings, as the cause of the enormous difference said -to have been observed in the Antilles, between the fecundity of the -black slaves, and that of the whites. He remembers to have read, that -in 1798, at St. Domingo, three marriages of blacks produced only two -children, while each union between whites produced three children. - -It may be seen from the preceding remarks to what extent exercise is -useful to young children. Unfortunately, the intellectual and moral -necessities of our age cause physical education to be sacrificed in -many respects. How many desires must necessarily be cherished, by -confining the physical activity of young people, chained down as it -were, hour after hour. How many men of mind have protested against the -brief period of recreation allowed in our schools. Mr. Taillefer has -done this in an excellent work published in 1824, on the improvement to -be introduced in schools. This is true, also, of Pavet de Courtailles -and Simon, (_Hygiene des Colleges, and Hygiene de la jeunesse_,) and -in America by Dr. A. Brigham, of Hartford, whose work entitled, _The -Influence of Mental Cultivation upon Health_, is full of judicious -precept and sound logic. Gymnastic exercises, which are now beginning -to be generally used in boys’ schools, and to be adopted in some -seminaries for young ladies, compensate in some measure for their -enervating education. Simon (of Metz) asserts that masturbation, -formerly so destructive in the Orphan Asylum at Berne, has been -expelled from it by introducing exercises. He adds, too, that this -scourge has also disappeared from the schools of Switzerland, since -mutual instruction was introduced, which, as is well known, obliges -children to change their position frequently. - -A very active life may remedy a too great degree of lasciviousness. -Hunting, particularly, has been recommended for this purpose. ‘Diana -has been regarded as the enemy of Love,’ says Rousseau, “and the -allegory is just: the languor of love only comes from sweet repose. -Violent exercise extinguishes the tender emotions.” Rullier has known -hunting to produce in a man forty years old, who was passionately -addicted to it, a true anaphrodisia, which disappeared when the patient -adopted, in accordance with the advice of his physician, another mode -of life. Some exercises, however, produce a contrary effect, viz.: -those which excite the genital organs directly. Riding in a carriage, -especially if it jolts much, and still further riding on horseback, -may act in this manner. This effect was known to the ancient authors. -Aristotle speaks of it. All those accustomed to riding know that the -motions of the horse often produce an erection, and sometimes an -involuntary emission of semen. A similar occurrence may take place from -riding in a carriage. Serrurier has known this to happen in himself. - -The sitting posture, when long continued, excites the genital organs. -Simon thinks so; because this attitude, by the pain and obstruction -which it causes to the circulation, brings the blood to the lower parts -of the trunk, and keeps it there: hence, it exposes the young man to -excitement of the genital organs, and to engorgements of the spermatic -cord: even hemorrhoids appear in those who ride and sit much. This -author concludes by condemning the custom, in schools, of keeping the -students sitting the greater part of the day. He thinks that the number -of hours spent in school should be less, and that the students should -study as many of their lessons as possible, in the erect posture. He -recommends, also, that the seats should be so constructed as not to -generate much heat, as do those which are stuffed. - -The action of intellectual labor is extremely analogous to that of -muscular exertion. Persons whose minds are much occupied, who are -devoted to their studies, are generally but slightly sensual in their -feelings. There are some literary men who thus have become prematurely -impotent. On the other hand, individuals whose minds are naturally dull -and heavy, the imbeciles and idiots, are frequently remarkable for -their extreme salacity. The cultivation of the intellect then is not in -itself a predisposing cause of venereal abuses, but it may become so -indirectly, either by the physical inaction which it demands, or by the -nature of the ideas it excites. We have spoken of the former, and will -now consider the latter. - -The moral influences, that is, those which are impressed on the senses -through the medium of the intellect, often predispose young patients -to the abuses of which we are treating. The action of these influences -is direct: it is by the impressions which they develop, that they may -give to the senses the power of holding a language, and of exercising -a precocious influence. They are particularly to be dreaded when they -address the instinct of propagation, and excite it before the organized -system is perfectly developed. The moral education also, that education -which consists in keeping from the young certain impressions, does not -act until their time has come, and must be considered as one of the -most efficacious modes of preventing the premature abuse of venereal -pleasures. - -Notions of love may, when acquired too soon, excite in the soul a -sensation which is first vague, then more precise, and which only -requires an opportunity to become a fatal passion. Thus the reading -of romances, and books which always interest the soul in love scenes -which are painted in bright colors, ought to be strictly forbidden to -young people. The same is true of theatrical representations. Here love -is in a measure materialized: we see the persons who are animated by -this passion: they express themselves in a manner to make one really -think they feel it: they attempt by every kind of coquetry to deceive -and delude the public, and even to excite desires. Art lends her aid -to eloquence and gesture to move the heart, and the fear of failing to -enlist the feelings, often induces the actor to overstep the bounds -of nature, and then he represents libertinism, not love. Conceive of -the effect which this must produce upon one who is uninitiated, who -is thus, as it were, introduced into a new world: the venereal sense -becomes excited sooner than it ought to be, and desires demand to be -satisfied before the body has attained its strength, and consequently -before legitimate pleasures are practicable or allowable. - -Balls, parties, and assemblies, all opportunities of seeing the world -in its gayest and most attractive attire, are dangerous to youth. -Generally speaking, the habitual intercourse of the two sexes ought -to be avoided as much as possible. In a report made to the Industrial -Society of Malhouse, as to the number of hours which children ought -to labor daily, the evening labor which brings the different sexes -together in the workshops, is mentioned as a great source of trouble. -One advantage of schools is, that the different sexes are kept -distinct. In families, and we do not except those which are models of -morality, the opportunities of intercourse between boys and girls are -too frequent. Certain emotions, of an obscure character at first, are -felt: curiosity is excited, and soon the secret of solitary indulgence -is found. Young persons may also, under their paternal roof, acquire -dangerous notions in regard to the material differences between the -sexes, and other facts which are the consequence of them. “I do not -see,” says Rousseau, “but one mode of preserving in children their -innocence; which is, that all those around should respect and love it.” -Unfortunately, the smallness of dwelling houses in cities, and other -necessities, particularly that of watching their offspring obliges -parents to keep their children near them, and their curiosity being -always on the alert, often leads them to unfortunate discoveries. Abbe -Chappe has stated the manner in which the Samoides live in their huts, -as an active cause of libertinism. These individuals do not use beds, -but lie, almost naked, on straw and on benches. The children witness -much that should be concealed from them; become loose in their morals, -and hence they have to be married early to prevent excesses. (_Travels -in Siberia, Vol. 1._) If accidental observations in the most moral -families may be attended with the results just mentioned, what must be -the consequence of constant depraved manners; their empire is so great -at this age when the mind is unexperienced, and is always ready to -adopt the impressions of the moment. In pity then to youth, let every -magistrate prevent the publicity of immodesty and vice; do not let -prostitution be sanctioned by the law: for when our sons and daughters -are liable to find out in an instant what we have so carefully -concealed from them, the responsibility should rest not simply on those -unfortunate beings who follow such a course of life, but also on the -part of those who having the power to prevent it, close their eyes, and -permit, or even authorize it. - -_Rules relating to the direct and special causes of onanism._ The habit -of onanism may have three origins: it may be, 1st, that the individual -discovers it spontaneously; 2d, that the vice may be taught him; 3d, -that being unable to satisfy his desires for coition, he seeks a -resource in onanism. - -We have already seen that an unusual irritation of the genito-urinary -mucous membrane may develop venereal excitement capable of causing -satyriasis and nymphomania. This irritation may also act in another -manner. The itching it occasions may cause the hands to be carried to -the genital organs; unknown sensations are produced, and masturbation -is accidentally discovered. We see by this how necessary it is in young -patients to protect these parts from all sources of itching. Sometimes, -too, a knowledge of this vice comes from accident. Hence children at -an early age should be taught habits of modesty; all handling of the -genital organs should be prohibited. Children should not be allowed to -keep their hands in their pockets. Neither should they be left alone -long: the necessity of observing, which is so vivid at their age, -is exercised on themselves, when they find nothing else to interest -them, and they sometimes make dangerous observations. It is in bed -particularly that this evil is most liable to happen; hence they should -be taken from their beds as soon as they awake, and the hour of rest -should not long precede that of sleep. Many children have been led to -onanism by their efforts to resist the wish to urinate. The pressure -exercised on the penis by pressing the thighs firmly against each -other, has excited sensations which they have attempted to re-produce. -We mention this cause of onanism as being much more common than is -generally supposed. - -There is another cause, which is much more rare, but which deserves to -be known: domestic animals, as cats and dogs, have sometimes licked the -sexual parts of young children, particularly girls, and have excited -a sense which ought to sleep. Hufeland publishes a remarkable case of -this character in support of some peculiar views on venereal disease, -and adds that Ruggieri some years before, published in the medical -journals, a case where, by the licking of a dog, ulcers of a bad -character were developed in the genitals of two old maids. (_Bibliot. -Med._, May, 1821, p. 250.) - -Most frequently, however, the habit of onanism arises from direct -provocation, from instruction. Sometimes this provocation can be -attributed only to imprudence. Thus nurses sometimes titillate the -genital organs in children to stop their cries. We have already stated, -from Biett, the instance of a young girl who had thus contracted -this bad habit, and who was cured by the amputation of the clitoris: -this case arose probably only from ignorance. Sometimes, however, -servants teach their masters’ children from wilfulness. One should be -particularly careful of female servants, as it is to them that young -children are generally entrusted. Male domestics are generally to be -feared, only for those young persons who are near the age of puberty. -The wish to please their young master, often induces them to give the -most disgusting lessons. Most frequently, however, these lessons come -from their associates, the older boys teaching those who are younger. - -If among young patients onanism is practised for itself, it is -afterward only an apology for the want of more legitimate enjoyments. -Celibacy, in adults, is with some few exceptions the only cause of -onanism. This practice, and others still more revolting, are common -among monastic orders, as the consequence and punishment of vows made -contrary to the laws of nature. Polygamy, the quasi celibacy to which -the females of many countries submit, also causes great derangements -in the system. A kind of consumption has been described to which the -Turkish women are subject, and which can be traced to no other cause. -(_Journal de Med., Vol._ 44, p. 539.) It is in prisons, however, where -there is no moral feeling, that this vice is most prevalent. Villermé -remarks, that the amount of this vice in prisons, is almost incredible. -Young and old abandon themselves to it so freely, that the physicians -of the prisons of the department of the Seine, attribute the frequency -of pulmonary consumption, of cramps in the stomach, muscular debility, -weakness of sight, and of the intellectual faculties, to this cause -alone. This physician considers onanism as one of the causes of the -excessive mortality existing in the depots of mendicity. (_Dict. des -Sc. Med._, _art. Prison_.) - -Sailors also often abandon themselves during their long voyages to -this vice. Many adults, and particularly females, seek in solitary -indulgence a compensation for the restraints imposed on them by -laws and customs. Even animals indulge. Montegre has published some -interesting details on this subject. (_Dict. des Sc. Med._, _art. -Continence_.) - -We have said that onanism is performed so easily that it is much more -to be feared than sexual intercourse. If then the physician has to -choose between the two, he ought not to hesitate. In human things -we cannot always choose between an injury and a benefit. Sometimes -the selection is between a greater and a lesser evil. We may then -without detriment to physical and moral laws, counsel the young man -who indulges in onanism, to gratify his feelings in a less dangerous -manner. This also was Rousseau’s opinion. He says, in his Emile, “If -a tyrant must conquer you, I would prefer to yield you to that from -which you can be released most easily: and you can be weaned from -females more readily than from yourself.” The physician in these cases -should recommend marriage. - -This advice, too, is sanctioned by experience. Many young men after -indulging in sexual intercourse, have commenced onanism; despising the -latter, after exercising the former. “We have known a father,” say -Fournier and Begin, “who finding his son disobeyed his advice, married -him, and with success.” The same remedy has often been tried, and with -good effect. A single coition has often sufficed to appease excessive -ardor in females, and we could state several cases of nymphomania which -have been thus immediately cured. Pregnancy also has been followed by -the same results: this fact was known to the ancients and is mentioned -in a work ascribed to Hippocrates. Panarolus, Matthew de Grado, and -others, have related cases of females affected with nymphomania, who -are never calm except during pregnancy. The following fact, observed by -Esquirol, shows the influence of coition and pregnancy on the genital -system. “A strong and healthy girl, of good family, nineteen years -old, became affected with hysteria, with violent and almost constant -convulsions. After a long and ineffectual course of medical treatment, -this young woman disappeared from her father’s house, and all inquiries -for her were in vain. After a few months, Esquirol, passing in the -evening through a noted and dissipated quarter of Paris, was stopped by -a female, whom he recognised to be his patient. On inquiring what she -was doing, she answered, “Getting well.” For eighteen months this girl -was a prostitute of the lowest order. She miscarried twice, and finally -returned to her father’s house perfectly well. This woman is now -married, a mother, and extremely circumspect in her conduct.” (_Dict. -des Sc. Med._, _art. Continence_.) - - -§ 2. SECOND INDICATION. TO RESIST THE DESIRE OF ONANISM. - -When a desire can be satisfied, and is not, it is because the will is -enchained, or this is distracted by circumstances more powerful than -desire. Thus then it is possible to inspire an individual with certain -fears, or by distracting his thoughts to make his will resist his -desires. - -The fear of God and his ministers may have great influence over the -minds of many, and preserve strict continence. The fear of confession -has often, to our knowledge, produced a denial of desire in young -persons. At the present day, however, this latter influence cannot be -depended on much, and confessors, by their imprudent questions, have -often excited curiosity in hearts yet innocent. - -The fear of transgressing the rules of modesty taught in youth, -restrains some individuals. Others abstain because they fear the -correction and reproaches of a father, and think on the shame with -which they would be covered were their secret known. Chastisement has -sometimes had the effect of rendering the guilty ones very circumspect. -But of all fears, that which has produced the most effect on onanists, -is the fear of disease and death. - -Onanists rarely believe what is told them by parents and others, as to -the dangers of their course, but place more credit on what they read -in books; and of these, Tissot is the only one which possesses much -reputation. It has been much read, and although attended with great -good effects, it has not always been useful. Many think its statements -exaggerated, and therefore injurious. We have known it to fail entirely -of its desired purpose, and to cause deplorable effects. On the whole, -however, it has done much good, which it would be unjust not to -acknowledge. At the same time, we must say, that a knowledge of the -reproaches against Tissot, and the desire to avoid them, have had no -influence over a word of the present treatise. In composing it we have -been actuated by a desire to tell the truth, and have more than once -remarked that we must not judge of the common effects of onanism by the -cases which have been published, as those only which are very severe, -appear in print. We have also said that the most common effects of -onanism consist rather in certain vitiations of temperament, than in -diseases having a precise form, and a distinct place in the systems -of nosology. We have also shown how rapidly the health is generally -restored when indulgence in onanism ceases. But this was done not to -exercise any influence over the minds of those who might read the book, -but simply to do justice to the truth. - -The word of a physician may frequently however produce a change in -the patient; more frequently than the reading of a book. He should -not hesitate to speak boldly, for if it be requisite he can afterward -modify his opinion. The effect of an opinion as follows, “In three -months you will be a dead man” is often very great. The onanist -trembles and becomes pale: his heart beats quickly, his strength fails. -Do not regret it, it is not by encouragement that you will save him -from himself. Add however that in a few months he will be a well man, -provided he will renounce his bad habits. These words of hope will -console him and encourage him to resist his evil desires. Frequently -however the impression caused by this language is soon effaced. In this -case another remedy must be sought for. The language and tone of the -physician too should vary according to the person addressed; but he -should always present the certainty of death if the vice is continued, -and that of relief if it be arrested. - -Sometimes the onanist leaves his old habit very gradually, a course -which is recommended by Swediaur. This course may be pursued for two -reasons: the first is that it is more easy to quit this habit by -degrees than to break it off violently: the second that it is not -always prudent to leave off habits suddenly even if they are bad. -Persons have sometimes been blinded by being taken from their dungeons -too suddenly. - -When a young man however finds himself unable to resist the force of -his desires notwithstanding the perusal of books and the advice of -his physician, there is still one resource, which is the sight of -an onanist dying. Approach and look at him: he was recently healthy -and his prospects bright. He indulged in onanism: see what he is now; -friends and physicians remonstrated with him but in vain; he would -listen to nothing, he believed nothing. Now however he believes, but -it is too late, for in a few days his earthly career will be closed. -If terror does not affect him who witnesses this doleful picture you -cannot produce it. A surgeon named Bertrand aware of the power of this -mode of instruction constructed in wax two figures which represented -onanists of both sexes. These figures were exhibited to those suspected -of indulging in onanism and produced it is said very beneficient -effects. - -The ancients and we will cite Avicenna, and Paul of Egina, recommend -that we should attempt to excite in the minds of those addicted to this -vice an interest about external objects. _Distraction_ is then a mode -which may be usefully recommended to those onanists over whom their -desires have not much power. Travelling, study, recreation, in fact -every thing which can give the mind a strong and new direction, should -be recommended, and may have the effect of distracting the onanist from -his bad habit. - - -§ 3. THIRD INDICATION. REMOVE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE THE WISH TO -MASTURBATE THE POWER OF DOING SO. - -Masturbation is possible only under the two following conditions: first -there must be an opportunity to indulge in secret; next there must -be a possibility of indulging. Hence by frustrating these conditions -we can prevent onanism, the wishes of the onanist to the contrary -notwithstanding. - -The opportunities for onanism are all embraced under one term, -_isolation_. It is necessary for the onanist to be alone. Hence -watchfulness, that precaution which makes the young man constantly -observes, which exposes him every moment to detection and consequently -to shame, to reproaches and to punishment for his fault, is a powerful -means of preventing it. - -Watchfulness should be particularly practised over young people, when -they are undressed, in bed, in the bath or in the privy. Hence the -young patient should undress, go to bed and rise under your inspection. -If this be not sufficient, he should share your bed. This measure is -frequently the only way to prevent onanism. In large boarding schools -there should be no private rooms: the sleeping chambers should be -extensive, and a lamp, which would give sufficient light to assist your -watchfulness, but not enough to prevent sleep, should burn in it all -night. The masters and those who have charge of the pupils ought to -examine in silence at different hours and the most perfect quiet should -exist in the apartment. Here too the hours of retirement and of rising -should be calculated according to the ages, so that the suspected or -guilty might never go to bed except to sleep. Be watchful of those who -stay long in privies: those however with ample accommodations are not -so dangerous as those which are single. In some schools the doors of -the privies are open at the top, so that an adult can look into them. -Need we add that persons who are suspected should be watched in the -bath. - -Onanism is executed with the hand and thighs on the sexual parts or -by rubbing these parts against external bodies. Different modes have -been proposed to obviate and prevent these. The most simple of all is -to oblige the children to keep their hands out of bed. This plan when -it can be observed is often sufficient, particularly in boys. Besides -this we knew of only one remedy, the purpose of what can be concealed, -viz., the application of a cold cataplasm to the sexual parts, a plan -we have recommended several times. Pavet de Courtielle proposes the use -of a chemise reaching below the feet and which is drawn together at the -bottom: this remedy may be efficacious. The remedies which remain to -be treated of are essentially coercive: hence the chance of success is -smaller the older and stronger the patients are. - -The hands may be tied to keep them from the sexual organs, and the feet -also may be tied so as to keep the thighs separated. The child too may -be placed in a straight waistcoat fastened behind, which may force the -arms to rest on the chest. Different apparatus has been contrived also -to keep the thighs asunder. One is composed of thick pieces of cork -which are attached to the inside of the thighs. Drawers opening behind -are sometimes used: these serve to imprison the lower part of the trunk. - -A kind of truss is sometimes used to preserve the sexual parts from -external contact. The principal piece of this is of metal, either -silver or tin: for females its form is triangular, and for boys -it represents a sort of mould, in which the penis and scrotum may -be placed: the bandage is kept in place by springs, like those of -herniary bandages. To add to the security of this apparatus it is -sometimes applied to a dress which opens only behind. In young and -feeble children these means are exceedingly efficacious, as experience -has proved. The art of the onanist has even sometimes evaded these -bandages. The following case occurred in the practice of Reveille -Pariset; a little girl 7 years old, whose health failed every day -having been detected in onanism, her mother instead of reproaching her, -gave her to understand that it was the custom to apply a bandage to -girls of her age. This bandage was fitted very accurately and attained -the purpose desired; the health of the child being rapidly established. -Soon however the symptoms reappeared and more violently than before. -The bandage was examined and it was found to be undisturbed. She -however was watched and it was found that she used a quill for the -purposes of onanism, which she slipped in under the bandage. After -this, the mother stayed with her daughter all the time, and by her -vigilance the child was saved. - -These mechanical bandages have other inconveniences which limit their -use. First they cannot be employed in boarding schools as they become -the subject of remark; and then they keep up in the genital organs -a constant heat, irritation and moisture. The edges of the principal -piece also may cause deep excoriations. For all this, however they are -often useful and ought not to be neglected. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -OF THE MODE OF REPAIRING THE INJURIES ARISING FROM VENEREAL EXCESSES. - - -In therapeutics we proceed in two ways; sometimes tracing the symptoms -to their cause, we attempt to destroy this cause in the organ in which -it is situated, and sometimes we attend only to symptoms. The same plan -is applicable to the abuses of the genital organs, which as we have -already seen forms a real disease. - -The most efficient way to arrest the evil caused by these abuses, is -to stop them. When this is done, order is established very rapidly. -Hence the preservative means are in our view better than any remedial -measures. Often however, when these excesses have been frequently -repeated and long continued, the genital organs continue without -provocation the work which was commenced by onanism. Thus _involuntary -pollutions_ keep up and increase a degree of exhaustion and other -complaints which would otherwise disappear. In this case the treatment -to be followed is to arrest the pollutions. These generally result, as -we have said, from an inflammation of the seminal passages analogous -to that existing in the urethra in blenorrhœa. This fact has lately -been demonstrated anatomically by Lallemand and M. Davila. Hence the -treatment of involuntary spermatorrhœa resembles in many respects that -of chronic catarrh. The following are the principal remedies to be -employed. - -First must be placed cold applications to the genital organs; of these -pure water and ice are more generally and successfully employed. In -using these, Coelius Aurelian employed sponges. Wichmann wet cloths, -and Ste. Marie, who preferred ice, used a bladder. Cold washes and -affusions to the part and cold douches to the perineum, and hipbaths -and seabaths have also been used. Lallemand who repudiates enemata too -hot or warm thinks that those which are cold may be useful. Sulphurous -baths have likewise been employed by Lallemand, in the manner described -in his work in diseases of the genito-urinary organs. Davila in his -thesis relates instances cured in this mode, and also the case of a -young man who was cured of a diurnal pollution by introducing into the -urethra a sound, which was retained there as long as the patient could -bear it. Lallemand entertains the same opinion, and has also employed -acupuncture and he says with success. He has known patients who after -the application of needles between the posterior parts of the bursœ and -the anus, have passed three or four months without pollutions. - -Some practitioners have succeeded by directing their remedies to the -cerebellum and the spinal marrow. - -Many medicines have been administered internally for losses of semen. -Those most in repute are the preparations of iron and quinine, -either separately or together. Ferruginous waters, particularly -those of Spa, and the oxides of iron, have often been used. Wichmann -recommends several glasses of Spa water every morning combined with -some preparation of cinchona: Serrurier has related a case showing -the efficacy of this treatment. Lallemand thinks that cinchona and -generally all remedies which contain tannin, only benefit temporarily. -Many authors also disapprove of the use of astringents and tonics in -spermatorrhœa, attributing to them among other inconveniences, that of -causing constipation. - -Many narcotic substances have also been used. We have related a case -where thridace has succeeded. Belladonna also might be useful. In a -patient mentioned by Serrurier, opium seems to have exasperated the -complaint. Davila however thinks that opiates have been prescribed with -success: but he dreads the constipation which they generally cause. -Other remedies as the mineral acids, phosphoric lemonade, lime water, -some preparations of lead, magnesia, ipecac, &c. have been used. Might -not advantage be derived from the use of balsam copaiva and pulverized -cubebs in some cases of spermatorrhœa. - -We have already made some remarks on regimen, when speaking of the mode -of avoiding or calming the venereal sense, and our rules for restoring -individuals exhausted by onanism, will be stated hereafter. - -The object of the treatment stated is to remedy the disease, caused -by the loss of semen. A mode has been proposed by Wender to prevent -this physically; this consists in the compression of the canal of the -urethra: it is accomplished by means of a pair of forceps made of -flexible wood, six to seven inches long, and from twelve to eighteen -lines thick. This forceps is used by passing the penis between its two -branches, one being above, and the other below; the two extremities -are then tied with a cord. In this manner the penis is compressed and -slightly confined; which is sufficient, says Wender, to remove all -voluptuous sensation from this part, and to arrest the pollution. He -has given the details of a case obtained by these means, and by the -proper administration of tonics. - -Wender’s forceps may have several inconveniences, and may frequently -fail of the proposed end. But has it not been too much ridiculed, and -is it not susceptible of improvement? Serrurier thinks that the idea -may be turned to advantage, and Reveillé Pariset assures us that he has -used it twice in cases of pollution, and with success. (_Revue. Med._, -_April_, 1828, p. 94.) - -Having mentioned the course to pursue in order to reach the seat of the -disease, that is, the voluntary and involuntary pollutions, let us now -speak of their effects. One of two things must happen; either these -pollutions pursue their work, or finally the economy becomes insensible -to their action. The first supposition is that least favorable to -success: the physician prescribes for effects while the cause continues -to act; he _doctors_, as it is called, for symptoms; and it is the -same as if one should attempt to cure gastritis or pleuritis, without -attending to the pleura or stomach. This, however, is no reason for -abstaining completely from treatment. We may also sometimes retard the -progress of the disease, or calm any painful and disquieting symptom. -The physician has a much better prospect of success, when there is no -longer a habit to destroy the health, and when no pollutions occur. -We shall not attempt in this place to give the treatment proper for -the different diseases which may be produced by onanism. Myelitis, -dementia, amaurosis, epilepsy, &c., &c., whether caused by onanism or -not, require special remedies, which are stated in works which treat of -these affections. We would remark, however, that when these diseases -are caused by onanism, it is perfectly futile for the physician to -attempt to treat the disease, unless the habit of self pollution be -arrested. In this place we will only mention that consumption, that -exhaustion, in fact, that deterioration, which we have described in the -third chapter of our first part. - -Onanistic deterioration presents two very distinct phenomena: 1st, -the consumption of the strength; 2d, the excitement of the senses. -Thus, then, to restore the strength without increasing, and even, if -possible, to diminish the general disposition to receive impressions, -are the two indications to be fulfilled. - -But before commencing, it is well to remember that this cannot be done -in a few days. A disease which is gradual in its appearance is removed -in the same manner. The physician who would attempt to hurry it by -employing active remedies, would soon exhaust the system. - -The best mode of reparation is found in diet: the body must be -recruited by food, and inasmuch as only those things are nutritious -which are digested, the first rule to be observed is, that all the -conditions of good digestion are properly observed. Inasmuch as these -conditions present nothing special in respect to onanists, we shall -be very brief, referring to our previous remarks on this subject. It -must first be considered, that in patients accustomed to onanism the -digestive functions are always deranged, or are liable to be so. - -The slightest error in diet may aggravate this state considerably; -which is, in itself, an evil, and may add to the trouble of cure. -Hence, if the rules of a good regimen should always be vigorously -observed, this necessity is still more imperious when patients indulge -in onanism. - -Every article of food which is difficult to digest should be forbidden, -and among articles which can be digested, those should be selected -which contain the most nourishment, and are the least exciting. Thus -condiments, which are but slightly nutritious, and are very exciting, -ought never to be used, unless they are indispensably necessary to -digestion, and then only in very small quantities. Milk is very -nutritious, and does not excite; it should therefore be preferred -by all those who are exhausted. If cow’s milk be found difficult of -digestion, asses’ milk and that of woman has been recommended. But if -this article be difficult of digestion, it should be prohibited, for -then it is injurious. The flesh of young animals, particularly veal -and poultry, is good; but beef and mutton is still better, for they -contain more nutritious matter in a smaller compass. These articles, -when roasted or broiled, are better than when boiled. Fresh fish is -generally a suitable article of food: we allude to those kinds which -are easily digested, as shad, perch, &c. Soups, especially those of -beef, turtle, and the different broths, should always, in order to be -digested, be mingled with solid articles of food, and should even take -their place, if these latter cannot be digested. - -Farinaceous substances, and especially bread, rice, potatoe, &c., are -very suitable, because they are nutritious, and but slightly stimulant; -but they are often bad to digest. - -The rule _little and often_, is the rule to follow, in regard to the -division of food. The patient has always taken too much food: if he -feels perfectly satisfied, or if he experiences any inconvenience -after it, the quantity of nourishment should be so regulated that -nothing of this kind could occur. The meals should be taken frequently, -only because they are small. We prefer to give broth warm, or more -frequently still, cold, by spoonfuls, and have seen a benefit from it. - -Drinks are not very nutritious, and generally stimulate much. Those -which are given to strengthen, only do so for a few moments. They -excite, and do not nourish. If the patient takes them to quench -thirst, he should take as little as possible, for they also must be -digested. In this respect wines may be useful. To choose among them, -the experience of the patient must be consulted. A general rule governs -the use of drinks at meals, viz.: to attain the proposed end with the -smallest quantity of drink. Very dry wines, liquors, coffee, tea, &c., -ought not to be permitted, unless absolutely necessary to digestion. -The use of Selzer water, and particularly of Spa water, may be very -advantageous. Very cold drinks are often the only ones suitable to the -stomach. - -Medicines have often been administered, either to strengthen the -system, or to re-establish the digestive powers. Of these, the most -useful are preparations of iron, quinine, and bitters. It is possible -to improve the digestive organs with these drugs, and also with others; -but this is not the place to give the treatment of diseases which are -marked by difficulty of digestion. I know that some tonics may be used -with great advantage, especially if they are given in such doses as to -have no direct and immediate effect, particularly if their local action -on the stomach and intestines be not too powerful. - -Very cold baths, like every remedy capable of having an intense effect, -should be forbidden to patients exhausted by onanism. But if the baths -are simply cold, and particularly if they are taken in running water, -or in the sea, they may strengthen the constitution. Dry, or aromatic -frictions on the limbs, or along the vertebral column, are useful. The -exercise should be moderate exercise, for too much fatigue exhausts -the strength, instead of increasing it, and might excite or hasten the -development of one of the diseases produced by onanism. A pure and dry -air, like that breathed in hilly countries, may also have a favorable -influence on the economy generally, or on digestion. - - - - -APPENDIX. - - -The preceding pages may seem to many of our readers more particularly -adapted to France; and it may be presumed that onanism is not so -frequent in America. This however is a mistake: an able writer in that -valuable periodical, the Boston Med. and Surg. Journal, when treating -on the subject remarks as follows:-- - -“The pernicious and debasing practice of MASTURBATION is a more common -and extensive evil with youth of both sexes, than is usually supposed. -The influence of this habit upon both mind and body, severe as it has -been considered, and greatly as it has been deprecated, is altogether -more prejudicial than the public, and, as is believed, even the medical -profession, are aware. - -“A great number of the evils which come upon the young at and after the -age of puberty, arise from _masturbation_, persisted in, so as to waste -the vital energies and enervate the physical and mental powers of man. -Not less does it sap the foundation of moral principles, and blast the -first budding of manly and honorable feelings which were exhibiting -themselves in the opening character of the young. - -“Many of the weaknesses commonly attributed to growth and the changes -in the habit by the important transformation from adolescence to -manhood, are justly referable to this practice. - -“This change requires all the energy of the system, greatly increased -as it is at this period of life, which if undisturbed will bring about -a vigorous and healthy condition of both the mental and physical powers. - -“If masturbation be commenced at this period, it cannot fail to -interrupt essentially this important process; and if continued, will -inevitably impress imbecility on the constitution, not less apparent in -the body than the mind, preventing, as it will not fail to do, the full -development of the powers of both. - -“The individual becomes feeble, is unable to labor with accustomed -vigor, or to apply his mind to study; his step is tardy and weak, he is -dull, irresolute, engages in his sports with less energy than usual, -and avoids social intercourse; when at rest he instinctively assumes -a lolling or recumbent posture, and if at labor or at his games takes -every opportunity to lie down or sit in a bent and curved position. -The cause of these infirmities is _often_ unknown to the subject of -them, and _more generally_ to the friends; and to labor, or study, or -growth, is attributed all the evils which arise from the practice of -this secret vice, which if persisted in will hardly fail to result in -irremediable disease or hopeless idiocy. The natural consequence of -indulgence in this, as in most other vices, is an increased propensity -to them. This is particularly true of masturbation. In my intercourse -with this unfortunate class of individuals, I have found a large -proportion of them wholly ignorant of the causes of their complaints, -and if not too far gone the abandonment of the habit has, after awhile, -removed all the symptoms and resulted in confirmed health. - -“One young man, now under my care, was first arrested in his career -by reading the chapters on the subject in the Young Man’s Guide. For -many months, he has totally abstained from the practice, and yet he -is feeble, depressed, irresolute, and unable to fix his attention to -any subject, or to pursue any active employment. But he is steadily -convalescing, and will doubtless recover. - -“If the symptoms above enumerated do not lead in any way to a -discontinuance of the habit, other symptoms more formidable, and more -difficult of cure, will present themselves. The back becomes lame and -weak, the limbs tremble, the digestion is disturbed, and costiveness -or diarrhœa, or an alternation of them, take place. The head becomes -painful--the heart palpitates--the respiration is easily hurried--the -mind is depressed and gloomy--the temper becomes irritable--the sleep -disturbed, and is attended by lascivious dreams, and not unfrequently -nocturnal pollutions. With these symptoms the pulse becomes small, the -extremities cold and damp; the countenance is downcast, the eye without -natural lustre; shamefacedness is apparent, as if the unfortunate -victim was conscious of his degraded condition. - -“The stomach often rejects food, and is affected with acidity, and -loathing; the nervous system becomes highly irritable; neuralgia, tabes -dorsalis, pulmonary consumption, or fatal marasmus, terminate the -suffering, or else insanity and deplorable idiocy are the fatal result. -Long before such an event, the mind is enfeebled, the memory impaired, -and the power of fixing the attention wholly lost. These are symptoms -which should awaken our attention to the danger of the case, and which -should induce us to sound the alarm, and if possible arrest the victim -from the inevitable consequences of persisting in the habit. - -“In females, leucorrhœa is often induced by masturbation, and I doubt -not incontinence of urine, stranguary, prolapsus uteri, disease of the -clitoris, and many other diseases, both local and general, which have -been attributed to other causes. - -“It is often difficult to obtain information on the subject of -masturbation. Where it is suspected by the physician, the friends are -wholly ignorant on the subject, and the individual, suffering, is not -ready to acknowledge a practice which he is conscious is filthy in the -extreme, although he may have had no suspicions of its deleterious -influence upon his health. - -“It is not sufficient that we know the consequences of masturbation, -for these are often irremediable disease; we ought to know the symptoms -of its commencement, of the incipient stages of those diseases which -result from it, as well as the influence which the moderate practice of -it will have upon the physical and mental stamina of the man--for it is -not too much to say that the practice cannot be followed by either sex, -even in a moderate way, without injury, especially by the young. - -“Nature designs that this drain upon the system should be reserved -to mature age, and even then that it be made but sparingly. Sturdy -manhood, in all its vigor, loses its energy and bends under the too -frequent expenditure of this important secretion; and no age or -condition will protect a man from the danger of unlimited indulgence, -legally and naturally exercised. - -“In the young, however, its influence is much more seriously felt; and -even those who have indulged so cautiously as not to break down the -health or the mind, cannot know how much their physical energy, mental -vigor, or moral purity, have been affected by the indulgence. - -“_Nothing short of total abstinence can save those who have become -the victims of it._ In this indulgence, no half way course will ever -subdue the disease, or remove the effect of the habit from the system. -Total abstinence is the only remedy. If the constitution is not -fatally impaired--if organic disease has not taken place, this remedy -will prove effectual, and must be adopted, especially in all cases in -which the effects are visible, or the consequences cannot fail to be -ultimately fatal. - -“This means of cure may be seconded by others, which may be found -necessary to remove the effects upon the physical system. Suffice -it to remark here, that total abstinence, in an aggravated form of -masturbation, is not easily effected. Slight irritation will produce -an expenditure of the secretion quite involuntary, and spontaneous -emissions and nocturnal pollution may for a long time prolong the -danger, and prevent that renovation of the powers which would -otherwise be the result of the good resolution of the victim of the -habit. - -“No cause is more influential in producing insanity, and, in a special -manner, perpetuating the disease, than masturbation. The records of the -institutions give an appalling catalogue of cases attributed to this -cause; and yet such records do not show nearly all the cases which are -justly ascribable to it. For it is so obscure, and so secret in its -operation, that the friends in almost all cases are wholly ignorant of -it. It is in a few cases only, where the practice of the vice becomes -shamefully notorious, that friends are willing to allow its agency -in the production of any disease, particularly insanity; and yet no -cause operates more directly upon the mind and the feeling. The mental -energies are prostrated by the habit in innumerable cases, long before -the delusions of insanity appear. Indeed there are many cases, in -which insanity does not intervene between the incipient stages of that -mental and physical imbecility, which comes early upon the victim of -masturbation, and the most deplorable and hopeless idiocy, in which it -frequently results. - -“This is perhaps peculiar to this cause of idiocy. I know of no other -which does not produce the ravings and illusions of insanity, or the -gloomy musings, agitations and alarms of melancholy, before the mind is -lost in idiotism. But the victim of masturbation passes from one degree -of imbecility to another, till all the powers of the system, mental, -physical and moral, are blotted out forever! - -“This is not, however, always the case. In some individuals there is -all the raving of the most furious mania, or the deep and cruel torture -of hapless melancholy, before the mind is obliterated and the energies -of the system forever prostrated. - -“There are other circumstances attending the insanity from -masturbation, which render this the most distressing form of mental -disease. I allude to the difficulty of breaking up the habit while -laboring under this malady. When insanity is once produced by it, it -is nearly hopeless, because the cause of disease is redoubled and -generally perpetuated. The libidinous desires are greatly increased, -and the influence of self restraint cannot be brought sufficiently -into action to prevent the constant, daily, and I might say almost -hourly recurrence of the practice. Thus the cause is perpetuated; and -in spite of every effort, the disease increases, the powers of body -and mind fail together, and are lost in the most deplorable, hopeless, -disgusting fatuity! And yet the practice is not abandoned. All the -remaining energies of animal life seem to be concentrated in these -organs, and all the remaining power of gratification left is in the -exercise of this no longer secret, but loathsome and beastly habit. - -“Those cases of insanity arising from other known causes, in which -masturbation is a symptom, are rendered more hopeless by this -circumstance. It is a counteracting influence to all the means of cure -employed, either moral or medicinal, and coinciding as it does with -whatever other causes may have had an agency in producing disease, -renders the case almost hopeless. Of the number of the insane that -have come under the observation of the writer (and that number is not -small,) few, very few have recovered, who have been in the habit of -this evil practice; and still fewer, I might say almost none, have -recovered, in which insanity or idiocy has followed the train of -symptoms enumerated in a former paper, indicating the presence of the -habit, and its debilitating influence upon the minds and bodies of the -young. - -“Most of the cases of insanity from this cause commence early in life; -even confirmed and hopeless idiocy has been the melancholy consequence, -before the victim had reached his twentieth year. - -“Of eighty males, insane, that have come under the observation of the -writer, and who have been particularly examined and watched, with -reference to ascertaining the proportion that practised masturbation, -something more than a quarter were found to practise it; and in about -10 per cent., a large proportion of which are idiotic, the disease is -supposed to have arisen from this cause. - -“Would it be believed, if it should be said that the proportion will -not vary essentially in the other sex? On a former occasion I observed -that the absolute abandonment of the practice, even in those whose -minds were unaffected by insanity, was not always easily effected. -If no _voluntary_ practice is continued, the habit may be so far -established, and the susceptibility to the complaint be so great, -that slight irritation will produce it, and that often for a long -time after the danger is fully appreciated, and the victory over the -propensity achieved so far as cautiously avoiding known and intentional -indulgence. Nocturnal pollution and involuntary emissions come from -slight causes and trifling irritation, but perpetuate for a long time -all the train of unhappy influences that have been heretofore detailed. -The unfortunate subject of this detestable vice, whose mental energy -is unimpaired, and whose moral feelings are susceptible of impression, -can be persuaded to abandon it, if the danger is set before him in its -true light; but hundreds can bear me testimony that the effects of -it are long felt, and the involuntary excitement produced by dreams, -lascivious companions, warm beds, and improper intercourse with corrupt -society, has for a long time after had its influence in retarding -complete recovery to health. With the insane we can have no such hopes, -and no such prospects of cure. They will rarely form resolutions on -the subject, and still more rarely adhere to them. Reason, the balance -wheel of the mind, being denied them, they are obnoxious to the -influence of all the propensities in a high degree. - -“After the practice of masturbation, as a voluntary habit, is entirely -suspended, long and persevering efforts will be required to remove -the effects from the system, and restore it to vigor and soundness. -The individual himself must exercise great self-denial, and resolve -to persevere with the means and overcome all obstacles that may be -in his way, however formidable and difficult. The regimen to be -adopted must be strictly adhered to on all occasions. As the inebriate -would probably never conquer his appetite for alcoholic drink if he -indulged once a month only--so in this habit, the occasional indulgence -will thwart the whole plan of cure. The diet should be simple and -nutritious; the exercise should be moderate and gentle; indulgence -in bed should not be allowed, and the individual should always sleep -alone. A mattress is better than a soft bed. He should rise immediately -upon waking, and never retire till the disposition to sleep comes -strongly upon him. The cold bath is a valuable remedy; a sea bath is -better, and the shower bath often superior to either. - -“Narcotics, if there is a high degree of irritability in the system, -are valuable remedies, of which conium, belladonna, hyoscyamus, nux -vomica, and opium, may be used under different circumstances, combined -or singly, according to the effects. Blisters and issues on the pudenda -or perineum, promise well, and the different preparations of bark and -iron, and other mineral tonics, should be used till all the effects of -the habit are removed, till the propensity is fully conquered, and the -constitution is restored to health and vigor.” - -Among the cases which occurred in the practice of this gentleman, are -the following:-- - -“A respectable young gentleman, of one of the learned professions, -was out of health for a long period; his head and eyes suffered -exceedingly, and he was in a state little short of insanity. He -placed himself under the care of one of the most eminent men in the -metropolis, and followed his prescriptions a year, but without benefit. -He then called upon another, who asked him whether he was addicted to -masturbation, to which he answered in the affirmative. The advice given -him was principally to abstain from the indulgence, and his health -gradually improved, and is now re-established. - -“B. D., aged 20, had had ill health for a year or more; he was pale, -feeble, nervous--lost his resolution--had no appetite--took to his -bed most of the time, and became dull, almost speechless, and wholly -abstracted and melancholy. His brother was his physician; but not -ascertaining the cause of his symptoms, he gained no advantage over -the disease, and the unhappy young man was constantly losing strength -and flesh. After a while he came under the care of the writer. He -was in the most miserable condition conceivable; emaciated, feeble, -pallid--had night sweats, diarrhœa, or costiveness, total loathing -of all food; his heart beat, his head was painful, and he felt no -desire, and would make no effort, to live. Suspecting masturbation, I -found, upon strict inquiry and watching, that my suspicions were well -founded. I pointed out the danger of the practice, assured him that it -was the cause of all his sufferings, and that he might be restored to -usefulness and health again if he would strictly adhere to the course -prescribed for him. He took bark and iron alternately for a long time, -pursued a course of gentle exercise and invigorating diet, and gave up -at once the vicious indulgence. After a long time he wholly recovered, -and is now a healthy and valuable citizen. - -“P. W., aged 27, called for advice in the summer of 1834, having had -ill health for some eighteen months or two years. He complained of -confusion of the head and pain in the eyes, indigestion, palpitation of -the heart, and difficulty of respiration. His sleep was disturbed, his -temper irritable, and he felt dissatisfied with himself, and greatly -inclined to gloom and melancholy. He complained of listlessness and -indisposition to any bodily efforts, and of inability to fix his mind -upon any subject, or give his attention to any business. His hands -were cold, countenance pale and dejected, pulse frequent, and his -whole system in a state of great irritation. It was ascertained that -for two or three years he had been in the daily habit of masturbation. -For eight or nine months last past, he has discontinued it; he is, -however, occasionally subject to nocturnal emission, which has thus -far interfered with his recovery; but he is better, and under the use -of tonic remedies, exercise and generous diet, feels confident of -recovery, having regained his spirits and appetite. - -“H. F., aged 20, was for a long time in the habit of masturbation. -He was for years confined to the house, and much of the time to his -bed. By long indulgence the habit had become irresistible, and the -consequences truly deplorable. His mind was as fickle and capricious -as that of an infant, and his health was wholly prostrated. For five -or six years he was the most wretched being imaginable. Nocturnal -pollutions, spontaneous emission, and all the evils resulting from -unrestrained indulgence, were presented in this truly unhappy young -man. He had been apprized of the danger which the continued practice -would bring upon him, and was sensible that all his trials had their -origin in this vice; and yet the propensity had become so strong that -he could not resist it, and if he did, the consequences had become -such that little benefit was derived from his good resolution. In his -intercourse with his friends he was covered with shame and confusion, -and seemed to feel conscious that every individual that he met with -knew, as well as himself, the height and the depth of his degradation. -In this condition, in a fit of desperation, he attempted to emasculate -himself, but succeeded in removing one testicle only. After he -recovered from the dangerous wound which he inflicted, he began to get -better, and after two years he recovered his health and spirits. He has -since, at the age of 45, _married_ a very clever woman, and they live -in peace and harmony. - -H. ----, a young man 20 years of age, had been feeble and dejected -for two years. He was pale, torpid, irresolute, and shamefaced in the -extreme--so much so, that I could not catch his eye during a sitting of -an hour. He complained of his head, of short breathing and palpitation -of the heart, and of extreme debility. His extremities were cold -and damp, his muscular system remarkably flabby, and his snail-like -motions evinced great loss of muscular strength. His father, who -accompanied the young man, said that he had consulted many physicians -without benefit. The moment that he came into my room I was strongly -impressed that he was the victim of this solitary vice. I questioned -him sometime without ascertaining the cause of disease. His father -was wholly ignorant, and the physicians had not suspected it, or -inquired concerning it. I requested a private interview--told him the -danger of such habits, the importance of ascertaining the true cause of -disease, and my suspicions that he was in this habit, and that if so, -he would soon fall a victim to its influence. He then acknowledged that -he was in the daily practice of masturbation, and had been for three -years--that he often also had spontaneous emission, &c. He had never -suspected that it had any influence upon his health. - -“The symptoms which follow masturbation, viz. nocturnal pollution and -spontaneous emission, often continue after the victim of the vice is -made sensible of the danger of voluntary indulgence. These require -distinct and separate consideration. In some cases they become very -obstinate; and in spite of every effort, continue to make such a waste -of vital energies as to prevent a recovery of the health--and the -new form of disease continuing, the same fatal results follow which -take place from a continuance of the habit. The local irritability -of the organs of generation often become so great, that the ordinary -evacuations of the bowels and the bladder produce an emission; and -even lascivious ideas, riding on horseback, or other equally slight -irritation, has the same effect. Such cases require the utmost care, to -afford any chance of recovery. - -“In addition to the common remedies prescribed for the effects of -masturbation--as bark, iron, silver, the cold bath and shower bath, -&c., which are valuable remedies for this local, as well as for the -general debility attending the habit--other remedies, of a more -stimulating character, and that have a more direct local effect upon -these organs, are also indicated. Of these, tincture of lytta, bals. -copaiva, and nitrate of silver, may be named. The strong tinct. of -lytta, (made of pulv. lytta, 10 oz. alcohol, lbj.) may be taken in -doses of from 10 to 20 drops, increasing, so as to produce a slight -irritation of the urethra, and continued in such doses as will keep -up this effect without occasioning actual pain. The dose should be -repeated three or four times a day, generally. The very best effects -often result from the use of this remedy. - -“Balsam of copaiva, if the urethra is irritable, may be a valuable -remedy. Nitrate of silver is also both useful as a general remedy, and -as having some local action on these organs. From one to four grains -may be taken daily, combined with a little opium, to prevent irritation -of the stomach and bowels. - -“In leucorrhœa, which too frequently arises from this cause, these -remedies promise much; and when prescribed in efficient doses, often -effect a cure, whatever may have been the cause of the disease. It is -not too much to say, that no one cause more frequently affects the -health of females, and lays the foundation of fatal disease, than -severe and long continued leucorrhœa; and yet, if attended to early, -it is easily cured. It ought, however, even if slight, never to be -neglected.” - -Many cases similar in character to those already stated, and confirming -the foregoing observations, have been transmitted to us by Dr. A. -Sidney Doane, and Prof. J. W. Francis, both of New York. Our limits, -however, forbid their insertion. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The injection into the rectum of a strong decoction of pomegranate -root will destroy these ascarides. These injections should be repeated -noon and night, and in five or six days the end is attained. Should -these animals be found in the vagina, the same decoction should be used. - -[2] This learned work is dedicated to the Bishop of Lubeck, and has -this motto:-- - - “Delicias pariunt veneri audelia flagra - Dum nocet, illa juvat: dum juvet, ecce nocet.” - - -[Transcriber’s Note: - -Renumbered sections to match “Table of Contents”, reformatted section -headers for consistency. - -Page 50, Changed “CHAPTER II” to read “CHAPTER III”. - -Page 133, Changed unattested word “prepatialis” to read “praeputialis”. - -Page 200, Changed two instances of unattested word “crysorchides” to -read “cryptorchides”.] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By -Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution,, by Léopold Deslandes - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON THE DISEASES *** - -***** This file should be named 54713-0.txt or 54713-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/7/1/54713/ - -Produced by deaurider, Wayne Hammond and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |