A
TREATISE ON THE DISEASES
PRODUCED BY
ONANISM, MASTURBATION, SELF-POLLUTION,
AND OTHER EXCESSES.
BY
L. DESLANDES, M. D.,
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE AT PARIS,
AND OTHER LEARNED SOCIETIES.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH,
WITH MANY ADDITIONS.
Second Edition.
BOSTON:
OTIS, BROADERS, AND COMPANY.
1839.

Entered, according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1838, by OTIS, BROADERS & COMPANY, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

PREFACE.

To those who would complain of the publication of a work upon the delicate subject to which the following pages refer, we would remark, that the evil here depicted, is one of great magnitude. This cause of disease is often entirely overlooked even by medical men, either from false notions of delicacy, or because their attention has not been drawn by fearful experience to cases which are ascribable merely to onanism. The patient is unconscious of his danger, and perseveres in his vicious habit—the physician treats him symptomatically, and death soon closes the scene. “Many a young man,” remarked a physician, who had seen much of disease from this cause, “many a one has come to me, totally unconscious that his criminal act was sapping to the very foundation his health and strength.”

To call the attention of medical men to this source of disease, and to point out to such persons not of the profession as may meet with this book, and who indulge in this habit, the fatal precipice to which they wend their way, has been the object of publishing it here. How very many cases of consumption, that disease which annually destroys its thousands, could, if the truth were known, be referred to this cause! How many minds have been ruined by self-indulgence!

If any apology were needed for this publication, it may be found in the last annual report of the State Lunatic Asylum of Massachusetts, which states that of the number of insane received at that institution during the last year, no less than THIRTY-TWO lost their senses from this cause.

CONTENTS.

OF
ONANISM
AND
OTHER ABUSES.

PART FIRST.
EFFECTS OF EXCESS IN VENERY.

Can the power possessed by man of indulging in the act of venery be abused? or, in other words, can any injury arise to the health or constitution, by indulgence in this act. It is sufficient to observe, that the affirmative has never been doubted by any author, that no medical man has ever been found at any time, or in any country, so deficient in intelligence as to doubt that venereal enjoyments were attended by venereal excess, and no one has ever disputed that masturbation or coition may be injurious.

The act of venery, then, may be followed by bad effects. But is it so, and to what extent? This question is the only one which has been debated, the only one to be debated. Let then those, who think that venereal indulgences are followed only by the remembrance of them, know, that deceived by their desires, and perhaps by their necessities, they are rushing blindly toward a fatal precipice, which is to be sure at a greater or less distance from them, but which however exists, and to which those who do not take warning will arrive more quickly.

It is generally thought that venereal excesses, particularly those of masturbation, contribute in a considerable proportion to the ills of suffering humanity. Some even consider this cause of disease, as one of the most fatal and active. “In my opinion,” says Réveillé-Parise, “neither the plague, nor war, nor small-pox, nor similar diseases, have produced results so disastrous to humanity as the pernicious habit of onanism: it is the destroying element of civilized societies, which is constantly in action, and gradually undermines the health of a nation.” (Revue Medicale, April, 1828, p. 93.) No one has disputed the dangers of this kind of excess. Many authors, however, have thought, that writers had exaggerated on this subject. Thus Montègre says that “the bad consequences (although they do exist) attending premature indulgences have sometimes been exaggerated.” (Dict. des sc. med. vol. vi. p. 100.) Georget’s opinion is similar. According to him, (Physiologie du système nerveux vol. i.) most authors and Tissot among others have much exaggerated the effects of masturbation.

It will be seen, with how much reserve these authors speak. The injury arising from this habit, say they, is very great, but it has been overrated. Let us now examine upon what grounds they and others have been led to consider these fears as too great: we shall see by what reasoning they have been governed, and if they are correct.

Montègre was struck by the instances of individuals who were addicted to onanism from early childhood, and who, however, in the prime of vigour and health, had attained an age to which men do not generally arrive, or to whom advanced age comes loaded with troubles. But do we not see old soldiers who have always escaped bullets? Now what do these facts prove except that such individuals exist? It has also been stated, that influenced with what they have read in books, which contain the most formidable cases, as those only are printed, many physicians have attributed too much importance to the diseases caused by onanism. But admitting this, may we not conclude also, that many severe affections which it produces are not referred to it? That in attending cases of dorsal consumption, epilepsy, paralysis, loss of sight, &c., less dangerous diseases are overlooked, and that their origin is not suspected? How often, for instance, are we ignorant of the true cause of these affections whose characters are constantly changing, which are seen every day, which at first produce uneasiness, but with which one soon becomes familiar; which are not the symptoms of a disease having its name and place among other diseases, so much as the indication of constitutional affections, which appear from a variety of influences, and are referred to each one of them. And yet this kind of affection, as we shall state hereafter, is that presented most frequently by individuals addicted but for a short time to onanism, who indulge in it but seldom, or whose constitution resists this kind of excess.

Appeal has been made also to direct observation; the number of those who have fallen victims to onanism has been cited. It has been said, call to mind every thing which has occurred to you in the course of a long practice, you will doubtless find deplorable and even numerous instances of the diseases attending onanism; but does this number approximate that of the individuals who abandon themselves to this vice? There are few persons who are not addicted to masturbation; very well, are there many whose constitutions are impaired and whose health is destroyed? It is admitted that premature and too frequent and too often repeated indulgences may injure and sometimes have caused great detriment, yet those who live through them are very numerous, and the distance between the use and abuse of the act of venery, is greater than is generally admitted.

This manner of counting the dead and wounded has something specious in it, but it is defective in this respect, that it takes no account of what has escaped observation, and cannot be estimated. Every practitioner has undoubtedly seen more cases of masturbation than he has seen victims to this habit. But how many circumstances have prevented him from seeing all the diseases which are caused by this habit, or have prevented him from referring these diseases to their true cause? We have already mentioned the influence which his previous reading and occupation have on this subject; to this cause of errour, we may add others. How numerous are the affections which are borne in silence and which never come under the notice of a physician. How numerous too the practitioners who avoid the trouble of referring to the immediate or remote causes of the diseases which are observed by them, and who confine themselves simply to their treatment, without tracing them to their source. How often too are diseases resulting from onanism attributed to causes with which they have no connexion, to causes which were indicated by persons who knew no better, or even by the patient who believed himself to be interested in giving wrong statements. How frequently also does the practitioner exclude himself from obtaining information, by abstaining from making suggestions to the parents, which all hear with displeasure, and repel with indignation. How often, also, does he refrain from asking necessary questions, for fear of wounding the modesty of the young patient, of teaching him a thing of which perhaps he is ignorant, or at least of exciting in him a dangerous curiosity! Finally how frequently are his doubts removed by the art with which those who indulge in onanism, even when young, know how to conceal a habit at which they blush in secret. Now is it reasonable to expect, that the physician when surrounded by so many causes of errour, should go into statistical details and estimate from them the sum total of the ills produced by onanism and other excesses of a similar character? This method would undoubtedly lead to taking a part for the whole and consequently to forming too narrow an opinion of the evil. Many authors having followed this course, and having considered the evils which are unobserved by them as only imaginary, have not denied the dangers and inconveniences of venereal excesses, but have supposed that they exist less frequently than is really the case.

I do not wish to call in question the utility of observations, or to pretend that they must be neglected. I only wish to say that in attaching to them too much consequence we are led to false conclusions which may inspire a dangerous security. The physician who commits this fault, reasons as does the onanist, who being unable to distinguish, either in his comrades or in himself, the effects of his pernicious habit, concludes that it is an innocent practice and that it may be indulged in unreservedly. The principal utility of observing the diseases caused by masturbation is to determine what are the maladies produced by onanism and what is the relative frequency of each of them. We can also certainly form an opinion, from that which is shown by observation, in regard to that which escapes us. But it is only by induction, that the extent of the evils caused by venereal abuses can be estimated. The bad effects produced by these abuses, can be estimated only by considering what they may produce. It is only after studying the genital system in its relations with other organs, and considering the influence it exercises upon them, that we can pronounce in regard to the maladies and infirmities and dangers of all kinds which attend the abuse of the genital system. We proceed to this subject first. We shall then state what is known from direct observation in regard to the different affections which result from venereal excesses.

CHAPTER I.
OF THE DANGERS WHICH MAY FOLLOW VENEREAL EXCESS.

To abuse oneself by onanism, by coition, is to abuse the organs which serve for the execution of these acts. The genital organs in the female are, the vulva, clitoris, vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Those in the male are the penis, the seminal passages and the testicles. These organs are then placed in such a state that they become a source of disorder and of disease to the rest of the body. Now, what is their power in this respect? Can they do much injury? This is the question now to be examined.

The injury which the genital organs can do to the rest of the body when they are abused, is the natural consequence of the influence exercised when they are not abused! This injury is in a direct ratio with this influence; it is by this then that it must be measured. In fact, it is clear that if the different organs have in the ordinary state different degrees of power, they must, when they do injury, exercise it in different degrees. Let us then attempt to estimate the influence possessed by the genital organs. If it be demonstrated that when these organs are in a state of rest, of excitement, or in use, their influence on the other functions is considerable, some opinion may be formed as to what may be their influence when abused. It must be admitted that organs, which have a powerful effect on all parts of the body, which regulate all the others, which cannot feel, act, and perform their functions without the others taking part in what takes place in them, it must be admitted I say, that when such organs are made instruments of disorder, the bad consequences which follow may be very great.

The genital organs may be observed in three states; the first state is that of rest. They then merely live, present no special sensation and do not proceed to the act of venery. In the second state they become the seat, the focus of more or less vivid sensations, and which have for a special character to invite and to constrain with more or less power to the act of venery. In animals, this state is called rutting: in our species, it has no special name, except when existing to a very great degree, and then it constitutes a disease, termed Satyriasis or nymphomania: I shall call it the state of excitement. The third is that of action: it is the state in which the genital organs are, when they perform their special functions, when they accomplish the act of venery. They then do not simply live as in the first state, or feel as in the second; but they act, and afterward return to one of the preceding states, and particularly to the first: they rest. These are the three aspects under which we shall examine these organs. To render our remarks more intelligible, we will give a few definitions. The power of bringing the genital organs into a state of action is the venereal power: this when put in action is the act of venery. If this act results from the concurrence of the two sexes, it is coition. If it be caused by solitary manipulation, it then receives divers names; the terms most used are masturbation, or onanism. The act of venery, whether it does or does not result from the concurrence of the two sexes may or may not be injurious. When it is injurious in any degree there is then venereal excess, abuse of the genital organs. This sense is the only one attached in this book, to this mode of expression: for if in a moral and religious point of view the simple fact of coition in some cases and of onanism in every case be a vice, an excess, an abuse, the physician should apply these terms only to cases where the health is injured.

§ 1. INFLUENCE OF THE GENITAL ORGANS CONSIDERED IN A STATE OF REST.

It might be thought that when these organs are at rest, when they are neither used nor abused, when the venereal sense is as it were asleep in them, and they seem occupied only with their own development, and nutrition, it might seem I say that these organs take little or no part in what is going on around them: but this is a mistake. We shall see that this dull life which then occupies them is sufficient to make them a powerful focus of action; that all the other organs owe to them a part of their mode of existence their form and substance. By this we can judge of what the genital system is capable, when excited, and when by the hand or otherwise it is brought to the highest degree of activity.

Consider him who was born an eunuch, the man who has never had genital organs, whose body, mind, and heart are developed without their influence: compare him with other men and see in what he is deficient: for his physical moral and intellectual relations will of course be deficient in all that depends on the genital organs. This study will reveal to you their power, and will point out to you the difference between a man in whose development they have assisted, and one in whose development, the genital organs have taken no part.

Eunuchs are very seldom tall: they are frequently short and sometimes very short. A woman fifty-two years old, who had no uterus, and whose genitals were presented to the academy of medicine by M. Renaulden, was only three and a half feet high. The limbs of eunuchs when they are not percolated with white fluids, are generally thin and badly developed. Their bones have neither their usual size nor form, as has been remarked by many observers, particularly by M. Mojon of Geneva. (Alibert, Nouv. El. de therapeutique, 3d edition, vol. ii., p. 115.) This defect in growth is much more remarkable in the larynx. This organ which generally acquires two-thirds of its size at puberty, remains as in infancy, and the voice preserves that shrillness which it has in young people, but becomes a little stronger because the chest enlarges. The different tissues are not only less developed, but some are not developed at all. Thus in eunuchs the beard and the hairs on the pubis are deficient; their skin remains as free from hairs as in early youth. The genital organs then have a powerful effect on nutrition, because when they are deficient, the growth is defective or ceases entirely. This influence is manifested also by the characters presented by the different tissues after the action of the genital parts ceases. To understand these characters, we have only to compare the flesh of animals who have been castrated with that of those who are perfect; for example the flesh of the ox with that of the bull, that of the capon with that of the rooster &c. In the eunuch these characters are no less marked. His organization is in a measure stationary. When an adult, he preserves in great part the physical attributes of youth, and then when these are lost, those of old age, and not those of manhood, present themselves. It is the genital organs then which in a perfect man, give colour to the skin, give to the flesh more consistence and firmness and which gradually take up from the cellular tissue those white fluids, which prevent us from seeing the prominences of the bones and muscles. The organization of the eunuch is then unfinished, imperfect. The organs which should have appeared at the period of puberty are not seen: others acquire only a part of their growth: all retain a part of those characters which they ought properly speaking to lose and do not obtain those which belong to them. These facts are highly important. The study of them demonstrates the extent of the derangement caused by venereal excesses: for the organs abused by the onanist and libertine, are those which take so active and special a part in the internal economy of all our tissues: which stamp them with the seal of virility, of which the eunuch always remains destitute.

Consider the eunuch now in his life of relation: look in him for the thought, activity, and sensibility of the man. In these respects also how much he is deficient; he is inactive, indifferent, and destitute of energy. The lymphatic temperament is marked in him by his insensibility, his apathy, no less than by the delicacy of his flesh, and the whiteness of his skin. He has preserved from infancy the disposition given by feebleness, to be excited by the least cause: hence he is timid and pusillanimous and cowardly. Devoid of any internal feeling which renders the soul gay, he is morose and wearisome. He is destitute of those feelings which attach man to man and render one capable of attachment, love, and devotion. He lives, he vegetates only for himself: he is a perfect egotist: if he has any sentiments they are those of envy or hatred: in fact they are repulsive sentiments: but most frequently he has none or they are very slight. The crimes of the eunuch come in fact less from the sentiments he has, than from those he has not. His mind, like his body and heart, remains a perfect waste. His intelligence is but moderate and he is never known to conceive or execute great ideas. This picture is not drawn from the imagination; it is the result of long continued observations at all periods, in all places, and upon all kinds of eunuchs. One of them observed by M. Bedor embodied in himself the principal features of this picture. He was an eunuch from birth who had become a conscript. His appearance was humble and languishing; his eyes were downcast and averted; he was very timid and cowardly, was afraid of dead bodies, and of darkness. He admitted that he had never been attached even to any member of his family: but he was also incapable of dislike. He was not pleased with musick, and had no idea of singing: finally he was insensible to all enjoyment. He did not however complain of his situation. His intelligence was very slight, his conversation was obscure and incorrect, and he was so incapable of being instructed that although he had lived in the barracks a year he had none of the moral habits of the soldier. (Journal de med. chir. et phar. vol. xxv. p. 75.)

Such is the eunuch. The operator in mutilating him mutilated his heart, his senses, his mind. The development of the moral and intellectual faculties then like that of the body is connected with the existence of the genital organs. Deprive a child of a limb of his four limbs, that is of the half at least of his frame, and he will continue to be developed, the same as if no part had been taken from him. But take away the testicles, and all his tissues, all his faculties will bear indelible marks of this mutilation. These organs alone then have much more power than the four extremities. It is with these, with this power, that the onanist trifles from childhood, without hesitation and without moderation. Is it necessary now to follow this train of reasoning to show that his course of conduct is dangerous? It is also to the influence exercised by the genital organs on other parts that the sexes owe their peculiar differences. Their organization, influenced by a different genital apparatus, presents a different mode of existence, action and sensation. Thus the sexual characters are slightly marked at birth, become distinct as the genital organs develope themselves, suddenly enlarge at the period of puberty, exist in the greatest degree when these parts have come to their perfect state, and lose their energy in old age. The destruction of the testicles in the male and of the ovaries in the female prevents the regular development, or even alters the special distinctions of sex. We have already seen that this destruction renders man effeminate: we will add that it renders the female more masculine, and gives her characters, which in the natural order of things belong exclusively to the male. This conclusion is drawn from facts which seem authentic, and it is strengthened too by the fact that when the activity of the genitals is destroyed by age, the voice becomes rough, resembling that of the male, the upper lip and chin are covered with hairs, the moral character acquires more firmness, the taste and habits are much modified and approximate those of the male. A similar thing occurs in animals according to Dumeril. (Dict. des sc. med., art. continence, p. 118.)

It is not only by comparing the sexes that we see that different genital organs have a different action, but it follows also from observing those doubtful beings termed hermaphrodites. In these individuals the genital organs disturbed in their regular development, present doubtful appearances and belong at the same time to the two sexes. In these individuals the organization being influenced in another manner is developed differently. Faithful to these organs which generally impress in the body the seal of sex, the general state of the body becomes equivocal like them and presents a mixture in different proportions of the male and female attributes. Thus in a girl whose history is stated by Beclard, and who among other imperfections of the external genital organs which rendered her sex doubtful, presented a complete closure of the vulva, and a clitoris so much developed that it resembled a penis, the larynx and voice were like those of a youth: the upper lip, the chin and cheeks presented a white beard, long and coarse hairs covered the lower extremities and surrounded the anus; finally the proportions of the trunk and limbs and the formation of the pelvis resembled those of man. (Bull. de la Faculté de med. vol. iv. p. 273.) It would be easy to refer to similar facts which have been frequently recorded. The general state of the economy, then, is somewhat connected with that of the genital parts, varies like them and takes part in the changes which they undergo. Hence it is astonishing to see libertines and onanists render themselves effeminate, and demoralize their constitution by using these parts in such a manner as to fatigue and change them: and to observe women robbing themselves in the same manner of their beauty, the delicacy of their form and the charm of their voice.

When man has attained his perfect development, the bonds which unite the genital organs to the rest of the body become less apparent and probably less intimate than before: they however are not destroyed. Castration certainly does not deprive the adult of all the characters, of all the faculties which had been developed by puberty: but it modifies them very much. The beard has been known to come out after the loss of the testes as if its existence were connected with theirs, as an effect is with its cause. The intellectual faculties particularly lose much of their energy, when the genital organs are removed. Those persons who have been mutilated not unfrequently become melancholy and finally commit suicide. (Orfila, Leçons de medicine legale, 1823, p. 126.) A remarkable case of enervation was observed by Richerand, in some soldiers whose testes had been shot away in action. Among other cases, he mentions a soldier who had previously been celebrated for his activity and valor, and who, after his mutilation took an aversion to any violent exercise, and to gain his livelihood, applied himself to such labours as are carried on by females, particularly to sewing gloves. (Richerand, nosographie chirurgicale, 2nd edition, vol. iv. p. 292.) Compare these facts with what takes place when age, that great operator, extinguishes the principle of virility. When one is old, is he as affectionate, as sensible, as devoted, as intelligent, as he was in youth? do not the general characters of an eunuch gradually come upon him? The genital organs then, even when in repose, regulate in more than one respect and at every period of life, the rest of the human body.

But it is particularly before and during puberty that these organs deserve the most serious attention, for then they possess the most power. This power commences with them, and like them increases every day. Thus the tastes, the characters, the inclinations, and generally all which distinguishes the sexes in a moral and physical point of view, are marked from infancy. That poverty of body of heart and of spirit which characterizes eunuchism, is seen in young eunuchs, in those for instance who are born destitute of genital organs. The soldier whose case is stated by Bedor, always presented that indifference and languor common to eunuchs; he always avoided all trials of skill at wrestling, running, leaping and finally all youthful exercises, and as we have already remarked, never exhibited attachment to any one, even to his parents. The influence of the sexual organs then commences with life. But it does not attain all its intensity until puberty.

At this period, which in our climate commences from the twelfth to the sixteenth year, a little sooner in females than in males, the genital organs have the most vitality. Until that time they are developed slowly and almost imperceptibly; they suddenly increase with great activity, and their growth is not arrested till they have arrived at perfection. This is not the place to enter into details as to the labour which then takes place in them: we will merely remark that the change is often so intense as to present all the characters of inflammation. It is then admissible that in such a state these organs should exercise on the economy a much more powerful action than before, when their development was imperceptible, and also than they do afterward, when they have only to preserve themselves. This in fact is proved by observation. At no period of life, does the body grow as rapidly as during puberty. The researches of Quetelet and Villermé on the weight and height of men at different ages, (Annales &c. p. 26) leave no doubt on this subject. Thus the annual increase in the weight of the body which until the period of puberty was only from three to three and a half pounds, suddenly rises to five and six pounds when this period commences, and gets to be twelve pounds when it is at the summum of intensity. And it is worthy of remark that in females who arrive at the age of puberty about two years earlier than males, this increase of growth also commences two years sooner. A similar fact is observed in those monsters who present in early infancy traces of virility: in them the mass of the body is in a direct ratio with the development of the genital system; hence their height and weight are enormous. This is proved by a great number of facts related by authors and particularly by Moreau, Fages, J. G. Smith, Gedike, Meckel, Dupuytren, &c. Let us now compare these facts with those pointed out when speaking of eunuchism, and it will be shown that the power of the genital organs in its nutrition follows in its variations those which they experience: that the general growth conforms to theirs, that if one advances the other does, and if one be imperfect, the other is imperfect.

This increase in the activity of the nutritive powers during puberty, is not shown simply by the increase of the substance of the body, it manifests itself by other symptoms. More heat is generated in the tissues, as is indicated particularly by the facility with which individuals at the age of puberty resist cold, and by the interesting remark of Quetelet and Smitz, that the summer of all seasons of the year is most fatal to them. Ailments of every kind too show in most subjects, that the influence of the genital organs on all parts of the body may be so great as even to derange the functions: of this character are pains, heaviness in the head, vertigos, redness of the face, numbness in the limbs, dulness and oppression, palpitations of the heart, bleeding from the nose, painful engorgements of the lymphatic ganglions, different inflammations, &c. &c. Finally the body responds like an echo, to all that takes place in the genital system. Need we say that nothing of the kind takes place in eunuchs.

The active development of the genital parts exercises an equal influence on the functions of the life of relation, in the faculties of sensation, action, and thought. These faculties, which are so feeble in the eunuch are extremely active during puberty. This is the age of muscular activity and agility. If those who are growing up, sometimes are reluctant to take exercise, this feeling of reluctance depends on a hyperemia of the nervous centres, which soon disappears. Numerous different and generally transient sensations, denote the part which the nervous system takes in what passes in the genital system; and this is proved also by the frequency of convulsive and spasmodic affections at this period of life. The moral susceptibility is then still more exalted than the physical susceptibility. The mind directed and controlled by the most vivid, most varied, and most transient impressions, takes up and lays aside the most opposite opinions, and adopts the most hazardous enterprises. This disposition has existed to so great a degree as even to constitute a kind of monomania, so transient as to be almost imperceptible, and during which crimes, (particularly that of arson) were committed. This fact rests on the authority of Osiander, Henke, of the faculty of medicine at Leipsick, of Marc and of many other authors. (See Marc’s memoir on incendiary monomania, Annales d’hyg. October, 1833.) But the mental state resulting from the change of puberty is characterized particularly by the readiness with which one shares the affections of others, partakes of their sympathies, and sympathizes with them. This is the moment of generous ideas, or as is remarked by those, whose minds no longer feel the action of organs which have become mute, the period of illusions. How much experience ought not the mind to gain when passing through this moral tempest? Is it astonishing then to find weak minds and cold hearts among eunuchs? Being deprived of these organs which at the period of puberty give so marked an impulse to the system, they do not feel it: the most active of all moral excitants is absent. Judge from this of its power, and yet it is this stimulant which is so much abused by the onanist.

Let us resume our remarks. We have seen by comparing the eunuch to the perfect individual, the male to the female, and the hermaphrodites to those persons whose genitals are perfect, that the genital organs, from the simple fact of their existence, exercise a well-marked influence on the physical intellectual and moral constitution of individuals. We have also seen by comparing the period of life when the genital organs are actively developed, with that when they are simply preserved, that the influence which has been spoken of, is exercised with a variable degree of intensity, and is in a direct ratio with the vital activity which exists in these organs. We may then state as a positive truth, that the genital system modifies extensively the action and sensation of all our organs, and modifies it in proportion as it is itself excited. This fact stated, the question whether venereal excesses can or cannot do much injury is resolved. We may, à priori, affirm, that when the genital organs pass from a state of repose to that of excitement, and from this to a state of action, their influence on the other organs is always in an increasing ratio. To prove this requires no new facts. This action and this progressive increase of power, result, inevitably from the comparisons we have made. Life is so mysterious and on the other hand, coition is so transient, that what takes place in the tissues during its continuance is concealed from view: but we may be certain that something takes place in them, that some disturbance there occurs and that the disturbance is greater during the act of venery than during the preceding states. This act then exerts more influence than it appears to exert, as it affects all parts of the organization. If when the genital system appears at rest, it exercises so much influence on the vitality of the other organs, what must be its power when the venereal sense is excited in it, and further when this sense is carried by masturbation or coition to the greatest degree of excitement. How much then must these secret functions be modified, whose exercise is so intimately connected with that of the genital organs! Certainly those who say that the possible consequences of venereal excesses are exaggerated, have not taken this view of the subject.

§ 2. POWER OF THE GENITAL ORGANS CONSIDERED IN A STATE OF EXCITEMENT.

When these organs are in a state of excitement, they present a greater degree of excitement than at any of the phases of the state of repose, not even excepting that of puberty. We may say that they have passed from the chronic to the acute state. They not only become the seat of a vivid and special sense, but they also present a kind of turgescence of erethism, and I will say of very remarkable inflammation. They swell, become firm and redder, hotter, and moister: their sensibility becomes extreme. Their power ought certainly to be increased in proportion to the distance between this state and the one of repose. This excitement however is so transient, and the functions on which it reacts are so mysterious, that a great part of its immediate influence cannot be estimated. For in order to mark the action of the genital organs on the mode of existence on the action of the different tissues we must compare individuals to individuals, that is a whole life with a whole life, or at least we must compare two long portions of the same life. On this point the study of the state of repose, of that state which is incomparably the most common, has been useful to us, for we have arrived at facts, by considering their remote consequences, which at the moment of their production, constantly escape. The state of excitement however does not manifest itself solely by the sensations which attend it. Different signs show that the rest of the economy feels that the power of the genital organs is increased.

In fact when this state is well marked, the heat of the other parts of the body is increased. The eyes are more brilliant: the colour of the complexion is more lively, the pulse is quicker, and the patient experiences a kind of febrile agitation which in satyriasis and nymphomania, that is, in the greater degrees of human venery, presents the characters of a highly marked fever. The secretions also undergo important modifications, which are but slightly marked in man, but are easily recognised in a great number of animals, who exhale during the period of heat, a strong and most generally a disagreeable odour. The function of nutrition also suffers from this state: thus if it appears too frequently, or is continued too long, the embonpoint disappears, the flesh becomes dry, and the body exhibits that leanness which is seen so frequently in those who are extremely salacious. But, I repeat, a great part of the influence exercised upon the nutritive functions by the genital organs when in a state of excitement would be overlooked, if only the phenomena mentioned were taken into account. In fact these phenomena are only those which fall directly under the notice of the senses, and we believe that their number and proportions would increase infinitely, if the observer could directly inspect the tissues closely.

But the most striking fact in the state of excitement is the development of a special sense, the venereal sense. This fact characterizes this state and it effaces the others to such an extent that it seems to form it alone. We shall not attempt to describe the genital sense: a sense cannot be described. We may however ask what is required? Even as hunger impels to eat and thirst to drink, this sense impels to the act of venery. It is the bond which brings the two sexes toward each other, which unites them and which makes, in the words of the disciples of a new belief, a perfect individual of the male and female. This sense may be only feebly excited, and then may have only a moderate degree of power. But when it is exalted, the chain with which it binds the free will is of incalculable power. The male dreams of the female: the latter of the male. One of the opposite sex is continually present to the mind and eyes and imagination. Individuals and forms which at other times appear by no means remarkable, now seem perfect and excite transports of admiration. Riches and honors are no longer esteemed, and even life itself is considered as not worth possessing. All necessities have disappeared before one only. Hunger and thirst are no longer felt. In fact it is a state of delirium. All the senses are concentrated in one: it commands them and receives from them, like a blind master, all the illusions which they present to it: and then fatigued by this violent state and exhausted by its excess, even when not satisfied, it is as it were extinguished. Such is the power of the genital organs, those organs which are abused by the onanist. Who then can question the physical evils with which its abuse may be attended.

§ 3. POWER OF THE GENITAL ORGANS CONSIDERED IN A STATE OF ACTION.

If the individual either by legitimate modes or otherwise, wishes to satisfy his desires, the state of excitement becomes changed to one of action, and the genital organs then arrive at their greatest degree of power. All parts of the genital system are interested, and combine their actions: the testes prepare the semen: the excretory ducts convey it: the prostrate gland and the muciparous follicles secrete their special humours, and the mucous fluids flow to the sexual parts. The erectile tissue, which forms the whole of the glans, the cavernous bodies, the clitoris, and most of the external and internal labia, the vagina &c., solicits to itself and retains the blood, becomes swelled by as much as it can contain, hardens and enlarges to the utmost of its capacity. At the same time the genital sense passes rapidly through all the degrees of excitement: and finally arrives at that point beyond which it cannot extend: every muscle, every mature fibre in the genital system is then convulsed: the seminal vesicles, the muscles surrounding the urethra and those which are attached to the anus contract with violence, and the semen, the loss of which causes so much exhaustion even when discharged involuntarily, is convulsively expelled.

The scene now changes: the genital apparatus, lately so full of life now becomes flaccid: the scrotum becomes loose and pendent, and a sensation of torpor, of fatigue, of chill follows. The convulsive motions are succeeded by a kind of paralysis, and all attempts at new excitement are vain.

During this tumult and after this crisis, the general state of the patient conforms in every manner to that of the genital system. Thus the face reddens, the neck swells, the veins become filled; the skin is now burning and now moistened with sweat, the heart beats with rapidity; in fact there is a state of fever, which almost justifies us in placing the act of venery among diseases. At the same time the nervous centres, the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the spinal marrow, experience a very powerful impression. As the state progresses, consciousness is lost, and the subject is as it were in a state of delirium. The will is suspended, and the muscles are not controlled by it, but by the nervous centres which are so much irritated. Thus the trunk and limbs are agitated by involuntary motions and chills. This disturbance increases until the crisis arrives, when the convulsion affects the genital system; a fit of epilepsy as it were ensues: the sight becomes dim, the trunk stiffens and the neck is thrown back: and finally this state might be regarded as a violent access of disease if the beginning and end of it were not known.

Now however the individual is changed: his face has lost its color, his limbs are stiff, without motion and as it were paralyzed: the head is painful, the mind is slow and the limbs are incapable of the least effort. The hearing is dull, the sight is deranged, and the external senses impart to the brain only imperfect impressions. The pulsations of the heart are feeble, the pulse is small, the veins are collapsed and the eyelids are livid. The soul is left in a state of languor and sadness and becomes as it were melancholy.

This picture although giving the principal points is far from being complete; in order to be perfect it should include that which is not as well as that which is seen. If the simple labor which takes place in the genital organs at puberty, is sufficient to modify materially the functions of nutrition, functions which when deranged give rise to many diseases, what must be in this respect the influence of the venereal act, and a fortiori of venereal excesses. This influence, like that exercised by this act on the nervous system cannot be appreciated at the moment it is produced, for it is not immediately perceptible. An idea of this can be gained only in two modes: one consists in measuring the long intervals which exist between a state of repose and that of action: we then say that if the first can modify to such an extent the texture of these organs, their powers of sensation and of action, how great must be the power of the second. In this manner we reason in this instance.

In the other mode an opinion may be formed by remarking the physical alterations and functional disorders which have been the consequence of them. This kind of proof which we shall soon examine will not fail us. We shall then see that the diseases affecting the nervous system, that system which is powerfully disturbed during coition, are not the only ones resulting from venereal excesses. We shall see that all alterations of tissue, every physical disorder, may be caused by them: and thus we shall complete the proof of this fact that the act of venery not only produces that convulsive state which is so powerful while it continues but that it also exercises on all parts of the body an action which is extremely powerful and is also the source of many evils. When we think of the power of the act of venery, and consider that it may be indulged in as often as an individual chooses, and that if the legitimate mode of indulgence, the concurrence of the sexes is denied, the individual may abuse himself; when we reflect we say on all this, we may fearlessly assert that most of the inconveniences and diseases afflicting the human species, arise from venereal excesses.

We have hitherto considered masturbation and coition abstractedly and as if there were no circumstances to change the influence they exercise. But is this always the case? Are there not individuals who are rendered indisposed by a single act of venery? Are there not others who can repeat this act with impunity at near intervals and for a long period of time? Farther is its influence always the same? Are there not circumstances which render it more or less injurious and dangerous at different periods of life? And now what are the circumstances and the causes of all the differences we have mentioned? This subject will be considered in the next chapter.

CHAPTER II.
CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RENDER THE ACT OF VENERY MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND TO THE HEALTH.

These circumstances are of two kinds: some depend on the act itself: others are independent of it and depend most frequently upon the disposition in which the economy is at the moment of its occurrence. Let us study in succession these two orders of circumstances.

§ 1. CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH THE ACT OF VENERY WHICH RENDER IT MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS.

We have seen in the preceding chapter that the influence of these organs is much greater the more vivid their excitement is: that, for instance, this influence has more intensity during the state of excitement than during that of repose: finally that its greatest degree is felt in the act of venery. The natural consequence of these facts is that the greater the excitement of the genital organs during this act, the stronger must be the impression caused by it. We may then say that its power of doing injury, other things being equal, is in direct ratio with the force and duration of the excitement which attends it. And further this result is proved by observation.

Compare the two sexes together: the female presents instances of venereal excess, much less frequently than the male. Whence is this difference? Is it not because the genital sense in females is much less susceptible of excitement than in males, and therefore the act of venery causes them much less fatigue? I know that this fact has been disputed: and it is asserted that the female is fully as sensual as the male; and that if females show their feelings less, it is because they are controlled by custom. I know also that the reluctance of females to submit to the approach of the male is ascribed to a kind of tender coquetry which tends to increase the ardor of the former. Finally, the redness of the genital organs of females during the period of heat, has been mentioned as proving the intensity of their sensations. (Marc, Dict. des Sc. med., art. Celib. etc.) But these arguments cannot be maintained in opposition to that which daily experience proves to be true, viz., that as a general fact, females are much less addicted to the pleasures of love than males, and experience less fatigue during sexual intercourse.

The inferiority or perhaps the advantage which females have over males in this respect, depends on the passiveness which they naturally exercise in the act of generation: and hence their desires are less strong. The state of manners justifies their reserve in this respect, and points out a physiological fact, or rather they are the consequence of it. As to the pretended coquetry of animals, I do not believe in it strongly; and in regard to that of females I believe that it has caused more to err than their desires. If the venereal passion be equally developed in the two sexes, why is onanism more common in males than in females, notwithstanding certain conditions ought to produce a contrary state of things? And farther do not many wives yield themselves to the caresses of their husbands, without desire and without enjoyment? and yet this indifference does not prevent conception, for the sensation of love is not with them, as with the male, an indispensable condition of the work of generation. Finally would there be any prostitutes, if coition caused in females the same exhaustion as in the male? Females then are indisputably less sensual than males; and when this fact is taken in connexion with the circumstance that women are less frequently victims of venereal excess, does not this tend to prove, that, other things being equal, the act of venery is, as before stated, less injurious, in proportion, as the sensations attending it are less vivid? Perhaps this explains why females generally live longer by two or three years, than males, notwithstanding the pains and dangers of pregnancy, parturition and lactation: and this fact may be deduced according to Sir John Sinclair, from the registers of mortality of different countries, and from the rent tables which have been kept in Holland for a hundred and twenty-five years. Farther, it is well ascertained that every thing which contributes to give more force and duration to the sensations attending the act of venery, also increases the fatigue and disorder which follow it. Coition taken in its simplest sense, and considered only as an excretion of semen, undoubtedly causes much less injury than if it occurs with other sensations. Thus intercourse with public women and generally with those who do not excite strong sensations is generally attended with less derangement, as Hunter has remarked, than if accompanied with violent passion. Some authors however as Sanctorius and Tissot have advanced a contrary opinion; but they have evidently confounded the state of the mind with that of the body. When the soul is possessed of a violent passion, the ardors of love continue a longer time, are not so soon satisfied: but does it follow from this that the body presents more resistance. Certainly not, but only that the pernicious effects are felt less at the time; although at a later period they will be perceived.

One reason why masturbation is more pernicious than coition arises from the state of mind during the two acts. The onanist, and here we allude only to those who have some ideas of sexual intercourse and love, having no material object which is the beginning and the end of its pleasures, the imagination must supply and invent it. This mental labor renders the sensations stronger and the body more disposed to feel them. Added to these, the onanist is desirous of prolonging his feeling, and having under his control certain circumstances which in sexual intercourse hasten the denouement, he retards it. Thus with fatal skill he gives to this destructive vice all the power it can possess, and experiences all the evil which this vice can cause.

§ 2. CIRCUMSTANCES INDEPENDENT OF THE ACT OF VENERY, WHICH RENDER IT MORE OR LESS INJURIOUS.

The economy is not equally affected by venereal excesses in all individuals at all periods of life. There are some circumstances which make it necessary for masturbation or coition to be more or less frequently repeated in order to be injurious. Hence if we wish to know the real influence of these acts, these circumstances must be considered. These are numerous but they are not all known. Two individuals indulge in onanism: one becomes ill in a few weeks: but the other resists the pernicious habit longer. These two individuals were certainly in different states, as the event proves. This fact however was indicated previously by no circumstance: their age, constitution and manner of living before this were similar: in fact the reason why they were affected so differently cannot be told. The difference here presented by two individuals may be observed in the same person, when considered at different epochs and periods of life. He will resist the excess of masturbation and coition to a greater degree at some times than at others, although the circumstances on which these differences depend are not known. There are then unknown circumstances which have an effect on the consequences arising from onanism. These remarks are highly important and seem to be well understood; and it is clear that there is no possible security for the onanist: in vain does he look for encouragement by comparing himself to others, or by remarking of a comrade: “if he had been as healthy as I am, his health would still be good, he would not have died:” or by saying “why should I fear what I have indulged in so long with impunity.” This mode of reasoning is out of the question when the truth of the preceding remark is admitted, and it is then impossible for a person to deceive himself; and the reason that so many abuse themselves is because they think themselves stronger than others.

Besides these circumstances, there are some which are well known and which contribute more or less to render the act of venery more detrimental. These circumstances consist first, in the general state of the functions at different ages and in the peculiar state of some of them at different periods of life; second, in a coincidence of action between the act of venery, and other causes of disease; third, in the alterations which the constitution may have already suffered, and in the disposition existing to contract certain diseases; fourth, finally in the state of the diseases with which the patient is afflicted, when he indulges in the act of venery.

§ 3. INFLUENCE WHICH THE GENERAL STATE OF THE FUNCTIONS HAS AT DIFFERENT AGES, AND WHICH THE PECULIAR STATE OF SOME OF THEM AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF LIFE MAY HAVE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACT OF VENERY.

Life is composed of three very distinct periods. In the first, the body is developed and formed: it is a period of progress: while it continues, the organs gain in force and substance: it terminates when they have arrived at their greatest degree of perfection: and this generally takes place about the twenty-fifth year. During the second period man uses the organs as they are formed and constituted. The only process which takes place in them is one of reparation, of renewal: this is the period of maturity: it generally terminates about the fiftieth year. The third period is the opposite of the first: it is the period of decline. There is, during this latter period, a progressive deterioration of the strength and of the tissues. It terminates with life. Thus a state of development, that of maturity, and that of decline are the three aspects under which life presents itself. Let us trace the effect of venereal excesses in these different phases of action.

First period. No animal, and particularly no one of the vertebrated animals can procreate on entering the world. The genital organs doubtless exist at that time, but their form is rudimentary, which proves that they are incapable of doing much. These organs do not acquire the power of fulfilling their special functions, until a more advanced period of life, which period varies in different species of animals, but is nearly the same in all individuals of the same species. Until this time there is no secretion of prolific semen in the male, nor creation of ovales in the female: the procreative power does not exist.

Man is no exception to this common rule; his genital organs, although distinct, are scarcely developed at the moment of birth. The penis in males, the nymphæ and clitoris in females appear it is true to have a certain size, but this size does not depend on the development of the true spongy, erectile tissue of these parts. The genital apparatus continues to grow, although slowly during infancy, but it does not become filled for reproduction until after the rapid development seen at puberty. Hence in man, as in all animals, the power of reproduction does not exist until after some portion of life has elapsed. What is this portion? why does not the power come earlier or later? this is of but little importance: existence is necessary a certain time before it appears. But as God has made nothing useless in this world, we may fearlessly assert that those who before the age for procreation, excite in themselves the feelings attending this faculty, do an unnatural act and one which is necessarily pernicious.

Thus à priori, and by the application of general laws all premature indulgences are reproved. This opinion is confirmed by the study of the human body in the first third of its existence. This period of life is marked by two facts of the highest importance. It is then that the organs form, that they become perfect in substance, extent, and texture. It is then also that they acquire in action and in the power of receiving impressions the characters which form their special constitution, that is, the state which considered at the same time in all the organs, composes what is called the temperament. During Infancy and in youth, the formation of the substance of the body and of its constitution, is going on. Let us compare with this process, on the regularity of which the health, and well-being of the individual depends, let us compare, we say venereal indulgences, or rather masturbation, for this alone is then possible; we shall then see why the generative faculty was not born with us, and why the precocious excitement of the genital sense is attended with so much danger.

The first result of this excitement is to hasten the material and sensitive development of the genital organs. The preternatural size which masturbation gives to the penis in children is so remarkable that this alone is often sufficient to reveal this habit. Farther this excitement not only awakens the venereal sense long before the legitimate period of its appearance, but it acquires so much power that the youngest persons brave all connective means to satisfy it. Here then we have a system of organs forcing their development forward at the expense of the other organs. This state undoubtedly causes derangement and if we compare the genital organs with those which have the least sensibility, we may form an opinion of the consequences of it. If we reflect on the symptoms attending dentition which are often severe; or those depending on too rapid growth of the bones, and then measure the great difference between the vitality of the osseous and genital systems, we can form an idea of the injury caused by the premature enlargement of the genital apparatus. Although there may be no real disease, yet the wasting of the body, the enervation which results from excessive growth are often sufficient to give to a young man the appearance of an onanist.

If such feelings arise simply from the osseous system, what must we expect when onanism, with its train of moral and of sensual feelings, forces the genital organs to take part in the efforts of growth. The power which is then impaired is the same which we have seen extend over all parts of the organization, that, whose action when regular, contributes so much to make each tissue perfect, in fact that which when removed gives to man the characters of an eunuch. Now consider onanism as possessing this power and using to do injury all the energy which it possesses to do good; what limits shall be assigned to its injurious effects? and yet some authors question them. Many general phenomena of puberty also appear prematurely, when premature indulgences call them into development. Thus the beard appears on the chin, the pubis is covered with hairs, the voice assumes a deeper tone, and the first indications of virility show themselves much earlier than is proper. These symptoms serve to trace the aberrations which onanism causes in the formation of the organs. This vice too does not surely hasten or retard; it deranges: for the derangement of the functions is not generally manifested by irregularities in formation, aspect, and texture, but by material alterations, by diseases. Hence why inflammations of all kinds, and numerous organic affections result, as observation proves, sooner or later from anticipated pleasures: now as the susceptibility of the organs varies in individuals, and as in one, the heart, in another the lungs, the stomach &c. is most liable to be affected, we see why the list of diseases caused by onanism, comprises most of those which afflict the human body.

Nor is this all; if the excitement of a sense, which affects all the other organs, and to which they respond, occurs at a time when their mode of action and of sensation, or their temperament is not formed, this latter varies from what it would be, if developed calmly and uninfluenced by this excited sense. Hence not only the health but the constitution suffers from the too precocious use of the genital organs. He who might have attained the age of manhood, with a robust temperament by which his body resists numerous bad influences by which it is constantly assailed, will after indulging in onanism, be exposed to all these influences. This vice then compromises both the present and future health of the body; the present by the diseases with which it is accompanied, and the future by those for which it prepares. Hence if the young man escapes with life, he is as it were loaded with a tribute of ills which he must pay before long and perhaps always. Thus the indirect influence of onanism in producing human suffering is enormous. I consider it even as greater in proportion than that of the most immediate consequences of this fatal habit. This is confirmed not only by daily observation, but it cannot be otherwise. How much then do those deceive themselves who seek for the diseases of masturbation without believing in their existence, and who continue to indulge because they do not see its abuses.

If premature indulgence cause so much injury it should be one of the most interesting duties of humanity to prevent children and young persons from abusing themselves, and although the practice of onanism cannot be controlled by laws, legislators might however fix the age under which marriages could not legally take place. We must however admit that circumstances connected with the social state of different people, with the power of procuring the means of subsistence for a family and the necessity of having vigorous children have contributed not a little to fix this age. Thus the laws frequently present differences which can only be explained by taking into view the necessities under which they were passed. Females however are allowed to marry much younger than males: this depends on two facts, first because puberty takes place earlier in females than in males, and secondly because the latter require their organization to be more advanced to resist the fatigue of generation.

The age at which the venereal power enters into full action, and when its exercise is attended with the least detriment has been generally determined on two distinct grounds: first, the physical aptitude for sexual intercourse: second, the general state of the organization. The marriageable age has been fixed at an earlier or later period according as legislators have assumed one or the other of these bases. The first served as foundations for the matrimonial laws of the Romans: and probably the second served as a guide to Lycurgus, who prohibited men from marrying before the age of thirty-seven, and to Plato who recommended that every child born of a female younger than twenty years old or begotten by a man less than thirty years, should be branded with infamy. J. J. Rousseau too reasons in the same manner: “until the age of twenty,” he says, “the body grows and has need of all its substance: continence is natural, and if not observed it is at the expense of the constitution.”

Although the physical aptitude for coition comes at the age of puberty, this fact proves nothing except that the genital organs can then be used. It does not follow that the genital power is fully developed or that the body is in the state most favorable for its use. Who would venture to say; that because masturbation is practicable in early infancy that it is not more injurious than at a later period of life? Hence the cause and degree of the evils attendant on premature indulgence is to be sought for in the degree of perfection of the organism as we have already stated. We therefore think ourselves justified in saying that other things being equal the period of life when the act of venery is attended with the least trouble, is that which begins when the organization is completed, is perfected; and as a reverse of this formula, we may say, that other things being equal, venereal enjoyments anterior to this period, are more detrimental, the less perfect the system is.

The perfect state then is the point to which the system must arrive, before the act of venery is permitted, and before marriage is allowable. There is then no longer any fear of disturbing the formative process. Look at animals, those at least which are not domesticated; they do not indulge in the act of reproduction, until they have attained their full vigor, and how often too do severe battles take place for a female. The domestic animals live in a manner which hastens the development of the venereal sense; and they often indulge in procreating at an early period, but suffer for it, and the genital faculties soon become extinct. It seems also to be proved by the researches of Hofalker of Inspruch and Girou of Buzaringues, that both in man and animals the age of the individuals has an influence on the sex and quality of the offspring. But why look to animals for proofs? Daily observation and the testimony of all authors, put beyond all doubt the danger of precocious indulgence. There are certainly numerous individuals of every age who indulge in venereal excesses; but those cases which come under our notice, or whose histories are related by authors, are generally those of young people. Different causes I know may contribute to this result; one of the principal is, that masturbation is the act of venery most frequently practised before the adult age, and that this is generally more pernicious than coition. We have already stated one reason for this difference; we may add that as onanism does not require the concurrence of the sexes, it is more liable on this account to excess. But do these causes alone explain why the immediate consequences of venereal excesses are not seen with but few exceptions except at an early period of life. The enormous disproportion arises from the precocity of these excesses, and also from the state of the economy before it is perfect.

We have now to determine at what period of life the body arrives at its perfect state and the distance which separates it from this state at the different ages which precede it. This period however is varied by many circumstances, and it is far from being the same in every individual, in the same country or in the same climate. We can then present only mean results, deduced from those collected in France which are the most numerous and authentic.

As we have already said, the organization of the human body is composed of two parts: the development of the tissues and that of the constitution. The economy then cannot be said to be in a perfect state until this double development is finished, and the organs have gained all their power and substance. Unfortunately the labor of the constitution and its progress in activity and in receiving impressions, cannot be estimated by positive rules: but it is connected so intimately with the development of the body, that this can give a sufficiently exact idea of its progress and state. We may then simply by a glance at the development of texture, fix with a certain degree of precision, the value of these words: premature and precocious enjoyments.

It would be out of place to examine the different organs separately and trace their growth, and in the present state of science we cannot give this labor the precision necessary to attain our purpose. But there is one fact which can be measured, viz., the weight of the body. Let us state then the varieties in weight presented at different periods of life, as determined by Quetelet and Villermé.

The mean weight of a male child at birth is three kilogrammes and twenty decimetres. Each year its weight increases in the following proportion:

This table shows us that man attains the maximum of weight at forty years of age. At this age then we may regard the economy as being perfect. Now when we consider that persons from twelve to eighteen years indulge most frequently in masturbation and that this habit may be formed at a very young age, we may easily conceive of the ills with which it may be attended. This consequence is seen more clearly and exactly by the following table. The mean weight of man when the organization is complete being sixty-three kilogrammes sixty-seven decimetres, at the time of birth he has yet to gain sixty kilogrammes forty-seven decimetres.

Hence it will be seen that a man who at the moment of birth only possesses about .05 of the growth he afterwards attains, will have at most only a quarter of his full weight when 5 years old, at which age many children begin to indulge in masturbation. When ten years of age, he has yet to gain nearly .60 and nearly .40 of his weight when he has arrived at his fourteenth year. When sixteen years old, one fifth of his weight is still deficient, and at eighteen years nearly one tenth; his growth although nearly completed at the age of twenty-five, is not entirely attained, since even when thirty years old, the weight of the body is capable of a slight increase.

Of the effect of venereal excesses when the subject of them has attained his growth. The age of maturity is the period when venereal pleasures are attended with the slightest derangements and dangers. At this period these pleasures may not only not be injurious, but may even be necessary. This last circumstance would be sufficient to distinguish this period from those of the growth and decline of the body, when these pleasures are never useful. Let it not be thought, however, that, at the age of maturity, they may be indulged in to excess, or that the pleasures of love are limited only by the power of indulging in them, this is a great mistake; abuses are less frequent, but they do occur, as is seen both by experience and by simple reasoning. Although at the age of maturity the body increases but slightly, yet the process of nutrition is not arrested. It is true that the size and weight of the body no longer increase, but its substance is constantly renewed. The act of venery may then interfere with and derange as before the function of nutrition. The constitution also may be affected, and although the regular course of its formation may not be deranged, yet it may be deteriorated and its influence on the action and sensation of the different organs is so great, that if this deterioration proceed to any extent, these organs will suffer. Thus the health may be injured and the constitution impaired in adults, by venereal excesses; their influence however is resisted longer. The adult age may even present more unfavourable conditions for venereal excess than the period of growth. It may be attended with diseases transmitted from preceding years. In the adult age, the errours of youth are atoned for: wretchedness, debauchery, and excesses of every kind may leave their mark upon the body. Venereal excesses then find the constitution impaired, the health deranged, and they increase the evil already existing. Those particularly who have indulged in masturbation in their youth, perceive on arriving at the adult age, that if they wish to taste the pleasures of love, even to a moderate extent, they are affected with bad feelings which prove that premature indulgences must be paid for with interest.

Different circumstances may render the act of venery injurious at the adult age, but as these do not belong exclusively to this age, we shall speak of them hereafter.

Of the effect of venereal excesses in the period of decline. The faculty of procreating in mankind has its limits: as this power is not attained till at a certain period of life, so too it continues only for a certain period. The spermatic animalculæ, the microscopic sign of the power of generating, are seen only during a portion of human existence: they do not appear till puberty, and disappear in advanced life. This is true also in regard to all animals: the rule is a general one. God has willed that the period of maturity should be the only one devoted to love: is it not a fair conclusion that those who transgress this law expose themselves to its penalties? As the sense of venery precedes, so too it may outlive, the procreative power; it then excites to indulgence at too late a period of life. Examples of this anomaly are very common; hence we need not refer for them to the works of the old writers, we will merely say that a large portion of those committed for attempts at rape are old men. Fortunately the venereal sense is that which suffers the soonest from excesses; and if sometimes the venereal desires are excited, the state of the genital organs prevents their indulgence.

Sometimes, however, the case is otherwise: excited in different ways the genital organs in old men, may for a few moments appear to have regained a faculty which they considered to be lost; these imprudent persons soon pay dearly for their indiscretion. Let us reflect a moment on the state in which venereal pleasures find man in his old age. His substance, instead of increasing or of continuing sound, wastes away. We have seen in a former page, that after the fortieth year the weight of the body begins to diminish; the tissues also vary in every respect from the perfect state as seen at the age of maturity. Farther the sensibility is diminished, the vital activity is enfeebled, the faculties become enervated, in short the economy is impaired. Need we now to make any remarks in regard to the most exhausting of human actions to show its danger? And yet we have only pictured old age as it progresses of its own accord, gently and slowly, without being hurried on by any infirmity; but this rarely happens.

In speaking of the adult age, I have pointed out the affections with which it is attended. But the case is worse in old age. All parts of the body have suffered so many attacks, have been so often affected, that hardly one of them can be called sound. Hence every cause of disease is serious and important, the body being as it were ripe for a diseased affection. What ought then to be the influence of the act of venery? Will it not quicken into life, the seeds of disease which are as it were already sown? In fact it often has a violent effect on the system, and sudden death follows exertions which ought not to be made. How many old men have yielded up their existence in the nuptial bed, when their term of life might have been continued, if they had not exhausted their strength in unnatural exertions.

We have said that the peculiar state of some functions may render the act of venery more injurious at some periods of life than at others. The functions to which we alluded, were digestion, menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation.

Masturbation and coition are often practised after taking food. Sometimes the general excitement attending the labor of digestion extends to the genital organs, and excites to these acts. We cannot say that they are then always injurious: as this would be contradicted by facts; but that they frequently are is supported by the opinions of all authors, who have written on the subject. “Coition after eating,” says Sanctorius, “is injurious,” and he attributes the same effect to thoughts of venery. His commentator Lorry confirms this opinion.

The act of venery during digestion, may injure in two modes. First by deranging the digestive system, and by exposing it to the affections which are the usual consequences of such a derangement. To this must be referred most of the derangements usually presented by the digestive organs of onanists, who merely watch their opportunities for self-pollution, without regarding whether digestion is or is not finished. Happily vomiting then sometimes rids the stomach of food which might be badly digested, and thereby cause more disturbance.

The second mode in which the act of venery acts during digestion, is by causing a general state of excitement, which adds to that caused by the digestive process. All the organs as the heart, lungs, brain, &c., are during digestion in a state of hyperemia, of congestion; they are crowded with blood, as is indicated by a great number of symptoms. It can easily be imagined that venereal excitement under such circumstances, may become the cause of inflammations and organick affections, or may, at least, contribute to their development; by increasing also a congestion caused by an abundant repast, it may immediately excite severe and fatal symptoms. Instances of individuals who have died during the act of coition, after leaving the dinner-table, are by no means rare. Campet states a case where a man on quitting the dinner-table, at which he had drank freely, was accosted by a public woman, went home with her, and died in her arms. A marshal of France a few years since, met his death in a similar manner.

The act of venery, if indulged in during the period of menstruation, may sometimes derange this function.

The injuries resulting from coition during pregnancy have never been doubted; by some, however, too much importance and by others too little has been attached to this state. Levret attributes most cases of abortion, which cannot otherwise be accounted for, to this cause. Zimmerman, Gardien, Murat, Dugès, &c., also regard this act as a frequent cause of miscarriage. Different conclusions have been drawn from these opinions. Some authors assert, that females have a right to deny their husbands during gestation. Montaigne is of this opinion. Some natives as the Mahometans, repudiate all intercourse with pregnant females. In some African tribes, pregnant women are secluded, and no one is allowed to have intercourse with them. Pallas states that the Calmuck Tartars condemn the person, whose incontinence has caused abortion, to pay a fine, the amount of which is directly in proportion to the age of the fetus.

The most general opinion however of physicians on this subject, is that coition to a moderate extent during pregnancy, and where there is no disposition to miscarriage, is not generally detrimental: but that when this act is repeated imprudently, it may cause great excitement in the uterus, and be attended with abortion. Continence is particularly recommended to nervous females, and must be insisted upon when there is reason to fear abortion. We must however observe, that venereal excesses have often been indulged in during pregnancy with evil intents, but without producing the desired result.

Lactation has also been considered by some authors as contra indicating the pleasures of love. Children it is said have been known to become convulsed, when nursing just after their mothers had indulged in sexual intercourse. Lascivious nurses have generally been regarded as bad. Many mothers, however, admit the embraces of their husbands, and their offspring does not suffer. We are far from thinking that the influence supposed to be exercised by the act of venery upon the milk of nurses, is entirely unfounded; hence this act should be used with moderation.

Influence which the act of venery may have, when coincident either with the action of other causes of disease, or with alterations in the constitution and health. When an individual suddenly changes his mode of living, and the influences to which he has been exposed, and becomes a subject to new influences, his health most generally suffers to a certain extent. This is seen in the young man who comes directly from the pure air of the country into the confined atmosphere of the city, and in those who remove from the temperate to the torrid zone. The action of powerful causes of disease, of excessive heat, of deleterious exhalations, often adds to the simple change of habit. Thus all authors who have written on the diseases of warm countries, consider the act of venery, as one of the most active occasional causes of yellow fever, of malignant fevers, of cholera morbus, and generally of the severe diseases contracted by Europeans. A similar disposition may be seen in young men, who pass many hours in the infected atmosphere of hospitals, and particularly in dissecting-rooms, if they indulge with females or in onanism: typhus fevers have been caused by it. The individual who lives in a filthy neighbourhood, who experiences privations, who indulges to excess in wine or spirituous liquors, who labors hard either corporeally or mentally, who is deprived of sleep, who is affected with sadness, &c., bears the act of venery badly; it adds to the enervation already felt, and generally robs the individuals of health. Venereal pleasures should be abstained from, during the prevalence of epidemics: every person is then disposed to the prevailing disease, and a single act of coition may produce it.

The influence of the act of venery is much more injurious, when the causes which we have mentioned, and generally all those which may impair the constitution, have affected it to a greater or less degree. Diseases of long duration, if badly treated, excesses and the causes mentioned above may bring the system to such a state, that enjoyments even if seldom indulged in, may produce great suffering and disease. Venereal excesses may also create predispositions and change them as well as those which have a different origin into other morbid affections.

It is well known that the venereal desires do not generally exist, except the person be in a state of health. The same may be said too of the generative power, if we may judge from Haller’s remark that the spermatic animalculæ disappear during disease. It is ascertained that the number of conceptions is in a direct ratio with the degree of health enjoyed by a people; they increase in a healthy season, and diminish in an unhealthy season. This fact is established by the researches of Villermé in regard to the births and deaths in France, Italy, England and Belgium, and also in regard to the marshy parts of France at different periods of the year, (Ann. d’hyg. publ., January, 1831.) Thus then the genital sense, like that of hunger, and probably the power of procreating, like that of digesting, is most generally suspended during disease. Is not this one of the many warnings of the organization, as to the preservative power?

It is true however that individuals indulge in coition and masturbation although even in an advanced state of disease. This is most frequently seen in onanists. “I have seen,” says Pinel, “a person affected with a dynamic fever who was entirely exhausted, and yet his passion for onanism was so powerful, that on the sixth day of the disease he still attempted to excite his organs, although death was coming upon him.” Similar cases have been witnessed by every practitioner, which we shall mention in the course of this work. Thus then even a severe disease does not entirely prevent the act of venery. Let us now inquire what is the effect when such people indulge. It must be admitted that this indulgence is at least useless, except in very rare cases, where continence is the cause of sickness. Strictly speaking, this may be the case in certain chronic affections and in some few individuals, but it is rare. The power of the act of venery is so great, and the diseased organs are generally so sensitive to the impressions made on the economy, that if there are apparently some diseases which seem unaffected by this act, it is because the modification which they experience escapes observation. We may then state as a general rule that if the act of venery be indulged in by sick people, it is injurious and generally to a great degree. How great is the injury when the disease is caused by venereal indulgences.

It often happens that diseases resist to an unaccountable extent all remedial agents: suspicion is excited and finally we find that the patient, an onanist before he was taken sick, has continued to abuse himself through his sickness: and again, the symptoms of the disease under treatment gradually disappear: but the strength does not return, nor does the patient become convalescent. Debility increases instead of diminishing: the patient becomes thinner and the fever continues: finally the sick person falls into a consumption and the fatal habit is at last discovered. In others the disease seems to be terminated, but is suddenly re-excited, the patient being too hasty to indulge in masturbation or coition. This happened to a man fifty years old, who was gouty, and much addicted to the pleasures of the table, and whose case is related by Hoffman. Having indulged in coition soon after he was convalescent from pleurisy, this man had a relapse which was much more dangerous than the original illness. The same author states a similar case, where the imprudence was followed by death. Scrofula, rickets, gout, and stone are says M. Marc, diseases, which on arriving at a certain point, are aggravated by coition. The same remark applies to all other maladies. M. Falret mentions a female affected with melancholy at the hospital Salpetrière, whose mental affection has several times been re-excited by onanism, after she was thought to be cured. Cutaneous diseases in particular may give an idea of the influence exercised by the act of venery on those maladies which are deeply situated. Alibert mentions the history of an herpetic disease which was always more intense after the patient had indulged in onanism: this unfortunate individual was then tormented by a severe itching.

The irregularity and singularity of the symptoms of those sick people who indulge in onanism, are particularly remarkable. The nervous system evidently feels an influence in addition to that of the disease, or is disposed to be particularly affected by all those which occur. This fact, established by Tissot and Georget, should always be remembered by physicians. We may form an idea of the derangement caused by the act of venery in the progress and appearance of diseases by the severe symptoms which it produces in wounds and particularly those of the head. Tetanus, delirium, and other nervous symptoms have often been caused by it. Fabricius de Hilden states the case of a young man whose hand was amputated, and whose physician forbid having any intercourse with his wife, who was also informed of the danger. But when all the symptoms disappeared, and the cure was progressing rapidly, the patient feeling desires to which his wife could not respond, procured a seminal emission without coition; it was immediately followed by fever, delirium, convulsions and other symptoms, and in four days the patient died.

Death also often follows coition in patients affected with diseases of the heart and large vessels. This was seen in the case of Corroy, a servant at the hospital la Chardité. One evening while intoxicated he met a courtezan with whom he proposed spending the night, but in the midst of his transports he suddenly died. On examining his body it was found that he had an aneurism near the commencement of the arch of the aorta. The rupture of this tumor was evidently the cause of his sudden death. Probably also a similar occurrence happened in the case mentioned by Felix Plater. The patient having married a second time, experienced, while consummating the marriage, such a violent degree of suffocation that he was forced to suspend his efforts: the same symptom re-appeared whenever he again attempted it. Having consulted a charlatan, he was recommended to persevere: he did so, and died. Examples of sudden death during coition are not rare. Death generally arises from aneurism or apoplexy. Pliny the naturalist mentions two cases, and Tabourdot in his Bigarrures, has preserved the epitaphs of several who have perished in this manner.

CHAPTER III.
SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES CAUSED BY VENEREAL EXCESSES.

The genital organs when they are abused are precisely in the same state as if they were diseased. In this case in fact, they are not in their normal state for they are in action when the health demands that they should rest. Hence when we consider them either specially or as to their action on the rest of the body, we see that they resemble organs in a morbid state; they are, as it were affected with an intermittent malady, having distinct periods of access, which are repeated more or less frequently, according to the acts of the onanist. The local condition of these organs is at first that which they present during the act of venery, but at a later period they may present different alterations, which continue after the periods of access, in the same manner as the tissues are modified, if the cause which renders them diseased continues to act on them. The general state of onanists is also perfectly analogous to that observed in diseases. In them, the genital organs are the seat of different symptoms, and the focus of numerous diseases. The symptoms appear first only during the periods of access, or for a few hours afterward: then they continue longer and the intermissions become shorter and afterward are only remissions: finally the disease is perfectly continued. This is the usual course of the symptoms of this affection which may be called the genital disease. Frequently however, one of the derangements of the reproductive system, assumes, on account of its individual peculiarities a more determined character than the others, and becomes as it were independent of them. This disorder is then no longer a symptom but becomes a disease which is in one phthisis, in another myelitis, epilepsy, amaurosis &c. So too with a wound; this which at first caused only fever and other symptoms intimately connected with it, becomes afterward gastroenteritis, tetanus, or some other disease which has its regular place in systems of nosology. Voluntary pollution, when it becomes injurious must then be considered as an affection having its symptoms, and also as a cause of disease. We shall proceed to consider it in these two relations in two different sections. The first will be devoted to the symptoms arising from this pollution, the second, to the diseases caused by it.

§ 1. SPECIAL SYMPTOMS OF VENEREAL EXCESSES.

Before proceeding to describe these symptoms, we would remark, 1st that the results of venereal excesses are so analogous to those of involuntary pollution, that it is impossible to point out any difference between them: 2d that the general effects of these pollutions, whether voluntary or involuntary, are also extremely analogous to those caused by the slow destruction of an organ; those for instance observed in phthisis pulmonalis, cancer of the uterus, profuse suppurations, chronic diarrhœa, &c. Thus then the results of masturbation and of coition are the same as those of involuntary seminal emissions, which is decidedly a disease of the genital organs, and as those of other severe maladies affecting different parts. Are not these analogies sufficient to prove that we were correct in regarding the state in which the genital organs are momentarily when abused, as a state of disease.

One of the most constant effects of excessive masturbation is the loss of flesh. This symptom shows itself more or less rapidly, and extends to a greater or less degree. We may regard it as one of the circumstances in which onanists most resemble those affected with phthisis, with diarrhœa, and generally, individuals confined with a severe and long continued illness. The loss of flesh arising from onanism has not unfrequently been attributed to a too precocious growth and vice versa. This symptom is much more striking in some onanists, as it is attended with excessive appetite and a healthy state of the digestive organs. How great must be the influence of the genital organs when abused, on the nutritive process, to cause this loss of flesh, even under the conditions most favorable for its gain. It is not uncommon to see onanists affected with a complete state of marasmus: their frame is reduced to a skeleton and presents in anticipation a picture of the state in which death will soon place them. Many parts, as the loins, thighs and lower extremities are often remarkable for their extreme emaciation. Sainte Marie who has observed this fact, attributes it and also the debility of these parts, to a morbid state of the spinal marrow, and not unjustly. The facility with which onanists regain their flesh on leaving off these bad habits, is equally remarkable with their rapid loss of substance. There are individuals however who remain thin and dried up through life, in consequence of abusing themselves while young.

The loss of strength generally follows the loss of flesh and returns also with it. At first debility only follows the act temporarily, but afterward it continues longer: new emissions of semen take place, and even before the subject of them has regained the strength exhausted by a previous indulgence. In the morning he rises from his bed with difficulty: during the day he is idle, stupid, and indolent, and pursues his avocations without any spirit. If he goes up stairs, or ascends a hill, his heart beats forcibly, and he pants very much. This debility, if the cause which produces it does not cease to act, may increase to a frightful degree. We have seen onanists whose bodies were bent down by the weight of the head and chest and curved as in old men: these individuals could not stand erect, their lower extremities could not support their weight, and at the least motion they felt giddy and faint, and finally terminated the remnant of their existence on a sofa or bed which they could not leave. Many authors, Sanctorius and Tissot among others, have asserted that this debility is greater or less according to the position of the body during the act of venery; but we attach but slight importance to this circumstance, although they may have some effect. We think more of Sainte Marie’s opinion, that the lower part of the body is frequently weaker than the upper, because the spinal marrow is affected by seminal emissions. As the flesh returns when the onanist ceases from his bad habits, so too does his strength, and generally rapidly. But there are many, who are affected during their whole lives with great debility, which unfits them for many occupations. It is very common to find individuals who complain of being incapable of any physical effort, and who request their physician to give them strength. On questioning them, almost all admit that in their youth they have been addicted to onanism. Some do not wait to be questioned but refer to their former excesses as the source of their troubles and denounce them as the cause of their actual debility. Most invalids however do not refer so far back to the origin of their illness or even do not dream of it: they remain at peace with themselves and their ignorance might deserve to be respected, if they were not or would not probably be fathers, and if it did not become us to excite their vigilance in regard to their children. Thus then venereal abuses may cause not only a transient debility, but an exhaustion which may be continued, as long as life lasts.

The loss of flesh and strength is not the only symptom of consumption which undermine gradually the onanist: many signs indicate that all the functions are affected as it were with a loss of strength. The countenance instead of the vermilion glow of health, is pale and without freshness, or of a yellowish, earthy, leaden, and livid teint; the lips lose their color, a bluish circle surrounds the eyes, the eyelids are puffed out with œdema: the flesh is soft and flaccid: the pulse is small and feeble: upon the slightest motion or during sleep, the forehead, chest and palms of the hands are bathed with profuse perspiration: in some patients the hands and feet are edematous: in short, the symptoms are those of general atony, which are attended with a slow hectic fever, denoting that the economy does not yield without reaction to the destructive disease.

We ought perhaps to wait before speaking of the disturbance of the digestive organs, which almost constantly attends venereal abuses, until we had finished describing the symptoms of voluntary spermatorrhœa and were stating the diseases resulting from it. In fact the digestion is deranged then only because the digestive organs are diseased, and are affected with dyspepsy, gastritis, erteritis, &c.; but these derangements are so common after the loss of the seminal fluid, that we think ourselves authorized to treat these derangements as symptoms. Venereal excesses may affect the digestive organs in several ways, first by disturbing digestion if they occur while this process is going on: this fact has already been stated. We might add that when food is taken too soon after masturbation or coition digestion is seldom performed well. This fact did not escape the notice of Sanctorius, who remarks, Cibus copiosior solito post immoderatum coition interimeret nisi succederet aliqua ciborum corruptela. Venereal excesses may also affect the digestive apparatus in another manner besides that of directly disturbing its functions. This system is so intimately connected with all parts of the human body that all are influenced by it. If then the digestive functions are disturbed by most morbid states, can they remain uninjured when so many symptoms are presented by the genital apparatus which has become the focus of so many symptoms! Certainly not: these functions also take a part and a large part in the disorders which are the usual consequences of venereal excesses. A moderate exercise of the genital organs may excite the stomach, render the appetite more keen and the digestion more rapid. Hence why young men who begin to masturbate or to indulge with women have frequently an insatiable appetite, which leads them to eat constantly, which is very striking inasmuch as debility and loss of flesh ensue in just the same manner. But such a state of things cannot long continue: thus numerous signs soon show that excesses in venery may act on the digestive tube in another manner than by rendering the appetite more keen and the digestion more easy. In fact the appetite does not long resist excesses of onanism: it first diminishes, then disappears, and is often replaced by a decided disgust for every kind of food; in some patients it becomes irregular, capricious: in others it remains: the latter have most cause of complaint, for it continues longer than digestion is performed. “My appetite remains,” writes an onanist to Tissot, “but it is a misfortune, as eating is followed by pain in the stomach and my food is rejected.” Many onanists feel pains of a similar character after eating. In others there is a sense of oppression, of fulness, in the epigastric region. In some there is a gnawing feeling resembling that produced by a want of food: this symptom is very common in girls, who in consequence of secret practices, have become affected with leucorrhœa. In some the face and cheeks present a redness which contrasts remarkably with their habitual paleness: onanists are frequently affected with headache, vertigo, flushed face, &c. In some the slowness of the digestion is indicated by eructations, which occur long after taking food: or the belly is tense and filled with wind. Food, which was formerly digested with ease, is now oppressive: and the list of articles of diet is shortened every day. Some onanists have been known in these cases to indulge in ardent spirits with the vain hope of exciting their appetite, and regaining their strength. Repeated vomitings, constant pain in the belly and a slow fever are also frequent symptoms of the deep-seated affections of the digestive organs. In many patients the intestinal canal is more liable to be affected by venereal excesses, than the stomach. Obstinate constipation in some, diarrhœa and borborygmi in others are the usual signs of the affection of this canal. Fournier and Begin mention the case of a young man, who almost constantly experienced after excess in coition, severe colics followed by excessive diarrhœa and an insupportable tenesmus. Rest, gummy drinks, the use of farinaceous food and a small quantity of red wine, soon dissipated these symptoms, which sometimes threw him into an alarming state of languor and debility. (Dict. des. Sc. Med., art. Masturbation.) Hoffman relates a similar case. We have more than once met with similar effects. A young man whom we attended in 1832 died, after excesses in onanism, with diarrhœa. This unfortunate individual, although in the last stages of consumption, still indulged as soon as he was left alone, in his deplorable habit. Diarrhœa, or rather intestinal ulcerations, which are then the cause of it, generally appear in onanists as in those affected with consumption, at the last stages of life. Thus a young man, nineteen years old, addicted to masturbation from childhood, died a few years since at Hotel Dieu. The most active watching and the strictest mechanical methods could not arrest his fatal manipulations. Diarrhœa was added to his habitual loss of semen, and he died three months after entering the hospital, in a perfect state of marasmus.

Many authors have repeated after the statements of Hippocrates, that individuals affected with consumption, arising from venereal excesses, have no fever. This is an error: they die as we have already stated, with true hectic fever, which is caused by the state of the different organs, and particularly by that of the genital system. Of this, numerous instances might be cited: the following is related by Dr. Federigo, the Italian translator of Portal’s work on consumption. “I knew,” says he, “a female who was affected for many years with extreme debility and entire loss of appetite. A slow fever every evening had rendered her extremely thin: her eyes were pale and sunken; her skin was very hot, and it was highly painful for her to stand erect: a profuse discharge weakened her still more; and she was in an advanced state of marasmus. All the active remedies, as preparations of iron, decoctions of cinchona and mineral waters were tried without success. She died in a most deplorable state of consumption. I attempted, by questioning her as to her mode of living, to discover the cause of this disease, but unsuccessfully. A month before her death however, she told me with tears in her eyes, that she brought her debility upon herself, by indulging constantly and for many years in a secret and murderous habit.” We will add that Sainte Marie having found that daily involuntary pollution occurred in diseases of languor, as soon as he became acquainted with the dissertation of Wichmann, discovered that many slow nervous fevers were kept up by this affection.

From our remarks on the influence exercised by the genital organs on the nervous system, even when simply in a state of excitement or repose, it will not surprise, if we should state, that in this system are seen the affections resulting most frequently from the abuse of these organs. In fact the diseases of motion, sensation or of intelligence, that is of the faculties which are situated in the nervous system, are in fact the most common consequences of masturbation, and of venereal excesses generally. We have already spoken of the gradual diminution in the locomotive powers of the onanist. That of sensation presents very different phenomena, it is exalted as much as the first is diminished. Farther it is admitted that these two faculties are in an inverse ratio to one another. This increase of the susceptibility may take place at any age in consequence of venereal excesses; but it occurs much more readily in young persons, that is at that period of life when the mode of sensation assumes those characters which at a later period more than all the others constitute the temperament. Thus the excessive susceptibility generally presented by onanists, does not belong to those transient symptoms which disappear when the habit ceases: but, on the contrary, it continues, long after the habit has ceased, and its influence is long felt. How many persons of every age complain of being extremely nervous. Some know that this depends upon their own conduct, which they deeply regret. Interrogate them, and many will admit the excesses of their youth. We have rarely neglected to verify this remark and the responses have generally confirmed my suspicions. These individuals are seldom free from disagreeable feelings, from pain and inconvenience of some kind: their symptoms may vary extremely, and change very suddenly, but they are generally or always indisposed one way or another. This can be readily imagined: every thing affects them: cold, heat, dryness, moisture, rain, snow, food, drink, exercise, rest, in fact all these modifying circumstances find in them an organization ready to be acted on. The act of venery, the first source of their nervous susceptibility, subjects them to constant privations. A young man, twenty-two years old, whom we attended a few months since, told me in a depressed manner the constant inconveniences which he experienced from onanism. The following is his narrative, which we shall give here because it presents a faithful picture of the state in which the nervous system exists in most persons who have indulged in onanism.

“At sixteen years of age,” said he, “I learned to masturbate; this habit, I continued, for several years, with a kind of fury. My health soon became affected, my strength failed and also my digestion. I soon perceived a heat and constant pain in my stomach: my throat was inflamed and my feelings were extremely bad. The advice which I received and the alteration in my health, caused me to renounce this habit. My situation soon improved and I gained daily, but at the same time my desires returned and I shortly relapsed into my former errors. The same cause produced the same effects and I again abandoned onanism, promising never to indulge again. For two years I kept my word: unhappily this time however my health was not restored as at first, and I continually experienced all the sufferings which I have described. Besides I have become so sensitive that every thing incommodes me: the least change in the weather and particularly a storm causes me a great deal of suffering. Farther I cannot say what temperature is best for me, for I do not experience much difference whether it be cold or warm. I have but little desire for females, and although indulging at times after long intervals, yet I have always suffered for several days afterward, in the same manner as after masturbation. I feel constant pains of a lacerating character in the limbs: sometimes also, but more rarely pains in the back; often also, I have pains in the stomach and colic. My digestion although better than before, is far from being good: I can take but a few articles of food, and the smallest portion of wine, spirit, or coffee produces great distress.” This was the young man’s statement: he was deeply affected by the slightest cause: his appearance was sad, he was tired of himself and was constantly tormented by thoughts of his former excesses. I have seen him several times since; and I have reason to believe that his obedience to my advice improved his health.

It may be said that this patient is a hypochondriac. I admit it: but what is hypochondria, save an excessive susceptibility, added to all the inconveniences which result from it, and the derangement of the digestive functions? And hence all authors who have spoken of this disease, and of hysteria, which resembles it in so many respects, have classed venereal excesses among their most common causes. I might cite in proof of this, Tissot, Louyer-Villermey, Fodéré, Foville and many others. Oppenheim, physician to the grand vizier, attributes the frequency of hypochondria and of hysteria among the orientals, to their abuse of the pleasures of love. Pinel gives the history of a hypochondriac who at the age of puberty abandoned himself to masturbation which was followed by frequent involuntary pollutions. In another place he speaks of a similar case: and almost every practitioner can mention several.

The affection of the nervous system in onanists consists not only in an increased susceptibility, but is indicated also, by a number of symptoms, as pains sensations and spasms of every kind. Angelot has related the case of a young man affected with constant discharge of semen, who, among other phenomena, presented so great a degree of nervous irritation that he experienced a vibration over his whole body at the slightest noise. Some patients experience pains in the limbs as if they had been beaten; others are affected with intense headache and pains in the loins which reappear at each pollution: or wandering pains, which however are sometimes fixed, are felt in the course of the nerves and are similar to neuralgia. We shall see hereafter that painful affections of various kinds have been the more or less direct consequence of venereal excesses. Sensations of giddiness, of formication or crawling, &c., may also be perceived: some patients experience cramps which at first are felt only during the act of venery, but which afterwards reappear at other times. Spasms, contractions and generally the convulsive motions so often observed in onanists usually result from severe affections of the nervous centres, affections which we shall speak of directly. A very frequent symptom and one too which has never deceived me as to its nature, says Georget, are palpitations of the heart attended with difficulty in the respiration, slight suffocating feelings, &c. He remarks also that fainting and partial or general trembling appears on the slightest contradiction and often without any known cause in onanists. These remarks are very true: palpitations and stifling sensations continue sometimes for years after onanism has ceased, and fainting fits, trembling sensations, &c. show themselves during or immediately after the act of venery.

The heart and the mind suffer as much as the body from excesses of masturbation. To be assured of this we have only to remember the power exercised by the genital organs in the physiological state, on the ideas and feelings. Generally the necessity which the onanist experiences for dissembling his tastes and for concealing a habit which is both ridiculous and vile, renders him taciturn: his eyes are turned from the gaze of those around: he loves solitude, avoids the world and is embarrassed, and almost as it were ashamed of himself. His manner might sometimes pass for timidity, we might almost say for innocence, but it is entirely changed, when being in company with professed onanists he no longer feels restraint.

It is to this habit of dissimulation, this inquietude with which the onanist is constantly haunted, that Montegre attributes particularly the difference between self-pollution and coition: but this moral torment is far as we shall see from being the only one with which the onanist is affected.

In fact, he constantly experiences a sensation of sadness and ennui, which is impressed on his countenance and which is the natural consequence of restlessness and of the fatigue which he feels constantly. He is sad as one is when suffering, and when debility are felt. This inward feeling of shame which is banished with difficulty when the actions reputed to be bad are often repeated, must also contribute to increase his melancholy and sadness. But perhaps the worst feelings which torment him, are regret and remorse. The exhaustion of his system, his sufferings, the near approach of death often render him desperate. He remembers the time when he did not indulge in onanism: he remembers those who first taught him that vice: his shame, his pains and fears all come up strongly before him. Being the author of his own misfortunes he constantly reproaches himself, and he remembers all that has been said to wean him from the habit. Now picture with these regrets these fears, and the despair we have described, the existence of this fatal habit which cannot be overcome. The onanist knows this danger and yet he cannot break himself of his bad habit.

It can readily be supposed that onanists tortured by the present and by the thoughts of the future which appears to them overshadowed with clouds, have often wished to terminate their sufferings criminally. This has in fact sometimes happened. “I do not believe,” writes an onanist to Tissot, “that any human being has suffered as much as I have. Without the special care of Providence I should find it difficult to support the burden of life.” Some have not the courage to sustain life. Esquirol has often known masturbation to lead to melancholy and suicide. Orfila also mentions among the occasional causes of suicide “the physical and moral disgust, intellectual apathy without any hope of cure which often follows premature indulgences of every kind.” If the resources of nature had been known to those who thus abandon themselves to despair; if they had witnessed, as we have, the rapidity with which the health is restored, when onanism is arrested, if they had believed in the healing power of time, they would have seen that their pains might disappear, their strength might have been restored, and they might have enjoyed a long and happy life. The following case will teach onanists not to despair.

A gentleman, twenty-four years old, says M. Sainte Marie, in order to avoid conscription shut himself up in an isolated chateau under the charge of an old and confidential domestic. There in order to lighten the ennui of his situation he gave himself up to onanism. After three years of this forced seclusion and dangerous excess, he reappeared in the world; he was excessively pale and thin, which was attributed to the extreme loneliness in which he existed. Marriage was urged upon him as a mode of relieving, by an agreeable establishment, this long ennui; his strength however failed him the night of his marriage, and he was unable, as Montaigne says, to consummate the nuptials. He became disgusted with himself, and this feeling soon settled into one of deep and fixed despair. One day he swallowed a large dose of arsenic, but vomited it soon after with the food which he had eaten. He then came to Lyons to seek a death which he considered more worthy of his birth and station. He followed very closely for several days a celebrated fencer, and finding an opportunity to insult him, did so, with no other intent than that of losing, sword in hand, a life which had become hateful to him. The fortune of arms decided otherwise: although feeble and languid, he wounded his adversary, and this slight advantage suddenly changed his resolution. He now saw that life was not a series of defeats and humiliations: he desired to live, and in this frame of mind he came to consult me. His impotence seemed but a slight symptom. I readily saw that it was only the symptom of a well marked dorsal consumption. I prescribed ice to be taken internally, iced water douches to be used along the vertebral column and a milk diet. After continuing this treatment three months, the patient’s health seemed perfectly restored. He left Lyons, and rejoined his family, who were much concerned at his long absence. I learn now that he is very happy, and that his wife has presented him with three living pledges of affection. (Wichmann, p. 91.)

Besides the intellectual and moral effects which we have mentioned, onanism often produces a very marked debility of the mental faculties, and particularly of the memory. Young men, who previously showed considerable vivacity of mind and aptitude for study, become, after being addicted to this habit, stupid, and incapable of applying themselves: it is evident, that this transitory state which immediately succeeds the act of venery, becomes continued when this act is frequently repeated, because time is not allowed for the effects of it to pass off. This debility of the intellectual faculties must not always be considered as irremediable: in fact, these individuals sometimes regain their original acuteness, when the habit which had enfeebled them is discontinued, before the deterioration is of long standing. We might adduce instances of this return. The most remarkable, assuredly, is that of an idiot girl, who was restored to reason by amputation of the clitoris—an operation performed by Dr. Graefe, of Berlin. In a future page, we shall give this interesting case in full. Unfortunately, the simple cessation of onanism is not always sufficient to efface its effects completely; and many individuals preserve, during their whole existence, a certain feebleness of mind, which arises from the excesses of their youth. The debility of the intellectual faculties does not always stop at the point indicated: it may extend almost to idiocy—to the most complete stupidity. Most generally, then, the brain, or its appendages, are deeply injured, which is indicated by different symptoms, as loss of sight, hearing, fits, paralysis, &c. This was the case with an individual, whose case is stated by Serrurier, and who became, through onanism, perfectly imbecile. This is true, too, of an idiot, who was under the charge of Pinel, in the infirmary of Bicêtre. He was a sculptor, who had previously been exhausted by intemperance and venery. He remained almost motionless and quiet, or at intervals indulged in a foolish laugh. His face was destitute of expression, and he had no remembrance of his former state. His appetite was always good; and, even at the sight of food, his jaws began to move. He constantly remained in a recumbent posture; and, finally, became affected with hectic fever, which terminated fatally.

It is worthy of remark, in those onanists who become idiots, that, while the external senses and the intelligence diminish, the genital activity is increased: all these faculties seem to be blended in one, the proportions of which seem much greater, as the others are diminished. This opposite state of things, found in all cases produced by onanism, is particularly remarkable in a case observed at the Hospital St. Louis, by Alibert. The patient was a peasant-girl twenty-two years old, who was constantly employed in tending sheep. The seclusion of this girl’s situation favored the development of onanism. She concealed herself in retired and quiet situations, to indulge this horrid inclination. Two years elapsed, during which her intellectual faculties were progressively enfeebled: she became stupid, while the venereal sense was excited to the highest degree. Things came to such an extent, that she fell, as it were, into a species of nymphomania, for which she was carried to the hospital. The unfortunate girl presented a kind of automatic motion, which she could not repress. Her head, chest, and upper half of her body were excessively thin, while the other half was remarkably plump. The sight, and much more the contact of a male, caused in her a state which was soon terminated by a pollution. By merely touching this girl, her whole person could be agitated and convulsed to a distressing degree, and it was thought expedient to send her home. (Dict. des Sc. Med., Vol. XXXVI., p. 582.)

Are the alternate states of excitement and collapse experienced by the brain, during and after the act of venery, the only cause of weakness in onanists? Does not the constant state of their mind contribute also, as Tissot and many other authors think, to this unfortunate result? Of this, we have no doubt.

The yoke which onanism imposes on those who are completely abandoned to it, is such, that they have constantly before them a certain set of ideas. All their study is confined to avoid the looks of others, and to call to mind all the remembrances, and to create all the illusions, upon which their senses revel: their strength of mind is consecrated to these objects alone. To dissemble, and enjoy themselves, is all they wish. The intellectual faculties, being thus neglected, must remain imperfect; or even, if we may be allowed the expression, must lose their vigour, and waste. We can understand well how the necessity arising from this state of things may aid the development of the most wicked thoughts. Was not this the case with a young girl, whose history, as stated by Parent Duchatelet, is as follows:—

This girl, whose early childhood was spent with her grandmother, a respectable and religious woman, was about seven years old, when she returned home. For the first four months after her return, she was very sad and was not as playful as children are generally, and never caressed her father and mother. She lost flesh rapidly. The cause of this was sought for in vain; when, one day, a few questions having been put to her, she stated, that from the age of four years she had been in the habit of seeing boys from ten to twelve years old; that since she had returned home, she had had no opportunity, and had indulged in self-pollution. In vain did her parents try to wean her from this vice: they reasoned with and caressed her; they gave her presents, and all the clothes she desired; physicians visited her; the powers of religion were tried. But all in vain: the child abused herself, even in her sleep.

But a horrid inclination soon appeared: she now desired to see her parents dead, and even to murder them. This wish she expressed freely, and also her regret at not being able to satisfy her wishes. She promised herself to embrace any opportunity which presented. The only motives which induced her to do this, were to possess her mother’s jewels, and then to go with the men. Things soon came to such an extent, that the parents, for their own safety, were obliged to lock up their daughter every night, as she did not conceal her intention of assassinating them during sleep. The child, being in this manner less exposed to observation, abandoned herself to her habits without constraint, it being the only wish she could gratify. She never laughed, nor cried. She sat the whole day in a very small chair, with her hands crossed, and she abused herself as soon as her mother’s back was turned. Punishments succeeded no better than presents or caresses. One day, her father tied her to the bedstead: she said, “You may kill me; but I will not change.” These facts gave rise to a judicial investigation, from the minutes of which this statement is taken. (Arch. d’hygiene et de med. legale, January, 1832.)

This young girl certainly had inclinations which were the result of her organization. She never became attached even to the grandmother who brought her up; and whom also she would have destroyed for her jewels. She was not animated by the wish to kill, as by that of acquiring a desired object. One day, while a man was talking with her, she looked attentively at his breast-pin: when questioned on the subject, she admitted that she would kill this man for the sake of this jewel. Her passion for venereal pleasures also came from an organic arrangement: she had never been led into these enjoyments by men or women. When four years old, she sought after little boys; and it was not till she was deprived of them, that she resorted to onanism. She admitted that she preferred the boys.

Now, I would ask, if this primitive exaltation of a sense, which masturbation excited still more every day, could govern a disposition which caused her to regard homicide as the best mode of satisfying certain desires? Could that state of fatigue, which is constantly felt in those individuals who are addicted to onanism, excite in this young girl the sympathies which unite each individual to his fellows, and give strength to those bonds which she was always ready to break? Was it possible for her to love her parents, who constantly thwarted her desires? Would not the irritation she constantly felt at not being able to give herself completely up to venereal pleasures, react on her other inclinations? Would not the obstacles she encountered tend to make her think herself surrounded with enemies? Governed by one sense, was she in a state to listen to and understand all that was said to her, to modify her bad inclinations? Did not her state resemble that of animals, who, although mild and amiable, become dangerous and wicked, when the genital sense is excited? Finally, does not this case prove that deviations of character may result from onanism—that good feelings may be changed by this habit—or, at least, that bad ones may be called into action?

Moral depravity of another kind may result from onanism. The mind, accustomed to seek pleasure in a certain circle of ideas, or a peculiar series of sensations, cannot find any in any other manner. The enjoyments of onanism are then the only ones which the onanist can realize. The union of the sexes has no attraction for him: he indulges with repugnance, and thinks the sensations much less agreeable than those arising from self-pollution. The genital sense, the power of proceeding to the act of venery, and of procreating, remain: but depraved tastes have taken the place of the legitimate desires. Tissot regards this perversion as more frequent in females than in males: he remarks upon the case of a female as stated by Bekkers, over whose mind self-pollution had taken such possession, that she detested the legitimate modes of gratification.

We believe, that if there are females who prefer onanism to coition, it is because the sensual results of the latter are generally very uncertain. Besides, Tissot does not exclude the male sex from this kind of depravation: the same author states the history of a man, who, in being taught onanism by his preceptor, experienced, when first married, so great a disgust for the natural relations which result from it, added to the exhaustion caused by his manipulations, that he became melancholy; which state, however, yielded to appropriate remedies.

A fact published by Alibert is very analogous to the preceding. He states, that a young man, brought up in a boarding-house, contracted the habit of onanism in his childhood. Tissot’s book was put into his hands, which frightened, but did not entirely cure him. After reading it, however, he was more moderate, and indulged only at long intervals, and when he was excited by very violent desires. Hence, his temperament did not change; but he continued robust, and his moral faculties preserved their energy: but the frightful habit which he had contracted, prevented the development of any desire for the other sex. Even when thirty years old, he had never been excited by the sight of a female; and his feelings were called into action only by vain images, or by the phantoms of his depraved imagination. He had early studied drawing, which he had always pursued with ardor. The beautiful forms of men, in this beau-ideal of painters, which nature has never realized, affected him, and finally inspired him with an extraordinary emotion—a vague passion, for which he could not account. It is necessary, however, to remark, that this passion had no connexion with the tastes of sodomy, and that it could not be excited by the sight of any man. Such was his strange situation, when he came to ask my advice. He then presented, as I said before, no physical symptom of impotence. He was healthy and well-made, and nature had not been unkind to him; but he had so abused the use of her gifts, that it was difficult to restore to him their proper use. The patient was perfectly acquainted with his situation. “There is no effort,” said he, “that I am not willing to make, to free myself from my ignominious situation—to drive away from my thoughts the infamous images which haunt me. They have deprived me of the legitimate enjoyments procured by the union of the sexes—of the power possessed by the lowest animals of reproducing their species. I am dying of chagrin and shame.”

I considered his disease as a perversion of the venereal appetite. I thought that the most urgent indication was to restore nature to its true type. In fact, the individual was very robust, at the period of consulting me; and farther, as I have said, the beauty of the ideal forms of man excited in him voluptuous sensations, during the continuance of which the genital organs became excited, and there was a discharge of semen: this favored the supposition that he still retained some stamina. Hence, there was neither destruction nor essential alteration in his physical sensibility; but rather a false direction of this faculty of the organism. The following course of treatment was proposed. I have already said, that the patient was very fond of drawing, and that he applied himself to it with that ardor which is the sure guaranty of success. I required him to study carefully the female form, and to make drawings of it—to break through his habits, and to renounce the Belvidere Apollo for the Venus de Medicis. He did so. Nature gradually resumed her rights: he soon preferred a round and delicate arm to that which was strong and masculine; and when he contemplated the elegance and softness of contour in the female form, he began to be cured. After constructing an imaginary model, he sought for it in the physical world. Time was required, and perseverance; but he was perfectly restored.

§ 2. DISEASES ARISING FROM VENEREAL EXCESSES.

There are but few diseases which have not been observed as occurring after venereal excesses. The influence of the genital organs is so great, and extends so perfectly to all points of the organism, that the slightest morbid disposition of the latter is favored by its action. Capable of fecundating all the germes of the diseases which occur, the abuse of the genital organs produces all those which may happen in the body. Hence, we must not be astonished to see venereal excesses mentioned in enumerating the direct or indirect causes of most of them. We should certainly sometimes be embarrassed to justify this indication by positive proofs; for we do not know all that exists, and written science does not represent all that has been seen: but, as we know that a powerful influence only requires to exist with a morbid arrangement, to make of it a disease, the knowledge of this fact alone authorizes us to place venereal excesses, which have so injurious an effect, among the productive causes of most affections of the body.

Those diseases which are the consequence of this cause generally have a special mark, which depends not only upon the fact, that in a great many cases it continues to act when they are developed, and therefore deranges their course; but which results also particularly from the presence among their symptoms of those which belong particularly to venereal excesses. Hence, if, in consequence of these excesses, an individual should be affected with phthisis, epilepsy, a chronic disease of the brain, spinal marrow, caries of the vertebræ, &c., the patient will present, besides the special symptoms of these different affections, the signs of consumption already mentioned by us, and which are generally the consequences of the prolonged abuse of masturbation, or of coition; he will become thin, his strength will be exhausted, his eyes will be sunken, and present a dark ring beneath them; his countenance will be melancholy and suffused; his digestion will be deranged; he will suffer from wandering pains, from trembling, and from spasms; his mind will become enfeebled; and, finally, he will show many of the phenomena which we have described as general symptoms of venereal excesses. In these cases, there is, properly speaking, a complication of the special disease which they have produced, and of this other disease resulting as we have seen before, from the abuse of the genital organs. There are, at the same time, the general effects of this abuse, which may be seen in all those who are the victims of it, and the special characters of diseases which might have arisen from some other cause. The practitioner who should be unacquainted with these facts, in regard to which we find nothing precise in authors, would be liable to mistakes which would render him liable to errors of prognosis and of treatment.

The instances of individuals who have died of apoplexy, either of the cerebrum or cerebellum, during coition, are by no means rare. We can readily imagine, that if there be a marked disposition to this disease, and that if it be disposed to come on, the derangement in the respiration and circulation produced by the venereal action might hurry it. This has happened more than once during the digestion of a full meal. Most old men who have died during coition, have been affected with apoplexy. Hence, authors have generally placed venereal excesses among the causes of this affection.

We will mention Cœlius Aurelian, Areltœus, Lomnius, Tissot, Pinel, Cruveilhier, Londe, &c. Henry Van Hers mentions a man, forty years old, who was attacked with apoplexy while with his wife, the first night of his marriage. The attack, however, could not have been very severe, as it yielded readily to treatment: but the patient indulging in the pleasures of love a few days after his recovery, was again attacked, and died. (Dict. des Sc. Med., art. Apoplexie.) Hoffmann mentions one. It was that of a soldier, who died in the act of coition. It was found, on opening his body, that blood was effused in the brain. Serres’ work on the comparative anatomy of the brain states a similar instance. It is that of a man, thirty-two years old, who became affected with apoplexy during coition, and after drinking more freely than usual. Firm erection of the penis, which continued nearly until death had closed the scene, was added to the violent symptoms of apoplexy. The cerebrum was healthy; but the median lobe of the cerebellum exhibited traces of severe irritation; and the substance of the cerebellum was broken in several places; and small abscesses, filled with blood, were grooved along the superior vermicular process.

In some individuals, apoplexy supervenes so soon after venereal excesses, that we might reasonably anticipate that they contributed to its invasion. Thus, a steward, forty-nine years old, whose case is mentioned by Andral, fell down in the street, on coming from a house of ill-fame. He was immediately carried to the Maison de Santé, near, where he died shortly afterward. On opening his body, two apoplectic lesions were found; one in the right hemisphere of the cerebellum, the other in the left hemisphere of the cerebrum.

In coition, a marked congestion of blood takes place toward this organ. It is fair to presume, that such an act frequently repeated may predispose to an attack of apoplexy, which is decided sooner or later under the action of different causes. It is a fact, however, that this affection occurs frequently in those individuals who are accustomed to indulge in venereal pleasures. Serres reports the case of a man who indulged frequently, and who was attacked with apoplexy soon after a day passed in a house of ill-fame. He died two days afterward, presenting, among other symptoms, the erection of the penis, and an abundant discharge of semen. Post mortem examination showed, as in the preceding cases, apoplexy existing in the cerebellum. A similar case was reported by Dr. Guiot. It was that of a man, fifty-two years old, who was much addicted to women, and who, after several times suffering from cerebral congestions, was affected with mania. His genital organs were very much developed, and he was frequently affected with pollutions. He died, finally, of congestion, with hemiplegia, in twelve hours. Among the symptoms presented, were remarked erection of the penis, and as it were automatic motions of masturbation.

Deep and chronic lesions have been observed in the encephalon of onanists, much more frequently than acute diseases. We published, in 1817, a case of chronic arachnitis, which seemed to depend on this cause. The patient was a boy seven years old, who entered the Hospital des Enfans, at the beginning of the preceding year. This child, who was much addicted to masturbation, was usually affected with convulsions during this act. He finally became idiotic. He was extremely repugnant to take exercise, and he remained very quiet. His strength failed, his limbs wasted away, and finally he became affected with almost total blindness. The hearing, and generally the external and internal senses were also much weakened. Galvanism and other remedies were employed in vain. The patient died; and on opening the cadaver, we found a very marked inflammation of the portion of the meninges which follows the course of the superior longitudinal sinus. The surface of the brain, also, appeared to some assistants to be inflamed. In another patient, whose history is stated by Desruelles, in his memoir on the effects of onanism, the substance of the brain was affected. There was paralysis of the left arm, convulsions of the right arm and of the muscles of the face. On opening the cadaver, an encysted abscess was found in the hemisphere of the brain, on the side opposite to the paralysis, and corresponding to the convulsed limbs.

Chronic alterations have frequently been found in the cerebellum of onanists. They have been mentioned by some as the cause, by others as the effect of onanism. But even admitting that in some cases these alterations may have been the beginning of this habit, this fact shows the bond which unites the genital organs and the cerebellum, and renders more probable the influence which they may exercise upon it. In fact, when the disease of one organ deranges the functions of another, we may be satisfied that an opposite result is possible. Farther, it would be impossible, in most of the cases of which we speak, to distinguish whether the cerebral affection or the masturbation had precedence. The only thing positively known is their coincidence; and this latter has appeared too frequently not to attract attention. We will mention several instances of it.

A female, addicted at an early age to the pleasures of venery, finally indulged in prostitution; she was at the same time addicted to onanism, and at last became affected with nymphomania. Ashamed of her situation, she submitted to cauterization of the clitoris, but without any good result. She finally died; and we found chronic irritation, with induration of the middle lobe of the cerebellum. Small sinuses, with callous edges, indicated that an inflammation had existed for a long time in this organ.

Gall (in his treatise on the functions of the brain, Vol. III., p. 314) has given us the history of a boy, three years old, who was strongly addicted to onanism, and in whom two thirds of the cerebellum was found to be suppurated.

A young man, nineteen years old, was so much addicted from his infancy to masturbation, that all mechanical means were tried in vain to conquer this fatal habit. It was even proposed to scarify the penis, in order that his motions might be prevented by pain. All attempts were in vain; and this unfortunate young man, exhausted by continual losses of semen, died three months after entering Hotel Dieu, in the most complete state of marasmus. He had often experienced attacks of epilepsy. On opening the dead body, we found in his cerebellum an encephaloid tumor the size of a nut, which had began to soften.

A girl ten years old, addicted to masturbation, and of a melancholy temperament, complained for four months of severe pains in the head. These pains increased to such a degree, that for the last three weeks of her life she was constantly crying. She was finally carried to the Hospital des Enfans. The only additional information obtained in regard to her was, that the patient was bedridden for twelve days—that she was affected with vomiting of bile, followed by somnolence—that for three days she had ceased to speak, or answered with difficulty—that she constantly kept her hand to her head, which was thrown back. During the last four days, she was comatose: there was a slight degree of strabismus, and dilatation of the pupil. A post-mortem examination showed inflammation, with purulent infiltration of the arachnoid membrane, at the upper part of the cerebellum. The substance of the brain presented tubercles and a softening.

Combette has related a case, which to our knowledge is unparalleled; viz., complete destruction of the cerebellum in a girl eleven years old, who was addicted to onanism. In place of this organ was found a gelatiniform membrane, attached to the medulla oblongata by a peduncle of a similar character. The genital organs of this girl presented evident marks of her habit: the finger could easily be introduced into the vagina; the hymen was absent; the external labia were of a bright red colour, and seemed to have been frequently irritated. All that is known of this patient, who died at the Hospital des Enfans, in 1831, is reduced to a few facts. She was born healthy and well-made, although she was slight; and her physical and intellectual development was slow, and very imperfect. On entering the Foundling Hospital the 13th of January, 1830, she was feeble and ricketty, had but little intelligence, and seemed indifferent to surrounding objects. She answered questions with difficulty and hesitation. Her legs, although feeble, still supported her; but she fell frequently. She was in the full possession of all her senses: her appetite was good. Her health suffered more the following months, and she was finally obliged to remain constantly in bed. Her constitution then appeared impaired, and she was as it were stupified. She was depressed, and complained neither of pleasure nor pain; if questioned, she merely answered yes or no. She laid constantly on her back, her head turned to the left, and she moved her limbs with great difficulty. She soon became affected with a continual diarrhœa; and she died fifteen months after entering the hospital, in a state of complete exhaustion. What was the effect of masturbation in this case? Was it the cause or effect of the malady, which had disorganized the brain? This habit certainly had a great deal to do with it. (Revue Medicale, April, 1831.)

To these facts others might easily be added, where the affection of the brain was manifest, although not verified by a post mortem observation: thus, in the following case mentioned by Serrurier, the epilepsy, loss of sight, and the destruction of the intellectual faculties, certainly indicated a deep lesion of the brain. “I always remember with horror,” says this author, “the frightful picture presented by a young soldier, after frequent indulgence in onanism, and of nocturnal pollutions, which were more violent and copious after each epileptic fit. This young man was in a perfect state of marasmus: his sight was lost entirely; he was perfectly imbecile, and even the calls of nature were unanswered by him. His body exhaled a particularly nauseous odour; his skin was livid; his tongue trembled; his eyes were sunken, his teeth decayed; and his arms were covered with ulcers, which indicated a scorbutic affection. This state continued for six months, when the melancholy man died, having struggled for a long time against death, which finally terminated his sufferings.”

In the preceding case we can remark, in addition to the symptoms of the cerebral affection, the symptoms of the exhaustion of the cachexy, presented by individuals who have been reduced very low by onanism. A similar state is seen in the following case related by Tissot. Here the encephalic affection, to judge of it by the throwing back of the neck, and the violent pains experienced by the patient in this part, seemed to be situated in the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, or in those parts of the arachnoid membrane which are near them.

L. D—— was by profession a watchmaker. He had lived prudently, and had enjoyed a good state of health, till he was about seventeen years of age. At this period, he gave himself up to masturbation, which he repeated every day, sometimes even to the third time; and the ejaculation was always preceded and followed by a slight insensibility, and a convulsive motion in the extending muscles of the head, which drew it very much back, whilst the neck was extremely swelled. A year had not elapsed, before he began to feel a great weakness after every act. This notification was not sufficient to rescue him from his filthy practices: his soul, already devoted to this base habit, was incapable of forming any other idea, and the repetition of his crime became every day more frequent, till such time as he was in a state which gave reason to apprehend his death. Too late grown wise, the evil had already made so great a progress, that he was incurable; and the genital parts were become so easily irritated, and were so weak, that it was no longer necessary that this unhappy youth should be an agent, in order to shed his seed. The slightest irritation immediately procured an imperfect erection, which was constantly followed by an evacuation of this liquor, which daily increased his weakness. This spasm, of which he was not before sensible but in consummating the act, and which ceased therewith, was now become habitual, and frequently attacked him without any apparent cause, and in so violent a manner, that during the whole period of the fit, which sometimes lasted fifteen hours, and never less than eight, he felt such violent pains in the back part of the neck, that he did not scream out, but absolutely howled; and all this while it was impossible for him to swallow either solids or fluids. His voice was become hoarse; but I did not observe that it was more so while the fit continued. He entirely lost his strength, and was obliged to give up his profession, being altogether incapacitated: thus overwhelmed with misery, he languished, almost without any assistance, for some months; and was the more to be pitied, as what memory he had remaining, and which he was at length entirely bereft of, only served him to take an incessant retrospect of the cause of his misfortunes, which were increased by all the aggravating horrors of remorse. I heard of his situation, and went to him; I found a being that less resembled a living creature than a corpse, lying upon straw, meager, pale, and filthy, casting forth an infectious stench; almost incapable of motion, a watery palish blood issued from his nose; saliva constantly flowed from his mouth: having a diarrhœa, he voided his excrement in the bed without knowing it: he had a continual flux of semen; his sore, watery eyes were deadened to that degree, that he could not move them: his pulse was very small, quick, and frequent: it was with great difficulty he breathed, reduced almost to a skeleton in every part, except his feet, which became œdematous. The disorder of his mind was equal to that of his body; devoid of ideas and memory, incapable of connecting two sentences, without reflection, without being afflicted at his fate, without any other sensation than pain, which returned with every fit, at least every third day. Far below the brute creation, he was a spectacle, the horrible sight of which cannot be conceived, and it was difficult to discover that he had formerly made part of the human species. I had immediate recourse to the assistance of strengthening remedies, in order to remove these violent spasmodic fits, which so dreadfully brought him back to sensibility only by pain: I contented myself with having given him some ease in this respect, and I discontinued administering remedies, which could not ameliorate his condition; he died at the end of a few weeks, in June, 1757, his whole body having become dropsical.

In a case related by Bouteille, surgeon-general of the hospital at Lyons, most of the symptoms resulting from the cerebral affection existed in the right side of the body, and consequently indicated an affection of the opposite side of the cerebrum. The patient was a young girl twelve years old, whose constitution was weak and irritable, and very slightly developed—doubtless, on account of the enervating habit of onanism, in which she had indulged for several years, and which her mother’s vigilance could not prevent. Just after recovering from a severe illness, which yielded readily to remedies, this young girl was very much terrified, which had a great deal of influence upon her, as she was extremely sensitive; her sensibility being increased by the weak state of her nervous system, produced by onanism. Soon after, she was affected by slight convulsive motions in the right foot and arm, accompanied by a disagreeable pain in the right knee and in the sole of the foot of the same side. Notwithstanding the use of remedies, the disease increased, and she was soon unable to carry her food to her mouth, her arm was so much agitated. The appetite was variable, and the pulse was regular. Sometimes, and contrary to her usual custom, the patient was silent; sometimes she was extremely lively, and even foolish; sometimes her ideas were incoherent, and she often indulged in tears.

Headache and dizziness were perceived, but they soon yielded. At a later period, the sight and hearing of the right side were considerably weakened: at the same time, the pain in the sole of the foot, knee, and part of the right hand became more intense, and the difficulty of walking increased. After a time, the disease seemed to improve a little: the convulsive motions abated; the intelligence and memory returned, as before the disease; but the sight and hearing remained as they were. An active mode of treatment was now used: electricity formed the principal remedy. The patient was finally cured. Need we remark, that in all probability the fright was only the occasion which excited the development of a disease already prepared for by the onanism. (Traité de la chosée, p. 352.)

The convulsive form, the epileptic, is one of those assumed most frequently by the cerebral diseases produced by masturbation; we can easily conceive of this by remembering, that what takes place in the act of venery has, as we have already seen, a striking analogy with an attack of epilepsy: hence the ancients termed the act of coition, a short fit of epilepsy. It is unnecessary to state here the numerous testimonials found in authors, in regard to the influence of onanism as a cause of epilepsy. This influence is a fact mentioned and assented to by all. We shall relate a few examples.

There are some individuals who are so susceptible, and present so great a disposition to epilepsy, that they have a regular attack of it whenever they indulge in the act of venery. Didier knew a merchant of Montpelier, of whom this was true. Similar cases are related by Galen, Van-Hers, Tissot, Hoffmann, Haller, and many other authors. A similar thing is observed even in animals. Alfred Menard had a strong watch-dog, who was affected with epilepsy whenever he coupled with a slut. These attacks were characterized by convulsions, and a loss of consciousness: their duration varied, and was always connected with the ardour of the animal, who never was affected except under the circumstances mentioned. (Revue medicale, March, 1825.)

Epilepsy sometimes supervenes directly after the excesses which cause it. Cole, cited by Esquirol, relates the case of a female, who became epileptic three days after marriage: but venereal abuses generally act slowly, and prepare the body for an attack of epilepsy, which this or some other cause excites. Esquirol relates the case of a young man, twelve or thirteen years old, who early in life was addicted to masturbation, and became extremely nervous, although strong and robust: at fifteen years of age he was affected with epilepsy. These attacks came on at the moon’s first quarter, and were very sudden: the patient fell down, uttered loud cries, and was generally convulsed: his eyes were open, fixed, and injected: the pupils were very much dilated: and when the fit passed off, he remained exhausted the rest of the day. This young man, like most onanists, was extremely susceptible, fretting upon the slightest pretext. After six months of treatment, the attacks became less frequent: at the end of a year they ceased. This young man might have been considered cured, but the pleasure of seeing his mother, from whom he had been separated for two years, caused a relapse: the same remedial means were again employed, and with success. He has, since that, entered into business, and has travelled extensively: his nervous system is strengthened: he married when twenty-seven years old, and has continued in good health.

Another curious fact has been communicated to us by the celebrated Dr. Goupil. A little boy, only eighteen months old, who had been put out to nurse, returned home with the habit of masturbation. At first, his parents thought but little of this; but when two years old, he was affected with an epileptic form of disease, characterized by loss of consciousness, convulsions of the muscles of the face and eyes, stiffness of the limbs, and sometimes he fell down. These fits becoming more and more frequent, Dr. Goupil was consulted. The patient was now three years and a half old, and still continued his bad habit. He was constantly sad, morose, and stupid. The doctor, not being at first aware of the cause, employed different medicines, but unsuccessfully: he then discovered the cause, and tried mechanical modes. He put on the boy, at night, a kind of strait jacket, by which his arms were kept crossed in front of the chest; and during the daytime, he was watched carefully. These means succeeding but imperfectly. Dr. Goupil employed another strait waistcoat, which was laced behind, and was furnished in front with a silver apparatus, to contain the genital organs, and having only an opening for the urine. This new obstacle did not answer as well as was expected, and the child sometimes escaped all vigilance: but as this was rare, he soon gained flesh, and also his strength and vivacity. The fits of epilepsy gradually became less frequent. This boy is now from nine to ten years old; enjoys good health; and, with the exception of a remarkable loss of memory, retains no trace of former indiscretions.

These two cases show how far the system can be restored, when the cause which disturbs it ceases to act. The following, which was communicated by Zimmerman to Tissot, proves the same thing; but it also shows how soon a return to the bad habit destroys the good effects resulting from its abandonment.

“I have seen,” says Zimmerman, “a man, twenty-three years old, who became epileptic, after debilitating his body by frequent masturbation. Whenever he had nocturnal pollutions, a fit of epilepsy ensued; and the same thing occurred after masturbation—from which, however, he did not abstain, notwithstanding the bad symptoms with which it was followed. After the fit had subsided, he felt very severe pains in the kidneys, and around the coccyx. Having, however, abstained from his manipulations for some time, the pollutions disappeared; and we had hopes of curing the epilepsy, the attacks of which were less frequent. He had regained his strength, appetite, sleep, and color, after resembling a cadaver; but having returned to his bad habits, which were always followed by fits, he was found dead in his chamber one morning, bathed in blood.”

Another convulsive affection, St. Vitus’ dance, has sometimes been caused by onanism. Marc Ant. Petit has published a case of it, which was communicated by Dr. Morelot. It is as follows:—A young girl, eight years old, became remarkably thin: her lower limbs were agitated by extraordinary motions, which were extended to the upper limbs. She soon lost all control over them. The twitching in the muscles of the face and eyes was excessive; the patient could not continue in her bed, and she was confined to a large chair. Her attending physician thought that this might be attributed to the presence of worms, and gave several anthelminthics, but without success. Dr. Morelot was consulted at this period, and thought that he could perceive the effects of a bad habit: he soon became convinced of its existence. By means of great watchfulness on the part of her parents, the use of cold baths, musk, and camphor, she was radically cured.

Mental derangement is often the prevalent symptom in diseases of the brain, produced by excess of masturbation or coition. We have already spoken of idiocy; but this is by no means the only change observed in consequence of these excesses. Every variety of affection of the mind may be caused by them, as is proved by statistics collected by several authors, in insane asylums. Yet these abstracts are far from presenting the truth. “So many circumstances combine,” says Esquirol, “to embarrass the discovery of causes of mental alienation, that the one mentioned, like other causes, must often be unascertained by physicians.” According to this sagacious observer of all the forms of mental alienation, mania is produced least frequently by venereal excesses. He adds, that maniacs, during the duration of the periods of access, are less addicted, generally, than other deranged persons to masturbation; but when they do indulge, this act must be considered as a bad symptom, since it constitutes an insurmountable obstacle to the cure: it destroys the strength, and finally produces in the patients stupidity, phthisis, marasmus, and death.

Dementia is, perhaps, the kind of derangement most frequently observed after masturbation. I saw a remarkable instance of this disease in a young man, twenty years old, who, indulging in these excesses for several years, gradually lost his mental faculties, became averse to even his relatives and dearest friends, and finally fell into a most perfect state of dementia. The relative frequency of this form of mental alienation in onanists has been pointed out in France by Esquirol, and in Norway by Holst. (Annales d’hygiene publ. December, 1830.)

Holst has remarked, that paralysis, that fatal symptom which so frequently attends all varieties of derangement, particularly monomania and dementia, is observed particularly in those insane who are addicted to onanism, and to other venereal excesses. This remark is confirmed by the two facts, that paralysis is much less common in females than in males, and that onanism produces mental alienation much less frequently in the former than in the latter. Thus, of 256 persons, admitted at the asylum at Charenton, during 1826-7-8, there were 44 men, in whom derangement could be attributed to libertinism or to onanism, while the same was true of only 3 women. Dr. Holst has shown that a similar proportion exists between the deranged of the two sexes in Norway. This relation, however, must not be considered as strictly correct; for females, being generally very reserved in their disclosures, onanism probably passes undiscovered in them more frequently than it does in men. It is well ascertained, that one twentieth of the deranged at Salpetrière, is composed of public women, who are for the most part affected with dementia and paralysis. Now, consider that masturbation is much more frequently a cause of derangement among the rich than among the poor. (Dict. des Sc. Med., vol. xvi., p. 179.) And remark, too, that at the Charenton asylum, where only persons in easy circumstances are received, there are proportionally more patients with paralysis than at Bicetre, the population of which is composed of men, belonging to the poorest classes of society.

We have only to consider the phenomena which attend and usually follow the venereal act, to infer that the spinal marrow may frequently be affected in consequence of the abuse of that act. Agitation, the involuntary contractions of the muscles, particularly of those surrounding the pelvis, and the tetanic spasm with which they are affected at the time of the ejaculation of the semen; the cramps which frequently attend it; the general feeling of pain, fatigue, and debility, which follows it—a feeling which is always more perceptible in the loins and lower part of the body, than elsewhere, indicate the powerful impression made on the spinal marrow, and the part which it takes in all going on. This participation is also demonstrated by different pathological facts, and by the results of experiments which we shall mention, when treating of the influence exercised by affections of the spinal marrow, as the cause of venereal excesses.

The local symptoms of the medulla, in onanists, consist in different and more or less acute sensations felt along the vertebral column. At first, these sensations do not appear until after the act of venery, and pass off; they then continue a longer time; and finally become constant. The pain is generally of a dull character—inconvenient, rather than severe—which obliges the patient, when sitting or standing, to change his position frequently; and it is generally less perceptible, or even disappears, when the patient assumes a horizontal position. Sometimes there is a feeling as if of ants crawling over the body, descending from the head along the spine: this symptom was first noticed by Hippocrates. Sometimes, these sensations have a special character, which each patient expresses in his own manner: thus, a man who indulged night and morning, for two years, in coition, complained to me that he felt beatings constantly between his shoulders. Others say that they have a knot in the back. The pains in the spine are sometimes very severe; sometimes they are extremely sharp. Onanists, and individuals affected with pollutions, most generally complain of their loins.

The frequent occurrence of the symptoms mentioned in persons exhausted by venereal excesses, has caused the terms consumption, phthisis dorsalis, and tabes dorsalis, to be applied to the state which they then present.

The other symptoms of the affection of the spinal marrow are more or less severe pains—more or less distinct sensations of cold, of numbness, and formication in the limbs, particularly in the lower extremities; cramps; constant trembling, or convulsive motions in these parts; a kind of tetanic stiffness; gradual debility of the lower half of the body; and, finally, paraplegia. We shall find these symptoms, in addition to the other effects of masturbation, in cases to be mentioned.

Pains in the loins and extremities were very marked in an individual of whom Serrurier remarks as follows:—“A patient whom I attended was reduced to a most dreadful state of marasmus, in consequence of nocturnal pollutions, determined by venereal excesses. I prescribed a tonic mode of treatment, and varied it in every form; but the patient died, after four months of frightful pains in the loins and articulations.” There was apparently, in this case, an affection of the lumbar part of the medulla, or of its membranes. A similar malady existed, probably, in a man whose case was published by Hattè, and who was affected, in consequence of excesses in coition, with a lumbago, which alternated with satyriasis. There is no doubt, in regard to the affection of the spinal marrow, in the following case related by Van Swieten:—“For three years” says he, “I used all the aids of medicine for a young man, who, in consequence of onanism, was affected with general wandering pains—with a sensation, sometimes of heat, sometimes of cold, which was extremely unpleasant, over the whole body, but particularly in the loins. After a time, these pains diminished slightly; and then the thighs and legs were so cold, that although these parts, on being touched, seemed to preserve their natural heat, yet he was constantly warming himself at the fire, even during the warmer days of summer. I observed, particularly, a constant rotation of the testicles in the scrotum; and the patient felt a similar motion in the loins, which was very troublesome to him.”

Was the spinal marrow perfectly healthy in the onanist who wrote to Tissot the following:—“My nerves are extremely weak. My hands have no strength: they tremble constantly, and perspire freely. I have violent pains in my stomach, arms, and legs; and sometimes in the kidneys, chest,” &c. Persuaded, also, from a great many cases, that most of the pains termed rheumatic are neuralgic, and that many neuralgias depend on an affection of the spinal marrow; I think there is reason to suspect this affection, whenever it is found in onanists.

The following case, related by Dr. Bertini of Turin, presents, as a principal symptom, convulsive trembling of the lower extremities. The disease commenced, as is frequently the case, under the influence of an accidental cause; but when this had occurred, the patient presented for a long time symptoms of an affection of the medulla; and it is evident that their origin must be ascribed to onanism.

The patient was twenty-eight years old, and of a lymphatic-bilious temperament. When twelve years of age, he became addicted to masturbation, and then began to perceive tremblings in the arms and legs, vertigo, and pains in the head. He continued his fatal habit till twenty-two years old. At the beginning of August, 1824, he was attacked with a tertian intermittent, but for this he took no medicine. On the 20th of the same month, while cutting wood in Sesia, and while in a profuse perspiration, he went in swimming. He soon felt a sensation of shivering, followed by cold, spasms, vertigo, pain in the head, and thirst; aversion to food, difficulty of respiration, sensation of oppression in the sacrolumbar region, constipation, pains, and trembling in the lower extremities. These latter symptoms became so urgent, that the patient was obliged to have advice. In this state, he was carried to the hospital of Vercelli; and in a few days he was bled eleven times, and drastic purgatives were administered without success. A month afterward, he left the hospital; and since that time, the man has become a beggar and an object of public commiseration. The 18th of October, at which time he came under the charge of Dr. Bertini, he presented the following symptoms: he had no fever, nor pains in the head, nor derangement in the intellectual faculties; but he had a pain in the two sides of the sacrolumbar region, which was increased by pressure. The patient complained, also, of a kind of formication in the legs and feet, which parts, as also the rest of the body, trembled constantly: the agitation was so great, that the patient could not rest in bed, nor sit without support. Twenty-five leeches were applied to the lumbar region, and these drew about twelve ounces of blood. The trembling diminished, and the patient could soon rise and walk without a stick, and in fact without assistance. From this time, he felt no pains nor trembling, and he left the hospital eight days afterward. Dr. Bertini has since seen him, and he was well. (Revue Med., Dec. 1825.)

The tetanic form of the disease of the spinal marrow has rarely been observed as arising from onanism. Tissot saw a case of it in a young man:—“The disease commenced with rigidity of the neck and spine; this extended successively to all the limbs; and the patient, for some time before death, was obliged to lie in bed on his face, unable to move either his feet or hands. All motion was impossible; and he was obliged even to be fed. He lived several weeks in this sad state; and died, or rather sunk away, almost without suffering.”

Paralysis, which is the consequence of myelitis, or of any other affection of the spinal marrow, has been seen much more frequently than tetanus, in onanists. It is most generally confined to the lower parts of the body; but if the disease be seated in the cervical portion of the spinal marrow, the four extremities may be paralyzed. This was seen in the case of a young man who was under the care of Dupuytren, in September, 1833:—

This young man was twenty years old: he was very much addicted to masturbation, and his disease could be attributed to no other cause. This affection had existed for two years, when the patient entered Hotel Dieu. The attack of paralysis had been sudden, like a clap of thunder: the patient had lost the use of his limbs suddenly. The muscles of the neck were paralyzed, and the head fell in any direction: a short time before, however, the patient had recovered the power of sustaining it. The paralysis of the four limbs, also, varied in degree, alternately increasing and diminishing. After the patient entered the hospital, it was not equal on both sides: thus, he had some power over his left arm, but not over his right arm. Both the upper limbs, also, were atrophied, or wasted: those of the right side more so, however, than those of the left. Many remedies had been tried for this patient, but without success. At the time the case was published, purgatives and moxas were proposed. Dupuytren remarked to his pupils, that the situation of the myelitis corresponded in this young man to the cervical vertebræ; and that, if it ascended a little, and extended to the origin of the diaphragmatic nerve, it would cause death. He regarded the passion for masturbation, which existed in this young man, as the probable cause of this myelitis; and, consequently, of an atrophy of the anterior roots of the spinal nerves. (Lancette Française, 1833, p. 339.)

The disorganization, also, occupied an elevated portion of the spinal marrow, in the following case stated by Tissot:—“I was called upon,” says he, “to visit in the country a man, forty years old, who had been very strong and robust, but who had indulged excessively in sexual commerce and in wine, and who had been often engaged in athletic exercises. He began to be affected, a few months since, by a weakness in his legs, which made him totter in his walk, as if drunk. He sometimes fell, when walking on a plane; he could not descend the stairs without much difficulty; and hardly dared to leave his apartment. His hands trembled very much; he wrote with very great difficulty, and very badly; but he dictated with ease, although his speech, which had never been very fluent, began to be less so. His memory was still good; and the only ground for suspecting a lesion in his mind was the want of attention at the jeu de dames, and the change of countenance. His appetite was good, and he slept well; but it was difficult for him to turn in bed.

It occurred to me that his gallantries, and a too free use of wine, were the first causes of the disease; and that his athletic exercises, in which he had been frequently engaged, were the origin of the particular affection of the muscles. The season was not favorable for the use of remedies; but it was necessary to attempt to arrest the progress of the disease. I advised frictions of the whole body with flannels, and some tonics. I directed the doses to be increased, and to add also the use of the cold bath, at the commencement of summer. In a few weeks, the trembling of the hands seemed to be a little diminished. A consultation was had in the month of April: the disease was attributed to his having written some months, two years since, in a chamber recently plastered. Warm baths—oily frictions, with diaphoretic and anti-spasmodic powders, were employed without benefit. In the month of June, in a second consultation, he was advised to visit the medicinal spring of Leuk, in Valais. On his return, the trembling and stiffness had increased. From this time, (Sept. 1760, to Jan. 1764,) I saw him but three or four times. In 1762, he procured from Frankfort the remedies mentioned in the English treatise, Onania, which were of no use. He consulted a foreign physician the last year with as little success. The disease has slowly, but daily progressed; and for several months before death, his legs were too weak to support the weight of his body. He could not move his hands nor arms without help; his speech was so embarrassed, and his voice so feeble, that it was difficult to understand him; the extensor muscles of the head allowed it to fall continually on the chest; he had constant pains in the loins; his sleep and appetite were sensibly diminished. During the last few months of his life, there was much difficulty in swallowing; after Christmas, there came on an irregular fever, and his eyes were singularly dim; when I saw him in the month of January, he passed the whole day and most of the night reclining on a sofa, with his feet in a chair, with a domestic constantly in attendance near him, in order to change his position, raise his head to feed him, and to listen attentively to all he said. As he approached the period of his dissolution, he was obliged to articulate letter by letter, which was written down as it was pronounced. Seeing that I gave him no encouragement, as I only employed some palliatives for his fever and oppression, and actuated by a desire of living, he sent one of his friends to tell me the cause to which he attributed all these symptoms, viz., masturbation; that he commenced this infamous practice several years since; had continued it as long as possible; and that he had perceived his difficulties increase, in proportion to his indulgence in it. He confirmed this statement a few days afterward; and it was this which induced him to use the remedies recommended in Onania.”

This case shows us paralysis confined at first to the abdominal limbs, but extending afterward to the upper part of the body. We find a similar case of this progression, in a case related by Olivier, of Angers:—

“M—, of a sanguine temperament, of a strong constitution, and of a lively and gay character, had always enjoyed good health until seventeen years old, when he unfortunately became addicted to masturbation. He soon languished, and grew debilitated. Having, however, conquered this fatal habit, his strength gradually returned, and a proper regimen soon restored him to his former vigor. When twenty years old, he perceived a marked debility in the motions of the articulation of the right foot; but this disappeared: he was then affected twice with blenorrhagia, the last attack of which continued for several months.

“When twenty-five years old, he again indulged in masturbation, and similar symptoms to those first presented soon appeared: the lower extremities, also, became weakened; at times, also, the sensibility of the skin was obtuse, and even lost; but it soon reappeared. Under the influence of remedies, the weakness in the limbs diminished slightly. M— could walk three quarters of an hour without resting, but he could not stand longer; his legs, which were evidently wasted, refusing to sustain him. He was extremely costive; and since the last attack of blenorrhagia, the excretion of urine was painful.

“This affection remained stationary for several years, and then became more serious: the patient was now twenty-nine years old. At this period, the paraplegia became complete. He could not walk, nor even support himself on crutches; his lower limbs were often stiff; both arms, also, were at times insensible; and sometimes the sense of touch was blunted. The wasting away had increased; the excretion of urine was often involuntary, and the constipation was habitual. He was somewhat benefited by Hallé’s prescriptions, consisting in frictions with cantharides, and douches to the spine; but the next year the evil increased, the sensibility in the hands diminished, and there was difficulty in moving the right hand.

“Eighteen months afterward, the lower extremities became perfectly paralyzed: they were less warm than the rest of the body; yet, when cold water was applied to them, it produced a burning sensation. The right arm, forearm, and hand, often felt fatigue: its motions were less free, and the patient sometimes found it difficult to write. The limb of the opposite side was not affected. The disease of the bladder, which had existed for several years, was also increased.

“Paralysis, during the following years, progressed slowly, but constantly. The arm of the right side lost its motion entirely; the forearm was flexed upon it, and retained this position. At a later period, the fingers became stiff, crooked, and they continued to be so flexed, that a tampon of linen was placed on the palm of the hand, to prevent the nails from lacerating the skin. A singular symptom, also, appeared: if the internal part of the thigh was gently rubbed, the limbs extended quickly, as if by a galvanic shock, and then resumed their first position, which was that of a permanent state of semiflexion.

The paralysis finally affected the left upper extremity, which had hitherto been free from it; at the same time, the respiration became more difficult, the voice more feeble, and speech more painful, so that the patient choked, after talking a few moments. These different symptoms, and those described above, gradually became intense; and at the time this case was recorded, the patient was still alive—but in a most lamentable situation. Very severe pains supervened in the right side; the limbs were frequently convulsed; the constipation was obstinate; the urine passed involuntarily; the intellectual faculties, however, remained unaffected; and the patient, who was then fifty years old, proved, by his easy and agreeable conversation, that, notwithstanding his unfortunate situation, he had lost none of his natural gayety of character.” (Traité de la moelle epinière, &c., vol. ii., p. 594.)

The lower part of the medulla alone was affected in an individual whose case is mentioned by Tissot.

In another case related by Weszpremi, the spinal marrow and brain were affected. The patient, who was thirty years old, complained of pains along the spine, especially when he stooped. His legs were so weak, that he could scarcely stand erect for a moment; his memory was considerably weakened, and he seemed stupid; his sight was also affected, and he was extremely thin. This man, having long denied the cause of his disease, finally confessed it. After some months, his health was restored. (Observ. Med., p. 175.)

The disease is not always confined to the spinal marrow, and its membranes: it frequently extends to the parts adjacent, and particularly to the vertebræ. The latter are then destroyed; and the disease described by Pott, and which takes his name, appears. Sabatier was aware of the influence of masturbation on the bony part of the vertebral column. “The most terrible and most frequent results of onanism,” says he, in a letter to M. A. Petit, “are nodosities of the spine. My opinion has always been regarded as unfounded, on account of the youth of the patients; but I was enlightened by the admission of some of my patients, that many were guilty of this thing before their sixteenth year.” This fact, which was afterward stated by Boyer, in his lectures, is now no longer doubted. The relation, however, between the caries of the bodies of the vertebræ in onanists, and the affection of the medulla, or of its membranes, had not been observed; it had not been remarked that this latter always precedes caries, which in this case is only the result of the extension of the primitive disease. The facts which are to be stated will prove this to be true.

L. E. G., twenty-one years old, a turner, of a lymphatic temperament, of a slender and delicate constitution, addicted to masturbation from childhood, experienced, at the beginning of February, 1825, a slight pain in the epigastric region, difficulty of digestion, and constipation: he also had laborious breathing, caused by palpitations, which were much increased by walking, and particularly by going up stairs.

On entering the hospital la Pitié, April 28th, 1825, this young man presented all the symptoms of a hypertrophy of the left cavities of the heart: these phenomena, which diminished after a few days, were followed by symptoms of enteritis and peritonitis, which were attributed to excesses in eating. During the continuance of this latter affection, the patient complained of uncommon debility in the abdominal limbs. These symptoms disappeared; and when it was expected to see the patient convalescent, he was affected with complete paraplegia. He lost the use of his legs: they, however, retained their sensibility. As motion in them was lost, this sensibility was even increased; for the patient cried whenever he was touched, or when the position of the lower limbs was changed. The bladder was soon paralyzed, and the sound was used, which caused inflammation of this organ. A broad and deep eschar, followed by ulceration, laid bare the whole posterior part of the pelvis. From this time, the symptoms increased more and more, and the patient died the 11th of August, about six weeks after the first symptoms appeared.

On opening the body, a softened tubercle was found on the surface of the right hemisphere of the brain; the body of the third dorsal vertebra was slightly changed; the corresponding portion of the dura mater presented a cancerous degenerescence, which extended from the body of the third dorsal to that of the fifth cervical vertebra. The bodies of all the vertebræ connected with this alteration were whitish, and slightly softened. The tissue of the spinal marrow was softened, especially on the level with the seventh cervical and first three dorsal vertebræ: the softening occupied the anterior cords, which were of a grayish white color; the posterior cords were slightly softened but only on a level with the first three dorsal vertebræ The lungs were healthy and crepitating; the right contained superiorly a small softened tubercle. The heart was healthy: its size was normal; the left cavities possessed their usual size and thickness. Traces of inflammation were found in the peritoneum, intestines, and bladder. (Journal de Physiol. Experim. July, 1825.)

In this case, we see in a measure the mode in which caries of the vertebræ is produced. This caries is only at its commencement; the vertebræ are affected superficially, and in those parts only which correspond to the diseased portions of the dura mater and medulla. There are none of the local symptoms of Pott’s disease—no collapse of the vertebral column—no gibbosity; yet the paraplegia appeared, as in the cases where these alterations exist: it resulted, then, from the softening of the medulla, or the alteration of its membranes. If a little time had elapsed, and several spinous processes had deviated from their true direction, this paralysis would have been attributed to the commencement and progress of this deviation. These relations between the state of the medulla and that of the vertebræ have been already remarked by several authors. M. Latour, in a memoir inserted among those of the Society of Emulation, has sought to establish that paraplegia, in Pott’s disease, resulted from a primitive alteration of the medulla. Janson has since expressed a similar opinion. Cases have also been published by Louis, which leave little doubt on this subject. (Mem. and Recherches, 1826, p. 410.)

One symptom in the preceding case, which deserves to be noted, is the difficulty of respiration, the palpitations, and other symptoms which led to the belief that the heart was diseased. On opening the body, however, this organ was found perfectly healthy. Similar phenomena are often seen in onanists: it would therefore be wrong to consider them always as signs of an organic alteration of the heart and large vessels.

In the following case, the vertebræ were more changed. The spinal column was gibbous: but this was preceded by paraplegia, and other symptoms of myelitis. This case was published by M. Dalandeterie:—

A shoemaker, twenty-four years old, of good constitution, who has always enjoyed good health, contracted the habit of masturbation at the age of sixteen years, and became so addicted to it, that he indulged seven or eight times a-day: his strength soon diminished, and he lost flesh and his color.

After an interruption, caused by an acute disease, the patient resumed his fatal habit with the same earnestness. He finally became so weak; languid, and pale, that he was discharged from military service, in which he was inscribed.

A little while afterward, this young man, who had never shown any symptoms of scrofula, presented scrofulous engorgements in the groins and axillæ, and swellings, with caries, in several phalanges of the fingers. At the same time, a singular phenomenon appeared: the hair, which was chestnut colored, came off; on growing again, it appeared of several colors: but after coming off once or twice, it resumed its natural shade.

The patient continuing to indulge in onanism, finally became extremely weak, and was obliged to keep his bed. Marked symptoms of myelitis now appeared. The patient gradually lost the use of his lower limbs: first they became weak, and showed a disposition to be crossed; but finally wasted away, and lost the power of motion. He was now obliged even to be turned in bed, as he could not move. The articulation of the feet and knees became stiff and inflexible, and his legs were so much retracted, that the end of the foot only touched the ground, when the patient was placed in an erect position. The sensibility of the limbs, also, was as much affected as their motions; they were cold, numb, and even when pinched they were not painful. The general languor was increased every day. He suffered from thirst, dyspepsia, pains in the stomach, rumblings, night sweats, &c. At this period, the patient quitted a woman with whom he had lived for a year, and who, having but little inclination for coition, caused him to indulge in masturbation.

The erections were frequent, powerful, short, and always terminated with a more or less abundant discharge of mucus from the urethra—perhaps, also from the prostate gland; or even the discharge might be of thin semen. After a while, the ejaculations were composed, instead of semen, of a half-clotted, blackish or yellowish blood: sometimes, as much as a tablespoonful was lost. These emissions were always painful, and were followed by extreme prostration.

For some time, the patient was in this sad state, when he experienced a crawling sensation, like that caused by ants, descending along the back: he experienced, in the same region, a severe and fatiguing pain, which extended into the ribs and loins. These symptoms subsided; but at the lower part of the dorsal region appeared a hard tumor, which at first was small; but it gradually enlarged, as long as the patient continued to masturbate. This tumor was evidently formed by the curve of the spine, and the projection of three spinous processes.

In three months, the patient was improved by the use of moxas and of antiscrofulous remedies, by a suitable regimen, and particularly by abstaining from onanism, for which he had conceived not only disgust, but even a horror. The abdominal limbs regained their strength, heat, and sensibility; the patient could walk on crutches, and could even stand erect for a few moments, and could take a few steps unaided.

In this case, which is remarkable in more than one respect, the symptoms of myelitis preceded the curve of the spine, and then disappeared, although the spine did not regain its primitive rectitude. The debility, numbness, retraction, and paralysis of the limbs, appeared long before the pain in the back, after which the curve in the back began to appear; and then these limbs regained their sensibility, force, and motion, while the gibbosity remained always the same. This curve, then, could not be the cause of the paraplegia, because the latter appeared first, and the spine remained curved after the paralysis was removed. The development of symptoms apparently scrofulous, in a man more than twenty years old, who had hitherto presented nothing analogous, and whose parents were healthy; the loss of his hair; the affection of the seminal passages, and the state of the genital organs, &c., &c.—facts to which we shall recur hereafter—all contribute to render this case interesting.

We shall see, in the following case, also related by M. Dalandeterie, an instance of vertebral caries in an onanist:—

A cook, forty-five years old, of bad constitution, but having always enjoyed robust health, indulged in masturbation, although not to very great excess. Eighteen months before his case was published, he perceived pains and weakness in the loins, frequent colics, often followed by brownish dejections, and sometimes by obstinate constipation. He suffered, too, from flatulency; and in the left haunch there was a pain, which increased or diminished with this flatulence.

The patient, notwithstanding the progress of these symptoms, continued to masturbate. Debility and pains in his loins extended into the abdominal limbs, and increased so much, that he was obliged to keep his bed: he could only lie on his left side; but in this position his motions were easy. The diminution in the natural heat, the livid color of the skin, the softness and flaccidity of the flesh, debility, loss of sleep and of flesh, thirst, constipation, &c., were added to the symptoms already mentioned.

At the same time, a hard, indolent tumor, the size of a pullet’s egg, was formed at the lower part of the dorsal region. This tumor, which did not enlarge, evidently resulted from the prominence of the spinous processes, and consequently from a curve in the spine, which was doubtless caused by a softening of the bodies of the vertebræ.

Nearly at the same period, there was developed, at the lower part of the sternum, a hard, indolent tumor; the color of the skin was unchanged: it gradually became the size of a nut, suppurated, and assumed the appearance of a scrofulous ulcer. The lymphatic ganglions of the neck, which were somewhat swelled, now returned to their natural size. The treatment was similar to that used in the former case, and was attended with the same result: the strength, bodily heat, and appetite returned. Finally, the patient was able to walk with crutches; and could stand, unsupported, for a few moments.

The circumstances in this case are not detailed with sufficient accuracy, to enable us to follow exactly the cause of the symptoms. We would remark, however, that one of these seen first was the neuralgic pains, which extended from the loins into the lower extremities. Now, as this symptom belongs to irritation of the medulla or its membranes, more than to their compression, there is reason to think that this irritation preceded the curve of the spine. In this patient, also, as in the preceding case, the affection of the marrow had not so much influence in causing the destruction of the bodies of the vertebræ, as a disposition to caries—a disposition which was evidently increased by onanism, and which appeared at the same time in several bones.

The following case, from Meyrieu, is not sufficiently detailed, to affect in any manner the question, how caries of the vertebræ is produced in onanists; but it is interesting, as it shows that the disease may extend to the soft parts which cover or are adjacent to the affected vertebræ.

L—, twenty-two years old, was moderately tall, with a narrow chest, and had never enjoyed good health, particularly for the six years preceding the time when he entered the prison at Bicetre, when he indulged in the disgusting practice of onanism. In the course of January, 1819, he was affected with general numbness, with frequent cough and expectoration of mucus: these symptoms were occasionally attended with slight fever. When admitted to the infirmary, the 1st of February, he complained, in addition to the symptoms already mentioned, of a violent pain in the posterior part of the neck. A slight swelling was seen at the level of the first and second cervical vertebræ, and pressure on that part was painful; the head was bent to the left side, and remained motionless; the thoracic abdominal limbs were numb; and deglutition was painful. Local resolvent frictions, blisters, and moxas were used. The 15th of February, he was affected with hemoptysis, which yielded in two days to the use of bleeding and astringents. The vertebral disease, however, generally made progress, like that of the chest, which seemed to relax. In July, the thoracic limbs were perfectly paralyzed; and in August, this was true also of the abdominal limbs. At this period, the head was absolutely immoveable; the phthisis seemed as yet in the second degree. Finally, the patient died suddenly, from moving his head, while the attendants were changing him.

Post-mortem Examination. The soft parts of the posterior region of the neck were changed to a whitish, lardaceous substance; the right condyle of the occipital bone was carious: there was also a deep caries of the upper part of the right lateral mass of the first vertebræ, and of the odontoid process. The transverse and odontoid ligaments were degenerated and softened; and the medulla oblongata presented a kind of strangulation, resulting from the compression caused by the left posterior part of the edge of the occipital foramen: in fact, there was a dislocation of this bone, on the first vertebræ. The cerebrum was unaffected; the right lung was tuberculous, and very small; that of the left side was also tuberculous, but was larger. The peritoneum presented some marks of inflammation.

In the preceding cases, the caries of the vertebræ was not attended with a congested abscess. The following case, published by Levêque Lasource, will present to us this symptom, which is so common in this disease:—

N— O— was addicted to onanism, from twelve to eighteen years of age; but could not renounce this fatal habit, although reminded of its danger by a curve in the spine, and by other symptoms. When received at la Charité Hospital, in 1806, beside a well marked gibbosity, he presented a congested abscess at the upper and inner part of the thigh. Two cauteries were applied to the sides of the vertebral prominences: these suppurated freely, but did no good. The abscess was punctured in several places. This young man, who could not survive, left the hospital; so that the organic changes produced by his disease could not be verified. (Jour. de Med., Chir. and Phar.; vol. xvii., p. 261.)

The same author has related another case, which terminated more fortunately:—A child, seven or eight years old, addicted to masturbation, entered at la Charité, affected with gibbosity and paralysis of the lower limbs. During the month he stayed in the hospital, several cauteries were applied around the tumor, which suppurated; tonics and strengthening medicines were administered internally. He left, perfectly cured of the paralysis, and of the other symptoms caused by the affection of the medulla; but the deformity resulting from the prominence formed by the spinous processes of the vertebræ continued. Three years after, this child, who had abstained from this bad habit, had experienced no relapse.

We have seen, in several of the preceding cases, that permanent contractions of the lower limbs resulted, in onanists, from affections of the spinal marrow. Guersent, also, admits the possibility of essential contractions—that is, those which do not result from a disease of the nervous centres. According to this practitioner, these kinds of contractions are seen most frequently in those nervous children who indulge in bad habits, like that of masturbation. The following case has been considered by him as an instance of this affection:—

D— E—, five years old, and addicted to masturbation, after passing a part of the winter at the Hospital des Enfans, to be treated for scrofulous engorgements of the glands of the neck, was sent to the country in the spring. He had been there about three months, when he was suddenly affected with a contraction of the lower extremities. Examined the 5th of July, he complained neither of pain in the head nor spine. The digestive passages were in very good state; there was no derangement in the circulation or respiration; the muscles of the lower extremities were permanently rigid: the tension, however, was more marked in the adductors; for the patient constantly kept his knees crossed. There was no deviation in the vertebral column. Different remedies were employed, but without success; except a little improvement under the use of carbonate of iron. The legs and thighs of the patient could be flexed and extended with the hands; but he could neither flex them when extended, nor extend them when flexed. This child was cured in a singular manner. His state was as described, when, at the beginning of September, he was affected with symptoms of roseola. The contraction of the lower extremities disappeared, when the fever came on. The eruption went through its course, and the contraction of the limbs did not return. Thus, this disease, which had resisted several efficacious remedies, disappeared before another disease.

The loss or debility of the external senses, particularly those of hearing and sight, when this state is the consequence of venereal excesses, often result, as may be seen in several of the cases above stated, from a disease of the brain. This organ was probably diseased in the old man whose case was mentioned by Réveillé Parise. This man was desirous of living with a young Italian girl, whose temperament was extremely ardent. He paid for his imprudence by blindness, which occurred in eight days, and which was followed by death. Sometimes, however, the eye alone is diseased: at least, the pathological state which it presents is unattended by any symptoms indicating an affection of the brain or its membranes. Many libertines present only an irritation of the conjunctiva and of the edge of the eyelids. It is a sort of chronic ophthalmia; their eyes are red, watery, fatigued, painful; and they cannot engage in the evening in any occupation, such as reading, which requires the attention to be confined to one object. Sometimes, a severe and deep-seated pain proves that, beside the outer parts of the eye, the interior of this organ is the seat of a severe irritation. Hoffmann has seen several cases of this. He cites that of a young man, who indulged in onanism from the age of fifteen to that of twenty-three. “His eyes and head were so weak,” says he, “that these organs were often affected with violent spasms, during the emission of semen. Whenever he attempted to read, he experienced a sensation similar to that of drunkenness: the pupil was considerably dilated, and excessive pains were felt in the eye. The eyelids were glued together every night; the eyes were also watery; and there was, at the two angles, a collection of whitish matter. These irritations, especially when seated within the eye, may be followed by the loss of sight.” Dr. Juengken, professor of clinical ophthalmology at the Berlin faculty, and who has published an excellent work on the diseases of the eye, indicates, when speaking of amaurosis resulting from masturbation, that the pupil assumes a peculiar form, which is found only (says this professor) in those individuals habitually addicted to this vice. In these cases, the pupil, instead of being in the centre of the eye, is removed upward, but does not lose its roundness: the upper part of the iris seems narrower, and contracted on its ciliary edge. This symptom has been mentioned, also, by Dr. Sichel, as occurring in certain scrofulous ophthalmias: iritis then exists. Photophobia, which is a greater or less aversion to light, resulting from the pain which it occasions in the eye, has been indicated, by Sanson, as sometimes preceding amaurosis, caused by too frequent a loss of semen.

All authors agree in placing venereal excesses, and particularly those from masturbation, among the causes of amaurosis. They are so unanimous on this point, that we shall cite no authorities. They generally agree to regard amaurosis, in onanists, as produced by the exhaustion caused by diurnal or nocturnal pollutions. Beer, and many others, assimilate, in this respect, the loss of semen to that of other fluids; and compares venereal excesses, especially those from onanism, with cholera, diarrhœa, &c., as a cause of amaurosis. This idea of exhaustion probably led Scarpa to remark, that amaurosis, resulting from premature abuses of masturbation or coition, must generally be regarded as incurable. This prognosis may be made, we believe, in regard to most cases of amaurosis. Dr. Buzzi has published, with four other cases of amaurosis, which were cured, that of an individual in whom it had been produced by masturbation. It, however, yielded, on the abandonment of bad habits, to the moderate use of good wine, combined with milk diet.

Dr. Rognetta, in a memoir on the causes of amaurosis, insists on the opinion that onanism produces this disease, by exhausting the sensibility of the body. He compares this habit to decay. “Nothing,” says he, “enervates the body so much as too frequent emissions of semen, especially when they are caused by the hand: the spasm which attends them throws the body into all the infirmities of old age. The retina and optic nerve then gradually lose their sensitive faculty, which finally becomes extinct. Those who masturbate are affected with amaurosis, like decrepit old men.” Rognetta adds, that he has the notes of several cases of amaurosis, which had resisted all remedies, and which were caused entirely by the luxuria manuensis. He relates the history of a young ecclesiastic, nineteen years old, a native of Palermo, whose sight became very weak. This unfortunate young man had been in the habit of masturbating seven times a-day: he was also prone to sodomy. Rognetta advised him to leave off this bad habit, and to return to his native place and take cold baths.

Sanson, also, places voluntary and involuntary pollutions among the asthenic causes of amaurosis: he, however, regards these pollutions as sometimes causing irritation of the retina. He assimilates them, as do many other authors, to all abundant discharges of fluids. The following case has been considered by him as one of asthenic amaurosis, produced in this manner:—A notary’s clerk, twenty-four years old, experienced for a year a progressive debility in his sight. He had labored much at night, by lamp-light, and attributed his disease to this cause; but another, which had contributed to the development of the amaurosis, was the excesses of this young man, in onanism and coition. Venereal disease, which he had contracted, might also contribute to this bad result. The pupil was dilated; the iris was immoveable; the eye was perfectly clear; and the retina, of a dull color, could be seen through the pupil. An antivenereal treatment, purgatives, emetics, and blisters around the organ, &c., produced no effect.

In my opinion, blindness from amaurosis, being not so much a disease as a symptom, or rather the consequence, of many other diseases, is not, in onanists, the result of exhaustion, of asthenia, any more than the debility and paralysis of the lower extremities are, when the spinal marrow is diseased. Besides, what difference does it make, how the sight is lost in onanists? the most essential thing to be known is, that they can lose it. This unfortunate circumstance is to be dreaded by those whose sight is much affected during the act of venery, and who remain, as it were, in a mist for a few moments after this act. Thus, amaurosis was predicted in a public girl, whose case is mentioned by Hoffmann, and whose sight was obscured whenever she had connexion with men. She finally became blind. (De morbis ex nim. ven., § 26.) The sight is rarely lost suddenly: it commonly fades away gradually; and the onanist, if he can understand this warning, may, by abandoning his bad habits in time, preserve the vigor he still possesses; and, sometimes, even may recover what he has lost.

The weakness and loss of sight, and the other affections of the eye already mentioned, are not the only ones which may arise from excessive onanism or coition: the muscles of the eye may also be affected. Lorry was, we believe, the first to notice this fact. “The eyes,” says he, “are affected with convulsive and spasmodic motions, after venereal excesses, rather than with blindness.” He states, that strabismus may be caused by onanism. We have before stated the case of a young man, whose eyes were affected with violent spasms at the moment of a discharge of semen. Demours has observed similar facts. “Masturbation,” says he, “affects the optic nerves, and also acts on the motor nerves of the eye.” He admits that he can see no reason for this. The same author mentions venereal excesses among the different causes of partial paralysis of the muscles of the eye.

We have already mentioned the wandering pains, which frequently affect onanists; we have also alluded to those which depend on an affection of the spinal marrow. We have reason to think, from our own observations, and the statements particularly of English authors, that the number of pains dependent on an affection of the spinal marrow is much larger than is generally thought: we think, that most of the pains termed rheumatic, particularly those affecting the trunk and the limbs, are neuralgic; and that most of these neuralgias proceed from an irritation of the medulla or its membranes. We do not say that the spinal cord is always affected then, as in those cases of myelitis which attend paralysis and death: we think that it is affected in some manner; and that these pains, which are commonly so severe, and frequently so general—sometimes attended with tumefaction, but more frequently without it—which are felt in the course of these nerves, are the usual consequences of this affection. Hence, it is not surprising, that the act of venery, which excites the nervous system so much—which has so marked an action on the spinal marrow, has frequently predisposed to neuralgic or rheumatic pains, and has directly caused or increased this kind of pains. It is well ascertained, and many authors—particularly Hoffmann—have remarked, that those who indulge in onanism, during youth, are more subject to these pains than others. The act of venery, even when indulged in to a moderate extent, generally increases their violence. I have often seen attacks of neuralgia supervene immediately after coition. It was an affection of this kind which was felt by the onanist who wrote to Tissot, that he felt in his face a pain similar to that caused by applying a great number of pins.

Individuals who have braved the usual causes of rheumatism with impunity, not unfrequently become vulnerable to these causes after venereal excesses. M. Villeneuve relates the case of a stonecutter, who had long been exposed to changes of weather without inconvenience, and who was violently attacked with rheumatism after unusual venereal excesses. He also mentions the case of a groom, who had long slept in a damp and narrow stable without suffering, but who was attacked with rheumatism the winter after his marriage. Saucerotte has seen a similar case: it was that of a man who had constantly braved the changes of weather, and who was affected with rheumatism after indulging in women and wine. The same author has established, in the memoir where this fact was reported, that muscular rheumatism is only a variety of neuralgia. Among the proofs which he gives of it, he states that many authors, as Barthez, Scudamore, Chaussier, Olivier, and Ferrus, have placed venereal excesses among the causes of neuralgias and those of rheumatism.

Most authors have considered these excesses as one of the predisposing causes of gout. Hippocrates, probably, entertained the same idea, if we may judge from these two aphorisms:—“Eunuchi neque podagra laborant, neque caluescunt. Puer podagra non tentatur ante venereorum usum.” Sydenham also regarded excessive indulgence in venereal pleasures as tending to produce gout. Guilbert remarks, that even hereditary gout is neither a disease of infancy nor of youth: he admits, however, that venereal excesses may produce it before the time it generally appears. Roche exclaims against this opinion: he thinks that venereal excesses can only cause attacks of gout. He says—

“What influence have masturbation and venereal excesses in producing gout? According to men of the world, and even to some physicians, they are the most fruitful source of this infirmity: and yet on what facts does this opinion rest? On this, that several gouty people have been great libertines in their youth. But how many chaste persons, and how many prelates, too, are attacked by this cruel disease? On the other hand, are there not as many, and even more libertines among the poor, than among the rich? and yet, in general, they are not attacked by the gout. Finally, the shameful vice of onanism is observed most frequently among the young; and we have already said that gout is a disease of manhood and old age. Hence, it is wrong to attribute to this order of causes a part of the influence which it has not, and cannot have, in producing gout. Here, doubtless, has been committed the error which has been several times pointed out: attacks of gout have frequently been known to supervene after venereal excesses or masturbation; and it has been concluded that these causes concur powerfully in producing the disease itself. Good living and gormandizing are, we repeat, the real—the only sources of gout: sobriety, frugality, are the best preservatives from it.”

This last phrase shows clearly the origin of Roche’s opinion. It is evident that he denies the influence attributed to venereal excesses, in the production of gout, only to sustain a favorite theory. Roche certainly never would have said, that there is more libertinism in the lower than in the higher walks of life, if he had not been preoccupied with the desire of proving that good living is the cause of gout, to the exclusion of every other cause. It may be asserted, that one mode of living predisposes to the gout more than another; and we will agree with every author, that this disease appears particularly in individuals who are well fed; but we cannot admit, that the possible action of certain influences, as that of venereal excesses, should be denied. Impressed, however, with the vast extent of the influence of venereal excesses, and with the uncertainty of its limits, we prefer to allow, with all authors, that venereal excesses, like many other known and unknown causes, may predispose to gout. This opinion seems to be more logical than that sustained by Roche with his usual ability.

Roche, also, in accordance with other authors, regards venereal excesses as injurious to those affected with gout. “The indulgence in venereal pleasures,” says Barthez, “should seldom be permitted to those affected with gout; for they should abstain from whatever weakens or exhausts. Coste, who has written on gout, is much more formal. “A gouty person,” says he, “should choose between living apart from his wife, and being cured of his disease; or caressing her, and rendering his disease incurable. Whenever a gouty person sees a female,” he adds, “if young, a new root to his disease sprouts forth; and if he be old, he drives a nail into his coffin.” This opinion differs from that of Pietsch, who maintains that gout arises from the absorption of vitiated semen, which is retained by continence in the seminal vesicles.

Can venereal excesses cause hemorrhoidal affections? For want of facts on this subject, we would remark, that these excesses may contribute to develop these affections, and particularly the exacerbations to which they are subject. This was Montegre’s opinion: he admitted, that the nervous debility which resulted from the abuse of the genital organs, generally favored the occurrence of fluxes, motions which occur most frequently in people subject to hemorrhoids; and also, that in those females who have hemorrhoidal tumors on the rectum or vagina, the abuse of coition may excite inflammation of these tumors. Montegre, however, thinks that excessive continence has a more detrimental effect on those affected with hemorrhoids than the contrary. He thought that the irritation which extreme continence causes in the seminal vesicles and adjacent parts, may excite a hemorrhoidal paroxysm: hence, he regards the act of venery as generally useful to persons affected with hemorrhoids, provided it is confined within certain limits. On this opinion, we would say, that if the irritation of the seminal passages may extend to the adjacent passages, venereal excesses which produce this irritation may also cause inflammation of the hemorrhoidal tumors much more frequently than continence. This is the opinion of Begin, also, who mentions, among the direct causes of hemorrhoids, “excesses in venereal pleasures—excesses which are always attended with a state of orgasm and vascular fulness in the genital system, and in all the parts connected with it; and particularly in the lower region of the rectum, which receives the same vessels in the neck of the bladder, the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles, in the male, and in the uterus and vagina in the female.”

We may believe, from the enervating action of masturbation, that the development of scrofula may be excited or favored in those young patients who are addicted to it. Few proofs of this, however, are found in authors; and it is rare to find records of scrofulous symptoms in the histories of those onanists which have been published. It, however, would be absurd to conclude, from this silence, that the coincidence of these symptoms and the ordinary effects of onanism never occur, or that this habit cannot call into action a disposition to disease. But we must admit, that if masturbation be an active cause of this disease, this fact would have been noted more frequently.

Further: Certain circumstances seem to indicate, that onanism must be but little favorable to the development of scrofula. First, onanism renders the limbs thinner, dries them, then deprives them of those white fluids with which the flesh of scrofulous persons is generally infiltrated. Next, since in these latter the sensibility is as it were blunted, and the susceptibility is slight, onanism tends to excite them. Besides, one of the most common effects of the action of the genital organs, at puberty, is the disappearance of scrofulous engorgements and other symptoms, if they exist. Sometimes, the normal development of the genital apparatus excites in those who have arrived at puberty the swelling of the lymphatic ganglions of the neck, axillæ, and particularly of the groins: but in this case, these ganglions are painful, and present a kind of inflammatory state, analogous to that which is attempted to be produced when they are affected with scrofulous engorgements. Cabanis has well described what then takes place:—“From the time,” says he, “that the evolution of the genital organs commences, there is a general motion in the whole lymphatic apparatus; the glands of the groins, the mammæ, those of the axillæ, and neck, swell: they often become painful. It is not only in girls that the mammæ swell; in young men, I have frequently seen them form tumors, which seemed inflammatory: they have often been considered as such by ignorant quacks. This symptom generally causes uneasiness in those who experience it: but this depends not so much on the pain, (which sometimes impedes the free motions of the body,) as on the influence of this new action—the commotion caused in the imagination by the new system.” This state of the lymphatic system would be, as is seen, rather antithetic, than analogous to what is seen in scrofulous patients. Farther: we have only to compare the eunuch with him who has vigorously passed through puberty, to see that the action of the genital organs is not adapted to favor the development of this affection.

The act of venery often causes, also, ganglionary swellings; but they do not resemble scrofulous engorgements, more than those which arise from the influence of puberty. “The first essay of venereal pleasures,” says Cabanis, “is often necessary to complete the development of the genital organs: thus, the general swelling of all the parts where the glands are situated, especially of the bosom, of the anterior face of the neck, is often the consequence of this great commotion. The characters which manifest this swelling are much more remarkable in females; hence, perhaps, the old physicians, and even some moderns, have stated the sudden swelling of the neck in young girls as a sign of defloration. But it is wrong to consider this as a general and certain sign: it is certainly not one.” If the act of venery can produce such an excitement in the lymphatic system, it ought to be still more manifest when a part of this system is already inflamed. This is confirmed by a fact stated by Lordat, in the bulletin of the scientific society of Montpelier. It relates to a young woman, in whom the jugular glands being swelled, a few days after her marriage, increased or diminished in size, according as she yielded to her husband’s embraces or not. Thus, then, if we consider the genital organs, either during the acute period of their development, or when the act of venery is indulged in, we see that they extend their action to the lymphatic apparatus, as they do to the other systems; but in a manner which seems the reverse of that reputed to favor the production of scrofula.

Symptoms, however, analogous to those caused by scrofula, have been known to occur where there is evidence of venereal abuses. Two cases, which we have already quoted from M. Dalandeterie, are instances of this. The first relates to a young man, twenty-four years old, whose health, before he was addicted to masturbation, had been good; and whose parents, so far as could be ascertained, had never been diseased with scrofula, and had never presented any disposition to the disease. First, he was affected with numbness in the little finger of the right hand, and the ring-finger of the left hand; the articulations swelled, and formed in these parts tumors, which were regarded as scrofulous, and which were soon followed by ulceration and caries. The patient experienced no pain; and only felt an intolerable itching. The lymphatic ganglions of the groin and axillæ were permanently swelled; and the bodies of several vertebræ became, as we have seen, affected with caries.

The other patient, who was forty-five years old, presented an advanced case of myelitis, and caries of the vertebræ, when there formed, at the lower part of the sternum, a hard and indolent tumor, which soon became apparently a scrofulous ulcer. The pus from this ulcer was ichorous, and the edges were of a violet red, swelled and hard; and the soft parts adhered to the subjacent bones. The lymphatic ganglions of the neck swelled for some time, but they then returned to their natural state. M. Dalandeterie adds, that these two cases have been selected from many other similar or analogous facts: hence, he considers caries of the vertebræ as having then been the consequence of a scrofulous principle, which was developed by onanism.

If, however, we carefully analyze these facts, we shall find that they do not indicate a scrofulous disease, the development of which was but slightly favored by the age of the patients, as a tubercular affection—that is, a disease which might be developed at every period of life. We think that tubercles were developed, in the phalanges, in the first case; and in the sternum, in the second; that these tubercles softened, and suppurated; and thus were formed the apparent scrofulous ulcers presented by these individuals. Probably, a similar circumstance occurs in the vertebræ, the bodies of which are destroyed; for distinguished observers, especially Delpech, have regarded Pott’s disease as a tubercular affection of the body of these bones. The cases of Dalandeterie would prove only that onanism favors the development of tubercles. Unfortunately, they are not the only cases, as we shall see, which establish this fact.

Consumption, or phthisis tubercularis, is, in fact, one of the diseases caused most frequently by onanism. The act of venery—that power which has so much influence on the internal life of the tissues, and on the respiratory organs, and which, to use Rullier’s expression, seems to agitate the lungs—is commenced in most onanists exactly at that age when the chest enlarges in every direction, and which phthisis seems to prefer. “How many young persons,” says Portal, in his work on phthisis pulmonalis, “have been victims to their unhappy passion? Physicians find those every day, who remain imbecile, or who are so enervated, physically and morally, that they barely drag along a miserable existence: others die with marasmus; and many with phthisis pulmonalis.” In another work, the same author relates the case of a young person, seventeen years old, who was addicted to masturbation, and who fell a victim to this disease. This young person, who had became much deformed, was affected with raising of blood, and soon died of phthisis. “It results from numerous well ascertained facts,” say Fournier and Begin, “that those persons who indulge in onanism are generally remarkable for the imperfect development of their thorax, and for the promptitude with which the least exercise renders respiration difficult and hurried. Almost all these individuals contract chronic catarrhs, or more serious affections of the pulmonary organs; and finally perish, in a complete state of phthisis.” Broussais, also, places among the causes of phthisis pulmonalis, “erotic spasms, no matter in what manner they are excited.”

We have seen this affection, more frequently than any other, resulting from onanism. Among other instances, we would mention that of a young man, who died in 1833. This young man sustained himself so well in public debate, that he was placed, at the expense of government, in a public school. He was then sixteen years old; and his health, which had previously been good, now failed. He became pale, languished, and grew thin; and this, too, although his appetite was keen, and his digestion excellent. Having my suspicions, and having communicated them to the patient, and also to other persons who could enlighten me, we were led to believe, from the answers made to me, that the too rapid growth of the body was the only cause of the state presented by the patient; and his state varied so little from that of health, that the young man assured me that he was very well. I therefore simply directed him to take more exercise, and to be more free in his diet. His loss of flesh, however, and paleness continuing, his parents felt anxious about him. I examined his organs separately: I could find none presenting any marks of disease, or which could explain the general state of the patient. My first suspicions then returned; but on questioning him, the same answers were given. The patient, who had already seen an instance of the bad effects of onanism, in the person of his younger brother, seemed deeply impressed with the danger of his habit. He, however, continued to lose strength. One day, after taking more violent exercise than usual, he fainted away. At the same time, a dry cough supervened, to which the patient at first did not attend. This was the first symptom indicating an affection of any particular organ. This cough soon became more frequent; and, by means of auscultation, we found that the respiration, at the summit of one of the lungs, was imperfect. At this time, the patient avowed to his father his deplorable habit. This had been contracted at school; it had been indulged in for two years; and of late, much more frequently than before. His danger was fully pointed out to him; parents, friends, physicians, all conjured him to abandon this secret vice. Treatises on onanism were placed in his hands; and every attempt was made to arouse in him the feeling of self-preservation. He was terrified; but the power of the habit was so great, that he did not leave it off till consumption had progressed very far. Deep abscesses successively formed in his lungs; the expectoration soon became purulent and excessive. Night sweats and diarrhœa followed; and the patient died in a terrible state of marasmus and exhaustion.

In 1829, we prescribed for a young man, whose career was much more rapid. He had always enjoyed excellent health; and his parents exhibited no marks of consumption. Having married a very pretty widow, he indulged himself with her very freely at night, while during the day both were assiduously engaged. The female was seven or eight years older than her husband, and did not suffer much. He, however, soon became affected with cough, attended with bloody expectoration. When consulted, we informed the patient of his danger, unless he changed his mode of living. Our advice was not followed; and shortly after, hemorrhage from the lungs supervened so abundantly and obstinately, that notwithstanding the most active treatment, he died in eight days.

The young man, too, mentioned by Tissot, was also doubtless affected with phthisis. “He came to Montpelier to pursue his studies; but was affected with phthisis, from excessive onanism: and I remember that his cough was so hard and constant, that all those who were near him were incommoded by it. He was frequently bled; doubtless, with a view to his relief. On consultation, he was ordered to go home, and take turtle soup; and two hours after, he died.”

It is with phthisis, as with most of the other diseases, caused by masturbation. This habit causes disease, by cherishing and by cultivating special dispositions. Thus, the onanist born of consumptive parents, whose chest is narrow, with a long neck and thin limbs, and who presents symptoms of scrofula, is more liable to be affected with phthisis or consumption. This was the case with a young man, as mentioned by Rozier. This patient was evidently scrofulous, and many members of his family had been affected with the disease. He remained, however, pretty well until he was eighteen years old, when, in consequence of a contusion in one of his legs, he became affected with an ulcer, which was a long time healing. After it was cured, however, he remained in good health, and was lively, animated, and intelligent; but when twenty-five years old, he commenced indulging in onanism. He soon felt oppression at the chest, and cough; and although the affection of his chest increased, and he was aware of the dangers of onanism, he continued to indulge. Many physicians were consulted; but he did not mention his bad habit. The affection of the lungs continued; his sleep was interrupted; hectic fever supervened; his cheeks were tinged with an unnatural color; and his expectoration was grayish and purulent. The patient then decided on avowing his habit. Rozier attempted, in the most touching and persuasive manner, to induce him to abandon it; but in vain. Consumption continued to progress; and he was soon unable to talk, to move, or to make the least motion, without danger of suffocation. After remaining in this horrid state three years, the patient died.

We have already remarked several times, that the respiration in onanists is frequently affected. Their breath is often short; they pant on the slightest exercise; are subject to stifling, &c. These symptoms, the existence of which cannot always be explained by that of any organic alteration in the heart or lungs, finally assume, in some individuals, the characters attributed to nervous asthma. The authors who have written on this subject, have all classed venereal excesses among its most frequent causes. “Individuals of a nervous temperament,” says M. Ferrus, “seem most particularly liable to it. But the influence of certain bad habits—as masturbation, the abuse of venereal pleasures by young persons, excesses of the table in old men, &c.—contribute, as powerfully as individual predispositions, to produce this disease.” Jolly remarks, in nearly similar language:—“Venereal excesses and masturbation,” says this distinguished physician, “have appeared in some cases to produce asthma. And if some authors think that too much importance is attached to this cause, they may readily appreciate its value by observing the effects of the venereal orgasm on the pulmonary circulation.” Daily observation proves that persons affected with asthma have generally used the goods of this life freely. To admit that venereal excesses often prepare for or excite an attack of asthma, we have only to regard an attack of asthma, whether excited or not by an organic lesion, as consisting in a spasm of the glottis; or, as Reisessen and Cruvelhier think, of the ramifications of the bronchi.

Our remarks on asthma may apply to diseases of the heart and large vessels. The frequent repetitions of an act which render the emotions so powerful, frequent, and tumultuous, has often produced or increased aneurismatic dilatations of this organ; the thickening of its parietes, or other diseases, of the parenchyma, or of the vessels which leave it and go to it. Thus, the abuse of onanism, and of the pleasures of love, holds a high place on the list of causes of this affection. We have seen dilatations of the left ventricle of the heart, which evidently arose from this cause. “In some cases,” says Fournier and Begin, “palpitations, and even considerable lesions of the heart and large vessels, could have no other cause, in patients whose vigorous constitutions have long resisted the destructive practice of onanism, and who, notwithstanding their excesses, have attained an advanced age.” This last remark is particularly just. These diseases are by no means so immediately dangerous as is generally believed. The principal symptoms of diseases of the heart may exist, although this organ may not be materially altered. A remarkable instance of this may be seen in one of the cases already mentioned. The patient experienced for a long time difficulty of breathing; which increased on walking, and especially on going up stairs. These symptoms were so marked, that on entering the hospital, he exhibited all the symptoms of a hypertrophy of the left cavities of the heart. Four months after his entrance into the hospital, the patient died of the consequences of myelitis; and on opening the body, the heart was found perfectly healthy, of its normal size, and presented nothing unusual in the extent of its cavities, or in the thickness of their parietes.

Among the diseases of the heart which may be caused by venereal excesses, there is one in particular mentioned by Blaud. He thinks that too frequent coition predisposes to polypi of the heart. He maintains, that the act produces its effects, either by weakening the motive powers of this organ, which they over-excite momentarily; or by causing too great an accumulation, and consequently a congestion of blood, in the cardiac cavities. This last fact seemed to him to be proved, by the oppression, the congestion in the head, and the palpitations, which attend coition.

If venereal excesses may cause diseases of the heart, they may increase those which exist. They may also, by causing the rupture of an aneurism, produce instant death. But having already treated of these effects, we shall not return to the subject.

Rachitis, and particularly alterations in the height, have been named by many authors among the ordinary effects of premature indulgences. We have already given, from Portal, the remarkable case of a young girl, who, indulging in excesses of onanism, became humpbacked, and then consumptive. In six months, the curve of the vertebral column progressed rapidly; the chest was depressed at the lower part of the sternum; there was a deep hollow in the epigastric region, while the abdomen was prominent. The same author has observed other similar cases. “I have seen,” says he, “four or five of these unfortunate creatures, from fifteen to eighteen years old, in whom the back was very convex, and the abdomen seemed pressed into the chest; the extremities of the long bones, particularly those which form the elbows and knees, were very much enlarged; the legs were thrown out, and their muscles were scarcely developed; their eyes were sunken; their countenances pale and white; and their voices acute. Any one, to judge of their ages by their looks, would think that they were not more than twelve years old. They were extremely weak, physically and morally, and became imbecile long before they died.” Dr. Richard, cited by Petit, has also seen considerable deformity of the ribs, resulting from onanism. Tissot placed this habit first among the causes of rachitis. M. Lonyer Villermey, also, regards onanism and involuntary pollutions as an active source of deviations in height. On the other hand, Dr. Laguerre, a gentleman who has attended to rachitic persons a good deal, tells us that the habit has been observed by him only once, as a cause of spinal deformity.

It has also been advanced, that premature enjoyment may arrest the growth of the body, and consequently prevent it from attaining its normal height. We do not deny the possibility of such a result. We have seen many onanists, however, grow very rapidly, notwithstanding their excesses, and all the symptoms of extensive alteration. It follows, also, from the researches of Villermé and Quetelet, that the mean height of man is generally greater in the city than in the country; and yet, in the former, masturbation is more frequent. We can see, too, by comparing the increase in weight to that in length, during the first twenty years, that the development of the genital organs exercises much more influence on the mass of the body, than on its height: thus, between the ages of four and fifteen years—that is, during the period of puberty—the annual increase of weight is quadruple of what it was in preceding years. Do not these reasons authorize us to think, that if premature excesses have any influence on the height of man, this action is less than is generally imagined?

Besides rachitis, caries, and tubercles, which have been mentioned, are the bones ever affected with any other disease, in consequence of venereal indulgences? The only case in point is that already mentioned,(p. 85) as reported by Serrurier, of a man who was reduced to a complete state of marasmus, in consequence of venereal excesses and nocturnal pollutions. In this man’s case, a remarkable circumstance occurred. Having attempted, a few days before death, to rest himself from the fatigues of the bed, by spending a few hours in the easy chair, he fractured the bone of his right thigh at its centre, merely by attempting to cross the right thigh on the left. Might not this disease, which is very rare, and is termed friability of the bones, be also caused by the excesses we have mentioned?

These excesses, if accompanied by those of the table, or if indulged in under unfavorable circumstances, may be followed by acute, as well as by chronic affections, and particularly by fevers of a bad character. This result of excessive enjoyments is frequent; and cases of it have been seen by almost every physician. It was known to the ancients. Hippocrates gives the history of a young man of Melibœa, who, after indulging in women and wine, was attacked with all the symptoms of typhus fever. Bartholin knew a person, recently married, who was attacked, after conjugal excesses, with an acute fever, attended with great depression, sinking, nausea, immoderate thirst, &c. This patient was cured by rest and tonics. Hoffmann, who states this case, also mentions that of a man, who never indulged in venereal excesses without being attacked with fever, which continued several days. Tissot, in 1761 and 1762, knew two very healthy, strong, and vigorous young men, who were attacked, one the day after, and the other the second night of their marriage, with a very violent fever, preceded by no chill, pulse quick and hard, wakefulness, many slight convulsive motions, very great inquietude, and dry skin. The appearance of the second was very much altered, and he was troubled with dysuria. He first thought that an intemperate use of wine was in part the procuring part of these symptoms; but I was of a different opinion in regard to the second. They were cured at the end of two days. This circumstance added to the character of the disease, leaves no doubt of the cause.

Sauvages admits, after Dellon, that a typhus of exhausted persons exists. The Portuguese term patients affected with this malady, esfalfados. The exhaustion caused by immoderate indulgence in venereal pleasures, says this author, is very common among the Indians. It is a continued fever, in which the pulse is sometimes full and strong, sometimes weak, and almost imperceptible. The urine is sometimes very red, but transparent; the skin is hot and dry; and there is watchfulness, nausea, and violent thirst.

Farther: All authors who have written on the diseases of warm climates, have mentioned the too frequent repetition of the act of venery among the causes of these typhus affections, which have been termed febris ardens, causus, yellow fever, &c. In temperate climates, adynamic ataxic fevers, &c., and very severe acute diseases, have often been known to occur from excesses in venery, or from masturbation.

If satyriasis and nymphomania have been regarded as rare diseases, it is only because the meaning of these terms has been too confined to embrace numerous cases which, however, have the greatest analogy with those diseases to which these terms are applied. Generally, these persons are considered as affected with satyriasis and nymphomania, who are irresistibly impelled to coition, and resort, to satisfy their desires, to the most indecent actions, and to the most direct provocations. Thus defined, these diseases are rare; and most practitioners have never seen them. But if satyriasis and nymphomania be regarded as an unusual state of heat, by which one is led to desire and to practise not only coition, but the act of venery in any mode, then the scene enlarges, and these affections deserve to be placed among those which are observed most frequently.

We shall adopt the latter sense. In our view, male and female onanists are affected with satyriasis and nymphomania, as much as those to whom these terms are generally applied. In both, the sense of venery, existing to an unusual extent, affects the mind, and incites to dangerous actions, repugnant both to modesty and reason. Onanists do not, like other persons affected with satyriasis, expose their persons, and solicit with voice and gesture those of the other sex: their deranged and delirious imaginations pursue another course. What need have they of the other sex? Their inclinations lead them to solitary indulgence. Their thoughts and actions, however, are not less vile than those of others affected with satyriasis; but they are indulged in secret. Hence, between the satyriasis of books and that of onanists, there is only a difference of form: the foundation is the same. Admit, however, that it be desirable to distinguish this satyriasis from the former, and to give it a special name; is it not better to consider them only as two varieties of the same affection, one of which impels to onanism, the other to coition?

The degree of onanistic satyriasis and of nymphomania depends on the power the venereal sense has over the will. These affections do not exist in those with whom it is optional whether they shall indulge in onanism or not, nor in those who can refrain from coition. Thus, then, a person may masturbate, without being affected with satyriasis. This is the case, when the sentiment of self-preservation is sufficiently strong to resist desires, when the persons yield readily to reprimands and punishments. Satyriasis may be considered as existing to some extent in the onanist, if he cannot refrain. This was the case with a young man, whose history is given by Begin and Fournier. From early puberty, he was addicted to masturbation; and when eighteen years old, he presented some of the bad effects of this habit. This young man was endowed with a brilliant mind: but, although well educated, and although he well knew the dangers of his habit, yet he could not refrain. His good resolutions were formed only to be broken. He died.

In a young woman whom we attended, the struggle with her passions terminated more favorably. It was not the desire of preserving her life, which induced her to leave off her bad habits; but the wish of conforming to the will of her father. Her constitution was already considerably affected, when the cause of it was discovered. The father of this young girl told her how much pain and shame her bad habit caused him, and requested her to abstain from it. She was extremely mild and docile, and made every effort to please and obey him. It was in vain: but whenever she was inclined to masturbate, the fault was confessed as soon as committed. Coercive measures were finally resolved upon. The patient not only consented to have her hands tied every night, but requested it, and even stated the manner in which she might be most effectually prevented from abusing herself. The venereal sense gradually became subdued, and confined within the proper limits. And thus, this habit—or, rather, the nymphomania, which was the result, and also the cause of it—was cured.

Satyriasis and nymphomania, arising from onanism, are most intense, when the persons affected with it can no longer conceal their feelings, but indulge openly in vile manœuvres. We have already mentioned some remarkable instances of this state. The following may serve as the type of the greatest degree of nymphomania. The patient was a little girl less than three years old, who indulged freely in onanism. Neither caresses, entreaties, threats, nor punishments, could correct her. The child grew, however. But at the sight of any pleasant object, she abandoned herself to her manœuvres. At the period of the crisis, she seemed almost entirely to have lost her sight and hearing. Threats and punishments finally restrained her, while in the presence of her parents; but when alone, she still continued her bad habits. This state resisted all remedies. When married, the legitimate sources of enjoyment took the place of the passionate indulgences to which she had been accustomed from infancy. She finally became pregnant, and died in labor. (Dict. des Sc. Med.; vol. xxxvi., p. 566.)

Onanism is not only a direct cause of satyriasis and of nymphomania; it may leave in the genital organs a certain disposition, which, if cherished, may degenerate into one of these affections. The following case, published by Duprest-Rony, seems to us to be an instance of this:—

A young man, twenty years old, of a strong and almost athletic frame, but who had been enfeebled by onanism, abandoned himself, from the age of fifteen to eighteen years, to this destructive habit. He indulged in this habit even while in the bath, and sometimes to the extent of fifteen times in a day. His constitution was enfeebled; his mind was affected; his memory impaired. In accordance with the advice of some prudent people, this young man renounced this fatal habit. During the next two years, he was perfectly continent. His constitution resumed its vigor; his memory and other mental faculties were restored. His parents now placed him with a merchant. He entered upon his new occupations with zeal and activity; but receiving marks of attachment from the merchant and his wife daily, he imagined that she was in love with him. On his side, the passion was returned. Actuated by the fear of violating the duties of gratitude, and the desire of possessing this lady, who was neither young nor pretty, his situation daily became more embarrassing. Whenever she looked at him, erections took place, and there was a discharge of semen. During the night, he had frequent pollutions. His faculties now became deranged: this derangement supervened after reading the Phedra of Racine. He identified himself so closely with the characters of this piece, that he supposed himself to be Hippolyte, and considered his mistress to be Phedra, and her husband as Theseus. More amorous than Hippolyte, and no less virtuous, he threw himself one day at the feet of Theseus, and said, “Theseus! the crime is not yet consummated—your wife is not yet guilty. I have hitherto resisted her prayers—her tears: but I am no longer master of myself; and if she is not removed from my presence, I must yield.” Great was the astonishment of the supposed Theseus. He resolved to send the young man away. This cured the delirium: but the erections and seminal emissions continued. The stomach and intestinal tube became inert. The patient’s appetite was good; but as soon as he ate food, pains occurred in the epigastric region, and uneasiness in the rest of the body. The disease finally yielded to the combined use of antispasmodics and tonics. And now, this young man, who has been married for five or six years, enjoys fine health. (Diss. sur le Satyriasis. Paris, an xii.)

Instead of the disposition just mentioned, masturbation may leave in the genital organs an irritability of a different kind, the results of which are not less disagreeable. A case of this presented itself in a young female, whom we attended. While at board, she indulged freely in onanism. She was married when seventeen years old; and then expected legally to enjoy what had seemed to her the extreme of pleasure. She was disappointed, however: marriage was only the source of uneasiness and pain. She was perfectly insensible to the caresses of her husband—or, rather, in submitting to them, she experienced the most disagreeable sensations. A painful state of spasms and convulsions then affected her, which continued several hours after the cause had ceased to act. We were called to her several times at night, to relieve this state, which caused great anxiety. This lady’s susceptibility, also, was very great; and she constantly complained of some of the attendants of hysteria. She presented every appearance of a lymphatic temperament. During her youth, too, she had been affected with symptoms of scrofula, from which even now she is not entirely free, although twenty-two years old. Do not these circumstances, not generally coexistent with extreme sensibility, prove, that the extreme irritability of the uterine system is to be ascribed to her self-abuse?

Priapism, which signifies permanent erection of the penis, without pleasure, and even in some cases with pain, sometimes follows indiscretions. This has been seen particularly in young children, whose genital organs have been excited: sometimes, too, it occurs in old men. Cœlius Aurelian, (lib. iii., ch. 18,) relates, that an old man was affected with priapism for several months. The erection was firm, like a horn, but not very painful. Finally, it yielded.

The genital organs may, from too much excitement, lose their sensibility, and waste. The manipulations, which at first were followed with the desired result, become unable to excite the genital sense. They may sometimes cause the erection of the penis, and even excite a painful or inconvenient priapism; but they cannot renew the fountain of enjoyment. The remembrance of past pleasures remains; and the onanist, disturbed by their recollection, torments his blunted organs. Obtaining no satisfaction from the modes formerly employed, he now resorts to others, which are sometimes dreadful. His hand which is now armed with some instrument, no longer confines itself to the surface: the surface no longer feels. He now ventures inside, and shrinks from nothing. This continues until these dangerous resources fail, which happens, because they also lose their effect, or because of the severe accidents with which they are sometimes attended.

The following case from Chopart, on diseases of the urinary passages, shows the almost incredible extent of insensibility which the penis may attain, or of delirium which may affect a man, who, having exhausted his faculties by excesses, still remains a slave to his passions:—

“A shepherd of Languedoc, Gabriel Gallien, about the age of fifteen, became addicted to onanism, and to such a degree, as to practise it seven or eight times in a day. Emission became at last so difficult, that he would strive for an hour, and then discharge only a few drops of blood. At the age of six and twenty, his hand became insufficient: all he could do, was to keep the penis in a continual state of priapism. He then bethought himself of tickling the internal part of his urethra, by means of a bit of wood, six inches long; and he would spend in that occupation several hours, while tending his flocks in the solitude of the mountains. By a continuation of this titillation for sixteen years, the canal of the urethra became hard, callous, and insensible. The piece of wood then became as ineffectual as his hand. At last, after much fruitless effort, G., one day in despair, drew from his pocket a blunt knife, and made an incision into his glands, along the course of the urethra. This operation, which would have been painful to any body else, was, in him, attended with a sensation of pleasure, followed by a copious emission. He had recourse to his new discovery every time his desire returned. When, after an incision into the cavernous bodies, the blood flowed profusely, he stopped the hemorrhage, by applying around the penis a pretty tight ligature. At last, after repeating the same process, perhaps a thousand times, he ended in splitting his penis into two equal parts, from the orifice of the penis to the stratum, very near to the symphisis pubis. When he had got so far, unable to carry his incision any farther, and again reduced to new privations, he had recourse to a piece of wood, shorter than the former: he introduced it into what remained of the urethra, and exciting at pleasure the extremities of the ejaculatory ducts, he provoked easily the discharge of semen. He continued this about ten years. After that long space of time, he one day introduced his bit of wood so carelessly, that it slipped from his fingers, and dropped into the bladder. Excruciating pain and serious symptoms came on. The patient was conveyed to the hospital at Narbonne. The surgeon, surprised at the sight of two penes of ordinary size, both capable of erection, and in that stage diverging on both sides; and seeing, besides, from the scars, and from the callous edges of the divisions, that this conformation was not congenital from his birth; obliged the patient to give him an account of his life, which he did, with the details which have been related. This wretch was cut, as for the stone—recovered of the operation—but died three months after, of an abscess in the right side of the chest; his phthisical state having been evidently brought on by the practice of onanism, carried on nearly forty years.”

Whatever may be the degree of degradation attending onanism, we do not think it possible to adduce a second instance of such a mutilation. Gallien’s unhappy idea of introducing a foreign body into the urethra, has often occurred to others, who had availed themselves, but unsuccessfully, of the ordinary resources of masturbation. These unfortunate people have always been obliged to call in medical advice, either on account of the diseases caused by their dangerous manœuvres, or—much more frequently—by the symptoms to which they fall victims, through their carelessness. In fact, the implements used often escape into the bladder; and then the acute suffering and fear of death oblige them to reveal what they had formerly concealed, and to undergo an operation which is always painful, and which is not exempt from danger.

We will give a few instances of this kind of accident. An innkeeper, near Saumur, was in the habit, like Gallien, of titillating the urethra, by introducing foreign bodies. He used an iron wire, seven or eight inches long, the end of which was crooked like a hook, to obtain, probably, more exquisite pleasure. One day, while indulging in this singular manœuvre, he suddenly felt severe pain. The membraneous portion of the canal was ruptured. The unfortunate man made several attempts to withdraw the wire; but the hook, which had entered the soft parts, rendered it impossible. Overcome by suffering and shame, he wished to get rid of it; and with this view, he rounded the loose part of the wire into the form of a ring, proposing in this manner to pull upon it more firmly. He exercised this force till the ring was nearly broken, but the iron was still in its place. He now expected death; but the suffering was so great, that he was obliged to call a physician; and Dr. Fardeau, of Saumur, visited him.

The penis, and also the skin of the scrotum, was enormously tumefied: all the tissues which are inserted in the penis were also swelled, hot, and painful. The belly began to be puffy, and the urine was suppressed; the face was red, and the eye filmy; the mind began to be affected; the pulse was hard, frequent, and corded. Dr. Fardeau grasped the loose portion of the wire, pulled upon it slightly, and immediately found that the other end was arrested by an immoveable obstacle. He then examined the parts attentively; and found, to his astonishment, that the hook was fixed in the inner edge of the ischiatic tuberosity. An oblong incision was now made over this part, the hook seized, and the wire was withdrawn through the perineum. The patient was relieved, and finally was completely restored. (Lancette Fr., October 13th, 1831.)

Saraillé has reported a similar case. The patient was fifty years old, and called this surgeon the 18th of October, 1813. He stated that a sailing needle, about four inches long, had unfortunately slipped into the urethra; and the point had become fixed upward, near the root of the penis. After suffering for eight days, during which the presence of this body excited frequent erections, Lallemand operated, and extracted it.

Many individuals have been similarly affected. They have all imagined that they could extract the instrument they used, when some unforeseen accident has deprived them of it. A young man, nineteen years old, whose case is mentioned by Louis Senn, made use of the stalk of a plant, which he introduced into the urethra. It broke; and after much suffering, the operation for stone was employed to extract it, and the calculi which had formed around it. A similar circumstance happened to a man, thirty-eight years old, a patient of Rigal’s. This man introduced into his urethra the stalk of a sword lily, (gladiolus communis.) This stalk broke, fell into the bladder, and after two months of pain and danger, the operation for stone was employed to extract it. It was two inches long; and was already covered with a saline concretion, one or two lines thick. Bonnet, formerly surgeon at Hotel Dieu, at Clermont, stated in his lectures, that a vine-dresser used a vine-stalk for this purpose. During an emission of semen, he dropped the stalk, which entered the urethra, and passed into the bladder, where it caused symptoms which required the operation of lithotomy. The foreign body extracted was three inches long, and three lines thick. Would it be believed, that Civiale has extracted from the bladder of a man, by means of lithotrity, a bean, which was introduced eleven months before, and which gave rise to all the symptoms of stone? A volume might be filled with facts of a similar character. Many may be found in the Ephemerides Curiosorum, Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences, those of the Royal Society of Medicine, and of the Academy of Surgery; in the works of Chopart, Deschamps, Lamotte, Tolet, Morgagni, Van Swieten, Morand, Pouteau, &c.

The dangers of these practices are not simply those which are stated in the facts already mentioned; nor are they confined to exhausting the rest of the sensibility preserved in the genital organs: they finally cause chronic diseases of the urethra and bladder. These organs, when constantly irritated by applications which in individuals not entirely exhausted are always painful—these organs inflame; indurations, ulcerations, and strictures, form in the urethra; after which supervene all the symptoms of acute and chronic blenorrhea, detentions of urine, and catarrh of the bladder.

Venereal delirium has led other individuals to use processes no less ridiculous, and equally as dangerous. The penis of those who are thus unfortunate has remained in the places where it has been introduced, with a view to imitate the natural process better. Sabatier has related the case of a young man, who had passed his penis through the handle of a key. The handle had been pushed far towards the pubis, and the penis had swelled so as to conceal it from sight: the swelling was also increased by the efforts of the patient to withdraw it. After oiling the parts well, the handle was slipped down as far as the glans; but here scarifications were required, to diminish the engorgement, before the penis could be liberated. After this, escars sloughed off, which were followed by cicatrices, which rendered the part deformed, although a sound was introduced into the urethra, to prevent this result.

The same author relates that a young man had passed his penis into a copper ring: this, however, was fortunately divided with a pair of strong scissors. Another used a rough iron ring for this purpose. The penis puffed out, above and below this ring. A locksmith was called in, to file it off, which could only be done by placing small bits of wood between the penis and the iron ring. Much time was required to remove it. In the same manner—that is, by filing—a ring was removed from another patient, where gangrene had threatened to appear.

One of the most horrid cases of this kind on record, is that of a young man, who, on taking a bath, indulged in masturbation, by placing his penis into the hole in the bottom of the tub, made for the removal of the water. The glans soon became so much swelled, that he could not withdraw it. His cries brought him assistance; but it was not easy to remove him from the fetters he had forged for himself. (Dict. des Sc. Med., vol. xxi., p. 167.)

Many similar cases have occurred in Dupuytren’s practice. One was that of a young man who came to the clinical lecture at Hotel Dieu, having the socket of a candlestick, in front of which the glans was enormously tumefied. Being unable, by any effort, to remove it, the cylindrical portion surrounding the penis was filed, and thus taken from him. It would occupy too much room, to enumerate all the facts of this kind which have been noted by practitioners; but a common accident, and which has been seen several times by Dupuytren, is the ligature of the penis by a thread or wire. Some young men, and even adults, have bound the penis in fits of erotic delirium, so that the knot could not be loosed; and a circular section has been made in the skin, and the urethra even has been opened and cut. It is evident, that, in these cases, the only thing to be done is to divide the thread, to dress the wound, and then to introduce a gum-elastic sound, in order to prevent the formation of an urinary fistula, or of an accidental hypospadias.

Another kind of strangulation—which is much less serious, however, than those we have mentioned—may result from masturbation and coition, in those individuals where the opening of the prepuce is too narrow. This prolongation of the skin, after being drawn violently back behind the corona glandis, strangles the penis, as would be done by a foreign body, and cannot be brought again to its primitive situation: there is then a paraphimosis. All authors who have treated of this affection, have placed among the causes of it that which we have mentioned. We have seen several instances of this character. I will cite that of a young boy, seven or eight years old, in whom this accident was produced during masturbation. The glans was tumefied, and the prepuce formed a large fold around it. The frightened parents sent for our assistance. Methodical and long continued pressure soon brought things to their proper state.

Herpes praeputialis, another affection of the prepuce, may arise from the constant excitement of this part. Fortunately, this eruption is a slight disease, and generally terminates in a week or two, even without medical treatment.

Persons who indulge in lascivious ideas, are often affected with a discharge from the end of the penis—and this though there has been no masturbation—of a viscid, whitish mucus, which leaves on the linen spots similar to those produced by the white of an egg. The edges of the meatus urinarius may also be glued together, by the drying of this mucus. This discharge, which has been described by John Hunter, is not a disease, although it has all the appearance of it; and it keeps some people in constant fear, lest they have contracted gonorrhœa. It, however, results from an unusual excitement of the mucous membrane, lining the glans and urethra. Now, if the simple excitement of the venereal sense can cause such an effect, what might not be expected from excesses in coition or masturbation? Thus, these causes are mentioned, whenever the causes of balanitis and blenorrhagia are alluded to. All authors agree on this subject; and if but few cases are brought forward in support of this opinion, it is because the subject has not been disputed. The following is found in a dissertation of Closs. The patient was a young man addicted to masturbation, who had been affected for more than six months with a gonorrhœal discharge, which had been neglected because it occasioned no suffering. The matter of the discharge, however, becoming acrid, green, and yellow, he was obliged to ask medical advice. He protested, under oath, that he had never been exposed to contract disease; and Closs, therefore, considered this blenorrhea as the result of masturbation, in which the patient had indulged even before puberty.

This symptom is seen still more frequently after excesses in coition, especially if attended with excesses in drinking, as Lallemand has remarked, or if one has cohabited with a female whose genital organs were very small. It has often been observed in the newly married, and has sometimes occasioned unmerited suspicions and reproaches. It is said, too, that excesses indulged in by persons whose genital organs are perfectly sound, may produce in one or both of them a more or less intense blenorrhea. Cullerier and Ratier say, that they have verified this fact several times. Can such a blenorrhea be communicated? Cassan, in the Bulletin Universel of Ferussac, has inserted a note, in which he states that many of the facts observed in man and animals, particularly of the genus Bos, prove, that blenorrhea, which is simply the result of venereal excesses between healthy individuals, easily assumes a contagious character, and is attended with symptoms analogous to those of syphilis, and requires the same treatment.

Inflammation of the urethra may become very intense, and extend to the bladder, particularly when venereal excesses coexist with intemperate habits: the discharge of urine may then be interrupted, and consequently all the symptoms of dysuria and strangury may supervene. Chronic catarrh of the bladder is often observed, also, in those individuals who have abused the pleasures of love.

Montegre, speaking of a kind of cystitis, which he terms vesical hemorrhoids, mentions among its causes venereal excesses, and particularly those repeated titillations, which keep the genital organs in a state of semi-orgasm, which is not terminated by any crisis.

Lallemand reports the case of an individual, who, being addicted to venereal excesses, experienced frequent desire to urinate, and found it difficult to empty his bladder. Finally, unable to pass water without the use of a sound, he learned to introduce it himself. This was not difficult, although the bladder could not be emptied without it. The urine was turbid, thick, and deposited a great deal of glairy mucus, which adhered to the pot de chambre. The prostatic portion of the urethra was cauterized, but without success. Lallemand thought that there was a morbid development of the middle lobe of the prostate gland. In another patient, whose history is given by this excellent observer, excessive masturbation appeared to have predisposed to a chronic inflammation of the genito-urinary organs, which were developed under the influence of the abuse of coition. (Obs., &c., p. 440.)

It is easily seen, that if coition and masturbation may cause all these inflammations, so, too, they may sustain and increase them. The pleasures of love, therefore, should be strictly forbidden to persons affected with diseases of the genito-urinary passages. Acute inflammation of the urethra, blenorrhagia, has often been known to pass to a chronic state by a single act of venery; which, says Lewedrain, may even cause this change several months after the apparent termination of acute blenorrhagia.

May an incontinence of urine be produced by excesses in coition or masturbation? We have more than once seen this disease in young onanists. Sainte Marie, also, places it among the symptoms of daily involuntary pollution; and Lallemand has remarked, that most individuals affected with this pollution had been subject, in their infancy, to incontinence of urine. May not the relations between these two affections extend to the causes which determine them?

One of the most common causes of excesses in venery is, the involuntary loss of semen. This disease, which has been termed spermatorrhœa, involuntary pollution, may also arise from other causes; but as it results most frequently from excesses in masturbation or coition, we shall devote particular attention to it.

Let us consider the mode in which the excretion of semen takes place in the normal state. It is the remote consequence of a voluntary action, and the immediate result of involuntary contractions. The venereal sense is excited voluntarily, either by copulation, or by applying the hand: this excitement is carried to as great an extent as possible; and then a crisis, entirely independent of the will, terminates it. This crisis occurs sooner or later. It may even be quickened or retarded by the will, which may excite or modify the venereal sense; but when it does take place, it is always by involuntary contractions—that is, by a true convulsion.

This last action has two well marked periods. In the first, the semen passes from the seminal vesicles into the urethra; in the second, this liquid is violently expelled. The contraction of the seminal vesicles—and perhaps, also, that of the levatores ani muscles—are the powers by which the semen comes into the urethra. The ejaculation is caused by the muscles of the perinœum, and particularly by the bulbo-cavernosus muscle. The swelling and hardness of the corpus cavernosum furnish this muscle with a point of resistance, which enables it to compress more efficiently the semen with which the urethra is filled; and the straightening of this canal, by the erection, renders the expulsion of this fluid more easy. All these motions take place by jerks; and, we repeat it, convulsively, without the aid of the will.

The involuntary excretion of the semen, the morbid pollution, may take place sometimes in the manner described, sometimes in another mode. In the first case, it differs from what occurs in the normal state, only not being preceded by those acts which are performed voluntarily by man. Secondly, the semen is excreted without any convulsive effort; it flows like the tears, the saliva, the bile. The semen comes into the urethra, and escapes from it merely because it is there. There is no ejaculation: and this is easily conceived of; for the genital organs are not sufficiently excited, to cause the ejaculatory powers to be convulsed, as is proved by the excessive weakness of the venereal sensation. And, secondly, one of the indispensable conditions of the ejaculation—erection of the penis—does not exist. There are, then, two kinds of involuntary pollutions; one which is convulsive, and the other which is not so. Between these two kinds, there are intermediate degrees, in which spermatorrhœa partakes more or less of one or the other. These degrees often mark the passage from convulsive spermatorrhœa to that which is not convulsive; for the latter has generally been preceded by the former. We shall see hereafter, that the existence of one of these affections does not forbid that of the other; and that the ejaculation of semen is possible in some individuals who present habitually an insensible flow of this fluid.

Involuntary pollutions have been distinguished until now in another manner: they have been divided into diurnal and nocturnal. These distinctions are founded only on accessory circumstances. What difference does it make, whether the pollutions occur by night or by day, provided they are similar in other respects? If, on the contrary, there are more essential differences, why not give to them the importance they demand? Farther: is not convulsive spermatorrhœa, like that which is not convulsive, seen both at night and day? These are the reasons why we have sought to distinguish these affections more logically, and which have led us to propose the new distinction just mentioned.

Convulsive spermatorrhœa may occur in all individuals, and under the influence of a great many causes, without being necessarily a disease. After excessive continence, it may even prove a salutary crisis. This pollution has a pathological character, when it is repeated too often, or under unfavorable circumstances; and then it produces the same result as excesses in coition or masturbation, and generally occurs only in individuals already enfeebled by this kind of excess. Sleep is the most favorable state for an attack of spermatorrhœa; and from this circumstance it is called nocturnal pollution. The temperature of the bed, and lying on the back—circumstances which favor the warmth and excitement of the lower part of the spinal marrow—may also cause the convulsive excretion of the semen. But another cause of it is, that during the sleep of the external senses, the internal senses have control, and have more power, because the action of the others is completely suspended. Cabanis remarks this fact, in saying that the genital organs do not participate in the repose of the external senses, but seem to be more excitable when these are asleep. We consider, that what takes place then is analogous to what is observed in idiots, who, deaf, blind, and dead to all the feelings of relation, abandon themselves to every excess, to satisfy a sense, the excitement of which in them often amounts to constant satyriasis.

If the sleep be very profound, pollution may take place without the consciousness of the patient, or, at any rate, without his remembrance of it. When he wakes, the loss of semen is then discovered only by its stain, and the state of fatigue, weakness, and malaise attending it. A lascivious dream, however, generally attends a pollution. These dreams are not, as is generally thought, the cause of the pollution: if they exist, it is because the venereal sense, which is excited, speaks for itself, even as hunger, thirst, or any internal sensation may do. These dreams have a peculiar character, which has been pointed out by many writers. The individual is rarely placed in voluptuous circumstances, where his imagination places him during his waking hours; but he is surrounded by females who are hideous and repelling, and whom he is as it were compelled to enjoy.

In fact, these pollutions fatigue more than those which are excited voluntarily. On rising, the patient experiences a general and more or less distinct feeling of feebleness and of suffering. His loins and limbs seem as if he had taken a long walk, or as if they had been bruised; the countenance is pale; the eyelids are swelled and bluish; the patient is sad and stupid. Finally, he presents physically and morally the consequences of an abuse of venery. It may readily be imagined, that the periods of spermatorrhœa render the exhaustion more rapid than the voluntary excesses already commenced. If, contrary to custom, the onanist remains one night without pollution, the organs which he permits to rest supply the unaccustomed activity. Happy is he, when these symptoms do not seem to him an evidence that this flow of semen is necessary. Every thing which specially excites the genital organs, as lascivious thoughts, voluptuous sights, riding, a soft and warm bed, &c., and also every thing which produces a more general excitement, in which these organs participate, as wine, liquors, coffee, spices, &c.; are so many causes which combine with the direct provocations of the patient, to multiply the causes by which he is excited.

The nocturnal pollutions, however, are not formidable to those onanists who are reformed. Inspired by the sentiment of self-preservation, warned by the sufferings, counsels, and by reading, they have resolved to abandon for ever the manœuvres which they know to be dangerous. This resolution they will be able to keep: they, however, anxiously demand if they are not too late. The genital organs rebel against the decision. How melancholy must be the state of the patient! He sees, in perspective, sufferings, even a death, which seems to be inevitable. To avoid it, he had made a sacrifice; he has abandoned those tastes which exercised such absolute control over him: but his organs, which have been irritated, continue the work which he wished to interrupt. He is irritated—he despairs. Let him be of good cheer; when the will perseveres, it generally triumphs. I attended an onanist, who was suddenly converted by reading the work of Tissot, and who experienced all the troubles to which we have alluded. He was constantly tormented by the remembrance of the past night, and the fear of that which was to come. He slept on a coarse bed; and always enveloped the privy parts with linen, wet with vinegar and water, before going to sleep; promising himself to awake, as soon as he was assailed by dreams. By his will, however, he finally succeeded; and he had the power of watching himself during sleep. His pollutions gradually became less frequent, and finally disappeared entirely. This is generally the case where all bad habits cease.

Convulsive spermatorrhœa is not very common, while a person is awake: it then rarely presents the purely convulsive character, with perfect erection, and distinct ejaculation, that is seen in a healthy emission of semen. This state, however, is possible: an instance of it may be seen in the case of satyriasis stated by M. Duprest-Rony. Whenever this young man beheld his mistress looking at him, erection took place, and ejaculation followed. He, however, had refrained from masturbating for two years, and had regained in a great measure his former strength. M. Sainte Marie has reported a case of priapism, during which the patient ejaculated fourteen times in a few hours. But this affection was not in consequence of venereal excesses, and the emission of semen presented nothing more extraordinary than other cases of priapism. Diurnal convulsive pollution is seldom accompanied, in individuals exhausted by abuses of masturbation and coition, with a perfect erection. The size of the penis increases, but it does not become hard. The semen is then emitted only to a short distance, if there be any ejaculation. The least cause, the slightest touch, is sufficient to excite this. Thus, in a man thirty years old, whom Tissot has mentioned, after Boerhaave, the semen escaped whenever there was a commencement of an erection, for it was never complete; and instead of being expelled forcibly, it oozed out drop by drop. The patient became impotent. This symptom (adds Tissot) is very frequent among those who are exhausted, and it contributes to continue the exhaustion. The slightest excitement causes the commencement of an erection, which is followed by an emission. We have seen a similar phenomenon in one of the patients of M. Dalandeterie. There were frequent painful erections, of short duration, which always terminated by a more or less abundant discharge of fluid. These kinds of pollutions were always painful, and were followed by extreme prostration. It is evident, from the remarks we have quoted, that there was no ejaculation in this patient; and probably, also, the erections, though painful, were imperfect. Daily convulsive spermatorrhœa assumes then, as it were, a bastard character in onanists: it occupies an intermediate place between proper convulsive spermatorrhœa, such as occurs during sleep, and the non-convulsive spermatorrhœa, which we shall mention directly.

There is a phenomenon very similar to this bastard spermatorrhœa, and which shows itself when the patient is inclined to indulge in coition or masturbation: the emission of semen takes place on the commencement of the act of venery. It is a quasi involuntary pollution. In this case, which is by no means rare, the erection is not complete, simply because there is not time for it to be so, the premature emission of semen not admitting it to be perfect. Sometimes, erection is radically impossible, and prevents the ejaculation. This was the case with the onanist who wrote to Tissot, that the semen would flow, but there was no ejaculation. Farther: when there is no erection, either because this is impossible, or because the semen is discharged prematurely, the person becomes impotent, because the power of procreating requires erection and ejaculation.

In persons affected with spermatorrhœa, the seminal fluid must preserve its normal characters. It is generally thinner, less opaque, and similar to serum: sometimes it resembles a fetid sanies or corrupt mucus; in other cases:, the seminal vesicles are evidently affected. Sometimes, blood is exhaled from these vesicles, and is even ejaculated. We have already stated instances of this emission. Tissot, also, has published a case of it. It was a young man, less than sixteen years old, who indulged in onanism to such an extent, that blood was finally emitted, instead of semen. This emission was soon followed by excessive pains, and an inflammation of all the genital organs. We must remark, that blood never seems to be discharged, unless the pollution is excited directly: this, at least, would seem to follow from the cases stated, and particularly from one mentioned by Dalandeterie. The erections (said he) always terminate with a more or less abundant flow of mucus—perhaps, also, of prostatic fluid, or even of a very diluted semen. In ejaculations excited by the hand, a semi-clotted, blackish blood comes, instead of semen: sometimes, a teaspoonful is discharged. This is always attended with pains, and followed by great prostration.

We have seen that involuntary pollution may take place, like voluntary pollution, by the convulsive contraction of the ejaculatory muscles, with erection of the penis, and sensations of venery. We have also seen, that the semen may be discharged, although the erection of the penis, the sensation of venery, and the convulsive contraction of the ejaculatory muscles is slight, and almost nothing. When this exists to a still greater degree, we have non-convulsive spermatorrhœa, or diurnal involuntary pollution, as it is called: here there is no erection, convulsion, nor ejaculation; there is no feeling of venery; the semen flows, instead of being expelled; and there is no feeling of pleasure attending this discharge.

This affection may arise from different causes. It is owing most frequently to venereal excesses; and, as but little is known in regard to it, we shall enlarge on the subject. This pollution for a long time was confounded with all the discharges from the urethra, which were blended under the term gonorrhœa. A contrary opinion was then adopted, and the existence of the disease was denied in toto. The remarks of several authors, and particularly of Wichmann, Sante Marie, and Lallemand, place its existence, however, beyond a doubt. The first ideas on this kind of spermatorrhœa may be referred to the earliest periods of medicine. It was known to Hippocrates, who has mentioned (De Morbis, lib. ii., sect. 5) one of the principal symptoms, the loss of semen, during the emission of urine, and of feces, when describing the tabes dorsalis which affects libertines and those lately married. Celsus, also, (De Medicina, lib. iv., ch. 28,) has admitted that there may be loss of semen, without pleasure, without voluptuous dreams, and which may be followed by a fatal consumption. After this, we find no mention of the disease for a long period. Tauvry says positively, (Naw. Anat. raisonnée, 1693, p. 164,) that men who abuse themselves are liable to have emissions of semen on the slightest compression of the seminal vesicles, when they pass urine or feces. Morgagni admits that the semen may escape without any pleasurable sensation, as happens from the effect of an injection which is too warm, and from the excretion of hardened feces; but he adds, that the fluid discharged may come in some from the prostate gland, in others, from the seminal vesicles. There is much uncertainty on this point of science among authors, many of whom have considered as spermatic most of the discharges from the urethra. The dissertation of Wichmann, however, on the subject of diurnal pollution, is valuable. This dissertation was printed in 1782, at Gœttingen. In it, Wichmann states, first, the characters which distinguish diurnal from nocturnal pollution. The first occurs when the patient is awake, and without his experiencing erection or desire. He is unconscious of it; and this circumstance, with the absence of any swelling of the corpora cavernosa, and of all venereal ardor, serves to distinguish this pollution from the flow of the fluid of the prostate gland, or from a loss of semen, which takes place in some persons when they are excited by desire. To these characters, Wichmann adds another, drawn from the mode in which the excretion of semen takes place. In diurnal pollution, (says he,) men do not lose their semen constantly by a continual excretion of this fluid, like females subject to leucorrhea; but they ejaculate, at a single time: and this circumstance has rendered the term pollution applicable to this disease. He does not consider, as a diurnal pollution, the gonorrhœa in which the semen is continually escaping drop by drop. He, however, doubts the existence of this last affection, and remarks that authors are very much confused on the subject. Nor would a pollution which was involuntary, and during the hours of waking, be considered as a diurnal pollution, if the evacuation of semen had been caused by any aphrodisiac substance. And on this topic, he relates the case of a man, who, having been addicted to onanism in his youth, was affected with involuntary pollutions if a blister was applied to him, if he perceived the odor of cantharides, or even spoke of them.

According to Wichmann, the semen never escapes with the urine: thus, it is not a seminal discharge which comes from persons affected with external or internal hemorrhoids, who pass off with their urine a milky fluid. He, however, admits, with Hippocrates, that the straining of persons at stool often occasions, in those affected with diurnal pollution, the discharge of a greater or less quantity of semen. When the existence of this affection is suspected, we must attempt to ascertain its truth; and for this purpose, the patient should be made to urinate freely; and then, in passing the feces, he should sit in such a manner that the penis may be outside, and one can see all that escapes from it in the efforts at stool. In a diurnal pollution, there is rarely as much semen lost as in a nocturnal pollution. The disease is quite as serious, if it be semen which escapes—if it occurs once a-day, and even more frequently; and at the lightest effort to stool, and without any pleasure, to inform one of the risk which is run.

Thus, then, involuntary emissions of semen, while the patient is awake, without erection, without pleasure, and while the patient is ignorant of it; an emission which takes place, not drop by drop, but at one time, and especially while at stool, are, according to Wichmann, specific characters of involuntary diurnal pollution.

The general effects of this diurnal pollution, as he has often observed them, are those seen in onanists. He remarks:—When you see a man extremely thin, pale, stupid, enervated, complaining of great debility, especially in the thighs and loins, lazy in his actions, and with sunken eyes, you have reason to suspect this cause.

Patients in this state never complain of any absolute pain. Their digestive powers are ruined: the appetite, however, continues—even increases, and sometimes becomes voracious. After taking food, they seem to have more strength; but this advantage is soon paid for, by the inconveniences resulting from digestion—especially if that variable appetite be too much indulged. As the stomach and most of the other viscera do not perform their functions properly, the more that is eaten the more the belly is tumefied, by the relaxation of the digestive organs. This swelling is attended with a painful feeling of anxiety, which exists in these unfortunates at other periods of the day, and impels them to avoid society. They are more disposed to sorrow than to joy—that is, the news of an unfortunate event brings with it more sorrow than that of a happy event causes pleasure. In them, as in onanists, there is a want of intelligence; they are stupid; natural sleep does not refresh them; the memory and sight are particularly debilitated. And this is the state of things, until the patient becomes affected with phthisis. At first, neither moral causes, nor affections of the soul, nor disappointment, can be suspected. There is apparently no viscus affected; nor can we ascribe the disease to any deleterious substance concealed in the body, and consuming the flesh. The patient has no pain, excepting that obtuse, compressive pain, which is referred to the hypochondria, and which depends on the swelling of the weak intestines. If you add to the characters the absence of fever, and of the ordinary causes of exhaustion, you may be persuaded that diurnal pollution exists—that it is the hidden cause of all the symptoms. This is a general description of the disease, drawn up from a considerable number of cases which we have observed.

Wichmann, also, remarks the resemblance between individuals affected with diurnal pollution and those affected with phthisis pulmonalis. Experience has taught me, (says he,) that in many patients who have been considered as affected with true phthisis, the disease must be referred to this cause alone. The symptoms of diurnal pollution are not very dissimilar to those of the first period of phthisis pulmonalis, at this purely spasmodic period, which I should be tempted to term insidious, if I considered merely the difficulty and uncertainty of the diagnosis at this period. The cough which then attends some patients, also, leads physicians to dread phthisis: or, rather, consumption, arising from diurnal pollution, assumes so much the characters and form of this disease, that one is disposed to treat it by the ordinary method, to the great disparagement of the patient, whose state requires opposite remedies. Farther: it is clear, that the disease of which we speak must infallibly terminate in phthisis, if it be not soon arrested.

In 1772, Wichmann observed internal pollution for the first time. The case was that of a young man, over twenty years of age, who for a long time had been affected with spasms. “He was manifestly in a state of cachochymia, and of wasting away. The physicians whom he had consulted before he came to me judged, from these appearances, that he was hypochondriac: in fact, different symptoms led to the belief that the disease was situated in the hypochondria. The loss of strength—the languor of digestion, although the appetite was not lost—the paleness of the countenance—the sadness and pusillanimity which led him to seek solitude—the vivid redness which rushed over his cheeks in conversation—his restlessness of character—and, finally, a certain weakness of intellect—seemed to justify the diagnosis. He had formerly indulged with females, and had been affected with venereal disease, to which he attributed his present state. Although there was not the slightest trace of these old affections, the physician, misled by the false conjectures of the patient, had kept him for a long time on mercurial preparations, by which the symptoms were aggravated, the true cause being overlooked.

“Mercury was then abandoned for tonics; and the ferruginous waters were employed, with the idea that the patient suffered from hypochondria. But this was no better than the former treatment; and the patient begged me to take charge of him. I could not attribute the extreme thinness which existed to the remnant of an imperfectly cured venereal affection, nor to the usual cause of exhaustion and fever. I then asked the patient if he indulged with females, or in onanism; or if he was affected with involuntary loss of semen. He almost swore to the contrary. I then told him of his obligation to speak the truth, and assured him that I should not prescribe for him until he was attentively examined. Some days after, he came to me again, and told me that he had been affected with something like loss of semen. I satisfied myself that the observation was correct. The cause of the evil being known, the treatment was simple. In a few months, the patient was restored to health; and this happy effect of the remedies proved that we had attacked the origin of the evil.

“This young man had probably indulged in premature excesses: in fact, this is the most usual cause of involuntary pollution. All the patients observed by me, (says Wichmann,) were from twenty-five to forty years old. All were addicted to the pleasures of love, or to onanism; or had become affected with blenorrhœa, by intercourse with diseased women.

“I am led to believe,” (adds he,) “that the effects of onanism would not be so pernicious, were it not for this diurnal pollution; that without it, this shameful habit would not be followed with consumption, and other symptoms of phthisis. In fact, onanism does not always give rise to this pollution. If this were the case, the number of onanists affected with consumption would be very great. The number of men addicted to this vice from early childhood is immense; for we do not know a greater scourge than this social corruption. From the fact, too, that onanism sometimes produces involuntary diurnal pollution, we ought to investigate if it does not exist in those who have renounced this pernicious habit. Advice to them would be useless, inasmuch as, having renounced this vice, they do not suspect the enervating cause which destroys them. About eighteen years ago, before I had discovered this cause of consumption, I knew a young man, thirty years old, who had been addicted to masturbation from the time he was ten years old, and who learned this pernicious habit from his preceptor. He died, after experiencing all kinds of infirmities, with extreme debility of all his physical and moral faculties. He acknowledged his error, and that for a long time he had renounced his bad habit; but his late return to continence did not save him. Now, I feel confident that this shameful habit had brought on an involuntary diurnal pollution, which caused his death.”

Wichmann remarks, that it is at the commencement of the fine season of spring that the patients are most conscious of their situation. They owe this increase of their ills (says he) to that general procreative faculty which becomes more active in all animated beings at this period of the year. The more full the vesicles of semen, the more liable are patients to lose it. We must also remark, that most patients secrete prolific semen, and preserve their procreative power. This, however, requires the patient to have the faculty of erection; for, otherwise, he would be impotent. This was the case with an individual, whose case is stated by Henry Van-Hers.

A young man of rich family, and who had arrived at puberty, consulted this physician, avowing, that from the time he was ten years old, he had enjoyed frequent intercourse with young girls, who had excited him by their lascivious touches; adding, that from this period the power of erection had disappeared. He had travelled for a long time, and had received advice from several French physicians. He went to the Spa waters, and there his case was examined by Van-Hers. The sensibility and weakness of the genital organs were so great, that on the slightest touch, and without any desire for coition, or any sensation, there was a discharge similar to thin milk. This excretion continued both night and day, whenever he passed urine, or on the least rubbing of his shirt. A great many remedies had already been tried. Van-Hers regarded the disease as incurable, but the young man would not listen to his advice; and being very rich, he continued to travel in Italy, France, England, and Germany, in the hope of recovering his lost virility. He consulted many physicians. He then had recourse to quacks; and even tried the powers of magic: but all in vain. After six years of travel, he returned to Van-Hers, regretting that he had not taken his advice. The young man then returned home, deploring the advantages of a large fortune, which rendered him the victim of a precocious abuse of pleasure, of a kind of premature depravity.

Wichmann’s dissertation was but little known in France, when Sainte Marie undertook its translation; and not only this, but added many important notes, which have shed new light on diurnal pollution. Wichmann had said, as we have seen, that patients affected with this disease ejaculated the semen. This expression was inexact, and has been rectified by M. Sainte Marie. The patients (said he) do not ejaculate the semen; but it runs away from them: it is not emitted with force. The characters which it presents had briefly been alluded to by Wichmann: his translator has stated them more clearly. According to him, the semen which runs away in diurnal pollution is paler, thinner, and more watery, than that which escapes when the act is attended with pleasure. Its odor, also, is fainter; and the stains it leaves on the linen are slight, superficial, and not very apparent. Wichmann had admitted the existence of a discharge from the prostate gland, which ought not to be confounded with diurnal pollution. Sainte Marie has attempted to point out the characteristics of this discharge. Those in whom it exists, (says he,) find the glans moistened in the morning when they rise with an unctuous substance: if they then compress the urethra from the root to the end of the penis, they press out some drops of a greenish, gluish, and slightly fetid fluid. They thus lose a little of this fluid after indulging in desires, or after erections which have not been followed by the act of venery. Sainte Marie considers it as probable that the mucus of the urethra then mixes with the fluid of the prostate gland, and forms a part of the discharge.

This author confirms Wichmann’s remarks on the general effects of diurnal pollution. He says, “Since I read his treatise, I have found this pollution in diseases of languor, which I could not attribute to a special or primitive alteration of any organ; and I have discovered, that a great many cases of hypochondria, of slow nervous fevers, of consumptions, were kept up by this kind of gonorrhœa, to which the patients, unable to observe themselves, had paid no attention. I have known several individuals, who have been affected with this diurnal pollution for a long time, without experiencing any marked derangement in their health: to them, it was an inconvenience; rather than a disease. But in these cases, diurnal pollution is not habitual: it only occurs when continence of days or weeks, an exciting or substantial regimen, long exercise on horseback or in a carriage, have accumulated semen in its reservoirs, or have irritated specially the genital organs: then the least effort to expel the feces causes the seminal vesicles to pour forth the surplus of fluid which they contain. Let not this state inspire too much security. Diurnal pollution is commenced: it is not yet serious; but it may progress, return every day at each evacuation, and finally produce all the bad results noticed by Wichmann.”

Wichmann said nothing in regard to the organic conditions of the diurnal pollution: he merely stated that this affection was the result of debility. M. Sainte Marie, on this point, makes many interesting remarks. He considers diurnal pollution as sometimes the cause, and sometimes the effect, of dorsal consumption; and he considers this to be an affection of the spinal marrow. We will quote this passage:—Diurnal pollution (says Sainte Marie) is sometimes only an effect; the origin of which must be sought after in a serious and primitive alteration of an important system of organs. Thus, we must reason, for instance, in respect to dorsal consumption. It is said, that one remarkable symptom of this disease is an abundant discharge of watery semen, which comes sometimes at each emission of urine. Involuntary diurnal pollution is here only a symptom: it occurs, because the genital organs do not receive, from the spinal marrow, the nervous and well regulated influence which they require to perform their functions properly. Hence, the super-abundant secretion of semen—its unfitness for fecundation—the relaxation of the seminal vesicles, which allow it to escape so readily—the atony of the scrotum—the inconvenient pulling of the spermatic vessels—the weakness of the erections—impotence, &c., &c. The same state of the organs which deprives the genital organs of life, explains, on the other hand, the wasting of parts which respond to this sensitive centre—the thinness of the loins, thighs, and lower extremities—the debility—the paralysis of these extremities—the obstinate constipation, complained of by the patients, and which is similar to that of old men, yielding only to the employment of stimuli—the formications along the back—the incontinence of urine—the gangrenous eschars, which at a more advanced period of the disease form on the sacrum, hips, and trochanters. We might easily pursue this subject, and extend it to the most general symptoms of consumption, as deep melancholy, weakness and slowness of the pulse, disposition to faint, and all those marked symptoms which assimilate this disease to slow nervous fever; but this would estrange us from the principle we seek to establish—which is, that diurnal pollution is sometimes the cause, and sometimes only the symptom, of dorsal consumption. Wichmann has treated only of the first: the second is connected with a general disease, and cannot be studied separately. These remarks of Sainte Marie will be admitted to be much more important, if compared with our remarks on the abuse of the genital organs on the spinal marrow, and with what we shall say hereafter on the power which this has on the same organs.