I 91 LIBRARY- OF CONGRESS. Shelf.. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE Sufferer's Manual A BOOK OF ADVICE AND INSTRUCT I OX FOR YOUNG MEN, AND HOME GUIDE TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS Compiled from the highest medical authorities BY- WALTER PRESTON T. II. ELDRED, ' \ *- y Assisted by several fellow medical students, desirous of extending truthful information upon a vital subject. nil CHICAGO: 1879. 4°s Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1879, by Walter Preston and W. H. Eldred, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. TO THE READER. We are aware that books without number have been written upon the subject treated in this little work, but most of them are, unfortunately, mere advertisements, either of a physician's pretended skill, or of some "spe- cific," or other patent nostrum, and as their authors expect to gain more from the sale of their medicines or in practicing the doctor's profession than in the sim- ple disposal of their books, it is clearly comprehended that their publications are not conscientiously written, but are utterly unreliable, being filled with gross misrep- resentations and exaggerations, while the number who have written upon the subject of seminal emissions with the sole thought of extending important medical infor- mation, and without expecting to gain further than the sale of their books, is lamentably small. Viewing these facts, we offer no apology for present- ing our little book to the young men of our country, sincerely trusting that it will accomplish its grand mis- sion of extending truthful information ; be successful in correcting the bad impressions made by empirics, and prove one of Truth's principal instrumentalities in dis- pelling the gross ignorance which almost universally prevails upon this vital subject; and when these dark clouds of ignorance and credulity have been dispelled by the glorious rays of Truth, the charlatans will be ef- fectually prevented from preying upon this lack of knowledge on the part of the great masses of the people. 3 4 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. The vital consequence which this subject of Night Losses has to the human race, particularly young men, is so great that every effort should be made by physi- cians and medical writers to give wide diffusion of infor- mation of the character contained in this volume. This book was written by several medical students, and is simply a careful compilation of the most eminent and honorable medical authorities obtained through cor- respondence, and having personal interviews with phy- sicians of recognized standing, and from the works of the best authors who have touched upon this subject in their writings, and having collected a vast amount of information, I — W. Preston, appointed the compiler — have condensed it into this small, easily carried, and easily remembered form. I say nothing about the grave consequences resulting from the indulgence of secret vice, taking it for granted that it has been discontinued and that the reader is now seeking relief from its blighting effects. Of course if the habit is not stopped it must be done so at once, for it is absurd to think of a cure when the great cause re- mains unchecked. Sufferers will find in this unpretending little book just what they want, that is the aire; directions for stop- ping the exhausting drains upon the system, and restor- ing the lost health and vitality. It is in every sense of the word The Sufferer's Manual, giving the infor- mation that every honorable physician would give, only more extended and in detail, and we know that every one obtaining it will be a thousand times benefitted there- by, and will never regret that they procured it.' Among the works from which we derived valuable aid, I will mention Dr. W. W. Hall's numerous books, also Prof. O. S. Fowler, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, Dr. Beach, TO THE READER. 5 Dr. Graham, Dr. Acton, and others who have written works giving more or less information upon these sub- jects. In conclusion, I wish to say, that we do not by any means pretend to give everything necessary to effect a cure, for that is absolutely impossible, for every person requires different treatment, according to seriousness of his case, and we advise every sufferer to consult a good, honorable family physician, at home, one who would take an interest in the case ; state to him candidly the trouble, and should he deem it advisable to give medi- cines, use them as he directs, never forgetting, however, to follow the hygienic rules of this book ; read and re- read it, using it as a powerful auxilliary to the physician's advice and treatment, and you can confidently rely that a cure will surely and safely follow. Sufferers should, however, carefully avoid consulting advertising doctors, or purchasing advertised nostrums. WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK. The fearful extent to which the quack medi- cine business has of late years been carried, the immense sums of money which these despicable scoundrels have wrung from the scanty stores of thousands of deluded victims, especially the young and inexperienced, by advertising under such taking titles as " Victims of Youthful Imprudence," " Manhood Restored," Medicine Companies or " Associations," others styling themselves " Reverends," Indian doctors, and other names; together with the tremendous swindles which advertising doctors with their "marriage guides," "medical advisers," etc., have perpetrated, duping thousands of persons, par- ticularly young men, who may have been in- discrete in former years, out of millions of dollars by professing to cure them of certain disorders, which they falsely represent as being the ruin- ous effects of self-abuse, misrepresenting their condition as one most deplorable and disgrace- ful, and utterly disqualified for honorable mar- riage. These and other outrageous falsehoods, and, 6 WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK. more than all, the serious evils they inflict by giving or selling vile and poisonous nostrums, which often proves the foundation of ills that a lifetime fails to eradicate, have induced me to undertake, by the means of this little book, to counteract their baneful influence, expose their contemptible lies and frauds to the broad sun- light of truth, rescue and rectify the minds of their deluded victims, and point out the only sure and safe mode of permanently curing these disorders. In this grand, noble and philanthropic work, I feel confident of the active support, both morally and financially, of every true, noble and generous young man in the land. \mmzM r/43 -.: WBS^'^ W^ * iv/ ^r y >*^ wW-^T^L^ePS. sfflffftpii,' gjggJBT "if* fe y ft 'mrnim B^fl^WJT^'iilE «%^:%V ADVERTISING QUACKS. There are a vast number of unscrupulous, designing persons, who advertise under attrac- tive names, professing to cure all the disorders occasioned by youthful indiscretion, or the ex- cesses of maturer years. We may divide them into two classes, first the specialist, this class issues books already mentioned, such as " Mar- riage Guides," "Science of Life," "Physiology," and other suggestive names, promising revela- tions upon subjects which every one, to a certain extent, and the young particularly, have an in- tense desire to investigate, and upon which they seek all possible information, if the information given was true, it would be useful and beneficial, but alas, it is just the reverse, and is productive of an immense amount of harm, as will be shortly shown. The second class of charlatans comprise the large number who do not pretend to practice medicine, but sell some drug or appliance, rep- resenting it to be a great "discovery," "specific," "regenerator," "great remedy discovered by a 8 ADVERTISING QUACKS. missionary in South America," and the applian- ces are styled "Electric Belts," etc., all of them are represented as being infallible remedies, per- forming the most wonderful cures, almost rais- ing the dead from their graves. When a person consults one of the self-styled medical gents, he receives a pamphlet which is a veritable "cham- ber of horrors" of his situation, portraying his condition as one of the most imminent peril, and he must " flee for his life " at once, or insanity, consumption, and a premature grave would in a short time overtake him. The publication generally closes with an advertisment of their own skill, or of some "great boon" which they have to sell at an exorbitant price, guaranteed to work miracles in cures. All of these publications open with expres- sions of a benevolent regard for the happiness and best interests of humanity, and of the young in particular, then with a show of great learn- ing, strengthened by quotations from the most eminent authorities and frequent allusions to Scripture, their readers' minds are gradually prepared for receiving the most outrageous false- hoods — actual lies, which, however, the young and inexperienced minds cannot easily detect, and which they accept as gospel truth, they are led along by one plausible thing to another, supported by a few facts, the mind is gradually IO THE SUFFERERS MANUAL. misled, and the way is prepared for making their readers believe their subsequent false and extrav- agant statements. The reader becomes alarmed at the horrible picture unfolded to his view, his fears are aroused to an intense point, and he falls an easy prey to robbery; in fact the whole intent of these publications is first to mislead, then to alarm, and then to fleece. Every suffer- er should avoid them as one would a pestilence. All of these things being of a private nature, there is a natural delicacy in comparing ideas even with the nearest friends, the authors of the above mentioned books and pamphlets take advantage of this weakness of human nature, and feel safe in their strongholds of infamy and falsehood. We are determined to break up this nefarious work, stop as far as we can their abominably wicked business, to save at least a few who would otherwise fall victims to their deceptive wiles, plucking them as brands from the burn- ing, and send them on their way through life rejoicing. Since the issue of the first edition of this book, I have reeeived so many kind and encouraging letters from my friends throughout the country, thankful of having at last found the truth, and assuring me of their aid, that I feel under deep obligations to them for their encouragement and ADVERTISING QUACKS. II gifts, and here acknowledge them with many thanks. I assure all my readers and friends that the benedictions of my conscience is a great daily reward for the work I have entered into. QUACK'S MODE OF PRO- CEDURE. Let us now consider the manner and the va- rious ways, resorted to by the quacks, whereby they obtain such an ascendancy over the minds of their readers. This is done by appealing to some slight physical appearance, that such and such a thing- looks so and so, or actually is so and so, for in- stance, a whitish cloud or deposits in the urine, left testicle hanging lower than the right, loss of memory, ringing in the ears, heavy feelings, and hundreds of other symptoms are named, but principally night losses, are facts which they appeal to as proofs of an unnatural and a diseased condition. The reader finds these phys- ical appearances true, things which he cannot help but believe, his confidence is gained, and he receives the subsequent assertions, which are downright falsehoods, as truth, and here he is ensnared, led astray, terrified, and becomes an easy prey to imposture. This is the general course pursued by all the "cured victim's" free prescription humbugs, and 12 quack's mode of procedure. 13 the vast hordes of other quacks infesting our fair land, and we entreat young men, as you value your wealth and your life, to keep away from these pestilential scoundrels and their infamous publications. As before stated, these pamphlets and books influence the susceptible minds of their readers to a degree of excitement, dread and remorse, that is simply terrible. Prominent physicians have told me that they are constantly in receipt of letters from youth in the country, which clearly show that they are on the very verge of insanity over their supposable terrible condition, many of them not hesitating to say they would rather be dead than remain in their present con- dition any longer. Very often it requires con- siderable time and patience to explain to them and show them that their condition is one com- mon to all young men, not necessarily caused by self-abuse, but by a perverted state of the mind. In fact, a more menial than a physical trouble, and one which is easily and speedily rectified by simple, mild treatment, without using dangerous and expensive drugs which undermine the con- stitution, and in the end increases the complaint. Occasionally, however, neither their most posi- tive letters, or references to standard books, or even personal expostulations with the blinded victim are of any avail in dispossessing them of 14 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. their absurd opinions, or relieve them of their sadness and melancholy, so firmly fixed in their minds is the impression that their case is hopeless^ It becomes the imperative duty of parents to explain to these misguided youths the true char- acter of these disorders; to exclude from their sons' hands every impure publication, and place therein only those which give the positive med- ical truth in regard to these diseases, entirely free from quackery, and which will promote and elevate the human soul, and all that is good, pure and holy in the youth's character. The vile publications give many symptoms to beguile the unwary, such as down-cast looks, an averted eye, not looking people in the face, etc., saying they are certain proofs of the practice of secret vice or of nocturnal emissions, as if to be brazen faced, and stare people out of counte- nance, was conclusive evidence of purity and virtue! They' also have considerable to say about "the unableness to concentrate the mind," u pimples on the face," " gloomy forebodings," " easily frightened," etc., representing them all as being the dire effects of " Onanism." It is easy to see how these misrepresentations disturb the easily influenced minds of youth, and how willingly they would part with every cent they could get to rid themselves of what they consider a dangerous affliction, and one leading to the most fatal results. quack's mode of procedure. 15 This state of mind is exactly what the writers of the books desire of their readers — a willing- ness to part with any sum of money they could raise to be cured of something which they have been led to believe is an awful disease, but which, in fact, is no disease, but simply an evidence of a healthful vigor of the parts — an overflow of vitality, common to every healthy young man. Besides, such books and circulars corrupt the minds of many young men, who, after reading them engage in sensual pleasures, running the risk of contracting diseases which are a thous- and times more terrible than the simple disorder sought to be cured thereby. But in most cases the perusal of these publi- cations throws the minds of their readers into a really pitiable condition, they imagine them- selves as possessed with consumption, nearing insanity, and doomed to an early grave. They think they are afflicted with a hundred different diseases and their constantly rebuking con- science, groundless fears, wearing apprehensions and wasting remorse make life a misery too heavy to be borne, and, alas! too often, rest is found in the suicide's grave. Sad, indeed, are these reflections, to think that men, for a little worldly gain, will so debase themselves as to cause such an amount of woe and anguish to their fellow men; they may es- l6 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. cape the laws and penalties of this life, but they will certainly have their punishment hereafter. NIGHT LOSSES.— There is probably nothing in the catalogue of human ills that has •been productive of more mental distress and de- spondency, more secret forebodings, sleepless nights and anguish of mind, than these night losses, also called nocturnal emissions, seminal weakness, spermatorrhea, and other names. They are harmless, to a certain degree, in themselves, yet the fear and anxiety they excite in the minds of young men, further increased by the reading of the infamous medical books until, in many cases, the intellect actually gives way under the high mental tension. This constant morbid dwelling upon the subject; this continued strain upon the nervous system is one of the most prolific causes of the insanities, shat- tered intellects and nervous prostrations which abound upon all sides of us. And when we re- flect that these calamities could surely be averted by a little truthful information upon this subject, that a small amount of good, wholesome advice would have proved the greatest blessing that could be given them, we doubly feel the necessity of extending this knowledge to every part of our glorious land. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.— In the THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 17 treatment of seminal emissions, we will first take into consideration the brain and nervous system, their close relation, and influence upon the losses. The nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord and their ramifications and connec- tions. The brain is composed of a wonderful nervous substance which fills the skull, passes down the spinal canal, giving out, at close inter- vals, on each side of it, branches, which penetrate into the muscles and organs of the body. The branches are subdivided into many other branch- es, and they again into an infinite number of capillaries or terminations which envelope every muscle, organ and function of the system; they are especially numerous in the skin and around the sexual organs. In the skin over 3,000 are found to the square inch, while around the sex- ual organs they ramify in countless numbers. The brain is the seat, head-center, governor and controller of this wonderful nervous system, and through it every function, muscle and organ in the body, consequently, anything affecting the nerves affects the brain, and through it all portions of the body, and, on the other hand, when the brain is affected, the nerves also will be, and through them all portions of the body ; for instance, a man has a weak stomach, the nerves around the stomach being irritated, makes l8 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. the brain so, and the brain again affects the other bodily functions, and eventually they are all weakened by this imperfect digestion and excited nervous action. The sexual organs affect the brain in the same way. When several vessels are unequally filled with water and then connected by pipes at the bot- tom, the fluid will seek a common level, so every weak function brings all the other functions down to its own level. Should a person have strong lungs, but weak sexual organs, the lungs will, in time, become weakened, hence in cur- ing any weak organ, it is necessary to not only help that particular organ all one possibly can, but to keep all the healthy organs in good con- dition, and in the prevention of their becoming weak, the weakened one itself will rapidly be restored. In cases of sexual impairments and loss of nervous power, the mind is very apt to become affected, for it has long been known as a general truth that the connection between the nervous and sexual systems is so intimate, that the com- position and mode of production of the nervous substance and the re-productive fluid is almost identicallv the same, and it has been discovered that in all cases of severe nervous and mental derangement, the actual substance of the brain and nerves wastes away, and the same is true in THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 19 cases of excessive loss of the vital fluid, this is proved by the fact that one-third of the insane have been subjects of masturbation or excessive sexual indulgence, showing that severe loss of the reproductive fluid causes a corresponding loss of nerve power and weakening of the brain. Everyone will readily see the necessity of good, healthy brain and nervous action to maintain and perfect bodily health, and especially young men wishing to recover from the effects of youth- ful indiscretion, should maintain a quiet, gentle and serene temperament, allowing nothing to cloud or disturb the mind; this, together with being patient, pleasant, cheerful and happy r avoiding severe mental action, rectifying the mind and toning up the system by exercise, is the grand cure for nervous troubles, for the brain being thus strengthened, will tone up the dis- ordered nerves, they, the vital organs, weakened by excess, and, in the course of time, you will have regained all your former health and vigor by simply following Nature's laws and not taking a drop of the poisonous medicines or wearing the injurious " belts " of the quacks. You will see from the foregoing that upon the proper action of the brain and mentality depend the successful treatment of nervous and sexual disorders, this will be more fully shown here- after. SEMINAL EMISSIONS NOT A DISEASE. Let us now consider the nature and substance of the seminal liquid, that peculiar, vivifying, and life-giving fluid, the proficiency of which give life and health, while its wasteful extrav- agance occasions an untold amount of misery. We will take, for an example, a good, strong, healthy, rosy-cheeked boy about eleven years old, he is at this time approaching one of the critical periods of his existence; he is full of life, buoyancy and vigor ; his muscles heretofore soft are now becoming firm and hard ; his bones pre- viously composed principally of cartilage, now become true bone; all of his vital organs, lungs, stomach, kidneys, etc., are attaining their full size and development ; the sexual organs before small and flabby, now begin to enlarge; the tes- tes and seminal vessels begin to secrete from the blood that peculiar substance termed seminal fluid, a drop of which, when examined under a microscope, reveals the existence of myriads of minute things — called spermatozoa — which dart 20 SEMINAL EMISSIONS NOT A DISEASE. 21 in all directions, possessing wonderful life and vigor. There is, in short, a complete revolu- tion in the youth's system, he is no longer a boy, but is now entering manhood. The secretion of this seminal fluid by the sem- inal vessels jDroduces a delightful and indescrib- able feeling of pleasure throughout the whole body, and particularly about the organs of gen- eration. It is this feeling that is a frequent cause of the commencement of self-abuse. We will suppose, however, that this boy's parents have fully warned him of the terrible consequences, should he practice that awful vice, and he is saved from physical ruin. The seminal vessels will continue the secretion of this fluid from the blood, and in time they will be completely full, together with the reservoirs surrounding the or- gans whose duty it is to stow away this secretion, like the bladder does urine, and when the sem- inal vessels and reservoirs are full, they must be evacuated, the same as the bladder needs evac- uating, though not exactly like it, or in the same manner; and in order to discharge this repletion of the seminal vessels, nature, during the night, sends dreams, which produce a discharge, or night loss. In other words, night losses are not necessarily the consequence of self-abuse, but are a provision of nature to throw off from the system its surplus accumulations, something 22 THE SUFFERERS MANUAL. common to every healthy young man, whether he has practiced that vice or not. The representations of the miserable quacks that they are the ruinous effects of masturbation, rendering those addicted to them utterly disqual- ified for marriage, is thus shown to be a false- hood of the blackest kind. Let me repeat: the seminal fluid is all the time in process of formation, and it is just as necessary for the seminal vessels and reservoirs to be evac- uated, as it is for the bladder, of course not ex- actly, but practically so. The natural method for this outlet is in the consummation of honor- able marriage, and in the absence of this, and if the young men do not have promiscuous inter- course, nature will find an outlet, for out it must come, and she does this by sending lascivious dreams during the early morning sleep. The fluid accumulating during the night, the vessels are extended, blood is attracted to the parts in an excessive quantity, dreams are excited, and emissions take place. All of this is upon the supposition that the individual has never practiced self- abuse, but is a pure and noble young man, having a healthy evacuation once or twice a month. Now we will take the case of a young man who has practiced this debasing vice. He is in a truly pitiable condition, both physically and SEMINAL EMISSIONS NOT A DISEASE. 2$ mentally; weakened vital organs; nervous sys- tem prostrated, and if the vice has been carried to an extraordinary degree, he is a complete wreck in body and mind. Not one in a thou- sand carry the pleasure to such an excess as this, but we take an extreme case for an example. The emissions are of alarming frequency, in- stead of the natural number, one or two a month, he has them, perhaps, nightly. During the time he was indulging in the sinful pleasure, the emissions were of rare occurrence, from the fact that the organs were constantly depleted, and were not given time to accumulate enough to evacuate of their own accord. He has ascer- tained by some means the awful consequences of his folly, resolves to stop it, and does so, only to find that the precious fluid escapes at night, through dreams, and the drain upon the system is nearly as great as before. This is not a conflicting view of the case to my former statements, viz : that night losses are not necessarily the result of self-abuse, for they are not, that is the natural number is not, but when they are as frequent as four or more a month, to say nothing of being every night, the number is unnatural, and something is disor- dered about the nervous and sexual systems. " What causes these frequent losses and what will diminish their number to the natural num- 24 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. ber demanded by nature ?" is the question every sufferer now propounds. The long continued indiscretion has so in- flamed and enfeebled these parts, and this con- stant feverish and excited condition, together with the severe labor imposed upon them while they were in an undeveloped state, has so re- duced and weakened them, that they have not the strength and tone to secrete and stow away seminal fluid in a natural manner, but discharges it as fast as it forms. The constant exercise of the penis has greatly enlarged that organ, dis- tending the blood vessels in it and the surround- ing parts, so that an immense supply of blood is directed to them, causing great irritation. The nervous system also being wrecked, the brain is consequently weakened as well as all the vital or- gans of the body. The constant dwelling of the mind upon lewd subjects has completely para- lyzed its action for proper mental labor; and this wrong mental action, together with his weak- ened constitution, has turned the whole vitality of the body from its proper channels, to the di- rection of the sexual organs, and they, not hav- ing the power and energy sufficient to control this current of vitality, it either passes directly through and out of them, or remains in the sem- inal reservoirs, and is consumed by fever. This is, in a few words, the facts of the whole THE MIND CURE. 25 matter, now we will see what is the best method of changing this tide of vitality that is flowing from all parts of the body to the sexual organs, and in this successful turning of th^ stream's course we find the sure and safe cure. THE MIND CURE.— In order to cure these disorders, the person afflicted must under- go a complete revolution in his habits, diet, and daily life. A complete change must be made in his mind, his thoughts, his ideas, his aspira- tions, his hopes, in short, a grand, sweeping re- form of both body and mind is the principal thing that need be done to reduce the emissions down to a proper, healthful average, and effect a sure cure. The first and most important thing to do is, to revolutionize the mind, through the will. This comprises nearly the entire principle of the cure. Your disease, as before stated, is a far more mental than a physical one. You imag- ined asexual partner in all these pleasures, if the organs had simply been handled without the im- aginations of the mind, and no amatory feelings, there would have been no erections and no loss of vitality. It was this niental labor, this im- agination which first led to the commitment of these acts, and which caused all the damage. This amatory or sensual faculty of the mind 26 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. was given to man for a wise and holy purpose. Its close connection with the sexual organs, has been explained; its inflamation means their in- flammation, its excited action causes the sexual organs to increase the secretion of the semen, hence, its proper healthful condition is of abso- lute importance in the successful treatment of these disorders; the mind, therefore, must be righted, entirely corrected before a cure is pos- sible. Its intimate relation with every part of the body, influences the whole body for good or for evil, as it is influenced. In order to change and rectify the mind, and through it the body, first: get the right idea of your trouble, do not give up to dispair, you are not nearly as bad off as you imagine yourself to be, and which the impostors would have you believe you are. Consider the losses as natural things, something that cannot be stopped alto- gether, but only need to be controlled. You are perhaps literally dying with despair over your condition, if so, you must banish those feelings at once; never give up to melancholy thoughts; calmly reflect over your disorder, taking things philosophically, relying upon nature (and "The Sufferer's Manual,") for a cure. Throw aw r ay quack literature, don't believe one word they say. The intellect requires strengthening. It has PURIFY THE MIND. 27 been weakened by this constant feverish excite- ment, the same as the organs themselves, as the imagination of lewd and sensual subjects caused the seminal ducts to secrete in excessive quanti- ties, vice, originating in the mind and having its outlet at the sexual parts ; so this secretion and discharge of the vital fluid, reacted with double force upon the mind itself, causing it to think all the more upon such subjects, and this recip- rocal action of these two powerful physical forces, the corruption in the mind producing the discharge, and the discharges increasing the lewd action of the mind, until the body, bv this combined action, weakens and wilts away under the malign influence; hence, PUKIFY THE MIND.— Compel the thoughts to subjects of an elevating and ennobl- ing character, take a firm stand on a high, manly, moral ground, which looks with angry impa- tience and contempt at everything that is low, vicious or corrupting. This may at first be somewhat difficult to do, as the continual exer- cise of the brain in the opposite direction has strengthened its power of thinking upon evil subjects, like the exercise of the muscles pro- duces strength, but it must be done ; cast aside the poisonous cup of passion; divert the mind by the force of will; an iron determination to 28 force it to objects of sufficient interest as to di- rect the flow of the nervous energies from the sexual organs to their legitimate channels in the other parts of the body, by engaging in light, active out-door employments where the mind, as well as the body, is employed. That the mind be fully occupied, is all important. The persons who suffer most are those whose occu- pations permit considerable leisure time, and who allow their minds to run riot, and thus cause the nervous influences to be directed to- wards the private organs. Beside a pleasant occupation, the cultivation of a pure, holy, de- votional spirit is very efficacious in changing the mind ; and especially put the love of the other sex upon a quiet, elevated plane, for this fitful, fiery state will soon use you up. Consider wo- man a pure, elevated being, worthy of the high- est love and adoration. The mind is undoubtedly the most wonder- ful part of the human organism, as it controls every bodily function. Its corruption will cor- rupt every part of the body, while its pure and proper action will eventually restore all weak- ened organs, and produce health and happiness. Dean Stanley says : " Thou hast a double nature, choose between the worse and the better that is within thee. Thou hast it in thy power to become the slave of passion, the slave of lux- PURIFY THE MIND. 2') ury, the slave of sensual power, the slave of corruption ; thou hast it in thy power to become the free master of thyself, to become the ever- lasting benefactor of thy country and the un- failing champion of thy God." Throw off the devils yoke; assert your inde- pendence of mind over passion; allow no im- pure thought to enter that holy mental sanctu- ary ; destroy all impure literature you may have, every quack's circular or rjamphlet, and partic- ularly all obscene books, destroy them as you would a snake; they have been the curse of thousands, causing an untold amount of harm. Anthony Comstock is doing a noble work in suppressing them. Cultivate a love of the beautiful, the good and useful. In short, keep the mind so employed with high and noble motives, that it will not find time to dwell upon debasing subjects. Also, do not be constantly thinking of your condition, as it only makes matters worse. The constant dwelling of the thoughts upon the troubles increases the manufacture of the semen, and consequently produces more losses, besides, you are not in anything like the horrible condition you think you are, and giving up to discouragement and gloomy thoughts greatly impede your cure. Remember, this " mind har- rowing disease," as the quacks term it, is not 30 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. such an awfully serious thing after all, when looked at in the proper light. Don't let the emissions trouble you one bit, for mental distress only makes them worse. Few cases are des- perate, and nearly every one can be nearly, if not entirely cured, and the unnatural number of the emissions stopped. SLEEP. This is a subject of great importance in the consideration of these disorders. Sleep is na- ture's great panacea. By its means she recuper- ates the lost powers; restores the wasted ener- gies; rebuilds the entire system, and repairs and re-supplies all the functions of the body. Sleep is an absolute necessity, and especially so to per- sons recovering their exhausted powers. They should sleep all they can, regulating it, however so as to avoid the debilitations. How this may be accomplished, forms the mission of this little book. Presuming you have taken enough gen- tle, continuous exercise during the day, to ex- pend the super-abundant vitality, and becoming slightly fatigued in body, about nine o'clock prepare to retire. Lower the window of your room, slightly, from the top, covering the open- ing with a curtain, that no draughts of air will give you a cold; now fully evacuate the bladder, and then immerse the parts in a vessel of cold water, and continue it for a few minutes, be sure to first discharge the urine, as its retention is apt to induce inflammation. This bathing of the 32 THE SUFFERER S MANUAL. organs in cold water takes out all the excitement and inflammation; contracts the enlarged and distended ducts and blood-vessels, and tones up and irwigorates all these organs. After thus bathing the parts, take a good sized piece of cloth — a soft towel or anything — soak it in cold water, wring it out and retire for the night. After remaining quiet long enough „to allow the whole body and the organs to be- .corne thoroughly warm, gently rub the damp ^cloth up and down the abdomen, the chest and the back, just enough to moisten the body with- out chilling it, and then envelope the organs with the cloth, passing it back between the thighs. Along near morning the heat of the parts which caused the emissions, will, in its contact with the damp cloth, change into steam, and pass off, leaving the organs constantly moist and cool, making the emissions impossible. This is called the wet compress cure, and is by far the simplest, safest and best mode of stopping the discharges. I have received many letters from sufferers, who have spent hundreds of dol- lars for useless drugs, speaking of this cure in the most glowing terms. The action of the compress upon the body and the sexual organs is as follows : The body, and particularly these organs, is in a state of raging fever, false excitement, high inflamma- THE BED. 33 tion and exhausted vital force. The gentle rub- bing of the cold damp cloth over the warm body, cooling it for a few minutes, and in its re-action brings all this internal fever and violent heat to the surface, and throws it off in the form of steam. The same is true when the cloth is enveloping the organs, only recollect one point, before enveloping them, wait long enough to allow them to become thoroughly warm and capable of reacting, otherwise, if they should remain cold and lifeless, the inflammation will be driven in, instead of brought to the surface, and matters would be worse; but when placed on the warm organs, all of the burning heat and fever will, as I have said before, be brought to the surface, and passed off in gentle steaming vapor; and this process, repeated night after night for several weeks, will finally take out all that false excitement, that was the great cause of the emissions, and cure you. THE BED. — Always sleep so as not to unduly heat the body and these parts. A hard bed is preferable to a soft one for this ; a mattress is the best; corn husk or straw ticks the next. Under no consideration ever sleep on feathers. Sleeping on the back increases the trouble; the right side is the best, as it favors the passage of the food from the stomach. Towards morninor 34 the sufferer's manual. the bladder becomes full again, which causes more heat around the organs, and you should arise at once and urinate. For this purpose con- trive to awake about four o'clock. This may require some little effort to do, at first, but a few trials will accustom the system to it, and after a few mornings, you will awake at the exact mo- ment desired, clearly showing that nature is a faultless time-keeper, and we have simply to conform to her imperial rules, and she will bring her wandering children back to health. In the course of a few months, when the habit has become firmly fixed, and the emissions have been nearly controlled, the damp cloth may be placed under the pillow, after the body has been moistened with it; remaining there during the first portion of the night, and after retiring from the early morning urination, then envelope the organs with it, they being now warm and full of blood. The moistening of the body may also be gradually dispensed with after two or three months, bathing the whole body once or twice a week, however, taking a regular bath. This discontinuance of thus moistening the body should not be done, however, only by those who have brought their bodies under the full control of the will, the mind properly rectified, and whose emissions only occur during the early morning sleep. At first, the safer way is to RINGS, ETC. 35 wrap the cloth around the parts upon retiring,, as before stated, and upon arising to urinate, re- dampen the cloth, and again envelope the organs- RINGS, ETC.— There have been various mechanical devices invented to awaken the in- dividual before much excitement and distention can take place. Some consist of bands with spikes in them which press against the organ as soon as it enlarges; others of two blocks of wood grooved in the center, one placed be- neath and the other above the organ, and then tightly fastened together, preventing it from distending. All of these devices are dangerous,, and liable to produce worse disorders than the trouble sought to be cured, and therefore they should never be used. For instance: in the case of the spiked band, it may answer its purpose for a short time, but gradually the parts become accustomed to its use, indifferent and callous to the pain it inflicted, and the person will not be awakened, and hence it is utterly useless. Be- sides, these rings and blocks of wood obstruct the circulation, and important blood vessels might be ruptured. Their employment has also generated a habit of increased flow of blood to the parts, of itself a powerful excitant, and being stopped by the ring, this excitement and inflam- mation is prolonged, aggravated, and the emis- ^6 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. sions are in the end more frequent, and tlie very trouble striven against is increased by their use. There are many other kinds of instruments, for different purposes, all of which should be avoided, as they are more or less injurious. The "glass air exhauster," for enlarging the organs, and the much advertised " Electric Belts," for stimulating them, merely help for a short time; they invariably making the person using them worse in the end. DREAMING.— And now I am going to give you some more joyful information, which is, that dreams can be controlled / the fires of sensuality in the mind during the night, and which were the immediate cause of the debilita- tions, can be governed and suppressed, although not extinguished, for they were given to man by nature for a high and holy purpose. They form the most predominate and powerful faculties of our nature, and are intended to fulfill a very im- portant mission. In fact the sexual instinct, when not perverted, is one of the most sacred passions of the human heart, exalting and dig- nifying the character, stimulating ambition, at- tracts the sexes mysteriously together. It lies at the foundation of marriage, and enters into the very fabric of society and government. This precious gift, if preserved in its natural purity DREAMING. 37 arid power, and controlled by the higher facul- ties, is man's most dutiful servant, and great promoter of his physical, mental and moral health; but should this naturally obedient ser- vant and promoter of man's happiness be al- lowed to become the master, it turns to a most bitter, revengeful and destroying tyrant, makings honor, friends, home and everything else sub- servient to its imperial sway. It is man's base perversion of this ennobling emotion, misguided by sensuality, that has caused the wide-spread misery, disease and death. And the first great duty of sufferers from sexual disor- ders is to restore the calm equilibrium of mind and the senses; put down the terrible mastery of passion; reduce the excited state of the sexual faculty over the other faculties; throw off the bondage of lust; break the iron chains which have bound you so long, and declare your man- hood and self-respect. The way this influences dreams is this: our dreams depend in a great measure upon our waking thoughts, upon the subjects that have occupied the mind during the day ; if the day thoughts are pure, the dreams at night will also be pure; hence, to govern the dreams, govern the mind during the day. You will perceive that I have endeavored to impress upon every reader the absolute necessity of com- pletely changing the thoughts and rectifying the 38 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. mind, and by thus subjecting the passions to the will, dreamless sleep will be secured. The neces- sity for this purity of mind is manifold. This wild, vivid sexual imagination is the principal creator of the semen ; these unchaste thoughts stimulate the activity of the testes, thus increas- ing the overloading of the seminal vesicles, which must be evacuated, and if not evacuated, it will be bui'nt uj) by fever , for nature must get rid of it somehow. How this wonderful process is accomplished, is very interesting, although not here in place. But, this rectifying the mind, and thus pre- venting the manufacture of the semen is the great point. To accomplish this, as I have said before, make the will master of the passions; cultivate a desire to live and be happy; always have a good, cheerful, lively disposition, never allowing shame or self-condemning feelings to enter the mind; banish them as well as despond- ency and all impure thoughts, for lascivious thoughts during wakefulness are the chief cause of lascivious dreams. Go out into society ; attend church, sociables, gatherings, where you will come in contact with pure, virtuous young ladies, whose conversation and society have a wonder- fully calming, elevating, and ennobling influence upon the mind and body. I have not the space to dwell much upon this subject, and -will have DREAMING. 39 to reserve for another volume the thoughts of how pure female society, and eventually a love marriage ennobles the man; and is after all the true, great restorer of his sexual disorders. Coming back to the subject of dreams — which are the workings of the brain during sleep, with- out being controlled by the will — they depend upon various physical conditions, as well as the mental, already spoken of. The brain is exerted to action by the blood in the head. All mental labor, whether in waking thoughts or in dreams, depend upon the blood in the brain, and every- thing that has a tendency to send blood to the head, near the time for retiring, should be avoid- ed ; for instance, cold feet, late suppers, severe mental labor, etc., are causes of the imagination making those wonderful flights from scene to scene, revelling in every conceivable form, un- governed by judgment, intelligence, or reason. When the bladder becomes full and the sexual organs become heated and inflamed, blood is at- tacted to them, and they, through the nervous system, arouse the passions of the mind and body, producing lascivious dreams, pleasurable erections, sensations and emissions take place. I have in these remarks shown two things — first : that all dreams, both good and bad, are caused by certain physical or mental conditions — cold feet, full stomach, severe mental work, or ner- 40 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. vous disorders like headache, etc. Second : the mental condition determines more than anything else the character of the dreams. A lustful men- tal condition will produce lustful dreams; all of these causes can be remedied, and pure dream- less sleep produced. Of the mental causes I have already spoken to considerable length; of the physical, avoid them thus: After an early sup- per, (about six o'clock) engage in a pleasing con- versation, or read a non-exciting book or paper — a good religious paper is advisable — spending the evening in a manner calculated to tone down the nerves from the day's labor; be in a quiet, easy, thankful, state of mind, allowing nothing to disturb your tranquility, avoiding all severe mental work, and everything else that will send too much blood to the head, as drinking liquors, exciting sports, running, wrestling, etc., and about nine o'clock, after warming the feet, re- tire, arranging the wet compress as before de- scribed. In conclusion of the subject of sleep, let every sufferer remember that it is of great importance, as sexual ailments are mainly mental instead of physical. These patients have generally a wild, sleepy or haggard look, because these troubles affect the mind, causing great nervousness, which produces the wakefulness common in these com- plaints. Retire regularly, sleep abundantly un- DREAMING. 41 der as few clothes as you can with comfort, but do not take cold. The restoration of impaired constitutions which nature effects through re- freshing sleep is a continual marvel, re-supply- ing the system with vitality and nervous force. If you cannot get all the sleep required, at night, lie down during the day, but get your fill. Al- ways sleep on the side, and have the head ele- vated by a fair sized hard pillow. Many patients complain of their inability to remain upon the side, but unconsciously turn over upon the back during sleep. With me, personally, this is nev- er the case. I always remain upon the side I go to sleep on, but of course in this people differ, and to those unable to "lay still," resorting to the expedient of tying a towel around the stomach, having the knot in the back, will aid materially. Sleep a little longer upon those mornings when loss has occurred, to overcome it. Upon arising, always throw open the window, and allow the room and bed to thoroughly ventilate. Let it remain open a trifle all day, and a very little during the night. Religious contemplation and devotional exercises diffuse over the soul a de- lightful tranquility, inviting to sleep. Taking these various precautions suggested, putting the mind into an und?'eamable state before retiring, will do much in preventing these impure dreams which are the evil genius of sufferers. EXERCISE. The nervous force, being constantly manufac- tured, must find vent somewhere, or destruction will be inevitable; and the process of cure for all these disorders, which arise from overuse and exertion of the organs, is first, a stoppage of their use, and then an employment of the ner- vous power, which is all the time being gener- ated in the system, in a different direction — through other channels — and thus give those which have been overworked, rest, and time to recuperate; without this employment the organs can have no rest, and consequently can not be restored — for, from the force of habit, these in- fluences have so long been directed toward the sexual organs, that, unless it finds a new outlet, it will continue in this direction until eventuallv these organs, and the whole system, will be completely broken down by the excessive drain. As we cannot stop the current of a river by damming it up, but must provide a new outlet for it: so of the current of vitality in our bodies — we must change its channel, send it 42 EXERCISE. 43 through the muscles and out of the body by Exercise. Moderate out-door activities are of immense importance in these complaints, drawing the vital forces away from the sexual organs to the muscles, by increasing the circulation, promoting vigor, strength, vivacity and sleep; and is the great means of purifying the blood and toning up the nervous system. Arise early in the morning, immediately after awakening from the morning sleep; clothe ap- propriately, as the weather demands, and take an easy, moderate walk, luxuriating in the glorious sunshine, drawing in its magnetical influence, en- joying the fleecy clouds, the trees, the birds, the flowers, breathing in deep draughts of the pure fresh air, and revelling with the glad thoughts of living a new life. This morning walk sharpens the appetite and gives a keen relish for the breakfast. During the day, the more out-door exercise taken, the better it is ; be careful not to over-exert or become excessively fatigued. Exercising the brain is also very useful; read pure, elevating literature only. Especially after a severe days labor, let the body rest, and en- gage the thoughts by pleasant reading or con- versation. It is not best to exercise too much right before eating, when the stomach is com- pletely empty, nor directly after eating; and 44 THE sufferer's manual. never work when tired ; just as soon as you be- come fatigued by labor, stop working and rest. The kind of exercise to be taken is not ma- terial; walking, riding or working. Everyone must of course rely upon his own judgment as to the proper amount of exercise necessary. In case you should become very tired, sleep a little longer, to fully recover the vitality, that you may arise refreshened; to over-exert, however, is liable to produce a relapse, as well as not enough exercise. To become comfortably tired every day, enough to take out all the superfluous vitality of the body, is the only safe amount to take. When the emissions have become reduced to one or so a month, and the strength begins to increase, the exercise may be a little severer; ball-playing, running, long walks and rides, interesting out-door sports, etc., would now prove beneficial. It is not best, however, to crowd things too rapidly; increase the strength gradually and it will then be permanent. BATHING Is of great importance, both for cleanliness and for toning the nerves. As the nerves terminate in such countless numbers in the skin, the application of cold water to the body stimulates the action of the capillaries, and they stimulate the nervous cen- ters through the body. Water is indeed one of nature's principal remedial agents, and next to sleep, is the great cure of nervous disorders, Wakefulness, nervousness, headache, etc., are allayed by the application of cold water to the skin, with brisk rubbing afterward. Do not have the water too cold — about medium; bathe at least twice a week thoroughly, only staying in the water a few moments, not long enough to become chilled. After washing the body, rub it briskly with a towel, and afterward with the hands, until it is aglow with warmth; always secure this reaction of the skin, and should it prove a difficult matter to do, on account of the vitality being unusually low, then dispense with one of the baths per week, taking onlv one, and that just before retiring. The moistening the 45 - 46 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. body with a damp cloth may be dispensed with upon the nights that the body is bathed. Of all the baths, the ordinary hand bath is preferable, because it is more easily applied, and requires much bodily exertion, which facilitates the re- quired re-action. It should be discontinued im- mediately, should a chilly sensation begin to be felt. Bathing is also a great preventive of colds by keeping the skin in a healthy condition, and if you should take a cold, drink enough of warm water or tea to secure a copious perspiration, and then either take a hot bath or soak the feet in hot water, toasting them afterward, will prove effectual in breaking it up. Be careful, how- ever, to cover up well, on retiring, to avoid con- tracting a new cold — the principal evil attendant upon this simple cure. DIET VS. MEDICINE. In all of these cases there is a lack of good, vigorous, general health, and one of the first things to do in conjunction with the endeavors to decrease the frequency of the emissions, is to increase the health, tone up the system, and strengthen the constitution, for debility and lack of general health are large causes of the ail- ment, which general debility the emissions in- crease; and thus they go on, the debility increas- ing and the emissions becoming more frequent, feeding upon each other, while the body under this combined depressing influence, grows weaker and weaker. As has been stated, and we cannot repeat it too often, nature is the only safe and reliable cure; in the observance of her laws of exercise, diet, cleanliness, pure air, etc., the cure of weakened bodily functions and lost energies is sure and certain ; also, as the overuse of the muscles will weaken them, so the private organs have been weakened by constant exer- cise; hence, rest to the overtaxed organs, com- bined with nature, is necessary, to insure the regaining of perfect bodily health. 47 ^8 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. It is a lamentable fact that the impression is wide spread, that a cure must come through the medium of medicines. People rely implicitly on some advertised nostrum to restore their ex- hausted powers, or upon some quack's statement that he will cure them in a marvelously short' time; they obtain some medicine which merely stimulates the internal organs, already overtaxed, to increased work, the immediate effect of which is an apparent improvement, but it is like whip- ping an exhausted horse to make him go faster, he puts forth temporary strength, but the re- action soon comes, leaving him far worse than before. That medicines do no good for these cases is the universal testimony of all honorable medical men, and the experience of thousands who have doctored in vain. Nothing in Materia Medica can cure involuntary emissions, and all who have continued the use of medicine for them throw money and constitution away together. Resto- ration can not come through their medium; the very best that they can do is to give temporary relief, and the universal testimony of all who have relied upon drugs, appliances, " invigora- tors " and " sure cures " of all kinds, is, that they " seem to do good for a while." Stoj:> taking them! Apply no electric belt, liniment, plas- ters, or anything else internally or externally. DIET VS. MEDICINE. 49 There is no medicine known that will repress or "stop" them permanently, except such as endanger the powers of the system and life itself. Repressing them does not cure them; besides, if they occur once a month they are not unhealthful. In proportion as they are exceed- ed, there is debility, nervousness*, etc., as named in previous pages. Some of the medicines used by charlatans are of the most deadly poisons; a young man is led to take a course of medicines or buy a box of pills, on the quack's statement that they will speedily cure him ; after finishing the first course of medicine, or the box of pills, or whatever it is, he may think that he is a little improved : and when he is told that u difficult cases require a little longer treatment," he thinks that he is an unusual case, and so takes a second or even a third course of medicine, or buys box after box of pills, until convinced that he is deriving no benefit therefrom, he puts himself under the treatment of some other quack, or purchases another advertised medicine, hoping to obtain relief from it, until finally the constitution be- comes a complete wreck from constant drugging. These are no exaggerated statements, but facts which thousands can testify to. Every one of these remedies are accompanied by health rules, clearly showing that it, upon those that the 5o charlatan relies to effect the cure, hut they are represented as minor considerations to the taking- of the medicine, and consequently not thought so much of by patients, besides the terrible men- tal anguish caused by other false statements they make to sell a little more of their medi- cines, makes the ailment worse. It is upon the food and drinks, and not upon medicines, that restores the bodily powers. Nature does not make flesh and blood from drugs. FOOD* — Eat good nourishing food; live well, yet plainly ; I do not believe in the bread and water diet in these cases. The abstaining from animal food may reduce the lusts of the imagination, yet it is at the expense of the gen- eral health. The will should control the im- agination, and a good generous diet be taken to build up the weakened constitution. Observe the following rules in the selection of food: First — To take such things as contain much nutriment, and are easily digested. Second — To avoid all stimulating or excitino* foods and drinks; irritating food will produce irritating blood, and this irritating, stimulating blood will irritate and stimulate the nervous system, and particularly the delicate nerves of the re-productive organs. DIET VS. MEDICINE. 51 Only the most simple yet nourishing food should be taken. In short, eat good, plain, solid, substantial food, not richly spiced or highly seasoned, which renders it more stimulating and exciting. Of the meats that may be used, roast beef rare, wUh baked potatoes and butter, is the best and most nutritious. All of the roasts are good ; veal and mutton especially, use no condiments, sauces, or mustard with them; partake gener- ously of soft-boiled eggs, good bread and butter, and vegetables in their proper season. Consult the appetite, and think what would taste good ;; the appetite acts as a sort of guardian to the physical wants, and if the body is deficient in certain qualities, and requires certain kinds of food, to supply the deficiency the appetite will long for that food, and it should be supplied 1 . Of course the appetite may be perverted, like the drunkard's craving for liquor, but its natural longings should be satisfied by the things it de- sires. Fat meats, especially the fat of beef is ton- ing to the nervous system, and may be moderate- ly taken; ripe, rich fruits during the summer are very agreeable; avoid taking such things as sausages, hams, pork, rich gravies, spiced food, mince pies, pastry, etc. ; eat until hunger is sat- isfied, and no more; masticate the food well; conversation on some lively topic during meals .has a very beneficial effect on digestion. 52 THE SUFFERER S MANUAL. DRINKS.— Milk is by far the best for these complaints, and for debilitated constitutions, soothing and nourishing; be sure to get the pure article. Tea and coffee are very stimu- lating to the nervous system, especially coffee, and they should be used with great moderation, not exceeding a half cup full each m r eal. Do not drink during meals, but a half cup full of warm drink at its close will aid enfeebled diges- tion; of course cold water is the standard, but it should not be taken during meals, or within an hour after meals, as it would retard instead of aiding the digestion. The great difficulty with persons suffering from these disorders, is their inordinate thirst; and, as the blood is already too thin, milk and water should be used simply to stop the thirst, and as moderately as possible ; under no circumstances ever touch a drop of spirituous liquors, they are the very bane of these complaints; all kinds of alcoholic and malt beverages, whisky, brandy, gin, wines, beer, ale, etc., increase and inflame this already raging internal- fever ; they have a special affin- ity for the brain and sexual organs, and no sufferer should drink one drop of any of them; they influence seminal losses in a startling man- ner, having a destructive effect upon the organs. Many persons commence their use under the impression that they aid digestion, which idea DIET VS- .MEDICINE. 53 at first seems plausible, but their action is too violent, too transient, irritating the stomach more than they strengthen ; the weakness suc- ceeding their use is greater than before using them, and in the course of time give the delicate coat of the stomach a hardness which deprives- it of that sensitiveness requisite to give an appe- tite, and eventually destroys instead of builds up the digestive powers; and as their action on the digestive functions is finally depressing, so is their action on the genitals, hot, excitable and feverish, literally tearing out gender, and leaving their victims cold, lacking vitality, and lifeless So let every young man avoid the use of stim- ulants; do not entertain the idea that they will benefit you, for the small temporary benefit the other organs derive from being stimulated is more than counterbalanced by the increased number of losses caused by their use. The use of beer is not quite so bad as alcoholic drinks > yet it is best not to use it. Tobacco is a powerful sedative to the nerves, taking vitality out of the body, and I would not advise any sufferer to use it in any form ; if, however, the habit is already strongly formed, use it moderately; persons have told me that a single cigar at bed-time will produce an emission. THE EVACUATIONS. These must be attended to promptly and reg- ularly. Everything taken into the stomach is either absorbed and made into blood, or is passed off by the bowels, and the condition of the or- gans of excretion, determines the health very largely. They throw off from the system all waste matter, keeping the body and the blood cool and healthy, and should be closely looked after. The most importont evacuation of the body is that of the bowels; one good, free evacuation every day is of absolute importance in the main- tenance of perfect health, and as persons afflicted with the nocturnals are apt to be constipated, the refuse matter accumulating in the bowels adds heat and inflammation to the body, and causes piles and other diseases of the rectum. The bowels should be cleared at once. All of the outlets of the body must be kept open, and the clogged system relieved of its burden. To do this gently, knead, pound and roll the abdomen, moving the matter along and at a certain hour every day have an evacuation. Most people's THE EVACUATIONS. 55 time is after breakfast in the morning, which proves it to be the best. So after breakfast go to the closet , and wait patiently for the discharge, reading a paper; a few mornings will establish the habit, and then nature will herself call you to perform it, which call always heed. Evacu- ate the urine as often as called to during the day, always upon retiring at night, and arise along towards morning to, as previously directed. Remember not to delay nature's promptings in anv of the evacuations. The skin should be kept clean by bathing, as it throws off large quantities of refuse matter. Breathing in deep- ly, long and full breaths, will regulate the heart's action, quicken the circulation, and throw off from the lungs the blood's impurities, purifying it, and renovating the whole system. Palpita- tion of the heart is a frequent trouble in all these cases ; the pulse beats quickly and irregularly , sometimes very fast, and other times slow. Tak- ing a good, full breath, everytime, and always preserving a serene mental state will soon reg- ulate its action. NOTES. > We have endeavored in this hook to show the wonderful restorative powers possessed by nat- ure, upon which every sufferer has only to rely to insure complete physical health. The incli- nation of nature is always towards health; if we cut ourselves, the cut will in a short time heal; if we take cold, we have merely to keep warm, keep the system open, and nature will soon break up the cold; even broken bones heal, and so with the disorders of the sexual system, giv- ing them rest and employing the " let alone " cure, and nature will bring you through all right. There are a good many points, little details, to be observed in the daily life of sufferers, du- ties, although small, yet have an important in- fluence, and are great aids in breaking up the evil. I have grouped a few of them together here. Do not be in a hurry about regaining the strength, it may take months before a complete 56 NOTES. 57 cure is effected, and a normal action of the body produced; and it should be borne in mind, that to a certain extent thes nocturnals are necessary and it is not desirable to suppress them alto- gether, even if it could be done. Be entirely satisfied if you perceive a gradual gain in flesh and strength from month to month. Never be alone, the mind is sure to wander on forbidden ground if it is not kept fully and agreeably employed in conversation or reading. If alone, always be busy with something that will engross the attention. The sexual organs were designed by nature to stand a great amount of abuse, and the " hor- rible results" of early indiscretion, as the quacks harp upon, are not nearly as great as they make their readers .believe they are. Do not place any confidence in the quack medical books or advertisements, for they en- courage sufferers to form exaggerated notions of their diseases, or the nature and character of their symptoms, and thus literally frightening them into a disordered mental state, and then prey upon the fears they thus create. $8 THE SUFFERER'S MANUAL. The frauds perpetrated by quacks are simply outrageous, giving some slight remedy as a sure "cure," claiming it to be a rare and costly drug, and charging an exorbitant price therefor. There are so many frauds to be exposed, so much corruption and evil to combat, that I al- most despair of accomplishing any good in re- deeming my fellow sufferers, but with the aid of every true and noble young man, I hope to be able to send this book to thousands of young men throughout the land. Among the frauds to be avoided are the "Anatomical Museums," which every large city has. Do not have any- thing to do with things that are marked "before using," and "after using," that they are gross frauds is apparent to everyone who thinks a few minutes. Always keep comfortably warm, thus pro- moting healthy skin action. Should you sleep with a brother take him into your confidence, and together peruse these books. Question : How can a " Reverend " know anything about medicine ? Have nothing to do with these cler- ical humbugs, they are wolves in sheep's cloth- ing. There are also the "smart doctors" whose knowledge is so great that they can tell a dis- NOTES. 59 ease by simply looking at a person and not ask- ing a question! There is also the "Indian doc- tor," captured by Indians when a boy, and who acquired a reputation as a " medicine man ;" this is an old dodge and has swindled thousands. I have not the space in this book to speak of more of these contemptible swindlers. Do not dally with the private organs, or handle them in any way except for bathing. Avoid everything that will unduly excite the passions and increase the lusts of the flesh. I must ask my reader's indulgence to the many repetitions in this volume, there are many grand truths that will bear repeating time and again, and also the seeming shortness of many of the subjects considered, which, although condensed, yet contain everything of real importance; and the book requires to be read and re-read several times to glean from it all the golden nuggets of truth it contains. Relapses may often occur at first, producing a greater number of emissions than are health- ful. The various causes of these relapses and how to avoid them, will be detailed very fully 6o in volume II, and also the " day losses," or the substance which escapes after urinating, repre- sented by all quack literature as a most mo- mentous affair, will be fully considered and their true nature shown. Do not use any appliances pretending to in- crease the size of the organs, all of them are useless and dangerous. The only safe and per- manent way of enlarging the organs is by nat- ural means, which is fully explained in the next volume. If the emissions occur one or so a month, they are a healthful discharge, when this number is exceeded, there is prostration, weakness and de- bility. Some temperaments are such as to in- duce more naturally, than others, this is a vital point, and is considered very fully in volume II. And now, dear reader, as we draw near the close of our work, I candidly ask you if the information of this book will not prove an in- estimable boon to you in the re-building of the system weakened by over indulgence? Every young man ought to have this book, and I earnestly ask your aid and co-operation in NOTES. 61 placing this glorious little volume in their hands. In union there is strength, and let us unite in one grand army to accomplish two noble pur- poses : extermination to the despicable serpents, in human form, infesting, our fair land, sucking the life-blood out of thousands of young men; and salvation for this countless number of mis- guided, wronged and bled victims, making their future existence a happy and glorious pleasure. CONCLUDING REMARKS. I wish to suggest again to my readers the ad- vantages derived from consulting an honorable family physician, have no delicacy about the matter, but state candidly the trouble to him and he will invariably take an interest in your case, his calm reassuring words will greatly aid in correcting the misapprehensions that may be in your mind. Should you observe anything you do not un- derstand, inquire about it of him. One pecu- liarity about patients of this disorder, especially if they have been reading quack literature upon the subject, is, they are constantly looking out for symptoms; if they have a little pain any where, or if their food does not digest properly, they are sure that these are indications of some very serious trouble for which they must dose themselves with medicines to cure, Reading these books, and having a good, common-sense physician to advise you, are the best remedies you can possibly take. The principle of cure, as we have shown in this book, is very simple, lying entirely in the 62 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 63 power of the patient himself, and does not re- quire " great skill," " age and experience all important," etc., as the charlatans advertise. Every family physician knows whatever is nec- essary to know about these cases, and you will save your health and money by applying to one of them. VOL. IT. We have issued another little book which will be the last, and it will therefore contain everything that is important in relation to this great subject, and which is not in the present book. Regular price of Vol. II. is $2; to phy- sicians or physicians' patients, when ordered by a physician, $1; liberal discount if ordered by the half-dozen. Circulars giving contents mailed free, sealed. Plainly address all communications to WALTER PRESTON, 1S3 Washington St., CHICAGO, ILL.