Eiii 
 
 BIS 
 
 EH 
 
 Hx 
 
 H 
 
 HI 
 ilili 
 
 RHRlI 
 HllBllll 
 
 BMP 
 
 BBffP 
 
 
{LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 5 
 TOT 
 
 j|i«a? I^f*!^ 
 
 | *&%M ,A&:h 
 
 # 
 
 f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.! 
 i 
 

 ■ 
 
CAUSES 
 
 THAT OPERATE TO PRODUCE THE 
 
 PREMATURE DECLINE OF MANHOOD, 
 
 THE BEST MEANS 
 
 OF OBVIATING THEIR EFFECTS AND OF 
 
 BRINGING ABOUT A RESTORATION 
 
 TO HEALTH. 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year A. D , 1873, 
 
 By CLIN DINNING & CO., 
 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 By A. E. SMALL, M. D. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 Published by Clindinning & Co., 
 
 35 Clark Street. 
 
at*™ 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction 4 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 A Geneial view of the Subject 6 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Spermatorrhea from inflammation and irritation 
 
 of the Urethra 9 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Masturbation 1 1 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 How to correct the habit of self-abuse, and cure 
 
 its effects, l8 
 
 CHAP. v. 
 Continuation of the effects of self-abuse — 
 
 nocturnal emissions = . .21 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 Sexual excesses, and other causes of Sper- 
 matorrhoea 25 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Spermatorrhoea caused by Ascarides and Gravel, 23 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Excessive sexual intercourse in Married life 33 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The consequences of abnormal seminal emissions, 36 
 
 chap. x. 
 Consequences of Spermatorrhoea affecting the 
 
 whole system 43 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 The effect of Spermatorrhoea upon the respiratory 
 and the hean, and other organs 47 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Marriage in relation to sexual weakness 51 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Recapitulation and treatment of sexual weak- 
 ness 54 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 The application of Electricity in the treatment 
 
 of sexual weakness 58 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In furnishing the following treatise on the " Causes 
 
 THAT INDUCE THE PREMATURE DECLINE OF MAN- 
 HOOD," and the most judicious means of removing 
 them and curing their effects, the author is aware of 
 the many difficulties in the way of producing anything 
 like a satisfactory treatise upon the subject. But 
 from many years experience he has collected the re- 
 sults of his observations into the following pages. 
 
 The remedies employed have been such as he has 
 found most effectual, and yet he is aware that in the 
 hands of many practitioners other remedies have been 
 employed not mentioned in this treatise. 
 
 The work is not arranged so methodically as the 
 author could have wished, and yet his object will oe ac- 
 complished if he has made any suggestions or thrown 
 any light upon the subject that will aid the profession 
 or redound to the benefit of the unfortunate. 
 
 With the hope, therefore, that this attempt to supply 
 a want in the literature of Homoeopathy will be char- 
 itably received, and pave the way for better efforts, the 
 work is given to the profession and public. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The chief object to be accomplished in writing a 
 treatise on the causes that produce a premature decline 
 of manhood, is to point out, explicitly, the best protec- 
 tion against them, as well as the most commendable 
 measures of relief from their effects. 
 
 2. Sexual debility results from a variety of causes, 
 which, in many instances, are avoidable, w r hile in some 
 instances it may be constitutional and dependent upon 
 a general deterioration of the nutritive and nervous sys- 
 tems. 
 
 3. When the cause is known the first inquiry is, can 
 it be removed? and can the effect produced be reme- 
 died ? No one suffers from the malady with indiffer- 
 
 • ence, and, therefore, it may be concluded that every vic- 
 tim to sexual disorder desires radical relief. 
 
 4. From the nature of the affection, those who suf- 
 fer are prone to seek aid from any source that promises 
 it, and, without some information of a specific nature, 
 that will lead to a proper discrimination, a resort to 
 nostrums and quackery, injurious in their results, too 
 frequently happens. 
 
 5. As there are no two constitutions alike, and sel- 
 dom that two cases of suffering are so precisely alike 
 that the same treatment will suffice for each, it is pro- 
 posed to point out the several grades of the disorder in 
 connection with the causes and treatment of each, when 
 medical treatment is required. The kind of debility 
 particularly under consideration in the following pages 
 is generally known under the head of " Involuntary 
 emissions of semen," which operates disastrously upon 
 the vital condition of manhood. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 A GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT. 
 
 One of the main characteristics of sexual debility is 
 frequent involuntary emissions of the seminal fluid, 
 followed by a feeling of exhaustion. For strong, healthy 
 and plethoric persons these emissions may occur occa- 
 sionally without exciting undue apprehension of the re- 
 sult. But even in such persons, where the occurrence 
 is frequent and copious, great weakness and lassitude is 
 apt to follow, betokening an abnormal condition, that 
 requires both hygienic and medical treatment. 
 
 2. In those of vigorous manhood, and of supera- 
 bundant vitality, the involuntary evacuation of the sem- 
 inal vessels at times may be considered a conservator 
 of health, and demanded for its protection. This is 
 true so long as such persons remain conscious of their 
 occurrence, unaccompanied by general malaise and 
 lassitude. 
 
 3. Lascivious dreams are simply reflex symptoms 
 conveyed from the distended seminal vesicles through 
 the nerves of the brain ; and the most salutary remedy 
 for emissions arising from this cause is through matri- 
 monial alliance and the legitimate exercise of the 
 function. 
 
 4. But emissions that occur without the cognizance 
 of the patient, and without erections and pleasurable 
 sensations, are of a different character, and may result 
 from an abnormal irritability of the sexual organs, and, 
 if not arrested, they will deteriorate the general health 
 and produce a gradual decline of virility. 
 
 5. The causes that operate to produce increased irri- 
 tability are various, and merit separate consideration in 
 order to arrive at the means of obviating them, and the 
 most rational application of remedies to overcome the 
 debility and promote strength. Some of these causes 
 are avoidable, and require but a strong effort of the 
 will to set them aside ; others are unavoidable, being 
 
diseased conditions of the urinary organs, from which 
 the increased irritability of the sexual organs proceeds. 
 These causes can only be removed by well-chosen rem- 
 edies, or by the skill of the operative surgeon. 
 
 6. From either class of causes excessive emissions may 
 occur, differing only from normal seminal emissions in 
 being involuntary and debilitating. The seminal ves- 
 icles, ducts, and their orifices may severally participate 
 in the irritability, and become so debilitated that semi- 
 nal discharges are found to occur frequently, and on the 
 slightest provocation. The simple act of urination, the 
 effort at stool, or immediately after both, or when 
 brought into proximity with female society, severally op- 
 erate to provoke seminal emissions, without erections 
 or pleasurable sensations, or consciousness of the loss. 
 This is properly termed " spermatorrhoea." 
 
 7. Pathologically considered, these seminal evacua- 
 tions arise from a variety of causes, and not, as is fre- 
 quently asserted, from sexual excesses and abuses. They 
 often result from other and quite different causes. 
 
 S. When seminal emissions arise from causes inher- 
 ent in the system, their origin is so wrapped in obscu- 
 rity that the real cause is overlooked, and, consequently, 
 they are found to be the most persistent and difficult of 
 cure. It is only when the true pathology of the dis- 
 order is discovered that we can arrive at a knowledge 
 of the starting-point, so as to institute a rational or suc- 
 cessful treatment. Anything short of this necessarily 
 subjects the patient to a continual drain upon his con- 
 stitution and life. For without duly referring the symp- 
 toms to the veritable source from whence they proceed, 
 so as to base a proper and curative treatment, in spite of 
 remedies given in accordance with symptoms alone, the 
 difficulty will progress until the health is undermined 
 and the virility destroyed. 
 
 9. The matter must be probed to the bottom, or 
 otherwise the symptoms are meaningless, and afford 
 but an empty display of phenomena, as likely to mis- 
 lead in the treatment as to favor its utility ; for as a 
 variety of causes, differing widely in their nature, may 
 
produce like effect, genuine skill, in the treatment of 
 spermatorrhoea, must depend upon a knowledge of the 
 real cause as a starting-point. 
 
 10. A glance at the anatomy of the genito-urinary 
 apparatus and its relation to neighboring parts, will 
 convince any rational practitioner of the reasonableness 
 of this assertion ; for who can deny the fact that hard 
 impacted feces, pressing upon the seminal vesicles, 
 operates to produce more or less disorder in the sexual 
 organs? Who does not know that a mismanaged gon- 
 orrhoea produces the most disastrous consequences upon 
 the testes? And why? Because of their intimate 
 anatomical connexion. 
 
 ii. Therefore, let us look after the various causes of 
 seminal weakness, which, as so many fountains, send 
 forth abnormal excitement to the genital organs, pro- 
 ducing emissions and spermatorrhoea. 
 
 1. Urethritis from different sources. 
 
 2. Stricture of the urethra. 
 Affections of the rectum and anus. 
 Constipation, retained faeces. 
 Hemorrhoids and varices or fissures. 
 Intestinal worms. 
 
 Chronic inflammation and tenesmus of the blad- 
 der. 
 
 Stone or gravel. 
 Spinal irritation. 
 
 10. Sexual excesses. 
 
 11. Masturbation. 
 
 12. Prostatitis. 
 
 13. Morbid imagination. 
 
 A careful examination of each of the above will en- 
 able us to rationally comprehend the relation between 
 cause and effect in each particular case, and show us the 
 total insufficiency of a merely symptomatic treatment of 
 these diseases. 
 
 12. Either one or all of these causes have a close re- 
 lation to the genital organs, and a continual Irrita- 
 tion from either forms a source of determination of 
 blood, congestion, swelling, excessive irritability of the 
 
 4- 
 5- 
 6. 
 
 7- 
 
 9- 
 
testes, spermatic cord, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, 
 and veru-montanum, and thence erections at first, and 
 seminal emissions. In time the erections cease ; the 
 membrum-virile becomes flaccid, and the fluid constantly 
 passes off, altered in quality, thin, and void of the char- 
 acteristic spermatozoa. With this general view of the 
 subject we may form some idea of the nature and ex- 
 tent of the malady under consideration. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 SPERMATORRHOEA FROM INFLAMMATION AND IRRITA- 
 TION OF THE URETHRA. 
 
 Chronic inflammation of the urethra, from whatever 
 cause, extends itself by means of continuity of structure 
 not only to the bladder, uterus and kidneys, but also to 
 the organs of reproduction. This inflammation may 
 be produced, 1st, By mechanical injury, inflicted by in- 
 struments used by onanists, such as pencils or quills, 
 which they introduce into the urethra to excite pollu- 
 tions, when, from frequent and long continued abuse, 
 the urethra becomes insensible to other excitants. Frag- 
 ments of such instruments have been known to remain, 
 forming a nucelus for inflammation. 
 
 Blows, bruises, and other occasional injuries may 
 provoke spermatorrhoea. The great sensitiveness of the 
 urethra, and the unavoidable admixture of the urine 
 with the blood, from such injuries, renders wounds or 
 mechanical abrasions or squeezes of the greatest impor- 
 tance. 
 
 To cure a spermatorrhoea, originating from causes of 
 this kind, the unnatural use of the instruments must be 
 banished ; all pressure must be removed, and all posi- 
 tions leading to contusion or pressure upon the organ 
 should be avoided, and then let moderately cold water 
 be freely used for ablutions twice or thrice during the 
 day. Arnica at first is an excellent remedy for inter- 
 nal administration, and drop doses may be taken sev- 
 eral times daily until the soreness and irritability of the 
 parts disappear ; when the cause is removed the effect 
 
IO 
 
 ceases. Should anuca prove insufficient, injections of 
 tepid water, with a few drops of the tincture of calen- 
 dula, may suffice. The distilled extract of hamamelis 
 may be used for the same purpose. 
 
 2. Certain drinks and articles of diet produce an un- 
 favorable action upon the urethra, and sometimes cause 
 inflammation. Certain medicines, taken in excess, 
 have the same influence, such as diuretics. The irrita- 
 tion produced by some liquors, such as gin, are proxi- 
 mate causes of involuntary seminal emissions. When 
 oysters, crabs, or other shell-fish exert an injurious ac- 
 tion of the kind, refrain from using them. The same 
 advice is given with reference to articles of food or 
 drink or medicine known to exert an unfavorable effect 
 upon the genital organs, and the spermatorrhoea that re- 
 mains as an effect can be easily cured by well-chosen 
 remedies. 
 
 A young clerk in a silk house suffered from involuntary 
 emission several times a week, until the effect upon his 
 health began to be noted. He applied to a physician, 
 who inquired critically into his habits, all of which he 
 found quite regular, excepting eating late at night. On 
 inquiry it was found that he indulged freely in such 
 food as eggs and oysters. He was advised to confine 
 himself to regular meals, and to avoid both the eggs 
 and oysters — to partake of beef, mutton, and vegetables, 
 and avoid poultry and stimulating soups. At first but 
 little change was noted ; his digestion seemed somewhat 
 impaired. Nux vom. 3d was given half an hour after 
 each meal, and he soon recovered from the emissions 
 and gained robust health. 
 
 Another young man, who suffered much from this 
 difficulty, was constantly annoyed by difficult digestion 
 and depressed spirits, was cured by Pulsatilla, 3 ; dose 
 three times a day, after duly regulating his diet. 
 
 3. Another source of inflammation of the urethra is 
 infection from impure sexual exposure and in urethral 
 stricture from chancre ; from these an irritation is set up 
 which results in pollutions of a serious character. To 
 cure these, if they result from simple urethritis or gon- 
 
II 
 
 orrhoea, and particularly if there is much smarting when 
 urinating, aconite may be taken first, and afterwards 
 cannabis sativa. Several cases of this kind have been 
 noted: A gentleman of middle age having contracted 
 gonorrhoea, which he supposed himself entirely cured 
 of, was afterwards the victim of nocturnal emissions, 
 which weakened his whole system. He was greatly 
 depressed, and suffered inveterate constipation. He 
 had applied to one physician after another without ben- 
 efit, until he despaired of finding relief. He finally 
 consulted a Homoeopathic physician, who minutely in- 
 quired into his antecedents, and then prescribed nux 
 vom. to remove the constipation ; after nux lycopo- 
 dium was given, and his bowels moved freely, without 
 difficulty. The 6th attenuation of these remedies 
 was used. A diet of toast and steak in the morning, 
 with a cup of black tea ; beef or mutton with vege- 
 tables for dinner, and brown bread or toast for tea, w 7 as 
 directed, cannabis sativa 6th was given every six hours, 
 for a w^eek, in connection with this diet, and the patient 
 found himself greatly relieved ; and this treatment was 
 afterward continued until he was completely rid of the 
 difficulty. 
 
 Other cases were cured by addressing remedies 
 directly to the proximate cause, and afterwards to the 
 resulting symptoms. When the urethral irritation is 
 subdued, and the pollutions still continue, cannabis sa- 
 tiva or cantharis will generally cure. 
 
 When stricture of the urethra is ascertained to be 
 the existing cause of emissions, the stricture must be 
 removed before the difficulty can cease. Sulphur 3d 
 will often accomplish the whole, in connection with a 
 well regulated diet. To secure regularity of the bowels, 
 nux v., sulphur and mercurius sol. may be used advan 
 tageously. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MASTURBATION. 
 We shall now consider a cause of urethral irritation 
 which by many is believed to be one of the most dete- 
 
riorating vices incident co the youth of both sexes. 
 Very early in life boys have been initiated into habits 
 of self-abuse, and if no one finds an opportunity to 
 advise and counsel them otherwise, by pointing out the 
 dangerous consequences of the practice, the habit be- 
 comes fixed and difficult to break. After a while such 
 a youth begins to grow sickly, pale, nervous, and un- 
 manly, and unless the habit is arrested in time, and the 
 victims become sensible of the danger, his approach 
 to manhood is fraught with entailed consequences, that 
 finally render him an object of pity and disgust. Youth 
 of fifteen or sixteen summers, who indulge in this vice, 
 may soon bring about an irritation of the urethra that 
 merges into real inflammation, attended by a secretion 
 which has a close relation to pollutions and spermator- 
 rhoea. It is our purpose, therefore, to treat this subject 
 somewhat in detail, in order to give an insight into the 
 best remedial measures for the protection of virility. 
 
 2. Immediately before the age of puberty and during 
 the transition period, as well as after, unknown long- 
 ings and desires assert their supremacy in the youthful 
 mind. These are the first utterings of sexual instinct, 
 though scarcely recognized as such by the subjects. 
 Some arrive at this period earlier and some later. In 
 peculiarly irritable constitutions the instinct after pu- 
 berty manifests itself with great intensity, and exhibits 
 its effects in certain tendencies to bodily ailments and 
 frailties. 
 
 3. When by the allurements of others such youth are 
 initiated into solitary habits of exciting the genitals, 
 first by filling the mind with impure thoughts and 
 imaginings, and then by manual interference, the most 
 pernicious and degrading habit of self-pollution steals 
 over them, and soon results in physical weaknesses 
 which are prophetic of the early decline of manhood. 
 
 4. The defect of early education, coupled with direct 
 temptation and the allurements of evil association, 
 often form the basis or starting point for a career of 
 miserable habits, that sooner or later prey upon the 
 mental and physical constitution. When once initia- 
 
13 
 
 ted and predisposed, both mind and body become sub- 
 ject to excitement from otherwise trivial causes. Novel 
 reading, love stories and sickly sentimentalism of every 
 kind, become disastrous allurements to the habit of 
 masturbation. These allurements and dangers often 
 override the rigid supervision of parents and educators, 
 and beset the youthful and impressible mind in many 
 different ways. 
 
 It is a fact no less sad than true, that very many in 
 their tender years, and even in childhood, are brought 
 through one means or another into mental excitement 
 and thence into actual abuse of the genital organs, 
 which becomes a habit of greater or less injury. 
 
 By such abuses the genital organs become impaired 
 and diseased, and the strength and life of the entire 
 organism becomes undermined. 
 
 These excesses are so extremely dangerous and in- 
 evitablv ruinous to body and mind that it is of the 
 utmost importauce to detect and arrest them before it 
 is too late, and to promote this end young boys should 
 be subject to the kindest and most friendly supervision, 
 and every prudent effort should be made directly and 
 indirectly to withdraw them from such influences and 
 habits as excite sexual phantasies, and without ac- 
 quainting them with the friendly object intended, great 
 care should be exercised in diverting their minds from 
 all misleading thoughts and inclinations before they 
 have become so rooted that all attempts to obliterate 
 them prove a failure. 
 
 To accomplish this requires: 
 
 ist. A provision of suitable and useful' employment 
 for mind and body. 
 
 2d. To withhold all kinds of seductive reading and 
 theatricals, and all imprudent mixing with the opposite 
 sex, such as allowing them after early childhood to oc- 
 cupy the same sleeping apartments and to share the 
 same couch. Experience and observation have estab- 
 lished beyond a doubt the imprudence, if not the wick- 
 edness, of allowing such practices. 
 
 3d. But at suitable times and under the supervision 
 
14 
 
 of proper restraints, boys and girls should be encouraged 
 in outdoor sports and open air exercise. It is a mis- 
 taken idea to suppose that the cause of virtue is pro- 
 moted by keeping them secluded from the society of 
 each other. For sucii is not the case. The reverse 
 often begets that sickly, unhealthy secret brooding that 
 creates a want of self-respect and dread of social inter- 
 course. It is far better that boys should have the ad- 
 vantage of associating in suitable plays and pastimes 
 with girls of their own age, while at the same time 
 every moral and elevating influence should be exer- 
 cised over them by their parents and guardians. 
 
 4th. If a suspicion exists that boys indulge in self- 
 abuse, let them be quietly watched until the truth is 
 ascertained. An inclination to be alone and in secluded 
 places often excites suspicion of self-abuse, and espe- 
 cially if after such seclusions they seem pale and ex- 
 cited, or depressed and morose or peevish and fretful. 
 And unusually timid boys and young men addicted 
 to self-abuse are generally shy and timid. They be- 
 tray an absence of manhood and appear cowardly, and 
 moreover the countenance betrays with nearly the same 
 certainty as it does the tippler or opium eater, and when 
 interested and affectionate friends learn from these 
 signs the painful fact, their friendly aid is demanded, 
 they should point out to the erring youth the sad effects 
 that must inevitably follow this habit. Many a boy, 
 bright and lively at ten years of age, has become dull^ 
 sickly and mentally dejected before his twenty summers 
 by such miserable self-abuse. A slow, hesitating speech, 
 a blundering mode of speaking, a bad memory and 
 dullness of apprehension in general, are the usual fruits 
 of this sin ; and since so much is at stake, and the guilty 
 ones are so prone to deny their pernicious habits, no 
 prudent means of detection should be neglected. If 
 necessary the bed linen and shirts should be called into 
 requisition to afford confirmation of the fact, and if 
 caught in the practice let them be told in a fatherly and 
 affectionate way the disastrous consequences, not once 
 only, but many, many times, until the habit is subdued 
 
*5 
 
 5th. This course will hardly fail to make a favorable 
 impression on young and pliable minds, and if the 
 will power at first is inadequate, gentle encouragement 
 and the aid of solicitous parents will greatly stimulate 
 resolution till the habit is conquered. 
 
 When made fully sensible of the dreadful conse- 
 quences of self-abuse, there are but few so reckless and 
 incorrigible as to countenance and continue the habit. 
 Mechanical means of restraint has ' sometimes been 
 found necessary to aid the efforts of young men in dis- 
 sipating the inclination and practice. The best medical 
 counsel may also be necessary to aid in bringing 
 .about this desirable result, and it would be adding 
 crime to crime to withhold any measure capable of ar- 
 resting the criminal practice. 
 
 We have thus far treated of masturbation as a crime 
 involving the voluntary surrender of manhood. But 
 now we propose to consider other causes that may in- 
 duce the habit, that places the victim more in the light 
 of a sufferer than in that of a sinner. Ascarides or pin 
 worms in the rectum sometimes induce an itching that 
 implicates in no small degree the genitals of young 
 boys, and compels them to scratch and rub until they 
 unconsciously fall into the habit of masturbation. 
 Herpetic eruptions that burn and itch may compel 
 similar habits, terminating in the same way. The 
 reason why the habit operates so injuriously upon 
 the entire organism, whether induced by vicious allure- 
 ments, morbid broodings, or sickly love stories, or by 
 diseased conditions as detailed above, is because of the 
 close proximity and relation of the sexual apparatus to 
 the spinal cord, thence to the brain, which first receive 
 the shock and then by reflex action the urinary and 
 digestive systems become affected. But the injury does 
 not stop here ; the mind becomes filled with impure im- 
 ages exciting the brain, and thence the memory and men- 
 tal faculties. It finally ends in hypochondria, melan- 
 choly and suicide, or in epilepsy, apoplexy or dementia. 
 
 The intensity of the shock which the habit imparts to 
 the whole system, and the consequent prostration and 
 
i6 
 
 debility must especially prove injurious to the organs 
 properly supplied with nerves. The stomach, there- 
 fore, is liable to become distended, and nutrition is 
 seriously interrupted ; the entire body as a consequence 
 fails of receiving sufficient nourishment, it gradually 
 gets weaker, the nerves become unstrung and disposed 
 to paralytic weakness and cramps ; and as during the 
 act there is a determination of blood to the brain, fre- 
 quent cases of apoplexy have terminated the fatal 
 habit ; or otherwise ten or fifteen per cent, of the num- 
 ber of inmates of the lunatic asylums prove to have 
 been the victims of this vice. 
 
 Self-abuse has another peculiar effect, if not early ar- 
 rested : it destroys sexual enjoyment and entails cold- 
 ness in the conjugal bed, and begets disappointment 
 and unhappiness and completely frustrates the fulfil- 
 ment of marriage relations. 
 
 It is to be feared that many who attain to a mar- 
 riageable age refrain from entering into wedlock by rea- 
 son of the cold indifference toward the institution, 
 which results from this vice. They prefer the mistaken 
 enjoyment of solitary self-abuse to the satisfaction of 
 legitimate sexual intercourse. 
 
 It will be seen, then, that self abuse requires greater 
 exertion of the sexual organs than a natural embrace, 
 and that they are weakened by oft-repeated and un- 
 natural irritation, as the opportunities are more fre- 
 quent than for natural intercourse, and the constrained 
 position of standing or sitting must prove more in- 
 jurious to muscles and nerves that are brought into re- 
 quisition, it follows conclusively that greater muscular 
 and nervous weakness must result from the act. It is 
 also manifest that in a natural embrace the excitement 
 is participated in by two, whereas in self-abuse it is en- 
 tirely cultivated by one's own imagination, and must 
 therefore prove the more exhausting. Self-abuse is 
 more dangerous because it withdraws its victims from 
 society and leads to solitary dwelling upon themselves, 
 or to musings and broodings of so low a quality that 
 they fall into the pit of melancholy and thus make com- 
 plete shipwreck of health and life. 
 
J 7 
 
 In order to place safeguards around unsophisticated 
 youth and boys in early life, parents and teachers must 
 be vigilant and ready to comprehend the importance 
 of directing their thoughts and habits in the right direc- 
 tion at first. They should teach them to avoid such 
 plays as suggest and often prove the beginning of in- 
 jurious habits. It is far better to avoid the causes of 
 urethritis at first than to be successful even in curing 
 pollutions and spermatorrhoea. 
 
 As boyhood and youth passes away, and manhood 
 supervenes, strictures produced by indiscretions of 
 youth, may be the constant cause of spermatorrhoea. 
 These strictures arise from various causes ; the worst 
 and most difficult to cure are for the most part traced 
 to badly treated gonorrhoea. But those arising from 
 the cicatrices of wounds, or from urethral chancre, are 
 caused from the folding of the mucous lining of the 
 canal, and are sufficiently formidable. For the folding 
 and swelling and formation of valves by fibrous indura- 
 tions of the mucous membrane, are tedious in duration 
 and difficult to cure. Strictures generally have their seat 
 in that portion of the urethra where the inflammation 
 has been the greatest and the suppuration the most ap- 
 parent. There may be more than one near or more re- 
 mote from the orifice of the bladder. The narrower 
 and longer they are the greater the obstruction to the 
 passage of urine and semen, and the portion posterior 
 to the strictures becomes distended, and presses indi- 
 rectly upon the seminal vesicles so violently as to 
 weaken and injure, and thus be the source of an ob- 
 structed spermatorrhoea. 
 
 Strictures may also produce other obstructions more 
 and more interiorly until effete and irritating matters 
 which should be thrown offmeet with obstructions, and 
 are thrown back upon the delicate seminal vesicles, 
 and result in weakening them to a degree that destroys 
 their normal functions, or so paralyzes the tenacity of 
 the ducts as to allow the seminal fluid to flow off unno- 
 ticed without any sensation or erection ; in this way sper- 
 matorrhoea results, and impotence becomes inevitable. 
 
The effects of masturbation not only extend to the 
 urethra, prostate gland and bladder, but to contiguous 
 structures. The rectum becomes affected — the sphinc- 
 ter-ani contracts, varices and hemorrhoids are sever- 
 ally the result of urethral irritation. Stricture and fre- 
 quent urging to urinate, hemorrhages from the bowels, 
 prolapsus and all the various hemorrhoidal ailments 
 sometimes refer themselves to the same cause, though 
 too frequently overlooked, and on this account a mis- 
 directed treatment is liable. 
 
 Spasmodic strictures as well as those caused by 
 urethral inflammation, may result from self-abuse, and 
 also those resulting from enlarged veins of the urethra, 
 from gouty deposits, urinary calculi, and forcible 
 catherization, may provoke spermatorrhoea or emis- 
 sions. 
 
 Since strictures are so often the cause of seminal 
 weakness, and self-abuse may be the first cause of the 
 urethral inflammation that produces them, it is well to 
 be familiar with the symptoms of stricture that they 
 may receive early attention. The first symptom is the 
 retarded flow of urine, and also the urging to force the 
 urine by reason of some sensible obstruction, behind 
 which the urine accumulates ; the stream is changed in 
 form and volume, at first very small, afterward sluggish, 
 and finally a mere dribble from the urethral orifice. 
 This departure from the normal standard is so marked 
 that no one can fail to discover it. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HOW TO CORRECT THE HABIT OF SELF-ABUSE AND 
 CURE ITS EFFECTS. 
 
 i. Tt is for parents and guardians to impress ex- 
 tremely young subjects with the wickedness and danger 
 of the practice, to watch over them and correct them 
 for every known indulgence. There is but little diffi- 
 culty in correcting this abuse while the victims are 
 very young and before the habit is confirmed. 
 
 2. When boys are associated together and become 
 each other's instructors in the vice, let such associations 
 
*9 
 
 be broken up, Older boys often initiate younger ones 
 and fill their susceptible and tender minds with lewd 
 thoughts, and great care to guard against evil associa- 
 tions is absolutely requisite when such, before the age 
 of puberty, begin to exhibit that peculiar cast of the 
 countenance and debility consequent upon such early 
 vice. Let them be impressed that the debility and 
 sickness is brought on by the crime. Strengthen the 
 impression by holding up the terrible and almost fatal 
 results that will surely follow, if they habitually re- 
 peat the act or allow themselves to be misled by 
 wicked associates. When first debilitated, give such, 
 in connection with moral restraint, cinchona, 6th dilu- 
 tion, ten drops in half a tumbler of water, and give a 
 desert spoonful three times a day. The above is the 
 proper treatment when the self-abuse has been wicked- 
 ly initiated by older delinquents. 
 
 3. Parents should so carefully guard the health of 
 tneir children as to obviate all diseased condi- 
 tions liable to induce scratching or rubbing the 
 genitals, for in this way the habit of masturbation 
 may be acquired; pin- worms or seat-worms of the anus 
 produce a disastrous itching, and so do herpetic erup- 
 tions in the vicinity of the genitals, and too great care 
 cannot be exercised in determining whether or not 
 such disease exists. If the fact becomes established: 
 for the pin-worms, give sulphur, 6th, ten drops in half 
 a tumbler of water, a dessert spoonful every night ; if 
 this does not allay the itching, follow with nux vomica 
 in the same way, and teach the boy not to scratch or 
 rub. If there is any eruption that causes much itching 
 of the parts, sulphur taken as above is required. In 
 scrofulous children these troubles are liable to occur 
 and be the means of spontaneously initiating them into 
 the habit of self-abuse ; cure the cause, and with 
 proper instruction the effect will cease. Ammonia 6th, 
 calcarea carb., 6th, and sometimes petroleum, 6uh, with 
 suitable moral restraint, will prove sufficient to correct 
 these abuses. 
 
 4. To cure self-abuse in boys after they have passed 
 
20 
 
 the age of puberty, requires in part the same measures 
 as for those younger. They must be impressed with 
 the heinousness of the crime, if voluntarily committed ; 
 and also with the inevitable consequences upon the 
 physical and mental health. Nothing can cure them 
 or break them but a determined resolution to renounce 
 the habit. To aid them in doing it, suitable employ- 
 ment for mind and body must be provided ; and they 
 must be made to realize that the practice is a sin 
 against God. No protection against the vice is certain 
 but a voluntary refraining from it from the highest of 
 all motives ; that it is a sin against God and an abuse 
 of themselves. 
 
 5. To correct these morbid states of mind that favor 
 the habits, let the youth be supplied with entertaining 
 and useful reading, and if already there is more or less 
 disturbance of the organic functions, which react upon 
 the brooding and susceptible mind, remedial measures 
 are necessary. 
 
 6. To guard against the disposition to self-abuse, 
 calcarea curb., 3d trituration, may be given every even- 
 ing for a week. If there is any disturbance of the 
 digestive system follow the caL c. with nux vomica, 3d, 
 every evening one hour before retiring for another 
 week, observing at the same time to engage in such 
 amusements as chess and other intellectual games, and 
 sometimes in dancing or base ball. If the onanist finds 
 himself weak, let him take china, 3d. If he has stiff- 
 ness of the back or some pain in the small of the back, 
 let him take cocculus, 3d. If after the habit is sub- 
 dued any debility remains, china, 3d, may be taken 
 three times a day until the debility is overcome. When 
 the genitals are easily excited and suggest a return of 
 the habit, phos. ac, 3d, in water will be found useful. 
 Morbid erections and lascivious dreams require can- 
 thai'is, 3d, three times a day. 
 
 7. We have thus pointed out the ways that generally 
 lead to self-abuse, as well as the surest means of ar- 
 resting the habit, and it may be remarked that onan- 
 ism once fixed is classed among the most inveterate of 
 
21 
 
 habits. But it can be cured if proper attention is bestow- 
 ed to the right kind of discipline and medication. The 
 longer the habit remains the more deteriorating the 
 effects upon the nervous system, and thence upon the 
 nutritive functions. For the acute effects which 
 arise from excessive rather than from long continued 
 abuse we have named as remedies, china, cocculus and 
 phos. ac, to which may be added mere, sol., 3d, and 
 .phosphorus, But for slow chronic effects, sulphur 
 may be given at long intervals, or perhaps carbo vege- 
 tabihs, an( i a generous diet. 
 
 For weakness and flaccidity of the penis, china may 
 be taken three or four times a week. 
 
 For excessive nervousness and timidity, cale. phos. 
 may be taken in daily doses. 
 
 If there is a dull, indefinable bewilderment and sub- 
 acute headache, nux vomica, or perhaps zincum met. 
 will often cure. 
 
 For the minor consequences that remain after the 
 habit has ceased, the above remedies are of the great- 
 est importance. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ABUSE, NOC- 
 TURNAL EMISSIONS. 
 By these emissions are understood seminal dis- 
 charges that occur during sleep, and are dependent 
 upon an enfeebled condition of the seminal vesicles, 
 and irritation as the predisposing cause, that for the 
 most part result from previous self-abuse. They differ 
 from spermatorrhoea in taking place from excitement 
 of the genital organs and erections, which seem to be 
 produced by lascivious dreams, or by reason of the 
 bladder being filled with urine. The quality of these 
 discharges does not differ materially from the normal 
 character of healthy semen ; nevertheless they result 
 from debility that has been induced from some cause 
 of irritation of the urethra or weakening of the semi- 
 nal ducts. 
 
22 
 
 2. Those which are entailed as an effect of mastur- 
 bation first demand our attention, because they occur 
 frequently and sometimes nightly, and are followed by 
 great weakness and depression. The victims of these 
 emissions often are made unhappy and wretched, be- 
 cause they know that habits which they have succeeded 
 in conquering were the primary cause, and they often 
 seem willing to endure the suffering than to apply for 
 relief. But disease from any cause may be curable, and 
 such is the case with regard to these nocturnal emis- 
 sions. We have had considerable experience in the 
 treatment of such cases, and undoubtedly they are gen- 
 erally curable. 
 
 3. In the case of a young man who had been guilty 
 of self-abuse until seventeen years, on being aroused 
 to his condition he voluntarily abandoned the habit, 
 and turned his attention to a conscientious religious 
 life. But his whole system w 7 as greatly impaired. He 
 was dyspeptic and nervous, depressed and melancholic, 
 and found himself the victim of almost nightly emis- 
 sions. He sought a confidential medical adviser, who 
 at once comprehended the nature of his suffering For 
 more than a year he had refrained from the polluting 
 habit, hoping that his health and strength would re- 
 turn to him without obliging him to resort to a phy- 
 sician. But on the contrary, he found his health de- 
 clining he fancied himself the victim of imbecility, and 
 his mind was filled with fearful forebodings of a dis- 
 astrous future. 
 
 4. The first measure of relief resorted to by his phy- 
 sician was to encourage his hopes and direct his mind 
 from himself to the consideration of topics that would 
 be most likely to give a healthy tone to his moral and 
 religious aspirations. He further taught him that the 
 study of arithmetic and the solution of its problems 
 upon slate or blackboard would strengthen his manly 
 faculties, whereas the reading of sentimental stories 
 would have the opposite effect. All of which the 
 young man seemed to appreciate. 
 
 5. After pointing out a mental and moral course that 
 
2 3 
 
 would favor a radical cure, the physician commenced 
 with him a course of medical treatment. Finding his 
 patient the victim of excessive sexual excitement, he 
 first gave him the sixth decimal attenuation of can- 
 tharis, four globules three times a day, and prohibited 
 the use of all stimulating drinks, including coffee and 
 all stimulating aliments calculated to excite sensual 
 feelings, such as oysters, crabs, lobsters, etc., etc. This 
 first prescription was continued for live or six days, 
 and the young man felt a sensible relief. But feeling 
 dull and stupid, and having a dread of society and still 
 suffering, but less frequently, from emissions, phos- 
 phoric acid, 6th, was given in water three times a 
 day ; there was a gradual improvement, and the emis- 
 sions were less frequent. The patient, as directed, 
 confined himself to a light nutritious diet, under which 
 his strength improved ; occasional seasons of malaise 
 and weakness were cured by china, 3d. For two years 
 his whole system became more and more robust, and 
 he rejoiced in finding himself radically cured. 
 
 6. For the debility brought on by onanism, china is 
 quite generally the best remedy, and it only requires 
 an early cessation of the habit, a careful diet, and a 
 good occupation for the mind, as well as a persistent 
 perseverance with this remedy to effect a perfect 
 restoration to health. 
 
 7. For emissions brought on exclusively by this vice, 
 attended with extreme sense of weakness, provided a 
 proper attention is paid to diet and employment for 
 the mind, china will seldom fail of curing. 
 
 8. For the depression of spirits and. nervous restless- 
 ness, hypophosphite of lime in the third trituration, 
 taken in 3 grain doses morning and evening, will suf- 
 fice. But the remedy must be taken a sufficient length 
 of time to ensure its effect. 
 
 9. Nightly emissions have been cured by digitalis in 
 those of bilious temperament subject to melancholy. 
 The 3d dilution is employed, but for any treatment to 
 be successful the cause must be removed The diet 
 should be well regulated, the mind must be accustomed 
 
2 J. 
 
 to dwell upon profitable subjects, and there must be a 
 firm reliance upon the remedies. In addition to those 
 already cited for nocturnal emissions, sepia often has a 
 salutary effect, and in some inveterate cases sulphur. 
 3d, taken in daily doses, will effect a radical cure. 
 
 10. A student of theology, aged 25, found his health 
 declining on account of the debilitating effects of noc- 
 turnal emissions, which were brought on by self-abuse 
 in early life. He applied for medical treatment. The 
 3d aqueous dilution of phosphoric acid, while under a 
 strict regimen as to diet, was administered three times 
 a day for a month ; after which his health improved 
 rapidly, and he rejoiced in finding himself no longer 
 troubled with the emissions. He was enabled to 
 pursue his studies without difficulty. 
 
 11. A young man desirous of entering into matri- 
 mony, hesitated on account of the state of health which 
 early self-abuse had entailed. He suffered from fre- 
 quent involuntary emissions when asleep, and from the 
 consequent loss of mental vigor and physical strength 
 which usually follow. Alarmed on the account, he 
 sought advice and medical treatment. He complained 
 of a dull pain in the region of the lumbar vertebrae, and 
 flaccidity of the penis. He suffered from tedious con- 
 stipation and hemorrhoids, that often protruded from 
 the anus ; nux z/., 3d trituration, was first prescribed — 
 a. three-grain powder every night half an hour before 
 retiring — after which he was somewhat relieved of 
 constipation ; but there was no improvement in other 
 respects. Sulphur 6th, was then substituted for the 
 mix v. and continued for a week ; no good result fol 
 lowed ; conium mac, 6th dilution , ten drops in half a 
 tumbler of water, was directed to be given in table- 
 spoonful doses, morning and evening. He soon felt 
 better, and after two weeks the hemorrhoids disap- 
 peared, the pam in the back \\ as better, and normal 
 virility returned. A short time after the young man 
 got married, and has lived happily with his wife for the 
 last five years, and is the father of two children, a 
 son and a daughter. 
 
2 5 
 
 12. Coniwniy 3d, 6th and 30th attenuation have been 
 advantageously employed in the treatment of nocturnal 
 emissions, or those that occur involuntarily at other 
 times, when there is a flaccidity of the membrum virile 
 and a sense of weakness and pain in the back. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 SEXUAL EXCESSES AND OTHER CAUSES OF SPERMA- 
 TORRHOEA. 
 
 By spermatorrhoea is understood the unconscious loss 
 of the seminal fluid when at stool or when urinating, 
 or at other times from the most trivial exciting cause, 
 when there are no erections, but a mere flaccid state of 
 the penis. The first cause of this weakening dis- 
 charge,which we shall consider at some length, is sexual 
 EXCESSES, both hi unmarried and married life. In the 
 former a reckless roaming lust, and the frequenting of 
 brothels, wherewith to become satiated by frequent in- 
 dulgence, are the primary causes of genital weakness 
 that result in the premature decline of manhood. The 
 effect of excesses of this kind, for the sake of gratify- 
 ing the mere lust for variety, is to bring upon the vic- 
 tim a train of evil consequences hardly to be enumer- 
 ated. 1st, upon the vital condition of the general or- 
 ganism ; and 2d, upon those organs essential to the in- 
 tegrity of manhood. After a general debauch, there is 
 a complete derangement of the functions, nutrition be- 
 comes impaired, and the entire body suffers ; and this 
 is not all, the mind participates in the general wreck 
 and the victim becomes polluted in soul and body 
 throughout. Frequent repetition soon reduces the vic- 
 tim to the lowest point of physical and moral degrada- 
 tion. At first his digestion is impaired, and he resorts 
 to a stimulating diet to encourage his lusts ; then fol- 
 lows constipation, hemorrhoids and other ailments that, 
 in conjunction with a corrupt longing for sexual plea- 
 sures, so deteriorate and weaken the sexual system as 
 to destroy all power of retaining the seminal fluid, and 
 it passes off in spermatorrhoea as readily as feculent 
 
26 
 
 matter passes from the bowels in chronic diarrhoea. 
 The state of his mind is even worse than that of his 
 body ; sickened by his own indulgence he at last hates 
 the opposite sex, and never conceives of it the idea of 
 chastity. Such is the effect of commencing a career of 
 indulgence of roaming lust, irrespective of the conse- 
 quences. Is there no remedy for a reckless youth of 
 this description till all is*' lost? Before the habit is con- 
 firmed by repeated indulgence, it is possible to break 
 off such a career and voluntarily refrain and reform, 
 but as the habit becomes more and more confirmed by 
 illicit intercourse with a variety of courtezans, there is 
 the greatest danger of the complete wreck of manhood. 
 Who is able to utter a successful warning before it is 
 too late to save the victim from becoming a mere driv- 
 eler and a show, with genital weaknesses that inevit- 
 ably lead to absolute destruction of virility, and, a con- 
 firmed spermatorrhoea ? * 
 
 2. The most inveterate of all maladies to cure are 
 those found in such a wreck of humanity — the fruits of 
 unconquered lust. Nevertheless, so long as a spark of 
 humanity remains, or in other words, so long as any 
 moral sense remains, a struggle to reform is possible. 
 When a manly struggle is made to break off lewd prac- 
 tices, and the mind is withdrawn from lewd imagin- 
 ings, there is at least some hope of recuperation and re- 
 covery from the effects of debauchery. If the digestion is 
 impaired and the stomach irritable, and rejects the 
 food taken into it, ptrisatilla, 6th, in doses of four glo- 
 bules, three times a day, may be taken when there is a 
 sense of weight in the stomach or a sense of contraction. 
 Nux vomica, 6th, may be substituted for the Pulsatilla. 
 
 3. After Pulsatilla and nux have done their work, 
 china, 6th, may be taken in the same way. In case of 
 constipation and accumulation of hardened feculent 
 matter in the rectum, lycopodium, 6th, may be taken 
 morning and evening in connection with a diet of 
 digestible meats and vegetables, with bran bread, 
 fruit such as apples and pears, and no stimulating con- 
 diments. Great regularity, in taking the meals, and 
 
2 7 
 
 the repudiation of late suppers, oysters, etc., are essen- 
 tially necessary. 
 
 4. In case of hemorrhoids that become inflamed and 
 affect contiguous tissues, so as to produce or augment 
 spermatorrhoea, aesculus globra tincture may be taken 
 in drop doses in a spoonful of water, and repeated 
 every three hours. In very many cases this remedy 
 will remove the piles, and if the spermatorrhoea remains 
 and the seminal fluid passes off when urinating or 
 straining at stool, selenium, 3d, or coniwn, 3d, may be 
 dropped in the proportion of ten drops to half a goblet 
 of water, and a tablespoonful dose may be taken every 
 four hours during the day. A strict observance of the 
 above course will accomplish much in recovering the 
 lost manhood. 
 
 5. For varices or tumid veins that become so sore 
 and painful as indirectly to produce weakness, if not 
 paralysis of the seminal vesicles, arnica and Pulsatilla 
 are remedies to be consulted. 
 
 6. Affections of the rectum and anus that have re- 
 sulted from other causes than sexual excesses, may pro- 
 duce spermatorrhoea, and before the latter can be cured 
 these affections must be removed, and well chosen 
 remedies for the particular troubles often have a salu- 
 tary effect. 
 
 7. Retained faeces, by pressing upon the seminal 
 vesicles, induce a semi-paralytic state of the muscular 
 coat, disabling them so that they cannot resist the pres- 
 sure of the faecal masses when at stool, and the seminal 
 fluid passes off involuntarily. Similar effects may oc- 
 cur during the act of urinating by the contraction of 
 the bladder. In every case, therefore, of spermator- 
 rhoea, the state of the bowels and the condition of the 
 urinary organs should be critically looked after, and 
 such remedies must be selected as will be most likely 
 to remove the proximate cause, and in a majority of 
 cases nux vomica or lycopodium will suffice ; a dose of 
 either every night may produce relief. 
 
 8. Fissures of the anus, which are accompanied by 
 cramplike contractions of the sphincter ani, and pain at 
 
28 
 
 stool, tend to retard the evacuations and cause reten- 
 tion of faeces. The itching and tickling of these are of 
 great importance in explaining many cases of sperma- 
 torrhoea. The intolerable itching compels scratching 
 the perineum and anal region ; the adjacent testes 
 suffer from daily irritation provoked by this act. The 
 organs contiguous participate in the irritation, and this 
 is often followed by weakness and spermatorrhoea, with- 
 out sexual excitement. Sulphur, the 3d trituration, 
 taken in 3-grain doses, every night, will generally 
 cure the fissures and remove the itching, and conse- 
 quently effect a cure. 
 
 9. Herpes, which consists of numerous minute vesi- 
 cles upon the scrotum, penis or perineum, and around 
 the anus, may burn, itch and smart, and provoke the 
 patient to rub and scratch until the genitals become so 
 weakened that spermatorrhoea may be occasioned. To 
 remove this condition, petroleum has been found a 
 specific. 
 
 10. A gentleman of steady, temperate and virtuous 
 habits, was almost maddened by this herpetic eruption, 
 and spent much time and money in striving for relief, 
 was at last advised to take petroleum, the 3d attenua- 
 tion, five drops in a spoonful of water, night and morn- 
 ing, and in less than two weeks he was entirely cured. 
 
 11. When the seminal vesicles are no longer able to 
 serve as reservoirs for the seminal fluid by reason of 
 the constant irritation which produces depression and 
 weakness, and on the slightest provocation discharge 
 their contents, there results an habitual spermatorrhoea. 
 Petroleum as above may be given first, and afterward 
 sulphur to cure the difficulty. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SPERMATORRHEA CAUSED BY ASCARIDES AND GRAVEL. 
 
 The effect of thread worms upon the sexual sphere 
 is both dangerous as well as distressing. They gen- 
 erate in the large intestine, and particularly in the 
 rectum, and to this circumstance must be attributed 
 
2 9 
 
 the impotence of some persons who, through their an- 
 noying influence, have been initiated into self-abuse, 
 and thence into suffering from seminal losses and 
 spermatorrhoea. Very young boys often become the 
 victims of suffering from these parasites, and compa- 
 ratively a less number of adults find themselves vic- 
 timized by their presence. 
 
 2. This inconsiderable worm is cylindrical and 
 pointed, white in color, about the size of common 
 wrapping twine used for tying up small parcels. The 
 tail end of the male ends abruptly, and is rolled up in 
 a spiral, while in the female it is straight and pointed. 
 
 3. The head is provided with wing- like attachments, 
 between which the mouth is situated ; the length va- 
 ries from a line to a line and a half. It sometimes 
 appears in the evacuation in large numbers, so great 
 even as to present the appearance of a constant wrig- 
 ling motion. 
 
 4. When we consider the great number of symptoms 
 this worm is capable of producing, such as tickling 
 the nose, squinting, colic, fits, etc., it is not difficult to 
 comprehend the nature of its action upon the anus in 
 producing that intolerable itching which is so hard to 
 endure, and not only the anus, but the intestines, testi- 
 cles and penis, and the most sensitive seminal vesicles, 
 exciting them to involuntary emissions by self-abuse, 
 or to pollution and spermatorrhoea. 
 
 5. Thread worms produce nearly the same symptoms 
 as stone in the bladder; children two or three years 
 old suffer constant erections from them. This symp- 
 tom affords one of the most positive indications of the 
 presence of pin worms, and these boys grow up with 
 the constant habit of handling the parts that itch, and 
 scratching and rubbing habitually comes up with them 
 in some form of self-abuse. 
 
 6. The opposite sex likewise suffer in the same way, 
 and are led into habits of self-abuse, until health disap- 
 pears and beauty fades. This constant itching and 
 scratching irritates the skin, causes the clitoris to be red- 
 dened and swollen, and sometimes an ichorous discharge 
 
3° 
 
 from the vagina, and this only augments the itching, 
 burning and swelling of the labia, all of which are 
 powerful influences in augmenting self-abuse. We 
 shall discuss this matter more fully when we enter upon 
 the chapter relating to females entirely. 
 
 7. A learned authority, in treating of this particular 
 affection and its consequences, gives as an indication 
 of the presence of pin worms, deeply-sunken eyes, sur- 
 rounded by blue rings. This appearance persists as an 
 outstanding sign of self-pollution, even after the habit 
 has been subdued and only its consequences remain ; 
 and what are the consequences that remain after the 
 habit has been corrected? We will see if w r e can 
 divine. 
 
 8. Hypochondriasis, impotence, congestion of the 
 brain, apoplectic fits, may all occur from the irri- 
 tation produced by these apparently insignificant ver- 
 min, though all indulgence in self-abuse is done away 
 with, and moreover all these affections have been cured 
 when the worms have been removed. Whenever a boy 
 or girl is found to be suffering from epileptic fits, in- 
 quire critically into their habits, and whether they 
 have been sacrificed to the ascaris. Should it be ascer- 
 tained that pin worms were preying upon them, cor- 
 rect self-abuse, destroy the worms, and nine times out 
 of ten the epilepsy will prove to have been mere epilep- 
 tiform convulsions caused by these iniquitous thread 
 worms, and the patients will speedily recover. 
 
 9. A celebrated writer mentions a case of frequent 
 nocturnal emissions of six years standing, which re- 
 covered rapidly after the removal of the pin worms, 
 which it seems had been the cause. For all other 
 means had previously failed, and the rapid convales- 
 cence of the patient after their destruction, proves 
 them to have been the cause. This case, continues 
 the writer, was also characterized by apoplectic 
 symptoms and a partial loss of memory. 
 
 10. This writer is of the opinion that young men who 
 are suffering from diurnal emissions, without erections 
 or pleasurable sensations, were victims of enuresis dur- 
 
3i 
 
 ing their childhood. In such cases the disease con- 
 sists in great irritability and weakness of the bladder, 
 increased by the warmth of the bed, and conducted 
 from the bladder "to the neighboring sexual apparatus. 
 ii. The neck of the bladder is the most sensitive 
 when stones are trying to make their exit, and from 
 this source the most intensely painful symptoms pro- 
 ceed. The more the disease we call " gravel " is pro- 
 longed, the longer the durations of ; those affections of 
 the bladder, and so much more extensive is the inva- 
 sion of thecontiguous parts or organs — the ureters, kid- 
 neys, prostate gland, urethra, rectum and vagina, all 
 become implicated and somewhat exposed to danger. 
 
 12. The peculiar pains at the neck of the bladder, 
 as well as at the base, while walking, sitting at stool, 
 etc., and especially the pains experienced at the end of 
 the urethra, induce the patient to violent pulling and 
 stretching of the penis, and this leads to masturbation. 
 Excessive length of penis, and an observable lengthen- 
 ing of the prepuce, as well as a thickening of the same, 
 indicate the presence of stone in the bladder. 
 
 13. Sudden interruption of the flow of urine takes 
 place when small stones are carried into the urethra 
 and remain there. The reflex action of this irritation 
 upon the rectum, vagina, testicles, kidneys, etc., as 
 shown by cramp like contractions of the perineum, 
 may produce an abnormal irritation of the whole uri- 
 nary and genital apparatus. The tickling which stones 
 in the bladder produce in the membrum virile often 
 provoke involuntary emissions, and by the irritation 
 being transferred to the seminal vesicles, testicles and 
 seminal ducts, frequent pollutions and spermatorrhoea 
 results, and so far as the physical health is concerned 
 these may as well be brought on by masturbation. 
 
 14. A single large stone in the bladder, firmly im- 
 bedded in the fundus, may by its weight alone exert 
 so strong a pressure upon the seminal vesicles that they 
 must empty their contents and gradually suffer a dimi- 
 nution from atrophy, to the detriment and destruction 
 of the generative function. In this way no other cause 
 
32 
 
 than stone in the bladder may be the cause of sperma- 
 torrhoea and impotence. 
 
 15. The treatment of spermatorrhoea from these 
 causes consists in removing them. For that caused by- 
 thread worms, such remedies must be employed as will 
 exterminate them. Sulphur is an important remedy to 
 give first — a dose of the 3d trituration may be given 
 every day for a week. This remedy may be followed 
 by santonin, 2d trituration, in the same way. Should 
 these not be sufficient, terebinth, in drop doses may be 
 given twice a day, and other remedies, calc. cina and 
 ignatia. A timely use of these remedies will in a ma- 
 jority of cases effect a cure. 
 
 16. To cure the spermatorrhoea that has been pro- 
 voked by stones in the bladder, requires great care. 
 The cause must be removed, or otherwise there is no 
 chance for a cure ; when the stones are so large that 
 they cannot pass through the urethra while urinating, 
 and so hard and compact as to preclude the possibility 
 of their reduction by any other process, the sooner 
 some skillful surgeon performs the operation of crush- 
 ing them the better. It is preferable to undergo the 
 pain of lithotomy than to struggle a long time in such 
 suffering. After the operation has been successfully 
 performed, the after treatment with remedies must be 
 in accordance with the symptoms. The soreness and 
 pain consequent upon the operation is very soon re- 
 lieved by arnica, 6th, ten drops in half a tumbler of 
 water, and a tablespoonful may be taken three times a 
 day. Urging to urinate or painful urination requires 
 cantharis to be prepared and taken the same as arnica. 
 Urethral inflammation calls for cannabis sat. It may 
 be that these remedies will cure the seminal weakness 
 after the cause has been removed. But if they fail, it 
 must be attributed to the extensive injury which the 
 seminal vesicles have already received. The persistent 
 use of china may in time bring up their vitality. 
 
 17. A young gentleman who had always lived a cor- 
 rect life, was somewhat rheumatic. He observed that 
 his urine deposited a reddish sediment, which stuck 
 
33 
 
 fast and adhered to the vessel. In process of time he 
 passed what he termed red sand when he urinated. He 
 finally began to suffer from strangury and irritation 
 of the urethra. At last he felt stinging when he 
 urinated that extended to the end of the penis. Now, 
 in our opinion, if this young man had taken at that time 
 a few doses of tart. e?netic, he might have had less suf- 
 fering in the future. But he neglected himself and the 
 difficulty grew worse, until he began to pass blood with 
 his urine, and the heat and irritation was communicated 
 to the testes and seminal vesicles exciting pollution and 
 spermatorrhoea. The concretions in the bladder be- 
 came so massive that lithotomy was a thing indispens- 
 able, and a skillful surgeon placed him in position to 
 operate, put him under the influence of ether, and 
 effectually crushed the deposits, so that they readily 
 passed off with the urine, after which he took arnica 
 and cannabis and felt quite relieved, but the pollu- 
 tions remained and frequently the semen would 
 pass off with the urine, and when at stool. Digit- 
 alis given in drop doses of the 3d dilution had a 
 good effect. Hypophosphite of lime was given three 
 times a day for a week or ten days, and the patient 
 had no trouble afterward. 
 
 18. The diet in these cases should be barley water 
 for drink, fruits, esculents, and good digestible meat 
 and fish ; all food tending to bind up the bowels so as 
 to render constipation habitual, must be avoided. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 EXCESSIVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE IN MARRIED LIFE. 
 
 Marriage is intended for a higher, holier and hap- 
 pier purpose than unlimited indulgence in sexual in- 
 tercourse. It is not a license for excessive coitus, and 
 therefore when made such the worst of consequences 
 may follow. 1st, weakness of the general system ; 2d, 
 weakness and derangement of the function of reproduc- 
 tion. 
 
 1. Weakness of the general system is produced b> 
 
34 
 
 a series of disturbances which we will proceed to 
 explain. When a man and wife cohabit for the sake 
 of the legitimate purpose of begetting offspring, there 
 is but little tax upon the strength or but little risk of 
 impairing the generative function. But when the mind 
 sinks into the low plane that craves sensual sexual in- 
 dulgence, it morbidly and selfishly anticipates the most 
 unlimited sway for the passions, and to gratify them 
 is liable to become the chief motive and delight. Now 
 there is a normal delight in sexual intercourse alto- 
 gether different from the morbid craving for indulgence. 
 The former is chaste and pure when it spontaneously 
 occurs from mutual love and affection between married 
 partners, and virility is constantly strengthened for the 
 purpose ; with such the love looks to the important 
 result — the legitimate fruits of marriage, and rejoices 
 when children are born as the mutual pledge of connu- 
 bial affection. But the latter is a mere sensual lust 
 that looks no higher than for opportunities to gratify 
 it. It despises the idea of rearing a family, and the 
 children that chance to be born as the consequence of 
 this indulgence are not welcomed as blessings, but as 
 necessary evils. 
 
 2. There is a limit to this morbid and selfish lust. 
 The gratification of it does not strengthen connubial 
 tenderness and affection, nor promote the health of 
 the parties. After a time the love grows cold, or is 
 turned into hatred, and frequent and continual indulg- 
 ence ends in the deterioration of mind and body. 
 
 3. The man from continual losses of semen finds his 
 digestion impaired, his nervous system weak, and what 
 is worse he finds himself the victim of sexual weakness 
 and his virility impaired. His wife at the same time 
 has become hysterical and fretful, and there is no hap- 
 piness in the household. The man and the woman 
 only come together when lust excites them to an em- 
 brace. At other times their backs are turned to each 
 other in disgust and hatred. 
 
 4. Continual cohabitation at length destroys the func- 
 tion of the seminal vesicles, and paralyzes the little 
 
35 
 
 muscles that prevent the escape of the seminal fluid, 
 and thus manhood becomes sterile, prostrated and the 
 victim of spermatorrhoea, and the woman has become 
 his sterile companion. Excessive sexual indulgence 
 has been the proximate cause. When the digestion 
 has become impaired, and the successive chain of or- 
 ganic functions participate in the misfortune, nutrition 
 becomes feeble, and the whole body suffers from ema- 
 ciation and debility. The effect upon the woman 
 is quite similar. She suffers from nausea, de- 
 bility, and general nervous prostration. The 
 picture is not overwrought. Excessive sexual in- 
 dulgence, even in married life, results in the premature 
 decline of manhood. It pollutes the soul and fills the 
 mind with diverse fancies — it destroys the vital elas- 
 ticity of the muscles, saps the nervous system and en- 
 tails many weaknesses, such as rheumatism, constipa- 
 tion, hemorrhoids and renal disturbances. 
 
 5. When all the vital functions become thus im- 
 paired from over-indulgence in sexual intercourse, the 
 query arises, Is there no remedy? Is the restoration 
 of strength possible, and can manhood be restored? 
 If not too low or too far gone we answer these ques- 
 tions affirmatively. 
 
 6. When one sensibly feels that his virility is waning, 
 let him pause and consider, let him direct his mind 
 and thoughts to a higher plane of love and affection, 
 let him refrain from indulgence and lust and turn his 
 back upon the wicked practice. If he feels feverish 
 and restless, let him take a few doses of aconite. If 
 his appetite is impaired and his food distresses him, let 
 him take nux vo?nica. If his back is weak, rheumatic 
 and stiff, let him take cocculus. If his bladder and 
 urethra are irritated, let him take cannabis; or if he 
 has strangury, let him take cantharis; and for general 
 weakness, flaccidity of the penis and spermatorrhoea, 
 let him take china persistently, and eat and drink — if his 
 appetite permits and nutrition is not completely inter- 
 rupted — well cooked meats and vegetables and drink 
 wholesome drinks. If he fulfills these conditions with- 
 
36 
 
 out relapsing into more selfish indulgence of his pas- 
 sions. virility may be restored. 
 
 7. The worn out and depressed wife must also direct 
 her mind in that channel most conducive to her hap- 
 piness. Let her thoughts and affections ascend and 
 rest in a religious view of married life. If she suffers 
 from nausea and indigestion, she may improve the 
 condition of her stomach by taking 3 grs. of the 3d 
 trituration of oxalate of cerium. This remedy will 
 strengthen her nerves, improve the digestion, allay the 
 nausea, and give general tone to body and mind. 
 
 8. When both parties have thus complied with the 
 means of regaining health and strength, they will be 
 able to come together as man and wife, and with 
 lofty sentiments above venery they will happily find 
 connubial love and affection to take the place of lust, 
 and they may come into the happy relationship of hus- 
 band and wife. If otherwise, they will sink lower and 
 lower, the victims of excessive lustful indulgence. Con- 
 nubial bliss and conjugal tenderness will bloom no more 
 for the household. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE CONSEQUENCES OF ABNORMAL SEMINAL EMIS- 
 SIONS. 
 
 Seminal emissions are either abnormal on account of 
 the means by which they are brought about, or in re- 
 spect to the frequency of their occurrence, whether 
 produced by coitus or spontaneous pollutions at short 
 intervals. 
 
 2. Long-continued and oft-repeated masturbation in 
 both sexes is altogether abnormal, and is the fruitful 
 source of disease. In the male it results in disease of 
 the reproductive organs, and is followed by emaciation 
 and consequent debility of the whole body. Hippo- 
 crates maintained that this emaciation indicated the 
 atrophy of the spinal cord. He describes the sense of 
 formication, or the feeling, as if ants were crawling 
 over the skin, as an accompaniment of the atrophy, 
 
37 
 
 and the loss of seminal fluid while urinating and when 
 at stool as the result, and to this is added a sense of 
 weariness and shortness of breath after a short walk. 
 All this may occur when a person of the most robust 
 health is broken down by the vice. 
 
 3. Celsus supports the views of Hippocrates and 
 maintains that atrophy of the spinal cord is the imme- 
 diate source of emaciation and the legitimate conse- 
 quence of abnormal emissions, produced by masturba- 
 tion. It has been observed that the emaciation of 
 onanists increases in spite of a good appetite and the 
 consumption of a large amount of food. Insatiable 
 hunger and a good digestion are symptoms that indi- 
 cate the struggle of nature to compensate for the losses, 
 and yet so long as the spinal centre is the source and 
 its atrophy stands out in continual decrease of the flesh, 
 satiated hunger and an unimpaired digestion can avail 
 but little. This emaciation is often ascribed to the 
 rapid growth of youth that sometimes follows puberty. 
 The muscles of the hip and lower extremities show 
 forth this peculiarity, which is ascribed to pathological 
 changes of the spinal cord. 
 
 4. Just in proportion to the emaciation the onanist 
 loses his strength. He leaves his bed with difficulty 
 in the morning, and is dull and listless during the day, 
 even when at his work. In going up stairs he finds 
 difficulty in breathing and palpitation of the heart. 
 These symptoms of weakness may increase to an alarm- 
 ing extent, till the onanist bends over like an old 
 man and faints and reels from vertigo on the slightest 
 exertion and is obliged to keep his bed. 
 
 4. The case of the onanist, even in the extremity 
 described above, is not hopeless. The strength and 
 fullness of the body may return when the vice is given 
 up and proper remedial means are employed to ob- 
 viate the deterioration of the spinal cord. The habit 
 broken, the appetite and digestion good, render it 
 probable that the 3d decimal trituration of the hypo- 
 phosphite of lime, given persistently for a sufficient 
 length of time, will restore the spinal cord to its nor- 
 
3« 
 
 mal size and strength. The remedy may be adminis- 
 tered in 3 grain doses, half an hour after each meal 
 and before retiring. 
 
 5. Modern physicians concur with Hippocrates and 
 Celsus in these descriptions of the consequences of 
 seminal losses by onanism. Hoffman says : "The 
 onanist loses his strength after frequent seminal eva- 
 cuations, the body gets thin, the face pale, the mem- 
 ory blunted or lost, and a continual coldness seizes 
 the limbs ; the face becomes idiotic, the voice hoarse, 
 and in short the whole body is reduced to atrophy, 
 and sleeplessness, restlessness and tormenting dreams 
 are the usual concomitant symptoms." The same au- 
 thor says : ''Amaurosis or total blindness is some- 
 times the consequence of abnormal seminal evacua- 
 tions." 
 
 6. Boerhaave has noticed "pain in the membranes 
 of the brain, weakness of the body, blunting of the 
 senses, leanness and paralysis, and this is not all. The 
 face loses its healthy and beautiful tint, becomes pale, 
 earthlike and yellowish, or lead colored and livid ; the 
 lips pale and the eye dim and glassy. The bluish 
 margin around the eyes, a pufthess of the lids, flabbi- 
 ness of the flesh, weak and small pulse, copious sweats, 
 swelling of the upper and lower extremities, and finally 
 hectic fever and general symptoms of exhaustion are the 
 deplorable consequences, which show that the organ- 
 ism does not succumb to the onslaught on its integrity 
 without the most obstinate struggle." To change this 
 condition requires, as before stated, a complete cessa- 
 tion of the polluting habit and a steadfast resolution 
 to rely on the best regimen and remedial means to re- 
 store the body to its normal health. 
 
 7. At first the abuse of the genital organs begets in 
 the onanist a sense of hunger and a voracious appetite, 
 but long-continued sexual abuse results in indigestion, 
 loss of appetite and disgust for food, or at best the ap- 
 petite becomes irregular, vague and beset with morbid 
 cravings and derangement of the sense of taste. Food 
 taken into the stomach causes pain and vomiting, or 
 
39 
 
 diarrhoea and flatulence or constipation and hemor- 
 rhoids. For this condition sulphur and nux vomica 
 may be given as follows : Upon the supposition that 
 the victim is alarmed at the consequences and has broken 
 oft' the habit which induces abnormal seminal losses, 
 give sulphur^ 3d, every night for a week, and then follow 
 with a dose of the 3d of nux v. every night just 
 before retiring, and with such a diet as will accord 
 with the condition of the stomach, the above conse- 
 quences in many cases may be obviated. 
 
 8. Abnormal seminal emissions are said by Deslandes 
 to lead to other diseases, classed among the severer 
 and fatal forms, such as apoplexy, ramollissement, epi- 
 lepsy, chorea, mental disorders, spinal irritation, blind- 
 ness, deafness, gout, strabismus, varicocele, sarcocele 
 and hydrocele, many of which are incurable, and they 
 must therefore remain as a permanent warning to young 
 men not to make shipwreck of themselves upon the 
 rock upon which so many have foundered and sunk. 
 
 9. Another consequence of onanism is the complete 
 decline of virility and inability to propagate their kind 
 either because they are unable to perform the marital 
 act or because they have lost all the warmth which 
 healthy semen requires to vivify the female germs. 
 Should such enervated individuals beget children, upon 
 the principle that "like begets like," they will be feeble 
 and puny, and as they grow to maturity they will be 
 ill-shaped, bow-legged, oldish-looking specimens of 
 humanity, and victims for an early grave. The more 
 healthy, strong and sound the father, the more robust 
 and perfect will be his oft spring. 
 
 10. Bodily diseases alone are quite enough to utter a 
 warning to the onanist. But they are trifling when 
 compared with the awful consequences upon the soul. 
 The mind succumbs, childishness and imbecility are its 
 attributes, and he becomes a moral monstrosity ; thank 
 heaven, monsters cannot propagate, neither physical or 
 moral, for manhood is gone, virility destroyed, and the 
 vessel is a complete w r reck in the sea of human infirmi- 
 
4o 
 
 ties. Such are the consequences of this kind of abnor- 
 mal seminal losses. 
 
 11. As stated in the preceding chapter, a high, licen- 
 tious degree of sexual abuse results in hopeless degen- 
 eracy of the organs of reproduction, as well as of the 
 whole animal system. Their excitability gradually 
 diminishes, and mental disorders, associated with their 
 diseased condition, become prominent. This is espe- 
 cially the case when the body is well nourished with 
 good food, while at the same time the debilitating 
 cause continues to act on the genital organs. Pangs of 
 conscience, remorse, shame or fear of the terrible con- 
 sequences, as set forth in certain books, easily excite 
 apprehension, melancholy and hypochondria. When 
 the mind constantly fights against the disease-pro- 
 ducing lust, it is in a continual state of excitement. 
 The brain becomes affected, and mental disturbance or 
 insanity is superinduced upon the physical weakness, 
 and in the lust it changes to hopeless idiocy. 
 
 12. The conviction of incurable impotence, joined to 
 intemperate habits resorted to for the purpose of silenc- 
 ing anxiety and fearful forebodings, frequently contri- 
 butes to unsettle the mind and pave the way to hope- 
 less dementia. One-tenth of all the inmates of our 
 insane asylums are of this class of secret sinners, who 
 still continue the vile habit of self-abuse, though 
 brought to spiritual and moral bankruptcy. Insanity, 
 hallucinations, loss of sight and hearing in a moral 
 point of view form the climax, characteristic of the con- 
 sequences, and withal these idiotic victims of sexual 
 abuse embrace every secret opportunity to instinctively 
 cultivate and practice the vile habit of onanism. 
 
 13. The consequences of masturbation in the female 
 sex are equally disastrous and injurious to the gener- 
 al organism. Some eminent physicians maintain 
 that the delicate and susceptible organization of the 
 female system renders it more liable to suffer from this 
 vice than that of the male. Suffice it to say the female 
 masturbater suffers all the physical and mental deteri- 
 oration that the practice induces in the opposite sex, 
 
4i 
 
 and besides she becomes the victim of uterine affec- 
 tions of a serious nature, such as disturbance of the 
 menses, prolapsus, displacement, ulcers, indurations, 
 and cancer. 
 
 14. One of the most serious consequences of the 
 habit is local irritation of the nerves of the womb, re- 
 sulting in nymphomania, which affects both soul and 
 body, and degrades the finest feelings and attributes 
 of her being — disgusting to herself, and a shock upon 
 female or womanly modesty. 
 
 15. Rozier, a French physician, asserts that mas- 
 turbation in girls, by the frequent and powerful cramp- 
 like contractions accompanying the fulfillment of the 
 act, induces considerable swelling of the neck, as in 
 epileptics ; and further, that in some the skin becomes 
 yellow, and in others eruptions resembling ringworms 
 make their appearance on the arms and legs, which 
 disappear when they refrain from the vice, but return 
 when a repetition is indulged in. The voice, also, 
 of such girls becomes rough and hoarse, hollow and 
 weak, losing its sonorous, soft and metallic ring. 
 
 16. A feeling of oppression in the chest and region 
 of the stomach, with a dragging, occasionally indi- 
 cating the need of food, are consequent on the habit. 
 Severe cramps in the stomach, and similar disturbances 
 of the solar plexus especially, show themselves in girls 
 who indulge in this habit, and at the same time leu- 
 corrhcea becomes established, attended with other 
 troubles, such as spasms and cramps in various parts of 
 the body, eructations after eating, distention of the ab- 
 domen, difficult digestion, headache and restless moving 
 of the limbs. 
 
 17. A sallow countenance and an ugly expression of 
 the face, which is pale and sickly, are signs which beto- 
 ken the physical and mental depression, consequent 
 upon masturbation. The vivacious expression of youth 
 gives way, the eye becomes dim and surrounded by 
 leaden colored rings, the lips are pale, the teeth cov- 
 ered with a gummy and dirty-looking mucus. The 
 entire fullness of feminine spirit and beauty has seem- 
 
42 
 
 in'gly vanished, and the shrunken image betokens pre- 
 mature decline. Both heart and mind suffer more in 
 comparison from the habit than is the case with the op- 
 posite sex. Worse than all are the pangs of conscience, 
 and mortification, and grief which such a vile habit 
 engenders. This, added to physical exhaustion, be- 
 comes prophetic of the shipwreck of all the glorious 
 attributes of womanhood. The yoke under which she 
 habitually labors is of such a nature, that the mind 
 moves in a perpetual circle, and from which it cannot 
 elevate itself. The whole endeavor is to mislead the 
 eyes of others away from her true condition, and to 
 recall the memories and imaginations which give fresh 
 encouragement to the lascivious practice. 
 
 1 8. And yet another kind of moral deformity may 
 spring up from the practice. The mind accustomed 
 only to its own selfish broodings and lascivious thoughts, 
 does not feel at ease in other spheres of thought. The 
 pleasure of self-abuse then becomes the chief delight 
 of those erring misses, and they give themselves up to 
 it. All pleasure of concourse of the sexes is lost, and 
 nothing but loathing and indifference takes its place* 
 Their own silent, or rather secluded indulgence, eclipses 
 the higher and nobler enjoyments. The sexual im- 
 pulse with such is perverted and usurps dominion, and 
 is much more frequent, according to Tissot, in women 
 than in men. He cites the case of a wife who had 
 become so confirmed in the habit of masturbation that 
 she esteemed the pleasure superior to marital inter- 
 course, for which she felt an unmitigated disgust. Tis- 
 sot also remarks that this abominable habit keeps some 
 girls from marrying at an age when they could do 
 so ; because, in their estimation, it would deprive them 
 of this unnatural method of gratifying their passions, 
 and hence the increased number of old maids. 
 
 ig. It is true that the fluids lost by women by mas- 
 turbation are less vital and perfect than that lost by 
 men, and for this reason women can endure these exer- 
 cises longer and more frequently without apparent 
 injury. But the longer and oftener the woman gives 
 
43 
 
 herself up to the practice, the more serious the conse- 
 quences become, and this is attributable to the delicate 
 organization of the female system. 
 
 20. Among the examples of broken down constitu- 
 tions, occasioned by the vice, we find recorded numer- 
 ous instances of confirmed melancholy and insanity, 
 nymphomania, idiocy and suicide. Dr. V. .Graifa, of 
 Berlin, relates a remarkable case of recovery from idiocy 
 in a young woman after the amputation of the clitoris 
 and the cessation of masturbation. 
 
 21. The treatment required for impaired female 
 constitutions, so long as reason and moral sense re- 
 mains, must primarily be moral — onanism must be dis- 
 carded, denounced and condemned. The mind must 
 be directed to higher aspirations and purer thoughts, 
 and for the debility and loss of strength, a good whole- 
 some diet, and exercise in the open air are commended, 
 with two doses of china daily until relieved. For the 
 cramps of the incipient stage give mix vomica and 
 sepia 3d decimal, whenever they occur. For the weary, 
 tired and listless feeling, arnica third decimal, may be 
 taken twice a day. For nervousness and hysteria or 
 for timidity and spasm, hyoscyamus may be given three 
 or four times during the day. If dejected and inclined 
 to weep, ignatia. For epileptiform troubles, cuprum 
 met. Loss of mind and memory, sulphur. For nym- 
 phomania, cantharis. All of these remedies may be 
 employed in the 3d decimal attenuation, and prepared 
 for administration in the usual way. 
 
 22. Certain aliments are prohibited, such as oysters, 
 eggs, and indigestible meats, and all stimulating bever- 
 ages. By following the above directions all will be 
 accomplished that can be in the way of restoring sound 
 health. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CONSEQUENCES OF SPERMATORRHEA AFFECTING THE 
 WHOLE SYSTEM. 
 
 I. Spermatorrhoea, as before stated, consists of un- 
 
44 
 
 conscious seminal emissions, that occur from the most 
 trivial excitement, distinct from the disease-producing 
 causes on which it depends. It gives rise to a series of 
 symptoms of great importance to the entire organic 
 structure of man. It is not only evident that the 
 causes of spermatorrhoea sometimes remain, but that 
 they affect pathological changes in different parts of the 
 genital organs. The disturbances which are wholly 
 due to the seminal losses are as follows : 
 
 2. The entire organism becomes altered and im- 
 paired ; the sufferer without being able to fix the local- 
 ity of the pain, and probably without realizing the 
 nature of his trouble, is beset with general discomfort, 
 lassitude and trembling weakness of the extremities — 
 a depressed condition of the entire body, and a distaste 
 for any occupation of body or mind; not fully realizing 
 the nature of his trouble, nor able to explain, he retires 
 exhausted, sleeps indifferently, and awakes without 
 having been refreshed or improved in strength, with a 
 sense of pressure, fullness and dizziness of the head, 
 and inclination to fainting. 
 
 3. An enfeebled and sick body is but a feeble in- 
 strument for the mind that depends upon the cerebral 
 center for its integrity. It must therefore suffer when 
 the body is thus depressed. Its activity is seriously 
 impaired and morbid. The fire of the intellect can 
 glow but faintly when the whole physical system is in 
 such a flickering condition. For matter and spirit are 
 so closely and intimately related in human beings, 
 there must be a reciprocal influence of each upon the 
 other, or a perpetual conflict between nature and 
 spirit, body and soul, or matter and force. 
 
 4. And to add to the misery and wretchedness, a 
 knowledge of its source, or a self-consciousness of guilt 
 and the probability of having become the victim of 
 incurable disease, only opens the channel for fearful 
 and tormenting forebodings. Impotence is mortify- 
 ing, and to be in this hopeless condition fills the mind 
 with despair and leads to confirmed melancholy. 
 
 5. Then, further, a continual depression of spirits. 
 
45 
 
 and brooding over this unpleasant condition, leads to 
 intemperate stimulation, and this to affections of the 
 brain, and a train of evil consequences that betokens a 
 complete wreck of body and mind, the fruits of which 
 may culminate in despair and suicide, or in insanity or 
 idiocy, and the absolute loss of mental impressibility, 
 and finally a sinking away in exhaustion, or an apo- 
 plectic convulsion, may end the train of evil conse- 
 quences of self-abuse and spermatorrhoea. 
 
 6. There is another class of symptoms that some- 
 times shows itself as the consequence of abnormal sem- 
 inal losses. This class embraces great muscular weak- 
 ness, and different forms of paralysis. There is an 
 intimate relation and mutual dependence that exists 
 between the nervous system and the blood ; nervous 
 energy depends on the purity and normal condition of 
 the blood. An impoverished condition of the circula- 
 tion explains the diminution of muscular power. For 
 it is self-evident that the vis nervosa, which is the natu- 
 ral stimulant of muscular power, must cease to be 
 active, in the degree that it fails of support from the 
 blood. Spermatorrhoea not only deprives the circula- 
 tion of the purest elements of the blood, and thus pro- 
 duces an irritable condition of the nervous system, 
 but by reflex irritability the nearest spinal nerves and 
 thence the whole cerebro-spinal system may become 
 affected ; and by continuity the muscles become sub- 
 ject to extreme weakness and paralysis. As for exam T 
 pie the lower extremities sometimes exhibit a semi- 
 paralytic condition, causing the victim at every step to 
 throw his legs, irrespective of muscular control. 
 
 7. Paralysis of the bladder, rectum and anus follow, 
 and the muscles of the hip also become implicated. 
 Sometimes only a single locality becomes paralyzed, 
 and this may be the tongue or perchance the sphincter 
 of the bladder or anus, and this depends upon the ex- 
 tent of the irritation of the nervous system. 
 
 8. When brain affections are becoming more exten- 
 sive, one organ after another may show the effect in par- 
 tial paralysis. When stuttering and stammering or loss 
 
46 
 
 of speech entirely manifest themselves, we are led to 
 suspect some affection of the nerves immediately con- 
 nected with the brain, on which the muscular apparatus 
 depends ; and it does not necessarily follow that other 
 localities will become similarly affected. 
 
 9. But inasmuch as spermatorrhoea being in some 
 instances, the primary cause of paralysis of the tongue, 
 this symptom has been regarded as ominous of more 
 serious troubles, when the losses of semen are persis- 
 tent. It may be the first alarm of an increasing or 
 progressive paralysis that may terminate in general 
 mania, and on this account the symptoms have been 
 studied in lunatic asylums as the prodromous or lore- 
 runner of alarming results. 
 
 10. That the most frightful cases of chorea arise 
 from self-abuse and seminal losses, no reasonable 
 doubt obtains. The irritation of the brain which re- 
 sults therefrom, causes a semi-paralytic condition of 
 the facial muscles, which gives numerous twitchings 
 and a peculiar expression to the face, and if not obvi- 
 ated there may arise a more extensive paralysis impli- 
 cating the optic and auricular nerves, and those of the 
 palpebral muscles, rendering it difficult to open or 
 close the eyes. 
 
 11. But the effect does not end with mere weakness 
 of sight. Rognita describes a case of amaurosis from 
 excessive seminal losses in a young Jesuit from Paler- 
 mo, who indulged in self-abuse six or seven times a 
 day. Deslandes considers the amaurosis a symptom of 
 great exhaustion, and of a parallel character with that 
 of the legs from spinal irritation. In addition to this 
 blindness, the motor muscles of the eye may become 
 sadly affected, and strabismus and spasms of the great- 
 est intensity may take place, and also a constant lach- 
 rymation and agglutination of the eyelids in the morn- 
 ing. 
 
 12. It must be confessed that spinal irritation is one 
 of the most disagreeable consequences of spermator- 
 rhoea. It is a diseased condition intermediate between 
 nerve pain and inflammation, and is denoted by a press- 
 
47 
 
 ing, drawing sensation in the region of the hips and 
 small of the back ; disturbed sensibility, formication, 
 alternation of coldness and heat, pressure and weight, 
 and pain in bending down, and through the enfeebled 
 genitals the irritation extends to the lower portion of 
 the spinal cord, and is reflected to the testes and penis, 
 producing in them a sensation of drawing, pressure 
 and dullness, extending to the inguinal and hypogas- 
 tric regions, and from thence it may be reflected up- 
 wards to other organs, producing an uncontrollable 
 restlessness. 
 
 13. A super sensitiveness of the entire organism is 
 liable to result. The auricular nerves are too sensitive 
 to endure loud talking, music and the like. The sub- 
 ject is unable to concentrate his thoughts on any sub- 
 ject. He can neither endure the act of reading or 
 writing, and he must therefore remain inactive, beset 
 with sleeplessness, headaches, dizziness, perverted 
 taste and smell, and pricking and itching of the skin. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE EFFECT OF SPERMATORRHOEA UPON THE RESPIRA- 
 TORY SYSTEM AND THE HEART AND OTHER ORGANS. 
 
 I . In the course of the general irritation of the nervous 
 system, arising from spermatorrhoea, the breathing ap- 
 paratus becomes implicated, and oppression of the 
 chest and precordial anxiety weigh heavily upon the 
 patient. A short, dry, and persistent cough most al- 
 ways results from the sensitive condition of the pulmo- 
 nary and bronchial nerves, and palpitation of the 
 heart sets in to complete the picture. Nearly every 
 authority upon the causes of sexual diseases allude 
 definitely to the asthmatic symptoms produced by 
 pollutions and spermatorrhoea ; associated with these 
 are dry cough, debility, feebleness, restlessness, perspi- 
 ration and stitches, which actually imitate the symp- 
 toms that usually accompany tuberculosis. Many a 
 practitioner has been puzzled to institute a diagnosis, 
 to tell the difference. 
 
4 8 
 
 2. Diseases of the heart and large blood vessels fre- 
 quently result from self-abuse and spermatorrhoea, 
 and sometimes from excessive sexual indulgence. Nev- 
 ertheless, of organic trouble of the heart may be present 
 without any lesion. In such cases the appearance is 
 due to spinal irritation alone, which extends in a 
 greater or less degree to the medulla oblongata and 
 cerebellum, and this also explains the unbearable pain 
 and sensation of pressure at the nape of the neck and 
 back of the head, and the tendency to bend backwards 
 as in opisthotonos of the neck in transient tetanus. 
 
 3. Gouty pains in the feet and knees, or hands and 
 fingers, in conjunction with convulsive movements and 
 trembling are also consequent upon self-pollution and 
 spermatorrhoea. Epilepsy and chorea frequently fol- 
 low sexual excesses — the latter more frequently in 
 young girls troubled with thread worms, who, through 
 their biting and itching influences, have led to rub- 
 bing and masturbation. 
 
 4. Through disturbed innervation the nerves of the 
 stomach become implicated, producing pains, cramps 
 and spasms, and through the general deterioration of 
 the body indigestion and defective nutrition may result. 
 The torpor of the muscular system throughout all the 
 organs retards or depresses the vital activity of all the 
 organic functions, and loss of appetite, dyspepsia and 
 depression of spirits are certain to render mind and 
 body uncomfortable. 
 
 5. The vitality of the skin becomes impaired and its 
 function interrupted, and when distended by foul gases 
 in the stomach, and wind, the condition fully accounts 
 for the severe colic and cessation of peristaltic action, 
 accompanied by constipation from which the victim 
 continually suffers. Constipation is one consequence 
 of spermatorrhoea, and it serves at the same time to 
 stimulate a renewal of seminal losses. 
 
 6. Constipation and hemorrhoids, which frequently 
 exist at the same time, are probably classed among the 
 products of continual seminal losses, and also other af- 
 fections implicating the neck of the bladder and prostate 
 
5i 
 
 sufficient to oppose the ejaculatory forces, and prevent 
 the flow of semen during the act of copulation; such 
 obstacles are difficult to overcome. 
 
 13. Atrophy, and cancerous induration of the testes 
 are most unfavorable in regard to prognosis. Sarco- 
 cele, varicocele, and hydrocele inevitably lead to impo- 
 tence, because the secretion of the seminal fluid in such 
 cases is hindered, or sexual intercourse is both painful 
 and difficult. Spermatocele, which is a swollen condi- 
 tion of the scrotum, resulting from an accumulation of 
 seminal fluid in the testes, epididymis and vas defer- 
 ens, either through voluntary retention of semen in 
 copulation or through abstinence, is undoubtedly fol- 
 lowed by impotence. 
 
 1-4. Such are in general and in particular the causes 
 of impotence, and nearly all of which may be traceable 
 directly or indirectly to some form of self- abuse, and 
 such are the consequences of pollutions and spermator- 
 rhoea, as seen in the premature decline of manhood. 
 The picture drawn in the foregoing of the disastrous 
 consequences of pollutions and spermatorrhoea, al- 
 though correct to a certain extent, must be viewed 
 more as a warning to those addicted to self-abuse, 
 than a source of discouragement to those unfortu- 
 nately afflicted, and therefore in the following chapter 
 we shall treat of marriage in relation to sexual weak- 
 ness. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 MARRIAGE, IN RELATION TO SEXUAL WEAKNESS. 
 
 1. When a morbid imagination has led to sexual 
 abuse, and the whole sexual system has become im- 
 paired thereby, the victim is no sooner aroused to a 
 sense of his condition, than a morbid and discouraging 
 fancy begins to influence him in another direction, and 
 he too frequently regards himself the victim of incura- 
 ble disease. But this is not warranted. 
 
 2. When a young man who from some cause or influ- 
 ence had been initiated into solitary habits of self- 
 
5 2 
 
 abuse begins to think seriously upon the consequences, 
 he is apt to imagine himself untit to assume the rela- 
 tion of husband to a wife, and under a sense of remorse 
 he broods over his situation until he dreads the future, 
 and hesitates when he looks upon marriage as desira- 
 ble. But there is in the main no occasion for this, and 
 the sooner his will can triumph over these morbid fore- 
 bodings the better. 
 
 3. When he comes into a state to renounce and de- 
 nounce as wicked and disorderly the habit of self-pollu- 
 tion, he takes the first step to regain his manhood. If 
 he suffers from sensible weakness on account of what 
 has happened, it behooves him to employ the best rem- 
 edial measures, with hopeful reliance on them for a 
 cure. Looking forward to matrimony is as likely to 
 benefit him as any means he can employ, provided his 
 motives for entering into such a state are right, and he 
 desires to become an affectionate and faithful husband. 
 Even if some of the effects of his former indiscretion 
 remain, the marriage relation is as likely to favor his 
 entire recovery from them, and even more so than if he 
 remains single. 
 
 4. In a happy married life the incitement to sexual 
 intercourse being normal and springing from affection, 
 has a tendency to strengthen mind and body for the 
 purpose. The affection of such a man for his wife, who 
 fully requites his love, has an undoubted tendency to 
 strengthen the sexual system. We have known in- 
 stances of seminal weakness so great as to excite appre- 
 hension and alarm, to entirely pass away after mar- 
 riage. But in such cases much has depended upon the 
 previous exertion of the will to fix the mind upon chaste 
 subjects and to avoid all excesses and broodings over the 
 past. A young student of the university, subject to 
 nocturnal emissions four or five times a week, found 
 himself in a failing condition of health, and without 
 ability to concentrate his mind upon his studies. He 
 applied for advice, and medical treatment. He became 
 very despondent and imagined for himself the worst of 
 future consequences. To encourage his hopes, and 
 
53 
 
 direct his mind to chaste subjects, he was advised to 
 turn his attention to the subject of marriage, and to 
 look forward to such an event for himself ; to which 
 he replied that his indiscreet habits had ruined him 
 and blasted his hopes in this direction. Although he 
 had fully broken himself of masturbation, the evils en- 
 tailed was what beset him, and interfered with his 
 health and peace of mind, and he had therefore con- 
 cluded to abandon his studies, and try to recover him- 
 self in some secluded way. Remedies were given him, 
 accompanied by encouragement to rest awhile, and try 
 the " Health Lift." He did so, and derived great 
 benefit. After a season of rest he returned with ability 
 to complete his studies, not cured of his infirmity, but 
 greatly improved ; after which he left the university 
 and went into business, and soon became engaged to a 
 lovely lady for whom he cherished the purest affection. 
 But he hesitated and delayed entering upon marriage 
 until advised that such an event might obviate and 
 cure his emissions, and be the means of restoring 
 rather than of diminishing his sexual ability. He 
 finally took courage and entered into wedlock and be- 
 came a happy husband, and in due time the father of 
 several children, and after was never troubled with the 
 weakness that had so preyed upon his mind. 
 
 5. The above is by no means a solitary example. 
 Marriage from pure motives, and not as a means of 
 gratifying lust, is ordained of heaven to be the means 
 of strengthening and perfecting the powers of man- 
 hood, and getting rid of many evils incident to a bach- 
 elor's life. Love is not lust, and in a beautiful and 
 affectionate wife it brings love in return, and this love 
 is life, and full of power to overcome weakness and 
 give legitimate strength to virility. 
 
 6. But to look forward to marriage as a license to 
 whoredom must be corrupting to the wife, and a source 
 of greater weakness and suffering to both parties. In 
 this instance lust takes the place of love ; and as lust 
 has previously led to excesses and self-abuse, to marry 
 for the sake of affording it unlimited indulgence is only 
 
54 
 
 adding fresh fuel to the fire, and the physical and men- 
 tal strength diminishes, and peace, love and affection 
 depart from the household. 
 
 7. We will therefore say to all young men that mar- 
 riage from pure motives is honorable, and though the 
 follies of youth may have preyed upon your health and 
 brought on pollutions and even spermatorrhoea, you 
 are not lost — your manhood is not gone — provided you 
 exercise the power of will to break off all lewd habits 
 which a morbid imagination begets, and turn your at- 
 tention to true love and marriage ; for love, requited 
 and pure, is the fulfilling of the law of marriage ; it 
 can never lead to sexual excesses, but by the employ- 
 ment of judicious measures in connection therewith, it 
 may give fresh lite to the mental and physical powers, 
 obviate disease, and cure seminal weaknesses. In or- 
 der there is beauty and strength — in disorder there is 
 confusion and weakness. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 RECAPITULATION AND TREATMENT OF SEXUAL WEAK- 
 NESSES. 
 
 i. In the foregoing chapters we have enumerated the 
 causes that operate to produce the premature decline 
 of manhood, and the numerous effects that proceed 
 from these causes. We have also given some general 
 therapeutic hints concerning remedies. In this chap- 
 ter we shall conclude the work by a brief recapitulation 
 and special treatment with diet, regimen and reme- 
 dies. 
 
 2. In all cases the cause, whatever it may be, must 
 be removed if possible before the effect can cease, and 
 causes are of two kinds, viz.: primary and secondary. 
 
 Primary causes are those which primarily act upon 
 the general health, inducing functional or organic de- 
 rangement. 
 
 Secondary causes are the conditions that immedi- 
 ately influence, aggravate or induce diseases of the 
 seminal vessels. 
 
55 
 
 3. Among the primary causes of masturbation with 
 the young of both sexes, we have seen that worms and 
 eruptive difficulties, that occasion much itching and 
 consequent rubbing and scratching, are to be included; 
 and it is incumbent on parents to be exceedingly par- 
 ticular with their children at this tender age, in order 
 to guard them against such initiative influences. 
 
 Treatment. — For thread worms, sulphur^ santonin 
 and terebinth, have each proved successful in remov- 
 ing them. The sulphur may be given in the 6th dilu- 
 tion, a dose every twenty-four hours. Should this fail, 
 follow with santonin 3d, morning and evening, or with 
 terebinth. 3d, morning, noon and night. Give the 
 sulphur and terebinth, in drop doses in a spoonful of 
 water, and the santonin in powder. This treatment 
 will often suffice to arrest the effects of those annoying 
 parasites. To cure the eruptive difficulty and relieve 
 the itching, petroleum 6th in drop doses three times a 
 day will be found useful, or else calcarea conium and 
 sulphur. 
 
 When girls at a tender age have been initiated into 
 masturbation by such annoyances, serious conse- 
 quences have arisen. We have recently seen a sad 
 case of chorea which resulted from these insignificant 
 parasites, first initiating the habit of rubbing and then 
 of masturbation. She was cured of the malady by 
 terebinth; 6th. She was past nine years of age, and 
 after becoming relieved of the thread worms, her gen- 
 eral health and strength was greatly improved. Other 
 cases have been cured by sulphur given persistently 
 every night for a month. Santonin after sulphur will 
 generally exert a healthy influence upon the mucous 
 membrane, and entirely obviates the itching, and 
 therefore one of the primary causes that initiates into 
 the habit of self-abuse becomes removed. Itching 
 from some eruptive disease on the integuments of the 
 genital organs, is another primary cause of self-abuse 
 and sexual weakness. This eruption has been cured 
 by petroleum, and the itching entirely subdued. Coni- 
 um mac. has been successfully employed for the same 
 
56 
 
 purpose, and so has sulphur. The two former, when 
 required, may be given in the 3d dilution three times a 
 day, and the latter when required may be given in the 
 tincture every twenty-four hours. 
 
 When sexual weakness is primarily caused by 
 masturbation, there is little hope of cure until the 
 mind, the thoughts, motives and sentiments be- 
 come set against the habit, nor until the mind becomes 
 elevated above that condition which a morbid imagi- 
 nation engenders. To come into this state requires a 
 strong will, and in youth, the kindest encouragement 
 from friends. 
 
 If, as a result of self-abuse, there occur nocturnal 
 emissions, causing a sense of debility and dullness, 
 china 3d dilution may be administered three times a 
 day before each meal, or until the sense of debility is 
 removed, or plantago major 3d dilution may be given 
 in the same way. Where there is a feeling of malaise 
 and confusion after excessive emissions phosphoric acid 
 dissolved in water, the 3d decimal in 5 drop doses 
 may be given morning and evening until the malaise 
 and confusion are better. Selenitim 3 may be given in- 
 stead if there is vertigo on rising in the morning, or 
 there has been an oozing out of semen when asleep, or 
 a discharge of prostatic fluid. Sepia 6th to the 3d will 
 cure excessive nocturnal emissions when they are fol- 
 lowed by hypochondria, weak memory, sadness, de- 
 pression of spirits, dullness of the head, and weakness 
 of the sexual organs. When constipation aggravates 
 the discharges, or excites them nux vom. 3d or 6th may 
 be given to overcome the difficulty. Dr. W. H. Burt 
 cured several cases of spermatorrhoea, attended with 
 much nervous irritability, with half grain doses of 
 bro7iiide of potassium, repeated every six hours for sev- 
 eral days. Cannabis sativa has been prescribed success- 
 fully when urethral inflammation has excited seminal 
 emissions. Dr. Baehr says, digitaline will cure the 
 severest cases of involuntary seminal discharges, espe- 
 cially when there is great weakness and palpitation of 
 the heart. 
 
57 
 
 Other writers maintain that after all the voluntary 
 causes have been removed, the involuntary effects that 
 remain must be treated in accordance with the promi- 
 nent symptoms, as in case of anaemia and debility and 
 frequent pollutions, ferrum py?vphosp. and china, or in 
 case of constipation and hemorrhoids nux vomica and 
 sulphur administered alternately night and morning, 
 or if strangury is a prominent symptom attendant 
 on pollutions, and painful erections, cantharis 3d or 6th 
 given three times a day before meals will generally 
 cure spermatorrhoea, which consists of an involun- 
 tary discharge of seminal fluid, when at stool or when 
 urinating, or at other times from the slightest exciting 
 causes, and especially when there are but feeble erec- 
 tions, or flaccidity of the penis ; and when there is 
 great weakness of the back and spine conium macula- 
 turn may be given in the 6th decimal dilution three 
 times a day before meals ; calcis hypoph. is also a reme- 
 dy much esteemed. A small powder of the second 
 decimal three times a day after meals has done well 
 in many cases. Hypophosphite of zinc deserves a careful 
 study. Oxalate of cerium is a valuable remedy for sper- 
 matorrhoea as borne out by clinical experience. A small 
 powder of the 2d decimal may be given three times a 
 day. 
 
 Ustilago madis in the hands of Dr.W. H. Burt cured 
 a case of nocturnal emissions of long standing when 
 other remedies had failed. 
 
 Cypripedium pubescens. Dr. E. M. Hale administered 
 this remedy in a case of great nervous prostration and 
 depression of spirits, and it seemed to impart new tone 
 and vigor to the nervous system. 
 
 The remedies in general for spermatorrhoea include 
 those prescribed for nocturnal emissions, as well as 
 those known to act on the spinal centre, the most 
 prominent of which are co?iium mac, digitaline, ferrum 
 pyro., nux vom., plantago major, selenium, and when 
 there are great weakness, emaciation, dullness and 
 depression, china, phosphoric acid, sepia and sulphur. 
 
 While taking remedies, great care is required to 
 
5» 
 
 avoid all medicinal articles of diet, all distilled and 
 fermented liquors. The doses of the liquids where not 
 mentioned are from I to 5 drops in water, to be re- 
 peated from one to four times in 24 hours. 
 
 By carefully studying the therapeutic hints given in 
 the preceding pages, and making a practical applicar 
 tion of the remedies pointed out, we confidently assert 
 that no one need despair of deriving the most desira- 
 ble benefits. 
 
 And, further, a confiding trust in Providence and a 
 firm reliance upon the best appointed means will in- 
 vigorate the whole system, dissipate fears, depression 
 of spirits and physical weakness, restore happiness, 
 and promote a certain return to manhood. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY IN THE TREAT- 
 MENT OF SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 
 
 The effect of electricity upon the nervous system has 
 received greater or less attention for several years. Of 
 late it has been classed among the most effective reme- 
 dial agents, and is applicable to those conditions which 
 are dependant upon spinal irritation, and particularly 
 upon atrophy of the cord. It is undoubtedly a useful 
 remedy for torpid states of the nerves that convey the 
 vis nervosa to certain parts, and as such it may be em- 
 ployed in the treatment of seminal weakness. But it 
 is an unsuitable agent to be tampered with, and none 
 but careful hands should undertake to administer it — 
 and then according to explicit directions. 
 
 The Faraday Battery, which is an excellent appara- 
 tus for treating a variety of nervous difficulties, is not 
 so desirable in the treatment of spermatorrhoea. The 
 interrupted currents sometimes cause a succession of 
 slight shocks, which, instead of increasing the vital 
 activity of the seminal vesicles, act disastrously upon 
 them. It is, therefore, important to have a suitable 
 electrical apparatus, of light construction, that can be 
 called into requisition when needed. The Voltaic, or 
 Galvanic pile, is by far the most preferable for effect- 
 
59 
 
 ive purposes. An ingenious pocket battery, invented 
 by J. J. Geiger* is, in point of economy and superla- 
 tive usefulness, the very best in use, and by the employ- 
 ment of it in many of the most inveterate cases of noc- 
 turnal emissions, as well as in the more obstinate cases 
 of spermatorrhoea, it has been found, in most instances, 
 to produce satisfactory results. But in order to pro- 
 mote its usefulness in these distressing maladies, it 
 must be borne in mind that even the imponderable 
 agents are powerless unless brought into certain rela- 
 tions in subserviency to the laws and conditions that 
 govern them. 
 
 Therefore, in the treatment of these troubles, patients 
 must deliberately, and with determination, abandon all 
 exciting causes, avoid excesses in eating and drinking, 
 and be always particular to shun couches of down or 
 feathers, because the toleration of these might inter- 
 fere with the use of the battery. It is also incumbent 
 on patients to avoid all violent exercise or excessive 
 physical exertion, and to keep the mind directed to 
 cheerful and interesting topics — to keep good, social, 
 and improving society, and to indulge in reading useful, 
 improving, and entertaining books. 
 
 The Geiger Battery, with full directions for its use, 
 can be obtained of Clindinning & Co., No. 35 South 
 Clark street, Chicago, who are agents for the same. 
 The mode of using them in the treatment of these af- 
 fections is as follows : Once in two or three days, pre- 
 pare the battery as directed, and place the positive elec- 
 trode immediately back of the scrotum, and the nega- 
 tive part above the small of the back — use the pri- 
 mary current. It is said by some that this treatment 
 is universally useful, and with one of Geiger's Batter- 
 ies the current can be varied in force. At first it 
 should be moderate and of brief duration, and after- 
 wards, as the patient becomes accustomed to it, the 
 force of the current may be increased, and the length 
 of time it is employed may be increased to twenty 
 minutes, if necessary. 
 
 *For sale by Clindinning & Co., 35 South Clark Street Chicago, 
 Illinois. 
 
mm 
 
L_