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 A 
 
DR. BATE'S 
 
 TRUE 
 
 ARRiAGE Guide 
 
 A TREATISE FOR THE 
 
 MARRIED AND MARRIAGEABLE, 
 
 BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, 
 
 Containing Information and Salutary Hints for Everyone. 
 
 BY 
 
 DR. J, ^A/^. BATE. 
 
 283 So. Clark Street, 
 CHICAGO. 
 
Hogarth's "Lines of Beauty. 
 
^y 
 
 DR. BATE^S 
 
 TiaXTEI 
 
 Marriage Guide 
 
 A TREATISE FOR THE 
 
 HAEEIED AND MAEEIAQEABLE, 
 
 BOTH MALE AND FEMALE. 
 
 COlfTAINING INFORMATION AND SALUTARY HINTS FOR 
 EVERY ONE. 
 
 Dr. Bate has been longer engaged in the treatmes 
 Diseases, SpermatorrhcEa, bexual Debility, Impotency, 
 ^ ^ peculiar to Females, than any other advertising physician 
 
 ■^ , A and having the experience of a long and successful life in hie Special- 
 ^'■■\yy S ties, he has perfected remedies that are effectual in all these cases. His 
 ^ I > ' institution has a high reputation for honorable conduct and professional 
 •\ V skill, embracing every convenience for patients. Ladies requiring the 
 
 y most delicate treatment, home, board, etc., may call or write with confi- 
 
 dence. His patients are being treated by mail or egress everywhere. 
 No matter who have failed, call or write. Advice and consultation free 
 and invited. Patients calling see no one but the Doctor. 
 
 BY 
 
 DR. J^^^V. BATE, 
 ^3 80. Clabk Street, CHICAGO, ILL. 
 
Copyright, 1889, by Fred E. Bate. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In this little book I have endeavored to give some 
 of the leading impediments to marriage, their nature 
 and effects. Pains have been taken to make it plain 
 even to the most common understanding, and, above 
 all, to make it useful; and it is sincerely hoped that 
 the young man or woman who peruses this work", 
 will rise from it with a better heart. 
 
 I have made the diseases of the sexual organs of 
 both sexes my particular study for the past twenty- 
 seven years, and such complaints as arise more im- 
 mediately from a disorganization of the generative 
 system, whether constitutional or acquired. My 
 experience in the treatment of cases of this character, 
 in all their varied forms and phases, enables me to 
 speak confidently and truthfully upon the subject . 
 When persons of either sex are about entering into 
 matrimony they ought to subject themselves to a 
 thorough examination to see if they are in a condition 
 to exercise the marital functions; the easy cares of 
 married life are sometimes disturbed by the suspen- 
 sion of those blessings which consummate the nuptial 
 wreath, arising from a variety of causes [treated of 
 
6 IKTRODUCTIOK. 
 
 in the following pages,] which renders the generative 
 powers weak and impotent, yet they can be strength- 
 ened and deficient energy improved into functional 
 power; and the suffering community, of either sex, 
 especially those entering into matrimonial life, ought 
 to read this booK carefully and attentively, and avail 
 themselves of the advice therein offered. 
 
 It is quite unnecessary to make any apology for 
 for publishiiig a book of this nature. The impor- 
 tance of the subject on which it treats is recognized 
 by the pulpit and by the press; by the learned and 
 the unlearned; by the medical profession and by 
 their patients. I do not hesitate to assert, that the 
 lessons taught by this little book will prove of great 
 value to all who study them in a proper spirit. The 
 laws of the Creator are absolute and unchanging; it 
 is impossible to do evil or to violate those laws with- 
 out ill effects resulting. If you would be happy, you 
 must be healthy; and if you would enjoy health you 
 must study the unchanging laws that govern it. 
 Many of the fatal diseases to which man is subject 
 arise from passions unrestrained and vicious indul- 
 gences. " The solitary vice of Self-pollution,*' says 
 Dr. Woodward, '^spreads desolation through the 
 land." 
 
 When we see the miserable victims of an insidious 
 and unsuspected disease slowly but steadily emaciat- 
 ing; when we view a series of phenomena faintly 
 
IXTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 and indistinctly characteristic of a great variety of 
 disorders, such as consumption, wasting away^ loss 
 of energy, physical and mental, shall we not investi- 
 gate the origin and causes, and endeavor to arrive at 
 the true principles of their cure? To these investi- 
 gations the author has devoted many years of study, 
 and he has endeavored, in this little work, to give 
 the results of his mature experience in language that 
 all may understand. If his efforts are successful in 
 warning one who would otherwise have fallen to the 
 fearful consequences of vice, or restoring him who 
 otherwise would have been lost, his work has not 
 been in vain. I observe, in conclusion, that those 
 who wish to consult me for advice or assistance, may 
 do so without hesitation, as the most timid may rely 
 on my invariably regarding the inviolate secrecy 
 which has proved the basis of an extensive and re- 
 spectable practice and reputation. 
 
 J, W. BATE, M. D. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENT. 
 
 Dr. J W. Bate, Confidential Physician, 283. 
 South Clark Street, Chicago, HL, estabHshed 1850, 
 longer engaged in special practice than any physician 
 in the city^ — my office is open for consultation on all 
 Private or Chronic Diseases, male or female, 
 from 9 in the morning till 8 at night, Sundays, from 
 10 to 12 A. M. I give special attention to all female 
 difficulties. Consultation in person or by letter is 
 strictly confidential and free. Patients calling at my 
 office see me in person, privately. When I think I 
 can not benefit the patient, I frankly tell him or her 
 so. I provide my own medicines and spare no ex- 
 pense in procuring the best of drugs, and in all 
 cases charge for medicines sufficiently to cover ex- 
 pense, to be paid for when received, 
 
 A CARD TO inquirers : 
 
 I am often applied to by letter or personally for 
 advice, by both young ladies and gentlemen, desiring 
 to marry or contemplating marriage, and other mat- 
 ters of similar import are frequently laid before me 
 in personal consultation or by letter. 
 
 These matters require time and consideration. 
 Advice of this character will at all times be cheer- 
 fully given, if my terms are complied with, which are 
 a fee of II for all such advice, and all such consul- 
 tations will be strictly confidential. 
 
PHYSIOLO&Y OF MARRIAaE, 
 
 Physiology of Marriage. 
 
 The sacred ordinance of marriage emanates from 
 the Deity, by whom we are enjoined to ** increase 
 and multiply," — hence it is considered honorable 
 amongst all men, and should not be entered upon 
 carelessly or wantonly, nor without duly considering 
 the causes for which it was originally ordained. Mar- 
 riage was introduced by the Diyine Creator, in the 
 time of man's primitive innocence,' as the means of 
 his happiness and the perpetuation of his race. Its 
 influence extends from indiyiduals to kingdoms, and 
 to the whole world, Jeremy Taylor calls it, '' the 
 mother of the world, which preserves cities, and fills 
 cities, churches and even heaven itself." It is the 
 primitive source of morals and society, the nurse of 
 virtue and patriotism, the stay and support of gov- 
 ernments. In a word, no other social institution 
 exercises so profound an influence on the well-being 
 of society. The obligations of marriage are mutual 
 and imperative; if any deception is practiced, those 
 culpable will, sooner or later, receive punishment in 
 the disappointment of their pleasures, the loss of 
 their health and the remorse of their own reflections. 
 It unfortunately happens in the present artificial 
 state of society that many men are unable to marry 
 before middle life, perhaps after a youth spent in 
 
10 PHYSIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE. 
 
 more or less dissipation. — perhaps after having ac- 
 quired the seeds of disease and impotenc-e. Then the 
 question arises: Is such a man capable of procreating 
 healthy children, or of satisfving those desires im- 
 planted by nature in the most modest and and Tir- 
 tuo :^ : -omen, not less srrcngly than in man him- 
 self? The consc"':".SLess -:: defciencv m"s: ca-::se any 
 man to feel abashed, a::d iie ca:: ^fer ::: eziuse z\\: 
 what must tend to ie;;^:; :be love and resre:: :: n:s 
 wife. Ignorance c: :-, d-ns::y unequantd, ui an ob- 
 Btinacy unparade^e.i. ':ng prevailed on the topics 
 which con'r:! in :5: c:nirde:el" :he :::::e5s o: men 
 and women m ^eci.: :_-:. Tnere are certain s:age5 of 
 injured health, capa d.r. v early and sk:d.::.l treat- 
 ment, of thorough and spee:" :are: : ~i:::, :i 
 neglected or injudiciously de a.: ^::d, :-:;;ri aa^._: 
 but disgust and misery in mair agr a :d:.g daman. v 
 impossible. Xo man is so I'^ei" ^ai.ae as the 
 
 one that is concious that n:s ^.ni^ ,_ u- ^..;: reason for 
 complaint; and no woman is so likely to go astray as 
 one who is tantalized by the abortive tcving of an im- 
 potent husband. We admit nothing :an ias:::y a wife 
 in proving false to the marriage vow, and nording 
 can ever after restore her to the position of a virtuous 
 woman; but cases frequently occur where much 
 might be urged in extenuati ^ where he who is 
 
 considered the injured hi]ir_:.^ .;, in reality, more 
 guilty than his wife. Women were formed to com- 
 plete the well-being of man, and those who abstain 
 from intercourse with them are rarely either happy 
 or healthy. Marriage constitntes the bond of society, 
 
1»HY8I0L0GT OF MARRli^GE. 11 
 
 and the respect paid to its ordinances affords the beat 
 test of the moral condition of a civilized people; 
 but where generative weakness exists, let not the un- 
 happy sufferer augment his own misery by the sacri- 
 fice of one from whom he can expect nothing but 
 dislike, reproaches and contempt, and whose happi- 
 ness may be marred. It may be safely afiirmed, that 
 a difference of temperament between married persons 
 is conducive not only to mutual affection, but to fer- 
 tility. Nature appears to desire marriages between 
 different families and nations, because such crossings 
 of the various races improve and invigorate the 
 species. Humboldt aud others have observed that 
 the offspring of Europeans and Ethiopians are pecu- 
 liarly robust and active. From numerous observations 
 of a similar nature, he argues that the best mode of 
 eradicating hereditary diseases, gout, scrofula, con- 
 sumption, epilepsy, madness, etc., in their early 
 tenency, is by the commixture of the species in inter- 
 marriage which prevents the transmission of disease 
 to the next generation. The mental weakness, as 
 well as mean appearance of some of the European 
 royal families, is strongly confirmatory of the truth, 
 of these principles. Walker, in his admirable and 
 interesting work, '* On Intermarriage, " proves 
 beyond the possibility of cavil, that insanity, idiocy, 
 an.l numerous physical ailments occur four times 
 above the average in the offspring of '^family mar- 
 riages.^^ When persisted in for some generations, the 
 race usually becomes extinct. Nor is th is confined 
 
13 PHYSIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE. 
 
 fco man alone — the rule extends from man downward 
 through the whole realm of animated nature. 
 
 That the happiness of married life may in a great 
 measure be secured or defeated by attention to, or 
 neglect of, what lies in our power previous to its con- 
 summatioD, is as true as that there are duties obliga- 
 tory alike upon man and wife after marriage. If a 
 man has made a hasty or thoughtless selection, the 
 fault is assuredly his own. Although it cannot be 
 doubted that warm and mutual affection is an essen- 
 tial condition to married felicity, it must be remem- 
 bered that passion is a false and treacherous guide, 
 when not founded on well-merited and well-defined 
 respect. It is often inquired, what is the proper age 
 to enter the marriage state? and the question is one 
 that is difficult to answer. Much depends upon indi- 
 vidual health and temperament; but as a general 
 rule, we find the happiest unions, and also the most 
 fruitful, when the man marries from the age of 
 twenty-five to thirty-five, and the woman is from five 
 to seven years younger. Dr. Samuel Johnson ob- 
 serves, ''Those who marry at an advanced age will 
 probably escape the encroachment of their children; 
 but, in diminution of this advantage, they are likely 
 to leave them, ignorant and helpless, to a guardian's 
 mercy; or, if that should not happen, they must at 
 least go out of the world, before they see those they 
 love best either wise or great." It is quite certain, 
 that on young women marriage will frequently have 
 a most beneficial effect. Hysteria, Nervousness, Ir- 
 
PHYSIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE. 13 
 
 regularity, sometimes even Consumption, are known 
 to disappear after marriage. In reference also to the 
 male sex. it is quite certain that, independently of 
 many morbid affections and habits which marriage 
 removes, it augments the energy of the system, of 
 the blood-vessels; the distended arteries, pulsating 
 with greater force, transmit warmth and animation, 
 throughout the body; the muscles become more vig- 
 orous, the step more elastic, the voice firmer, every 
 physical attribute of humanity becomes boldly devel- 
 oped. Marriage, however, is not altogether made up 
 of *' sighs and wreathed smiles;" though it has its 
 devotions, it has also its obligations; and the divine 
 command, '^^increase and multiply," can only be obey- 
 ed by those in full possession of mental and bodily 
 vigor. Even under the most favorable circumstances 
 of youth and vigor, it is necessary to warn the newly 
 married couple of the danger of excessive indulgence, 
 which injure the health of woman, and, by causing 
 many painful diseases, soon renders intercourse ut- 
 terly repugnant. It also prevents or impairs the off- 
 spring, — for whatever enfeebles or diseases the sexual 
 organs must of necessity have that effect . Temper- 
 ance in the connubial embrace, as in all other things, 
 is the medium which we should observe and recom- 
 mend. 
 
 We earnestly advise all who contemplate entering 
 the marriage state to take advice from a thoroughly 
 qualified practitioner, as to whether there is anything 
 to be set right before the marriage is consummated. 
 Much misery, perchance innocent lives, may be 
 
14 PHYSIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE. 
 
 spared by attending to this obvious and easy duty. 
 Sometimes an old venereal contamination may be lin- 
 gering in the blood. Careful examination and analy- 
 sis will decide and treatment for two or three weeks 
 may prevent long years of unhappiness. 
 
 In concluding this part of my subject, I may be al- 
 lowed to observe that it is right and useful that all 
 men should know that there are principles of person, 
 al management which cannot be violated without the 
 incurring of greivous penalties; it is right that they 
 should know when wisdom and regi'et succeed the 
 heyday of inconsiderate self-indulgence, how these 
 penalties may be mitigated and how the sting oi 
 their remorse may ultimately be removed. The most 
 absurd of all emotions is that of despair. Let the 
 sufferer remember that there is scarcely any degree 
 of weakness or functional derangement to which the 
 timely aid of science cannot apply a cure. 
 
 'a 
 
No. 2. Vertical Section of Bladder, Penis and Urethra. 
 
OEGAI^S OF GEKEBATIOif. 16 
 
 Organs of Generation. 
 
 In order that the reader may fully understand all 
 the parts of this work, it is necessary that he should 
 be made acquainted with the anatomy of the organs 
 or parts which are necessary to reproduction and gen* 
 erally called sexual organs. It will be my endeavor to 
 convey this knowledge in plain, concise and untech- 
 nical language. After a short consideration of the 
 structure of the parts, I shall, in the same brief man- 
 ner, proceed to a consideration of the physiology or 
 functions, when in a state of health; that is to say, 
 the use of each part engaged in the generative act will 
 be explained. 
 
 The genital organs in the male consist of the penis, 
 scrotum, testicles, uretha, or canal through which 
 the urine, etc., pass, the vesiculae seminales, or seed 
 vessels and the prostate gland. 
 
 The penis or organ of penetration is covered for the 
 most part with common skin, but the nut or head, 
 called glans penis, in the adult, is generally bare, the 
 skin either only covering it in part or leaving it en- 
 tirely free. That portion of skin which in children 
 covers the glans or head is called the prepuce, and 
 is attached to it behind by a bridle or f renum. Nearly 
 in the centre of the glans is the opening of the ure- 
 thra. It is not necessary here to describe minutely the 
 
1 OEGANS OF GENERATIOK. 
 
 structure of the penis. Suffice it to say that a portion 
 of it consists of cells almost like a sponge, called cor- 
 pus spongiosum or erectile tissue, and that it is the 
 rush of blood into them that causes distention or 
 erection of the part. 
 
 The scrotum or bag is situated at the root of the 
 penis, between it and the seat, and is formed of folds 
 of loose skin, externally, is generally of a dark color 
 in part covered with hair, and is divided into portions 
 by a seam running up its centre. This bag contains 
 the testicles, one on each side of the seam. 
 
 The testicles which are contained in the scrotum 
 after birth, are in the earlier months of life, when 
 yet within the womb, situated in the belly near the 
 kidney, but some short time before the child is born, 
 descend and enter the scrotum. This does not, how- 
 ever, always happen, for we find persons in boyhood 
 and even in manhood who apparently have but one 
 or perhaps no testicles to be felt in the scrotum. This 
 does not argue an absence of those organs, but 
 only that they have not made their way into the bag. 
 A person so situated, therefore, has as much virile 
 power as one whose testicles are in the scrotum. 
 
 The testicles are of an oval shape, rather flat on 
 each side, and suspended by a ligament or cord on 
 the back part, called the spermatic cord. They are 
 covered by a membrane [within the scrotum] and 
 consist of a soft gray, pulpy substance which if al- 
 lowed to float in water, can be drawn out in thin 
 strips, to the length sometimes of two or three feet. 
 This is the body of the gland which secretes the 
 
e»trp*t^» eu 
 
 Or(ffet» tf tfit 
 
 Hcatus 
 No. 3. The Bladder and Urethra laid open. Seen from above. 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATIOiq-. 17 
 
 semen; all these strings, or more properly, tubes, at 
 length unite and form a duct or passage, the vas def- 
 erens for the semen, which they convey to the vmcw^o? 
 seminales, or seed vessels. 
 
 The Urethra is the canal which proceeds from the 
 bladder at lower part of the penis to its extremity. It 
 conveys the urine from the bladder, the semen and 
 prostatic fluid are also ejected through it, its length 
 is from seven and a half to ten inches. Into it, open 
 the vessels which convey the semen, to be ejected 
 from it in the act of copulation. About an inch or an 
 inch and a half from the mouth or opening of the 
 urethra on its lower part, is a small cavity which is the 
 seat of the well-known and troublesome disease gon- 
 orrhea. 
 
 The vesiculcB seminales (seed vessels) are two small 
 bags at the base of the bladder, from whence they 
 extend to the base of the prostate gland ; their 
 length is about two inches, their breadth is only 
 three or four lines, they contain the semen, when 
 secreted by the testicles. The front portion of each 
 seminal vesicle ends in a narrow tube which unites 
 with the vas deferens. The tube from the testicles 
 thus making a common passage or duct, called the 
 ejaculatory duct, which opens into the urethra and 
 through which the semen, etc., flows. 
 
 The prostate gland is of the shape of a chestnut 
 and surrounds a part of the neck of the bladder, and 
 it is only mentioned here from its secreting a fluid 
 which mixes with the semen in the act of coition. 
 
18 OEGAKS OF GEKERATION". 
 
 The organs of generation in the female are divided 
 into the external or copulatiye, and the internal or 
 formative. 
 
 The external organs consist of the mons veneris, 
 the vulva pudenda, or labia majora, or large lips, the 
 clitoris, the labia 7ninora or lesser lips; the hymen 
 and the vagina. The internal organs are the uterus 
 or womh, the fallopian tubes, and the ovarium. 
 
 The mons veneris is the part in front which is cov- 
 ered with hair and slightly elevated by ^ cushion of 
 fat nnderneath the skin. It is immediately above 
 the proper or external organs of generation, and 
 hence has been called mons veneris, or the ven- 
 ernal or venus hill. Immediately below it are the 
 labia majoria or the larger lips, near the mons they 
 are thick and fleshy, but gradually become thin as 
 they descend. They are united above the mons ve- 
 neris, and this union is called the superior or upper 
 commissure; in their descent they are slightly sep- 
 arated, but again unite on the perineum just above 
 the seat. This union is called the fourchette or fork; 
 externally the labia are covered more or less with 
 hair; internally they are lined by a delicate mucous 
 membrane, like that of the inside of the lips. Be- 
 neath the upper commissure and within the lips is 
 the clitoris or female penis. This body resembles a 
 small male penis, and like it, is capable of erection, 
 but not of emission. From the clitoris descends two 
 folds of membrane, called the labia minora nymphce 
 or lesser lips, they are not unlike in appearance a 
 
Section of Female Pelvis, showing position of Viscera. 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 19 
 
 cock's comb, but are of a paler color. They join or 
 are lost, as it is allied, on the interior of the labia 
 majora; the inner surface of these labia is a contin- 
 uation of the vagina. Between these lips and at the 
 upper part and just below the clitoris is the meatus 
 urinarius or entrance to the urethra, its situation is 
 marked by a depression or dimple, but as it is not an 
 organ of generation in the female, no further notice 
 of it is requisite . 
 
 The hymen, or maiden-head, is a thin, crescent 
 shaped fold of the lining membrane of the large labia 
 and is placed at the lower part of the yagina and is 
 also attached to its sides. There is at the upper part 
 a portion of the membrane wanting, or rather a 
 space left for the purpose, permitting the menses or 
 monthly discharges to have exit. When the hymen 
 has been ruptured by coition or destroyed by other 
 means, in its place are found several small round 
 bodies which are called carunculae myrtiformes 
 from some fancied resemblance they bear to myrtle 
 berries. 
 
 The vagina, the orifice of the vagina is about an 
 inch below the clitoris and within the large lips. In 
 the virgin state the hymen in a great measure closes 
 it; the vagina i s surrounded at its entrance by a 
 muscle which gives it the power of contraction in a 
 circular manner. It is a membrane and dilatable tube 
 much wider at its upper part than at the lower, it 
 extends from the vulva or lips to the neck of the 
 womb, and is about four inches in length, but is of 
 
20 OEGANS OP GEiTEEATIOK. 
 
 greater length on tlie lower than npper part, owing 
 to its being curved. It is Tery elastic and hence ca- 
 pable of great dilation. It is Hned by mucous mem- 
 brane which is so placed as to form a large number 
 of folds, these folds are most perceptible in the vir- 
 gin state or in those who have not borne children. 
 In women who have had many children they are in a 
 great degree obliterated. The lower or more exter- 
 nal part of the vagina is surrounded by erectile tissue, 
 the upper part is nearly free from it. Within the 
 vagina are a number of glands for the purpose of se- 
 creting mucus to lubricate the lining membrane. 
 
 The perineum which is the space between the low- 
 er juncture of the larger labia and the fundament is 
 sometimes classed with the organs of generation, but 
 it is only so in as much as the vagina runs on the in- 
 side of it, 
 
 I>'TER>AL FEMALE ORGANS OF G€>T:EATI0S'. 
 
 The uterus, or wrynih, is situated at the upper 
 part of the vagina, into which its mouth and neck 
 project, the vagina surrounds and is attached to the 
 body of the womb; the womb lies between the blad- 
 der and lower bowel, it is kept in its place by four 
 ligaments, two called broad, and two called round, It 
 is divided into four parts, viz : the fundus or upper and 
 broad part, the body, the neck and mouth. The neck as 
 already observed, projects into the upper part of the 
 vagina. The body tapers gradually from the fundus 
 to the neck. At the upper part of the body, where it 
 
OEQANS OF GENERATION, 21 
 
 joins the fundus are two angles into which the fallo- 
 pian tubes are inserted. The fundus is the broad and 
 upper. The size of the unimpregnated womb is about 
 three inches long and two broad at its upper part, 
 but only one below; it is composed of muscular 
 structure which admits of much distention or rapid 
 growth, so as to contain and allow the growth of the 
 fcetus; the internal cavity of the womb is also trian- 
 gular and divided into equal halves by two raised 
 lines which run along its back and front, at its up* 
 per corners or angles there are two small holes which 
 lead to the fallopian tubes. The cavity of the un- 
 impregnated womb is about three inches by half an 
 inch, the weight of a virgin's womb is not above an 
 ounce. 
 
 The fallopian tubes (so called from the discoverer 
 Fallopius) are attached to the angles of the womb 
 by a portion which is nervous and cord-like, the 
 other end of the fallopian tubes is broad and fringed, 
 and attached to the ovarium. This fringed portion 
 has also a fissure or opening into which the ovum is 
 received on its liberation from the ovarium, and 
 hence carried along the tube to the womb. They 
 have from the circumstance of carrying the ovum 
 been considered by some anatomists as the excretory 
 ducts or tubes of the ovaria, this tube is of very 
 small diameter where it enters the womb, so small 
 indeed that a bristle will hardly enter it. 
 
 The ovaria or egg -receptacles, (sometimes called fe- 
 male testes, and perhaps not inaptly) the seminal 
 
22 OEGANS OF GEN-EEATIOIT, 
 
 glands of women are two small oyal bodies, they are 
 compressed and somewhat irregular in their shape, 
 and rough on the surface, and are enclosed in the 
 folds of the broad ligaments of the uterus. They are 
 fixed to the angles of the womb by their fibrous 
 cords which descend from the lower edge. The ova- 
 rium is inclosed in a thin coyer, where an ova is di- 
 vided it appears a firm, but a vascular substance, in 
 which are a number of small vesicles, the ovula or 
 eggs of Graaf, and for this reason called ovula 
 Graafian a. 
 
 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 
 
 At the age of puberty, which is in this country 
 about from fifteen to eighteen years of age in the 
 male, and from thirteen to sixteen in the female — 
 great changes take place in the appearance, voice, 
 etc., as well as in the organs of generation them- 
 selves; before this time the external and distinctive 
 difference between the two sexes are not well marked 
 there is the same shrill tone of voice, the same deli- 
 cate, soft, and smooth skin, and the same lightness 
 of figure in each sex; but no sooner does the age of 
 puberty arrive, and the organs of procreation begin 
 to be developed, than we find the great changes taking 
 place; in the male, the voice becomes rougher, beard 
 and whiskers appear and hair appears on the genitals, 
 the chest and shoulders enlarge, the mind and body 
 are increased in vigor and endurance of fatigue, and 
 there is also more courage and resolution, the testicles 
 now secrete semen, and there is a desire for sexual 
 

 Jrfery. 
 of ard^ 
 
 Iforuiut'jlaftr 
 
 No. 6. The Testis in Situe. The Tunica Vaginalis having been laid open, 
 
ORGANS OF GEI^^EEATION. ^3 
 
 intercourse. In the female, the changes at puberty 
 are of equal importance; there is an increased round- 
 ness and fullness of all the limbs, the bones of the 
 pelvis are enlarged to form the hips, the breasts in- 
 crease in size, the sexual organs are more perfectly 
 developed, there is hair upon the pubis and mons 
 veneris, the monthly evacuation is established^ she 
 is conscious now of being a woman, and becomes 
 more reserved in her manners to, and yet more de- 
 sirous of attracting the attention of the other sex. 
 
 The general anatomy of the organs employed in 
 procreation has already been considered; it therefore 
 only remains to take notice of the use or physiology 
 of each particular part; and for this purpose I will 
 commence with the testicles. They, it will be remem- 
 bered, are contained within the scrotum; it is their 
 office to secrete from the extremities or terminate 
 branches of the arteries with which they are freely 
 supplied, a certain fluid, called semen, which is the 
 vivific agent of the male, this when secreted is car- 
 ried to the vesiculcB seminales by a duct or passage 
 called the vas deferens-, in these it is supposed by 
 many authors, though denied by John Hunter, to 
 remain until it is required for the purpose of impreg- 
 nation, and when this is the case it is projected into 
 the urethra through a passage called the ductus com- 
 munis, together with a secretion from the prostate 
 gland, and with it and other glandular secretions 
 thrown up from the urethra into the receiving organ 
 of the female. 
 
24 OKGANS OF GElfrERATIOlf. 
 
 The prostate gland secretes a white, opaque and 
 viscid fluid, which is discharged by ten or twelve 
 openings, into the urethra, and mingles in the bulb of 
 the urethra with the semen, and with it is ejected in 
 the act of coition; the only use of this fluid appears 
 to be that of diluting the semen, and, hence, causing 
 it to be spread over a larger surface. 
 
 The urethra^ which commences at the bladder, and 
 ends at the glans penis, is the passage through 
 which the urine flows, and which receives in its bulb, 
 the semen, etc., and, hence, conveys these mixed se- 
 cretions into the vagina. 
 
 Il^q penis is capable of considerable elongation and 
 rigidity, from the rush of blood into its cells when de- 
 sire is excited, and, from this cause, is well fitted for 
 the purpose of penetratijig to such a distance into the 
 female organs, as to prevent the loss of the semen, 
 and facilitate its conveyance to the ovum, which it is 
 destined to fecundate; the semen &c., is expelled 
 with considerable force by certain muscles of the 
 penis, called ejaculators; f^om the delicate texture of 
 the covering of the glans, and its being well sup- 
 plied with nerves, it is in a great measure the seat of 
 pleasure in the male during the act of coition. 
 
 The semen, is heavier than water, is of a peculiar 
 smell, like that of a bone when filed, astringent and 
 alkaline; it has in it a great number of animalculse, 
 which, however, cannot be seen without the aid of a 
 powerful microscope; the form and size of these liv- 
 ing beings differ in different animals. According to 
 
V 
 
 No. 7. Vertical Section of the Testicle, to show the arrangement of the Ducts. 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATIOK. ^6 
 
 some medical writers these minute animalcnlae are 
 present only in the semen of persons whose genera- 
 tive organs are unimpaired by self-abuse, and hence 
 considered by them the criterion of judging of the 
 capability of the male to impregnate the ovum of the 
 female. Dr. Wagner observes: ** The seminal gran- 
 ules are colorless bodies, with dark outlines, round 
 and somewhat flattened in shape, and measuring 
 from one three-hundredth to one five-hundredth of 
 a line in diameter, and in length scarcely surpassing 
 one-fiftieth of a line." 
 
 The limits and design of this work will not permit 
 the author to dwell longer on these curious animal- 
 culsB &c. , but should the reader wish for further in- 
 formation on this interesting subject, he may consult 
 the works of Dr. Wagner, of the University of Gott- 
 ingen, Prevost, Eostock, and A. Thompson (Cyclo- 
 poedia of Anatomy, &c.. Art. Generation, page 460) 
 in the present day, and also the older ones of Lieu- 
 wenhok, who first described them, and Nailer and 
 Spallanzani. 
 
 The organs of procreation in the female are more 
 complicated and elaborate than those of the male, the 
 latter having only to convey the semen to such a sit- 
 uation in the female that it may readily fecundate 
 the ovum; this act is soon accomplished; but the 
 female organs are not only destined to receive semen, 
 but they have a long series of processes to perform 
 which require a great length of time; they receive 
 and convey the seminal fluid to the ovum; the im- 
 
^6 OEGAKS OP GENEHATIOK. 
 
 pregnated ovum is to be carried into the womb; it is 
 to be there nourished and elaborated until it becomes 
 a perfect child, and finally the female organs bring 
 it forth at the period appointed by nature, a living, 
 sentient being. These processes require, as already 
 observed, a considerable period of time, and work 
 many wonderful changes in the female; we cannot, 
 therefore, be surprised, that organs destined for such 
 important functions, should be in some measure 
 complex. 
 
 When considering the Physiology of the man, I 
 commenced with the testes, I will therefore, in my 
 description of those of the female, commence with 
 the organ, which is by many considered analgous to 
 them, viz: the Ovaria, or Egg Vessels, 
 
 The Ovaria are two in number, one on each side; 
 they contain in each from fifteen to twenty Graafian 
 vesicles, [so called from the first describer, Graaf,] 
 or eggs; these vesicles which are furnished with an 
 outward covering called the OviscB, are filled with a 
 yellow viscid matter, something like "white of egg.'' 
 These vesicles are the germ of the future embryo; 
 the use then of the ovarium, is to contain the seed 
 of the future being, they are connected to the womb 
 by the fallopian tubes, whose mouths have the power 
 when under the influence of venereal excitement, at 
 particular times, of attaching themselves to the ova- 
 rium, and grasping it firmly; they receive from the 
 ovarium the little vesicle or egg, and convey it to the 
 womb by a worm-like motion. 
 
duct 
 
 No. 8. Base of the Bladder with the Vas Deferens and Vesiculae Seminales. 
 
OKGANS OF GENERATION. %7 
 
 The uterus, or Womb, which has been likened to 
 the nest of a bird, is for the purpose of receiving 
 the embryo, and nourishing it until it becomes a 
 perfect foetus or child; this it does by the means of 
 its blood vessels, which, however, do not go directly 
 to the child, but pass through, or rather form a sub- 
 stance, called the placenta, and from it the blood re- 
 quired to form the child is conveyed to. and from it, 
 by a series of vessels, called the umbilical cord, which 
 enters the child's body at the navel. The womb, too, 
 besides the mere nourishing the child, is endowed 
 with the power, at the proper period, of expelling it 
 by means of its muscular contraction, into the vagina, 
 and hence to the world. The womb also secretes the 
 peculiar fluid called the menses or catamenia, which 
 is discharged generally about every lunar month, but 
 in some females more frequently, in some less fre- 
 quently. This fluid which is like blood in appearance 
 does not, like blood, coagulate, and is to all intents 
 a secretion from the lining membrane of the womb; 
 it is from six to eight ounces in quantity and the 
 the discharge lasts three, four and six days; and 
 is evacuated drop by drop. Most physiologists sup- 
 pose this fluid to be for the purpose of preparing the 
 womb, and other parts, for conception; others sup. 
 pose it to be for the purpose of allaying sexual desire; 
 the former supposition is most likely correct, for 
 we find the menses cease when impregnation takes 
 place, and Mr. Abernethy asserts the latter is equal- 
 
28 OEGAKS 0^ QEifEfiATIOK, 
 
 ly true; this discharge is also absent when the process 
 of suckling is going on. 
 
 The Vagina, is the canal leading from the outer 
 or external parts, to the mouth of the womb, it is 
 for the purpose of receiving the male organ, its exter- 
 nal opening is surrounded by erectile tissues, which 
 is supposed to add to the pleasure of the female in 
 sexual intercourse; through this canal passes the 
 infant in its transit from the womb to the world, it 
 also conveys the menstrual secretion. 
 
 The Clitoris, capable of erection like the male penis, 
 is the organ of pleasure in woman during the act of 
 coition. 
 
 The LaMa minorcB or Nymplioe, which proceed 
 from the above, most likely add to the woman's pleas- 
 ure, and they also help to give a proper direction to 
 the stream of urine, as it flows from the urethra of 
 the female. 
 
 The Hymen, — To this membrane no particular use 
 is given, though by many persons it is considered the 
 padlock or safeguard of virginity; that such is not 
 always the fact, the author will prove in the course of 
 discussion. 
 
 The External or larger lips, do not play any par- 
 ticular part; they very likely add to the pleasure of 
 both male and female, and by their softness, thick- 
 ness, and being covered with hair, prevent injury to 
 the more tender parts below. 
 
 Tlieories of Generation. — So many have been the 
 theories of generation, that at the end of the seven- 
 teenth century, Drelincourt had collected from 
 
ORGAKS Oi* GENERATION. 29 
 
 previous authors, no less a number than two hundred 
 and sixty-two, which he pronounced *^ groundless 
 hypotheses" and Blumenbach, the celebrated Ger- 
 man physiologist, when commenting on Drelincourt, 
 says; '' there is nothing more certain than that his 
 own theory formed the two hundred sixty-^^i>t?.'Mt 
 would not be possible to examine all these, we must 
 content ourselves with a few of the more prominent. 
 Haller has divided these theories into classes, viz: the 
 Spermatists , who suppose the offspring to proceed 
 entirely from the male; tlnQ Ovists, who suppose it to 
 to proceed from the female, and the Syngenesis, who 
 consider it to be the product of both male and female. 
 Again, one class of Ovists suppose the germ of the 
 perfect animal to exist in the ovum, but invisible 
 until it is expanded, unfolded or evolved; this is the 
 theory of evolution. Another class supposed it to be 
 merely formed from dimorphous or shapeless materials 
 at the moment it makes its appearance in the ovum 
 or eggs; this is theory of Epigenesis. 
 
 The most modern doctrine is that of Epigenesis, 
 promulgated by Casper Wolff, in 1759. Harvey and 
 Malpighi ascribe the foetus principally to the female, 
 and Wolff describes a successive production of organs, 
 of the formation of which , previously, there was no 
 trace, and showed, also, that after parts are formed, 
 they experience many most important changes in shape 
 and structure, before they arrive at perfection ; this 
 theory of superf ormation of parts is considered to be 
 much more probable than that of evolution of pre- 
 existing germs, and is, in a great measure, borne out 
 
30 OSaAKS OF GEKERATIOK. 
 
 by the mieroscopic observations of Meckel, Baer, 
 Eatlike, Serres, Roland, Dutroche Prevost, Dumas, 
 and a host of other observers of the present day; but 
 of this, as of the former theory, evolution, I may ask 
 if it is true, what becomes of the mules? It is known 
 that the lion and tiger may prove prolific with each 
 other, as do the horse and the ass, and the hybrid 
 shows the marks and nature of both parents; it is not, 
 therefore, possible, in all cases, that the rudiments 
 are entirely supplied by the female. 
 
 Of the manner of Impregnation, — Much difference 
 of opinion is expressed as to when and where the ovn- 
 lum is impregnated; nine times out often, the semen, 
 there is little doubt, is received by the womb; and 
 hence carried by the Fallopian tubes to the ovarium 
 itself. Ruysch says he' 'examined the body of a woman 
 struck dead by a dagger in the act of adultery, and 
 found the semen m the Fallopian tubes," and, when 
 there,it comes in contact with the ovulum, which is in 
 proper state for fecundation; the vesicle, or ovulum, 
 then bursts; and the ovum, which it now is called, is 
 carried into the womb, as already described, leaving 
 a mark behind, [which is called a corpus luteum] and 
 becomes the embryo. Such is the ordinary manner in 
 which conception is achieved, but there are many 
 exceptions to the rule; it may, and has happened, 
 that conception has taken place when it was impossi- 
 ble for the male organ to penetrate the vagina of the 
 female, it seems, therefore, likely that the lining mem- 
 brane of the vagina, or even of the labia, may in 
 some cases, be capable of absorbing a portion of se- 
 
OBGANS OF GENERATION, 31 
 
 men, sufficient to cause impregnation, or that even 
 the aura of it may be sufficient to do so. 
 
 In the generality of women who have had connec- 
 tion, the hymen is broken; the large labia more or 
 less separated and flaccid; the color of the lining mem- 
 brane is paler than in the virgin state; the entrance 
 of the vagina more parted, and its rugaB (folds) in a 
 measure destroyed, and the bridle or fourchet, es- 
 pecially if they have borne children, is wanting. 
 Though the former is the general appearance in the 
 virgin, and the latter in those who have had sexual 
 intercourse, yet it does not follow, from the absence 
 of the hymen, or flaccidity of the labia ,&c., that a 
 woman is unchaste; accident or disease, may, and 
 often does, destroy the hymen, and some have it ab- 
 sorbed in infancy; flaccidity of the lips, and non- 
 rigidity of the vagina are not unf requently produced 
 by disease. 
 
 A woman may, on the other hand, have the hymen 
 perfect, or a very small and contracted vagina, and 
 yet have had frequent sexual intercourse. A case is 
 related by Parent du Chatelet, (see his work on Pros- 
 titution in Paris,) of two young women summoning 
 a person before the magistrates for calling them pros- 
 titutes, and demanding a medical examination to 
 disprove the point; the medical man gave it in their 
 favor, and yet on further inquiry, they were found 
 to have been on the town for a considerable period. A 
 Professor of Anatomy relates an instance of the body 
 of a woman, upwards of fifty years of age, being 
 brought into the dissecting-room of the London Uni- 
 
32 ORGANS OF GENERATION. 
 
 versity. in which, the hymen was perfect, yet this 
 woman had been on the town since the age of fifteen. 
 If any of my readers marry and do not find the 
 hymen, let them not be uneasy, if their wife is of 
 good moral feelings and of honest parentage; its ab- 
 sence is no sign of lost chastity. 
 
 THE EFFECTS OF MAKRIAGE UPON HEALTH AND DISEASE. ' 
 
 Marriage being the natural state of adult age, 
 there can be no question that it is in many cases, the 
 means of preserving health and prolonging life. 
 Huf eland, the celebrated German says, '^ There is 
 not one instance of a bachelor having attained to 
 great age. This observation seems as applicable to 
 the female as the male sex; and hence it would ap- 
 pear that a certain exercise of the power of genera- 
 tion is favorable to longevity; it forms an addition to 
 the vital power, and this power of procreating others 
 seems to le in the most intimate proportion to that of 
 regeneration and restoring one^s self — but a certain 
 regularity and moderation are requisite in the em- 
 ployment of it; and marriage is the only means by 
 which these can be preserved. Marriage, he goes on 
 to say in another chapter, moderates and regulates 
 enjoyment. ^ That sameness which deters the liber- 
 tine from marriage, is highly healthful and necessary, 
 for it prevents that irritation occasioned by continual 
 change of objects, and which is, therefore more 
 weakening. It is like plain simple food, compared 
 with that which is compounded and luxurious; the 
 former not only promotes moderation, but also long- 
 
0EGA3S"S OF GENERATION". 33 
 
 evity." Daily observation shows us more old people* 
 in proportion of course, who have been married than 
 those who have remained single. Marriage also has, 
 if we may believe a late writer, much power in pre- 
 venting the worst of crimes, self-murder. Forbes 
 Winslow, in his Anatomy of Suicide, says, ''it has 
 been satisfactorily ascertained that two-thirds of 
 those who destroy themselves are unmarried," — does 
 not this prove that marriage tends greatly to the 
 prevention of mental disease, for I am charitable 
 enough to suppose that no man would dare, uncalled 
 for, to rush into the presence of his Maker, were it 
 not in a state, however temporary, of insanity? Mar- 
 riage then has considerable effect in preserving mind 
 and body in a state of health; it remains now to 
 show its effects upon disease. 
 
 The effects of marriage, or to consider it merely in 
 the light of sexual connection, on disease are more 
 clearly shown in reference to the gentle sex, than to 
 man — for man, to his shame be it said, is generally 
 more or less a libertine; but woman, whom the cus- 
 toms and well being of society trammel in this par- 
 ticular, suffers much from what may be called the 
 want of fulfilling her destiny on earth, viz: the bear- 
 ing and nourishing of children. I shall not enter 
 into a particular detail of the disease in which mat- 
 rimony is of service, but content myself with a gene- 
 ral consideration of the subject. The peculiar de- 
 rangement of the general health, in which there is 
 much languor, loss of appetite, wasting of the body, 
 greenish color of the skin, and many other appear- 
 
34 OEGANS OF GENEBATION. 
 
 ances which lead bystanders to fear consumption, is 
 often cured by marriage, as is most of the forms of 
 nervous and hysteric diseases; how often do we see 
 the pale, fragile, sickly girl, who appears to have no 
 life in her, shoot into the fine healthy woman, soon 
 after marriage? Again, do we not often see the beau- 
 tiful young woman, after she passes a certain age, 
 gradually sink in form, shape and feature, the 
 breasts becoming flat, the limbs less rounded, and 
 the features sharp and prominent, losing as it were 
 the characteristics of her sex, and becoming before 
 the proper time an old woman, or in other words an 
 old maid, and why is this? because that part of her 
 system which should have been employed upon the 
 formation of new beings, has been idle, or rather 
 been allowed to prey upon her very vitals. Marriage, 
 pregnancy, and the nursing of children, are the 
 proper offices of woman, and when these functions 
 are not performed, disease, premature old age, acid- 
 ity of temper, and comparatively a short life, may be 
 looked for; there are many exceptions it is true, but 
 exceptions only prove a general rule. To man. also, 
 the exercise of the generative functions is as impor- 
 tant as to woman, and marriage is the proper sphere 
 for such exercise; any other leads to its abuse, which 
 is fraught with evils greater than absolute conti- 
 nence, which will be described in another part of 
 this work. 
 
 CAUSES WHICH INFLUENCE FECUNDITY AND INFECUNDITY. 
 
 In this paragraph I shall glance at the general 
 causes of fecundity and its reverse; they are aliment, 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 35 
 
 occupation and climate. The want of sufficient food, 
 there is no question, is often a cause of infecundity; 
 so much so, that famine has been known to decrease 
 the number of births by nearly one-half; M. Yillerme 
 states that in the year 1817, one of great scarcity in 
 the east of France, the births diminished one-half of 
 ordinary number; on the other hand, too much food, 
 or of too stimulating a description, is not favorable 
 to fecundity, as may be verified by observing the 
 smaller number of children the wealthy have than 
 the poor. Sedentary occupations, by producing de- 
 rangement of the general health, are likely to de- 
 crease fecundity. Climate and season seem to exert 
 considerable power; I find the greater bulk of pro- 
 geny to be in cold or temperate climates. The in- 
 habitants of Russia, Iceland, &c,, are prolific,. while 
 the inhabitants of Spain, Peru, Turkey, &c,, have 
 but few children; some warm climates, however, ap- 
 pear to be favorable to fecundity, as Africa and 
 Egypt; many women who went to the latter place 
 with the French army bore children there, though 
 they were sterile in France. The fecundity of the 
 women of Egvpt has been attributed to the use of 
 the waters of the Nile, and so far has this been be- 
 lieved, that the bottled water of that river has been 
 into Europe, and eagerly bought by the childless, in 
 hope that it would have the effect of removing their 
 sterility; the equality of the temperature of Egypt, 
 however, solves the problem of the superior fecundity 
 of the women, without attributing supernatural pow- 
 ers to the waters of the Nile. The same things which 
 
36 ORGANS OF GENEEATION. 
 
 cause marsh miasm, viz., heat, moisture, and decay- 
 ing vegetable matter, is a considerable enemy to fe- 
 cundity. Season, it appears, exerts some influence; 
 M. Villerme says that the six months of the year in 
 which there most births, occur in the following or- 
 der: February, March, January, April, November, 
 and September; these refer the conceptions to May, 
 June, April, July, February and March. Blundell 
 also says, 'though it may be denied that the human 
 female has periodical aptitude (for impregnation) I 
 think there is something genial in the spring season, 
 and we all know that of vernal months. May, per- 
 haps, is the one which may put in the fairest claim 
 to be the emblem of the blooming virgin." 
 
 Food, occupation and climate, though they have 
 an effect on the number of children, or in other 
 words, on the fecundity of women, do not render 
 them steiile, or the male impotent, nor do they act 
 so strongly, as do the particular causes to be pointed 
 out in the next chajDter. 
 
 Good and sufficient food, active occupation, with- 
 out over-fatigue, a temperate or cool climate, are fa- 
 vorable to the national increase of population. Fam- 
 ine, sedentary habits; hot or very variable climate, 
 are unfavorable to the increase of mankind, and not 
 so much from any increase in the number of deaths, 
 but in the want of an adequate number of births. It 
 has been stated that the habit of using intoxicating 
 liquors to excess, is a cause of failure in the genera- 
 tive functions, as well as being a likely means of pro- 
 ducing offspring of a lower order of intellect and of 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION, 37 
 
 but slight physical strength. Combe relates a case, 
 taken from the Phrenological Journal, of a woman 
 who was intoxicated, being impregnated by a drunk- 
 en man, the result of this connection was an idiot; 
 and he attributes the want of intellect in the child- 
 ren, in many cases, to the intoxication of the parents. 
 Burton, in his Anatomy of Melancholy, remarks: ^*If 
 a drunken man gets a child, it will never likely have 
 a good brain." I think I have myself known one or 
 two instances where an addiction fco the use of spirit- 
 uous liquors to excess on the part of the woman, hag 
 prevented the conception of children, I say, I think 
 this was the reason of their sterility, because, pre- 
 vious to their intemperate habits they were fecund^ 
 and afterwards unfruitful. 
 
 PUBERTY AMD ITS DISEASES, 
 
 There are a number of causes which inflneuce the 
 chances of fecundity, or otherwise, which are pres- 
 ent before marriage, and which should be taken into 
 consideration before either sex should enter into that 
 estate. Though not the most important, I will first 
 take into consideration, the proper age for marriage, 
 with the evils which arise from too early marriages, 
 and also too late ones. The proper age for marriage 
 varies in different countries; as in warm climates, 
 adult age is soon arrived at, and consequently, decay 
 is sooner expected than in cold ones. In our own 
 country, according to the law, the proper age for 
 marriage is twenty-one in the male, and about 
 eighteen in the female; but it is generally believed 
 
38 ORGANS or GENERATION. 
 
 by medical men to be too young, if the persons 
 about to marry are desirous of having healthy child- 
 ren, and of preserving themselves in good health, to 
 old age, and this because at those ages they have not 
 arrived at their full growth and vigor; therefore, the 
 procreation of children on the part of the male, and 
 the bearing them on the part of the female, is very 
 likely to stop the further development of their pow- 
 ers, and to undermine their constitutions in such 
 manner that old age cannot be looked for except pre- 
 maturely. There can be no doubt that the best age 
 for marriage in man is from twenty-five to thirty:* 
 and in woman from twenty.one to twenty-five. Each 
 sex at these ages are in full possession of all their 
 faculties, bodily and mental, and are in the best sit- 
 uations for having healthy children without injury to 
 themselves. Thousands of both sexes have been 
 brought prematurely to the grave from permitting 
 themselves to become boy-fathers and girl-mothers. 
 But be it recollected that when marriage at an early 
 age is spoken of as injurious to the constitution, pro- 
 miscuous or illicit intercourse is very much worse. 
 When I speak of a man not marrying until twenty- 
 five, I mean that until that time he should really 
 live in a state of celibacy. Very late marriages are 
 perhaps, more conducive to health than premature 
 ones, for old men procreate much more healthy 
 children than very young ones; but it is also attend- 
 ed with disadvantages; it is not likely if the parent 
 is far advanced in years, that he will see his offspring 
 grow to maturity. It has sometimes happened that 
 
ORGAJsTS OF GEKERATlOi^. 39 
 
 the excitement and disturbance to the nervous sys- 
 tem on the wedding night, has been so great in the 
 male, that death has taken place in the act of copu- 
 lation. 
 
 Females should not marry late in life, without 
 they are past the age of child-bearing; for, from dis- 
 use, the parts concerned in parturition have become 
 rigid and unfit for the transit of the foetus, and it 
 has happened that women who have married at forty, 
 have either lost their lives or suffered most dreadfully 
 in giving birth to their infant, which in most cases 
 is still-born. Women generally do not have children 
 after the age of forty- five, but many continue to bear 
 children long after that period, and it is nearly as 
 difficult to fix a time when a woman could not possi- 
 bly have a child, as to say when a man could not get 
 one. 
 
 The proper subjects for marriage are those who 
 have arrived at full adult age, are of sound constitu- 
 tion, not affected with hereditary disease, as scrofu- 
 la, madness, consumption, gout, &c., who have led a 
 temperate life, have not been guilty of a certain de- 
 grading and secret vice, too prevalent it is to be 
 feared in the present day, and, above all who are not 
 tainted by the venereal poison, and who in other re- 
 spects enjoy sound health. It would be well for fu- 
 ture generations, if none were permitted' to marry 
 but those of good constitutions, not only in them- 
 selves but by descent; thus a healthy vigorous gener- 
 ation would be secured, and disease almost banished 
 from the world in the course of a few years. 
 
40 OBGANS OF GENERATION. 
 
 In choosing a partner for life, some attention 
 should be paid to the size of the partners as regards 
 stature, bulk, &c., as well as other things. It is 
 evident, if a very tall and stout man may marry a 
 small and delicate woman, the chance is the children 
 are also large, so much so it may be that she cannot 
 be delivered without the aid of instruments, and 
 perhaps not even then without the loss of life; do we 
 not often see this happen to the female dog, who has 
 had connection with one of her species much larger 
 than herself? And that which happens to the lower 
 class of animals, is much more likely to occur in the 
 highest form, from the peculiar formation of the 
 pelvis in the latter. There may be great dispropor- 
 tion too in the sexual organs, this, of course, cannot 
 be discovered before marriage, therefore, cannot be 
 guarded against. This disproportion is sometimes 
 so very considerable, that instead of a woman receiv- 
 ing pleasure she suffers positive agony from the em- 
 braces of her husband, and dreads his approach as 
 the worst of tortures; in this case all that the hus- 
 band can do is to have patience, and by kindnesstind 
 caresses endeavor to remove that sensation of fear 
 which most effectually increases the rigidity, and 
 prevents the dilation of the parts; let him be gentle 
 and refrain from frequent connection; let him bear 
 in mind that should his wife have a child, this defect 
 in all probability, would be removed, and his love be 
 more easily gratified. 
 
 Marriage between persons of very different ages 
 should not be allowed, because they lead to vice and 
 
ORGANS OF GE]!^^ERATION^. 41 
 
 unhappiness, as well as the propagation of unhealthy, 
 puny offspring, should there be any. The young man 
 who marries an old woman, from inclination, is a 
 fool; from interest, a knave; in either case he will 
 soon cease to regard her who cannot answer his 
 amorous advances, and seek other and younger fe- 
 males, and thus seduction and vice, with all their 
 long chain of dire evils, are engendered. She, who, 
 from any motive, consents to wed a man old enough 
 to be her grandfather, cannot hope to be designated 
 any better than a church licensed prostitute; for has 
 she not sold her youth, her charms, her very soul, 
 for rank, fashion, money, and along with these, the 
 best and fondest hopes of woman, that of being a 
 mother; which hope she either resigns, or gratifies it, 
 by becoming something even worse than the poor, 
 painted unfortunate — an adultress! Believe me, the 
 gilded saloon, the obsequious lackeys, and the 
 painted chariot of wealth, are but poor recompenses 
 for the absence of the hope of being a happy wife and 
 a virtuous mother. 
 
 There are certain other causes which should be a 
 complete bar to matrimonial union; the first of these 
 is the marriage of near relations by blood, as a too 
 close consanguinity between the persons is sure to 
 deteriorate the race, and be productive of feeble chil- 
 dren; examples of this is found among the old nobil- 
 ity of Spain, where the practice of marriage with 
 blood relations is much followed, we find that, from 
 being one of the finest and most profilic nations in 
 the world, they have now sunk to a feeble bodied and 
 
42 ORGAKS OF GENERATION^. 
 
 imbeoile race. The same thing,' from this system of 
 breeding in-and-in, is seen in a marked manner 
 amongst the Jews, who, it is well-known, do not 
 marry out of their own sect, and thus they transmit 
 along with the Jewish face, many hereditary diseases 
 as gout, scrofula, consumption, madness, epilepsy. 
 &c., &c. ; these would be, in a great measure, coun- 
 teracted, by marrying into other races, because the 
 good constitution of the man, in one case, would ob- 
 yiate, materially, the eyil, or weakness, in the con- 
 stitution of the woman, although it would not 
 entirely do away with it, and thus a more healthy off- 
 spring would be the result; while, of course, by the 
 system of close marriages, every evil in the parent is 
 continued in the children, and not only bodily defects, 
 but also mental weakness. 
 
 When it is known that either party, or their near 
 relatives, are afflicted with hereditary disease, such 
 as the above named, it should be a bar to the nuptial 
 contract, for either their children will be afflicted in 
 the same manner, or, as is sometimes the case, the 
 disease may step over the generation and fix itself on 
 the succeeding one; thus we often find the children 
 of a gouty person free from disease, but their children 
 afflicted with it. The same may be said of the other 
 bodily diseases, and also of those denominated men- 
 tal. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to warn against marriage 
 with a person known to be afflicted with venereal 
 taint; the abhorrence felt for such an one will be the 
 best safe safeguard against an union, but the w-erning 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 43 
 
 must be given to the one who may have this dire di- 
 sease lurking in the system; any one who suspects 
 that such may be the case, should pause long before 
 contracting so solemn an engagement as that of mar- 
 riage, and should undergo a proper course of medicine 
 under the advice of a competent medical man, before 
 doing so, or disease may be communicated, not only 
 to the partner chosen for life, but feeble, sickly, dis- 
 eased, or still-born children, may be the consequence 
 of perhaps a cause barely suspected to exist. The 
 late far-famed Mr. Abernethy relates a case where 
 still-born child was born after still-born child, and 
 yet neither parent exhibited traces of the venereal 
 disease; the husband, however, confessed he had had 
 secondary symptoms of this malady not long before 
 marriage; on this admission, Mr. A. caused both to 
 take a proper course of alterative medicines, after- 
 wards the lady bore to her husband several healthy 
 children. It should also be borne in mind that what 
 are called secondary symptoms of venereal disease, 
 may make their appearance long after the primary 
 sore has healed, and that these secondary symptoms, 
 without giving rise to any primary ones, maybe com- 
 municated to another person; the late Sir Astley 
 Cooper relates a striking case of the above nature in 
 his lectures. 
 
 By many, drunkenness is looked upon as hereditary; 
 this is not, however, always the case, many fathers 
 have sober sons and vice versa, but still, when the 
 parents are dissipated, it is very frequently trans- 
 mitted to the children, like any other peculiarity of 
 
44 ORGANS OF GEiq-ERATION, 
 
 dissipation or habit; it would be well, then, for 
 either man or woman, to pause before he or she forms 
 an alliance with one who came of a notoriously 
 drunken stock, for no evil is much greater in life, 
 than that of having a husband or wife prone to ine- 
 briety, in short an habitual drunkard; from this cause 
 alone would spring enough misery to cause life to be 
 a curse, and death in any form a blessing. The 
 awful disease, mania, in any of its forms, should be 
 an insuperable objection to marriage with any mem- 
 ber of a family so afflicted, for there is no cause to 
 doubt the hereditary nature of this malady; there are 
 whole families, the members of which, from gene- 
 ration to generation, it is well-known are more or 
 less afflicted, at some time of their lives, with mad- 
 ness, and some of these families are noble and their 
 branches, it is much to be regretted, have been trans- 
 ferred to other noble and wealthy families, and have 
 not failed to propagate their infirmity. 
 
 Peculiarities of formation of temper, disposition, 
 and even modes of thought are transmitted from pa- 
 rent to children; thus some families are found, the 
 members of which have a supernumerary finger or a 
 want of one of those members, or they may have a 
 redundancy or a deficiency of some other part; tem- 
 per is often transmitted and also peculiar habits, and 
 this, even, when the children have never known 
 their parent, whose peculiarities they inherit. There 
 is no question but that a great improvement, both 
 mentally and bodily, would accrue to the offspring, 
 from attention to proper objects of marriage, if none 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 45 
 
 but the perfect were to marry; but, if this were the 
 case, the indifferent specimens of poor humanity 
 would be condemned to hopeless celibacy; this can- 
 not be the case, and man can never hope to improve 
 the breed of his species to the same extent as he does 
 the breed of cattle, or horses, or even the cultivation 
 of flowers; in the two former instances none but the 
 best specimens are chosen for breeding, and by cross- 
 ing one breed with another any defect in one of the 
 parents is counteracted in the offspring by the other 
 parent having the defective organ, or part, in a state 
 of perfection. But man cannot always discover in his 
 charmer the evils of formation that should deter a 
 union, but he can avoid the more glaring defects of 
 formation, disease, and temper, and this it is his 
 duty to do, for the sake of those who are to be the 
 fruit of his marriage, as well as for his own happiness: 
 and there can be no doubt that by proper attention 
 being paid to natural formation and health, even as 
 far as we can ascertain it, any race of men would be 
 greatly improved, both physically and intellectually. 
 
 Those who are conscious of physical malformation 
 of the generative organs; or parts which contain them 
 in the female, viz., the pelvis, are not fit objects for 
 marriage, and should not enter into wedlock until 
 such defects are removed, if they admit of remedy by 
 surgical aid; if they do not, they should not marry 
 at all. 
 
 The principal malformations in the female sex are 
 those of the pelvis and vagina; the pelvis may be so 
 small or distorted from disease of the bones during 
 
46 OEGAIfS OF GENERATION. 
 
 infancy or in after life, that a living child could not 
 pass through it, and the mother's life would most 
 likely be lost during or soon after the necessary op- 
 eration of delivery had been performed. 
 
 Another defect is either the entire absence of the 
 outlet from, or imperforation of the vagina; the for- 
 mer is obvious to the touch, the latter is generally 
 known by the monthly discharge not coming away= 
 and causing a great uneasiness; the latter is always 
 to be remedied by surgical aid, the former sometimes 
 by an operation. 
 
 In the male sex the malformation which presents 
 an absolute bar to marriage, is the total absence of 
 the penis, though the opposite extreme or very large 
 size of that organ (occasioning great injury to the 
 woman) should almost be considered an obstacle. 
 
 The absence of the testicles from the scrotum, is 
 no bar to marriage; they are still lodged where they 
 were before birth: and not in reality absent; and a 
 man so situated is quite as capable, some say more 
 so, of begetting children as another. 
 
 As one of the great objects of marriage is a contin- 
 uation of the species, any known cause of impotency 
 on the part of the male, or sterility in the woman, 
 should forbid the nuptial rite; as it is well known 
 that few unions, to which no children have been born 
 are felicitous; and nothing is more likely to cause in- 
 fidelity than a want of offspring, and hence perpetual 
 misery. 
 
 Impotency is the incapability on the part of either 
 man or woman of partaking in the nuptial embrace. 
 
ORGANS OF GEJS'ERATION. 47 
 
 In the woman it can only arise from malformation oi 
 the organs of generation; in man it may arise from 
 malformation, or from various bodily or menta? 
 causes, which will, in other parts of this work, be de» 
 scribed. Sterility is the incapability of reproduction, 
 though the organs of procreation may, ap to a certain 
 point, be capable of performing their functions; thus 
 a woman may be sterile and not impotent, or impo- 
 tent from imperforation of the vagina, but not sterile 
 if that was removed. Man who,from excess in women. 
 Onanism, diseased testicles, &c.,'is incapable of pro- 
 creating, though he has all the organs requisite^ is 
 sterile; of course if he is impotent, he must of ne- 
 cessity be als'o sterile. 
 
 Impotence in the male has been ascribed to various 
 causes, the principal ones, however, are malformation, 
 as the misplacement of the opening of the urethra, 
 the natural absence of the penis, or its removal by 
 operation, the removal of both the testes for a dis- 
 eased state of them, excess in venereal pleasure. 
 Onanism, general debility of the body, paralysis of 
 the muscles of the penis, cold temperament, render- 
 ing the man insensible to venereal desire and mental 
 causes. 
 
 The first named cause, misplacement of the open- 
 ing of the urethra, operates by not permitting the 
 semen to be sufficiently ejaculated into the vagina to 
 produce impregnation, but without the misplacement 
 is very great, that is, without the opening is very 
 near the root of the penis, or in the perinasum, it 
 will hardly do so, as it is sufficient in many cases, 
 
48 ORGA^srS OF GE^STERATION. 
 
 there being an aptitude on the part of the female to 
 become pregnant, that the semen should be merely de- 
 posited on the labia for the purpose of producing im- 
 pregnation, here it supposed to get mixed with the 
 female secretions, and with them become absorbed; 
 this then, without the deformity is yery great, will 
 hardly cause impotency if a little care is taken by the 
 ^ male; let it always be understdood that the semen is 
 of so subtile a nature that the smallest quantity, even 
 if diluted, is sufficient to fecundate a woman who is 
 in an apt state to become pregnant. It has been ad- 
 vised by some medical men that when, from the 
 above cause a man is sterile, the semen should be 
 collected and injected into the vagina immediately 
 after the act of copulation; it is said it has been done 
 with success; of this I have no experience and should 
 not recommend so inconsistent an experiment without 
 the necessity for having children be more urgent 
 than usual. This malformation in some instances, 
 especially if not congenital, can be removed by art. 
 
 The next cause, want of penis, is a complete bar to 
 sexual intercourse, though the want of this organ 
 does not prove a man is incapable of procreating, if 
 he had the proper virile organ for conveying the se- 
 men; on the other hand, men so unfortunately sit- 
 uate i, are tormented much by the desire for sexual 
 commerce. If, however, there is the possble rudiment 
 of the organ left, in all probability, the man is capable 
 of begetting children, though not affording much or 
 any pleasure to the female with whom he has inter- 
 course. Such a man should not marry; should he do 
 
OEQAIfS OF GENERATION. 49 
 
 SO, without his wife is a woman of uncommon virtue, 
 high morality and cool temperament, he may rest 
 assured she will not prove faithful. 
 
 The absence of the testicles from the scrotum 
 proves nothing but that, in all probability, they are 
 retained in the abdomen; a man thus formed, is as 
 capable of procreating as one who is natural in this 
 respect; woman, I have heard, have made mistakes 
 on this head, and have cause to rue their easy faith, 
 and their smattering of learning, which lead to the 
 belief of the absence of danger. Truly, in this case 
 Pope is right, — ^*a little learning is a dangerous thing." 
 
 If the testicles have been removed on account of 
 disease, the procreative power is lost, though some- 
 times the inclination for sexual intercourse remains^ 
 and the penis is capable of more or less erection, and 
 even of ejaculation, but the emission in this case, 
 consists of the prostatic fluid and mucus. It is said 
 that the female inhabitants of eastern harems not un- 
 frequently have recourse to their guardian eunuchs 
 to gratify their lust, without danger of becoming 
 pregnant. The testicles may be removed by operation 
 and yet the man be capable of procreating once, by 
 means of the semen which has been secreted, and 
 lodged in the vesiculae seminales before the opera- 
 tion, afterwards he is barren; several cases of this de- 
 scription are related on undoubted authority, one by 
 Sir A. Cooper. One testicle is sufficient for the pur- 
 pose of generation; nature in this has been bountiful 
 as in all the other organs of sense, which arc double, 
 not that we could see equally well with one eye ai 
 
 / 
 
50 ORGAifS OF GEifERATION, 
 
 with two, but because being provident of us, our 
 wise and kind Creator lias bestowed two, lest accident 
 should deprive us of sight; to which deprivation we 
 should be much more liable if the organ had been 
 single. 
 
 Excess in venereal pleasures, especially if practiced 
 early in life, and Onanism or masturbation, are very 
 often the ause of cmen not being capable of procreat- 
 ing; both of them tend to form what is c-alled seminal 
 weakness, that is, there will be occasionally through- 
 out the day, almostwithout any erection of the penis;^ 
 a fluid ejaculated, which does not, however, possess 
 a fecundating power, but which weakens so much 
 that it reduces youth, as far as the generative func- 
 tion is concerned, to the state of old age. 
 
 The solitary vice. Onanism, [the sin of Onan], 
 masturbation, self -pollution, call it what you will, is 
 detrimental, not only to the individuals who practice 
 it, but to future human beings, which will be treated 
 of at length, in the after part of this work. 
 
 This vice is often acquired at a very early age by 
 children of both sexes, who are committed to the care 
 of nurse-maids; these ignorant persons, not unfre- 
 quently, when they find a child will not sleep, have 
 recourse to playing with their genital organs, for the 
 purpose of soothing them to sleep; this prematurely 
 excites these parts, and instances are known of child- 
 ren, from the age of seven to ten, who, already, 
 eagerly practiced this horrid vice; no child should be 
 allowed to sleep with a nurse-maid, without a 
 thorough knowledge of her character has been pre- 
 
ORGANS OF GEN^ERATIOU-. 51 
 
 viously obtained, and if possible, children should 
 have sepaiate beds. 
 
 Boarding-schools, male and female, are often the 
 the hot-beds of self -pollution; the boys in them sleep 
 two in each bed, and the younger ones soon learn 
 from the older ones this dreadful practice; ushers of 
 schools have been accused of teaching such things, 
 but I trust for the honor of human nature, that this 
 is false. The girls are no better off, but a greater 
 degree of secrecy being observed by females, than 
 males, the truth is not easily arrived at, and to hint 
 to the head of an '^'^Establishment for Young Ladies," 
 that the pale looks and ill health of her pupils, in all 
 probability, proceeded from this vice, conjoined with 
 too little exercise, and tight lacing, would be to pro- 
 cure an immediate intimatiion that the meddling 
 medical man's services were no longer needed, and, 
 however honorable, and upright, the medical man 
 may be, he is generally to poor to take such a course> 
 especially when he knows that his self-sacrifice would 
 not prevent one of these girls from continuing the 
 baleful round denominated female education. When, 
 however, their pale looks and ill health is continully 
 accompanied by excessive nervousness or trembling 
 indigestion,and permanent costiveness, a dejected car- 
 riage, loss of Spirits and hysteria, unusual sallowness 
 of the complexion, every effort upon the part of the 
 governess ought to be made to satisfy herself on this 
 point; indeed, whenever these appearances are present 
 in young women, without any evident hygienic cause, 
 the prevalence of this vice may be suspected, and 
 
6/J ORGAKS OF GEIS-ERATION". 
 
 should insure the attention of their friends — for the 
 frightful ravages that this solitary vice makes in the 
 constitution can only be appreciated by those who 
 have seen its effects — as have most medical men. 
 
 It should be a rule at home, and at school, that 
 children should not go to bed until they are tired by 
 real exercise in the open air, and are so weary from 
 healthful exertion, that the moment they place their 
 heads on the pillow, they will fall asleep. 
 
 Excess of venereal enjoyment, even when practiced 
 in the manner which Nature points out, causes many 
 of the above evils; though not to so great an extent 
 as does masturbation, both of the practices having 
 considerable effect on the power of the mind. Hufe- 
 land, the well-known German author, remarks, "the 
 more we stimulate the generative powers, and waste 
 its juices, the more does the soul lose its faculty of 
 thought, its energy, its acuteness, and its memory, 
 Nothing in this world, can so much, and so irretriev- 
 ably, ruin the brightest mental powers," — that moral 
 galaxy of the first magnitude, — *'as excesses of thi^ 
 kind." 
 
 The author makes, in the next sentence, some re- 
 marks so applicable to the proper age for intercourse 
 and the guarded manner in which it should be in- 
 dulged, that I shall not apologize for quoting them. 
 "It may be asked," hesays, "what is meant by excess 
 in physical love? My answer is, when either sex in- 
 dulges that passion too early, before the body is com- 
 pletely formed; females before the age of eighteen, 
 and males before that of twenty-one; when this en- 
 
OBGANS OF GEKTERATIOlf. 53 
 
 joymentis too often and too violently repeated, which 
 may be known from the following consequences; las- 
 situde, dejection, and loss of appetite; when one, by 
 frequent change of object and circumstances, or by 
 artificial stimulus of spiceries, heating liquors and the 
 like, excites new desires in the relaxed powers, or 
 makes that exertion during the time of digestion, 
 and to include the whole in a few words, when one 
 enjoys physical love without marriage; for it is un- 
 der the matrimonial tie, which excludes the stimulus 
 of variety, and directs the physical propensity to a 
 higher moral object, that this passion can be physic- 
 ally refined, that is to say, be rendered salutary and 
 useful." 
 
 Everything that has here been said is applicable 
 in an eminent degree, to Onanism also, for that 
 forced and unnatural vice increases, in an extraordi- 
 nary manner, the straining of the organs, and the 
 weakening connected with it. Onanism in either sex 
 does infinitely more mischief than natural enjoyment. 
 Horrid is the impression stamped by Nature on such 
 an offender. He is like a faded rose — a tree blasted 
 in its bloom — a wandering skeleton. All his fire and 
 spirit are deadened by this detestable vice; and noth- 
 ing remains but debility, languor, livid paleness, a 
 withered body and a degraded soul. The eyes lose 
 their lustre and strength, the pupils seem sunk, the 
 features seem distorted and lengthened, the rosy 
 complexion of youth vanishes, and the visage appears 
 of a pale leaden color. 
 
 The whole body becomes affected, and sensible of 
 the slightest impression; the muscular power is lott, 
 
54 ORGAXS OF GENERATION. 
 
 sleep brings with it no refreshment, erery movement 
 is attended with torture; the legs can no longer sup- 
 port the body, the hands tremble, aching pains arise 
 in all the limbs, the faculty of thought is deranged, 
 and cheerfulness is vanished. The unhappy sufferer 
 speaks little, and as if it were only by force, and all 
 his former liyliness of mind is depressed. A youth 
 endowed by Nature with genius and talents, becomes 
 dull or totally stupid ; the mind loses all its taste for 
 virtuous and exalted ideas, and the imagination is al- 
 together corrupted. The slightest circumstances de- 
 tailed respecting female, is capable of exciting in 
 him, desire, shame, horror, and repentance, and de- 
 spair of his evils being cured renders his misery 
 complete. 
 
 The whole life of such a man is a continued sue. 
 cession of secret regrets, painful sensations, arising 
 from the consciousness of having brought upon him- 
 self internal weakness, irresolution, disgust of life; 
 and it need excite no surprise that such a wretch 
 should at length become a self-murderer, for no man 
 is so exposed to suicide as the Onanist. The powers of 
 digestion are destroyed, the patient is tormented with 
 flatulencies and cramp in the stomach; the blood is 
 corrupted, the breast is choked up with phlegm, and 
 eruptions of the whole frame; epilepsy, asthma, slow 
 fever, debility and premature death, are the con- 
 sequences; and if these pages meet the eye of any 
 female, whose mind and person has become corrupted 
 by this fascinating and detestable practice, let her be 
 assured that the consequences to her will be accom- 
 
ORGAKS OF GENERATION. 55 
 
 panied (if she still persists,) with eyen greater hor- 
 rors; and let me, for her own sake, pray of her to 
 break off the practice at once — its continuance will 
 totally destroy the beauty both of form and features. 
 
 General debility of the body, from whatever cause 
 arising, may, for the time, produce Impotency, that 
 however, will pass away as strength is acquired; tem- 
 porary impotency may also be caused by any exciting 
 or depressing passion, which is in operation during 
 sexual congress. 
 
 There have been persons of so cold a temperament 
 as to be perfectly insensible to the blandishments of 
 beauty, and without the least desire for sexual enjoy- 
 ments; persons of this kind have, generally, white or 
 fair hair; they have little or no beard; the face is 
 pale; the flesh soft and hairless; the voice sharp, 
 piercing and bell-like in sound, the eyes dull and 
 melancholy; the shoulders, straight, and the form 
 rounded; the testicles are small and withered, pendu- 
 lous and soft, the scrotum is flaccid, there is no hair 
 on the pubes, the perspiration is acrid, the sensation 
 of fear is easily excited, and the person displays pu- 
 sillanimity on the least occasion; such persons who 
 are said to be of profound lymphatic temperament, 
 are impotent, for, from their state of apathy, erec- 
 tion of the penis does not take place. 
 
 Paralysis of the muscles of the penis, by prevent 
 ing erection, may also cause impotency; bad stricture, 
 by preventing the ejaculation of the seminal fluid, is 
 another cause; large scrotal rupture, or great enlarge- 
 ment of the testicles, from disease, causing the penis 
 
56 ORGANS OF GENERATION. 
 
 to be imbedded in the scrotum, may cause impotency, 
 
 but generally admits of relief. 
 
 Mental causes may produce impotency, such as 
 disgust for the object, the mind being occupied by 
 abtruse studies; excessive desire, which produce so 
 great a rigidity of the penis, that the semen cannot 
 be ejaculated ; the fear of being impotent is not un- 
 frequently the cause of impotency^i Hatred for the 
 wife, or satiety, may cause impotency with her, and 
 yet with another woman, the man may be capable of 
 fulfilling his functions; excess of respectful love has 
 also produced the same effect; as also a thousand 
 other mental causes, which might be cited, for impo- 
 tency at one time, and fruitfulness at another, they 
 all admit of cure by appropriate remedies if taken in 
 time. 
 
 TJie causes of impotency in women are , congenital 
 malformations, or those produced by diseases, they 
 are, at least, the more obvious ones, absence, or oblit- 
 erations of the sexual organs, as the vagina, or uterus; 
 the vagina being very small and contracted, or imper- 
 vious from bands of adhesive matter crossing it, or 
 tumors occupying it, or want of rupture of the hy- 
 men, owing to extreme toughness of that membrane; 
 there are also many other causes of imjootency, as 
 great confusion of anatomical structure, rendering 
 sex doubtful, cohesion of the labia, etc., etc.; some 
 of the causes admit of cure, others do not, it were 
 in vain, in a work of this nature, to attempt to 
 point out all the causes of impotency in women; still 
 more idle to suggest a method of cure, every case 
 
OKGANS OF GEKERATIOK, 67 
 
 requiring a separate study from the surgeou. Let it 
 be remembered, that a woman may be impotent, that 
 is she may be incapable of receiving, in the ordinary 
 manner, the embraces of the male, and yet not be 
 sterile. 
 
 But I now have to speak of a very delicate subject; 
 one, however, of not very rare occurrence. I mean 
 the case of the woman allowing her husband all the 
 gratification of the connubial relation without ex- 
 periencing any of the pleasures of love's bashful 
 rights, and no one but the woman who through years 
 and years ha? borne this trouble [sometimes secretly] 
 in her heart, knows anything about theblankness of 
 life, or the desert through which she passes; the pic- 
 ture we cannot draw. I will only say the affection of 
 man is not strong enough to put up with such a state 
 of things and continue the relation at all. There are 
 a few cases which it is impossible to relieve, fortu- 
 nately only a few, if scientific medical aid be procur- 
 ed and persisted in sufiQciently long, and there are 
 actually many cases depending on some vaginal or 
 womb derangement, easily curable, overlooked by the 
 husband, not thought of by the regular medical at- 
 tendant, but the ice is hid in the heart of the woman 
 so deeply that even friends do not know it, but it 
 continues to cause the world to feel cold an.l unin- 
 spiring as long as she lives, if it is uncured. 
 
 The causes of sterility in women are many ; a fre- 
 quent one is leucorrhcea or whites; some women are 
 so irritable and tenJer, that they will suf^r great 
 pain from sexual intercourse, and thus, at least, un- 
 
58 ORGAKS OF GEXEEATION. 
 
 til such irritability is allayed, sterility is produced; 
 the absence of the uterus, would, of course, be a cause 
 of sterility, as would also imperyiousness of its 
 mouth and neck, or the passage of the fallopian 
 tubes to the ovaries being imperforate, or absence of 
 these bodies; in these instances no cure can be looked 
 for, except in the second, namely, imperforation of 
 the mouth of the womb; if this cause was ascertain- 
 ed, and the defect was occasioned by accident, as in- 
 flammation of the part, causing adhesion, it might 
 be remedied by proper instruments, in the hands of a 
 skillful surgeon; the first, and two last, cannot be 
 remedied; in the first, there could be no place in 
 which the foetus could grow; in the others, there 
 would either be no ovum, or it could not pass into 
 the womb; all diseases which produce constitutional 
 disturbance, may cause sterility; as, also, do various 
 displacements of the parts of generation, — To dwell 
 on all the catises of sterility, would fill a volume, 
 without adding much to the knowledge of the non- 
 medical man; most of the causes as already shown, 
 admit of relief, by surgical aid, which of them do so, 
 it would be presumptions in me to pronounce with- 
 out an examination or history of the case. 
 
 The moral or mental causes of sterility in women, 
 nearly resemble those of impotency in men; they are 
 disgust, fear, hatred, timidity, excess of ardor; etc,, 
 excesses in venereal pleasures also prevent conception, 
 thus we find prostitutes seldom bear children while 
 following their occupation, but when they marry, 
 they become prolific, if they confine their favors to 
 one man. 
 
ORGAN^S OF GENERATION. 59 
 
 I have dwelt longer on the subject of impotency 
 and sterility than I intended, and yet their impor- 
 tance is such that I fear I have not said enough. 
 Some of the causes named could not be known to 
 to the persons themselves, and of course, could be 
 deemed no bar to marriage. 
 
 Habitual intoxication and habits of dissipation, 
 should also bar marriage, as marriage with such per- 
 sons, instead of being a blessing, would be a curse, 
 and there is no doubt that habitual intoxication 
 either prevents a union being prolific, or when off- 
 spring is the result of such union, they are of a lower 
 order of mental and bodily strength, than are the 
 children of more temperate persons. 
 
 The venereal taint is often the cause of a union not 
 being fruitful, as already pointed out. I cannot 
 imagine a man or woman marrying, knowing they 
 are thus situated, but should such a thing happen, 
 they may reckon on either beings barren, or having 
 either dead, or children in a state of loathesome dis- 
 ease, born to them. It would be futile to reason with 
 such persons who could, for a moment, entertain the 
 idea of marriage, knowing themselves to be so situat- 
 ed. The idea is too horrible for any one to dwell up- 
 on one instant, who is not morally beneath the poor 
 animals whom he dares to call brutes. 
 
 PROLIFIC AND UNFRUITFUL MARRIAGES-CAUSES, ETC. 
 
 There are several causes which may influence fe- 
 cundity in healthy persons, and prevent them from 
 having offspring merely from inattention and want 
 of knowledge of a few simple facts. 
 
60 ORGANS OF GEXERATIOK, 
 
 Amongst others, may be cited violence in consum- 
 mating marital duties, which in most instances is un- 
 necessary. Violence may be carried to so great an 
 extent as to produce contusions of the soft parts of 
 the "vroman. so that connection afterwards gives her 
 excessive pain, and hence, plfc.ces a bar on conception. 
 Disproportion of the genital organs is a source of 
 much mischief. If rash means are resorted to in the 
 consummation of marriage, the neck and mouth of 
 the womb may be injured, and sterility be the con- 
 sequence, though a little patience and management 
 is all that is required to instire conception. 
 
 It sometimes, however, happens that there is so 
 very great a disproportion between the male and fe- 
 male organs, that copulation is next to, or entirely 
 impossible, without great injury to the female. If 
 the latter, however, is young, time may effect much, 
 aided by very gentle and gradual means of dilatation, 
 for a vagina is a canal capable of great extension^ if 
 used gently. Ronghness and violence, by producing 
 inflammation, would only increase the evil, 
 
 It will be seen from the above, that all violent at- 
 tempts at coition are to be avoided. If persevered in, 
 great and perhaps irreparable mischief maybe done the 
 woman; so much indeed that she may never after be 
 able to bear the approach of her husband, or if she 
 does permit his embraces, it will be with fear and 
 trembling, and this, like other mental emotions, will 
 be suflBcient to cause barrenness. Persons thus af- 
 flicted should consult me without delav, as I can in a 
 
ORGAi^S OF GENERATION. 61 
 
 large majority of those cases, give advice and remedy 
 that affords immediate relief. 
 
 They who wish to have children, should avoid too 
 great and frequent exertion of the genital organs. 
 Nothing is more likely to cause sterility than too fre- 
 quent indulgence in amorous pleasures. When this 
 is the case, it almost reduces the wife to the level of 
 a courtezan, at least as far as her chance of becom- 
 ing a mother extends, 
 
 A very frequent cause of miscarriage, is the habit 
 of still continuing to copulate as often during preg- 
 nancy as before that event took place; and thus, un- 
 thinkingly, in a thousand cases, are the hopes of the 
 married blighted, who had looked fondly forward to 
 the day which would have made them parents. It 
 IS not, perhaps, necessary that during the whole of 
 the period of pregnancy, sexual intercourse should be 
 absolutely avoided, . but it should be indulged 
 in very sparingly in the earlier and middle 
 months, and hardly at all in the latter ones. If the 
 promptings of instinct in the female are listened to, 
 and acted upon, little mischief will arise, for Nature 
 tells her plainly, by a feeling of almost disgust, that 
 the approach of the husband will be detrimental to 
 her. And I would advise all men who wish to hear 
 themselves called by the sacred and endearing name 
 of father, to control their own desires and wishes, 
 however difficult it may be, for the sake of their un- 
 born infant, and the loving and chosen one by their 
 side. If they do this, they may hope to see a healthy 
 offspring, and smiling wife and mother around their 
 table, to cheer the evening of their lives, instead of a 
 
62 ORGANS OF GENERATION^. 
 
 pale and sickly woman, whose constitution has been 
 ruined, whose blood has been drained by frequent 
 miscarriages, and whose very heart has been wrung 
 by the hopes deferred, which maketh the heart sick 
 — together with this, instead of the joyous voices of 
 children in whom you would again live, you will 
 have a voiceless and childless home. Choose then be- 
 tween them; a check for a time on your passions, or 
 misery, such only as the old childless can feel, and 
 remember that such would be the work of your own 
 ungoverned passions. 
 
 It seems almost unnecessary for me to warn my 
 readers against having connection with their wives 
 when the latter have their monthly illness or menses 
 upon them; the act seems of so objectionable a nature 
 that I should hope that the very thought would ex- 
 cite disgust. It is expressly forbidden by Scripture, in 
 chapters XYI and XVIII of Leviticus; in tha last 
 named chapter, verse 21, the penalty of this, and 
 other unclean acts, is specified: ^^For whosoever shall 
 commit them, shall be cut off from among My people. 
 
 And again, chapter XX, verse 18. '^And if a man 
 shall lie with a woman, having her sickness, and shall 
 uncover her nakedness, he hath discovered her foun- 
 tain, and she hath uncovered tho fountain of her 
 blood, and both of them shall be cut off from among 
 my people." 
 
 It has been held in detestation by all nations, and 
 at all times. D'Israeli in the Curiosities of Litera- 
 ture, tells a rational story, in which the Devil, under 
 the form of Solomon, is discovered in Solomon's 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 63 
 
 harem, by the exhibition of his lust at this particu- 
 lar time; and the Jewish Talmud expressly declares 
 coition during the menses, to be one of the sins, for 
 the commission of which, women die in child-bed. 
 The anger of God and the hatred of men does not, 
 however, wholly exterminate the abominable desire, 
 and wretches are in existence who induce their wives 
 to submit to this pollution, destro3dng all delicacy of 
 mind, and expose them to disease in some of the most 
 odious forms; in woman it may stop the natural dis- 
 charge, which is replaced by one called leucorrhoea,or 
 or whites, a very troublesome complaint, not easily to 
 get rid of, and which generally renders a female un- 
 prolific^ In man, this base indulgence may cause a 
 loathsome disease, so like gonorrhoea, that it is 
 sometimes difficult to distinguish the true from the 
 false; it is also frequently occasions excoriations on 
 the penis, through oversight, nearly resembling those 
 of a venereal nature, arising from connection with an 
 abandoned wom-an. 
 
 These excoriations are by neglect painful, and te- 
 dious of cure, and may be followed by sympathetic 
 bubo, and various other evils; which may also be 
 communicated io the wife. 
 
 The disadvantages arising from connection with a 
 woman, who for a time, is declared by the law of God 
 to be unclean, might be further dwelt upon, but it is 
 needless, as a man of sound mind, of religious feel- 
 ings, of cleanliness, in short, he who is not worse 
 than a brute beast, will not debase himself, and his 
 wife, by being guilty of so disgusting a crime. 
 
64 ORGAI^S OF GENERATIOJ^. 
 
 With those who are more debased than the brute, 
 it is vain to reason; it is vain to point out God's 
 Holy Law, they understand it not, or disregard it for 
 the sake of a momentary pleasure, degrading: to hu- 
 man nature. Such men are not to be restrained by 
 considerations of decency or religion; let them be de- 
 terred from this atrocity by the consideration of phy- 
 sical j3ain, the noxious disease to which they expose 
 themselves, and which they may communicate to their 
 wives. I will close this chapter by giving such hy- 
 gienic and moral precepts, as are likely to be the 
 means of securing a healthy, vigorous and intellectual 
 offspring; in them are also embodied the opinions of 
 the celebrated Hufeland. 
 
 Marry into a family free from hereditary disease, as 
 gout, stone, gravel, herpes, scrofula, mania, diseases 
 of the skin. 
 
 '^Do not marry a woman of a peculiar nervous tem- 
 perament, those who are nervous, epileptical, hyster- 
 ical and subject to convulsions, generally give birth 
 to short-lived infants," this is Huf eland's opinion, I 
 have, however, often known nervous and hysterical 
 women cured ly matrimony, and they have borne 
 healthful infants — this precept is therefore liable to 
 exceptions. 
 
 Do not marry a woman advanced in life, nor 
 younger than eighteen or twenty; a man should not 
 marry until he is four or five and twenty. 
 
 Do not marry delicate, feeble women, and if you 
 wish your children to live long, marry into a family 
 remarkable for longevity. 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 65 
 
 When married — do not indulge in the reproductive 
 act but when the impulse is strong, and neyer at- 
 tempt it during intoxication; if under such circum- 
 stances a child be born, it would probably be a fool 
 or imbecile; it should also be avoided if it produces 
 more than temporary depression of spirits, or if it 
 much affects the intellectual and physical powers; it 
 must also be wholly abstained from during the pres- 
 ence of the catamenia, or menses ; for a month after 
 child-birth, and be seldom and cautiously indulged 
 in during pregnancy; it ought not to be performed 
 for two hours after any meal, and the best time is un- 
 doubtedly in the morning, men who have very much 
 corporeal or mental excitement should also be moder- 
 ate in this indulgence or they will most likely suffer 
 ill consequences, Never forget that a pregnant wo- 
 man is to be considered a laboratory in which is pre- 
 paring a new human being, to which the slightest 
 physical and moral emotion is injurious; on this lat- 
 ter precept I must remark that this reflection ought 
 to secure to the wife, the most watchful care and 
 anxiety of the husband under such circumstances. 
 Several of the above precepts require the attention of 
 women as well as men. 
 
66 ONAiflSM. 
 
 Onanism or Self-Pollution. 
 
 Masturbation, the Sin of Onan^ are the names 
 commonly given to this jDernicioiis habit, which may 
 be defined, a discharge of the semen by the stimulus 
 of the virile organ with the hand; the habit, it is said 
 of the solitary monk and recluse, as well as of the in- 
 considerate yoLith, and too often of those whose riper 
 years should prevent their guilty indulgence in an 
 act so revolting to humanity, and so destructive to 
 every sentiment and feeling of vigorous manhood. If 
 we refer to the opinions expressed by the most cele- 
 brated physicians amongst the ancients or moderns, 
 we find a remarkable uniformity in their opinions on 
 this subject. Celsus remarks, — ''These habits are al- 
 ways hurtful, and indulgence in them weakens the 
 strongest constitutions." Galen gives a correspond- 
 ing account of the evils caused by this vice. The 
 late Mr. Benjamin Bell, the eminent surgeon of 
 Edinburgh, also, in reference to the effects of this 
 mdulgence, says,-— "A habit so baneful to many of 
 our youth, that I believe it to be more destructive in 
 its effects than a greater proportion of all the dis- 
 eases to which in early life they are liable . " Besides 
 rendering the patient himself miserable, it evidently 
 entails the severest distress upon posterity by genera- 
 ting languor, debility, and disease^ instead of that 
 
ONANISM. 67 
 
 Strength of constitution^ without which there can be 
 no enjoyment, Lallemand remarks : " Our lunatic 
 asylums afford many instances of insanity produced 
 by this detestable practice." Nocturnal pollutions, 
 or '^wet dreams," are in most cases brought on by 
 Onanism. After a short period has elapsed, the noc- 
 turnal are now conjoined with diurnal pollutions; 
 i^e semen passes off in the urine, or at stool, without 
 sensati on, and therefore unmarked by the patient. 
 
 It frequently occurs, as a result of self -pollution, 
 more especially when practiced in early youth, that 
 the testicles do not attain their full size and powers 
 of secreting the semen. This state has been termed 
 '^an arrest of development,^^ a phrase which simply 
 means that the organs have ceased to grow at a por- 
 iod of life previous to puberty. We have seen the 
 case of a gentlemen, aged 28, whose penis and tes- 
 ticles were not larger than those of a boy ten years 
 old. Other cases of similar character have also pre- 
 sented themselves to our notice. Such instances are 
 not beyond the influence of medicine; unless when 
 they occur on the person of idiots. Wasting or dim- 
 inution in the size and powers of the organs may oc- 
 cur at any age. The testicle may retain its proper 
 shape though diminished in size; it feels soft to the 
 touch, and loses its elasticity and firmness. In tex- 
 ture it is pale, and the bloodvessels seem diminished 
 in number, the spermatic cord becomes affected by 
 the disease, the nerves shrink, and the cremaster 
 mnscle disappears, The thin gelatinous semen which 
 is formed, is entirely devoid of spermatic granules 
 
68 ONANISM. 
 
 and spermatozoa. In other words, its fertilization 
 power is lost, and impuissance' gradually results. 
 When disei>,se is the cause of the atrophy, the testicles 
 may alter in shape, — may become uneyen and irreg- 
 ular — sometimes elongated as well as diminished in 
 size and weight. There is one form of disease which 
 frequently precedes the decay of the organs, and 
 which is seldom obseryed by medical men, — a low 
 inflammation, quite painless, acts upon the testicles 
 and gradually increases the bulk, at the same time 
 diminishing the firmness and consistency; in some 
 instances the testicles almost feel as if diyiding. On 
 inquiring into the origin of these cases, we frequently 
 find that a swelled testicle, hernia humoralis, has ex- 
 isted, caused by gonorrhoea. Hence the necessity of 
 curing urethra 1 discharges as rapidly as possible, and 
 the care required in the use of astringent injections. 
 Injuries ef the head, or more especially the back part 
 of the head, haye been known to produce decay of 
 the testicles; and this fact may tend to support the 
 theory of the phrenologist that the seat of amatory 
 passions is in the cerebellum. Doubtless the brain 
 exercises great influence on the desire for sexual 
 intercourse, and it is equally certain that there is a 
 reciprocal action of the generatiye organs upon the 
 brain. Such is the similarity of structure of the 
 brain and testicles, and so great the sympathy be- 
 tween them, that an extensiye experience during 
 many years has proyed that in some instances a species 
 of derangement is caused by diseases of the genera- 
 tiye organs. It is chiefly on the youth of both sexes 
 
OIJ^ANISM. 69 
 
 that self-pollution commits most ravages . This is 
 so much more to be deplored, as it thus strikes at 
 the very r oot of society, and has a direct and imme- 
 diate tendency to destroy it, by enerating and debili- 
 tating, almost from their very cradle, those whom 
 nature's God intended as the best adapted to preserve 
 and adorn it. How many of the debilitated and ema- 
 ciated objects daily present themselves to our view, 
 with pallid and haggard countenances and sunken 
 eyes, who are indebted solely to the abominable prac- 
 tice of masturbation for this state of debility and ex- 
 haustion? Disabled from rendering service either to 
 themselves or friends, they drag on a life totally use- 
 less to others and a burden to themselves, in the midst 
 of society in which they are despised. A frequent 
 cause of the practice of Onanism is igkokance of 
 the enormity of the crime — a criipe of which an em- 
 inent divine has written: — '*In itself it is monstrous 
 and unnatural, — in its practice, filthy and odious to 
 extremity, — its guilt is crying, and it consequence 
 ruinous, — it destroys all conjugal affection, — prevents 
 natural inclination, — and tends to extinguish the 
 hopes of posterity." 
 
 The most experienced medical practitioners are of 
 the opinion that the development of the nervous sys- 
 tem, and- the predominance of its action over parts of 
 the organism, are also amongst the causes of mastur- 
 bation. We comparatively seldom see this habit in- 
 dulged in by robust and vigorous persons, whose 
 muscular and digestive organs are in full develop- 
 ment; they are generally more disposed to exercise 
 
70 ONANISM. 
 
 their limbs, as well as their appetite for the pleas- 
 ures of the table, in which their minds are too much 
 engaged to allow them to addict themselves to indul- 
 £:ence in other gratifications, This excessive develop- 
 ment of nervous sensibility, which is the source of 
 so many praiseworthy actions, as well as of so many 
 vicious enormities, and which, according to the direc- 
 tion it receives, gives rise to the most splendid or to 
 the basest of results, may be derived either from 
 natural disposition or from early education. It is 
 immediately after early infancy, at that epoch when 
 the facilities of the new being commence to be devel- 
 oped with energy, that he runs the greatest danger. 
 If then an unfortunate accident, or, as too frequent- 
 ly happens, the indelicate touches of strange hands, 
 disclose to the young subject what may at this time 
 be considered a new sense, there takes place at this 
 period toward the genital organs a greater or less con- 
 centration of the vital forces, and the patient, led on 
 by the delusive pleasure, gives himself up with a fury 
 to a vice which is soon sure to destroy him, or draw 
 down on him evils more terrible than death itself. 
 Another most dangerous period of life is the approach 
 of puberty, which varies in this climate from the age 
 of eighteen to twenty-two. The rapid growth of the 
 generative organs, — the increased power and ' fre- 
 quency of erection, — the rapid secretion of semen, — 
 all lead to the performance of that act which is sure 
 to occasion the deepest remorse. It is the attentive 
 consideration of these varied facts which explains to 
 us how the habitual exercise of the genital organs. 
 
ONANISM, 71 
 
 either by coition or masturbation, may so far get the 
 better of the will of the individual as to force him to 
 indulge in practices the object of which is to gratify 
 the Yenereal stimulus . In almost all such cases the 
 shameful act, when finished, is invariably followed 
 by bitter regret, but as the organs obtain repose, the 
 resolutions which he had adopted of relinquishing 
 the baneful practice, and which he had thought noth- 
 ing could shake, are soon forgotten. We have fre- 
 quently heard patients exclaim, '^Oh! how often and 
 often have I solemnly sworn never again to pollute 
 myself; and how often have I promised myself, when 
 in tha act, that it should be for the last time." 
 
 If we compare the injurious effects of excessive in- 
 dulgence in coition and those of masturbation, we 
 shall find that the causes which combine to render 
 excess in the former dangerous, act with much more 
 energy in the second, and that several circumstances 
 peculiar to the latter render the results of its fre- 
 quent repetititon more serious. It is well known 
 that the man who addicts himself to the solitarv 
 and debasing practice of Onanism is kept for a con- 
 siderable time in a state of general and permanent 
 rigidity of the entire body; this state of tension is 
 sometimes carried so for that very painful cramps 
 are caused by it, and the fatigue which results oblig. 
 es the patient to relax his efforts occasionally to take 
 rest, It is sufficient to observe the circumstances 
 which accompany masturbation to see that the ner- 
 vous system must be directly affected by it, not only 
 from the violent and continued contractions which it 
 
72 ONANISM, 
 
 occasions throughout the entire muscular system, 
 but also by the prodigious tension of the imagination, 
 which is in cases wound up to its highest state, in 
 order to represent to the devoted votaries of self -pol- 
 lution the fantastical object of their disgusting trans- 
 ports. Another cause which renders Onanism more 
 dangerous than excessive indulgence in coition, 
 arises from the circumstance that it is much easier 
 to addict one's self to the one than abuse the other; 
 for when a man gives himself up to the natural pleas- 
 ures of love, the fatigue felt, as well by his compan- 
 ions as by himself, will have the effect of preventing 
 his exhaustion; whilst on the other hand there is no 
 there is no bridle, no restraint on him who practices 
 self -abuse; the former is generally obliged to wait 
 for a favorable moment and opportunity to indulge 
 in his excess, — every moment answers the purpose 
 of the latter, — all he requires is mere solitude. He 
 constantly carries about him the sting which tor- 
 ments him; he alternately finds his imagination ex- 
 citing his organs, and his organs, inflaming his 
 imagination. In short, there is nothing to distract 
 nor take up the attention of one who has addicted 
 himself to Onanism, whilst a thousand circumstances 
 are constantly distracting the attention of the man 
 who is disposed for the enjoyment of, a female. 
 Another serious danger in this vice is the period of 
 life when men addict themselves to it; we have occa- 
 sionally met with it in quite young children, most 
 frequently amongst full-grown boys and young men, 
 for the various difficulties and impediments which 
 
ONANISM. 73 
 
 preTeut copulation before a certain age, do not exist 
 m the case of Onanism; — thus the generative propen- 
 sity, called forth prematurely, and gratified viciously, 
 steps in amidst all the natural efforts of growth, with 
 its unnatural train of moral excitations, sensual shocks 
 and physical pollutions. No wouder that the Father 
 of Medicine should notice its effect; jEtius gives the 
 following description: — Young people have the air 
 and appearance of old age; they become pale, effem- 
 inate, lazy, benumbed, stupid, and imbecile; they 
 have a total distaste for everything, are totally inca- 
 pacitated, and may even become paralytic." In short, 
 when we look upon the horrible consequences result- 
 ing from this practice, are we not justified in regard- 
 ing it as a lingering, moral and physical suicide? 
 
 As we have intimated, the practice of Onanism, 
 when once indulged in, is diflficult to abandon; the 
 patient is perhaps for years unconscious of any change 
 and no one part of the body feels weakened more 
 than another; but there gradually comes over all a 
 creeping languor, a want of energy, asensation of lassi- 
 itude, a depression of spirits, ennui, and a disinclin- 
 ation for society; these feelings at length increase so 
 as to attract the attention of the patient and his 
 friends. He and they are sensible that he is not what 
 he formerly was; his face becomes pallid, the circles 
 around his eyes depressed and darkened, a thinness 
 is visible in his looks, his hands are frequently cold 
 and clammy,* he cannot bear the cold he was wont to 
 do, his old pursuits have no attractions for him, nor 
 do any new ones attract his attention; his memory 
 
74 OKAi^ISM. 
 
 becomes imperfect, his yision not so clear nor his sight 
 so strong as formerly, morbid sensations annoy him; at 
 length he sinks into fatuity, and either is carried off 
 by some rapid decline, or hastens his end by laying yio- 
 lent hands on himself. Such is the history of many 
 cases of suicide of which we read in the newspapers. 
 
 Thanks to the exertions of Medical Science, aided 
 by the researches of many skillful physicians, who 
 have devoted their liyes to the inyestigation of these 
 diseases. Thanks to the important discoveries in 
 chemistry, and to the light thrown on the cause of 
 disease by the use of the microcope, we have not of- 
 ten presented to us cases so desperate as the above. 
 
 It is difficult to depict a more truly miserable being 
 than the slave to licentiouness . His imagination 
 burning with filthy, unnatural glow; his bodily or- 
 gans taxed to the utmost, weary and jaded, refuse to 
 obey the stimulus of that never slumbering depravity 
 which goads his fancy in the darkness of night, in the 
 dreams of his broken rest, and in the worse than 
 dreamy abstractions of the cheerless day; he is tor- 
 mented with desires he can never gratify, shut out 
 from those enjoyments accorded only to virtuous 
 moderation; the blossoms or youth [perhaps the 
 flower of manhood], the supremacy of mind, all de- 
 graded, obliterated, gone! Let not the intensely pru- 
 rient, yet seeming modest victim of self-pollution, 
 lay the flattering unction to his soul, that from the 
 eye of his fellow mortals he can concealthis unmanly 
 practices. It is written upon his forehead; the phys- 
 iognomy, that faithful mirror of the soul and body, 
 
OKAKISM. 75 
 
 gives clear indication of the internal disorder. The 
 complexion and plumpness which jointly confer a 
 youthful look^ and which is the sole substitute for 
 beauty, — for without this eyen beauty produces no 
 other effect than cold admiration, — this complexion 
 and jolumpness are the things that first disappear, 
 a leanness succeeds; the skin becomes rough, often 
 of leaden tinge; the eyes lose their brilliancy, and 
 by their languor express that of the whole frame; 
 the lips lose their yermillion hue, the teeth their 
 whiteness, the hair falls off, and it is no uncommon 
 thing for the whole body to become bent and distort- 
 ed. Abashed, the sufferer shrinks from the gaze of 
 his fellow-man, fancying suspicion in the eye of ev- 
 ery one who looks upon Ms sunTceUy haggard, pale, 
 unmeaning, inexpressive face; his dull lack-lustre eye; 
 his thin and tremulous form — which all hetray him to 
 the practiced observer. For Self-pollution en- 
 tails UPON ITS VICTIMS MARKS AS LEGIBLE TO THE 
 EYE THAT CAN UNDERSTAND THEM, AS THE SCARS 
 
 OF SMALL- pox; and thus proves a striking fulfilment 
 of the prophetic warning, — ^ 'There is nothing done 
 in secret that shall not be revealed," nor hidden, 
 even from the recognition of mortals, that shall not 
 ultimately be made, even to them, evident as noon- 
 day. Shall we not therefore raise our testimony 
 against these vices? Sir Astley Cooper justly re- 
 marks, in one of his lectures, — ''If one of these mis- 
 erable cases could be depicted from the pulpit as an 
 illustration of the bad effects of a vicious and intem- 
 perate course of life, it would, I think, strike the 
 
76 ONAN-ISM, 
 
 mind with more terror than all the preach- 
 ing in the world. The irritable state of the 
 patient leads to the destruction of life, and in this 
 way annually great numbers perish. Undoubtedly 
 the list is considerably augmented by maltreatment, 
 and the employment of injudicious remedies." And 
 the late learned Dr, Pereira, whose abilities as a 
 practical physician were only equalled by his acquired 
 learning and innate knowledge of human nature, ob- 
 seryes, in reyiewing ''Neeyous Exhaustioit," — 
 There is a yast deal of injury done, not merely to 
 public morals, but to the indiyidual health, by the 
 abuses and excesses of the reproductiye functions; the 
 prim itiye fathers and physicians haye duly noticed the 
 eyils to which I allude, and eyery experienced medical 
 practitioner can attest their frequent occurrences. It 
 is all yery well for sentimentalists and the mock- 
 modest to declaim about the notice of them; but jus- 
 tice, morality, and the preseryation of health, as 
 well as the perpetuation of the human race, demand 
 it. Such, howeyer, is the hypocrisy of the day, that 
 even a notice in a dead language is abused and con- 
 demned by the ignorant and intolerant, who are un- 
 able to appreciate the importance of the subject. 
 This is a bold step in the right direction." 
 
 Nor are the eyils of self -pollution confined to the 
 male sex only. That it rages with deadly yirulence 
 amongst young women, especially amongst young 
 ladies in the higher circles of society, is a matter of 
 notoriety. Dr. Fowler writes, "That women, young, 
 and apparen-^ly modest, are dying by thousands of 
 
ONANISM. 77 
 
 consumption, of female complaints, of nervous or 
 spinal complaints, of general debility, and of other 
 ostensible complaints innumerable, and some of in- 
 sanity, caused solely by this practice," 
 
 The effect of self-pollution in the male is similar 
 in the female; the results common to both are impo- 
 tency in the one and sterility or barrenness in the 
 other. We observe amongst them much tendency to 
 hysterical complaints. Consumption numbers among 
 its victims young and fair, who have first brought on 
 its seed by self-abuse. The glairy discharge, so com- 
 mon and so weakening, and which is generally termed 
 the *'W7iites,'' is another frequent result of this error. 
 We do not mean to assert that in every instance this 
 discharge is thus caused. I have known many in- 
 stances where it has been caused by excessive in- 
 tercourse with the husband; but when it occurs 
 amongst unmarried women of a certain age, self-pol- 
 lution, though not the invariable cause, is one of the 
 most prominent predisposing. But enough on this 
 very painful subject — we probe the wound deeply 
 that we may sooner heal it. Should this fall into the 
 hands of one who has sinned, let her remember that 
 science and skill may do much to restore her to 
 health and happmess,— let her repent, and pray that 
 **she sin no more." 
 
 Man/ individuals scarcely turned forty years of 
 age, and sometimes even earlier, who have lived 
 rather freely, are not unfrequently about that period 
 of life greatly changed in tlieir powers of sexual in- 
 tercourse. They may, indeed, in general health and 
 
78 OXAXISM, 
 
 personal appearance, be stout, and for several years 
 not Terv sensible of tbe degeneration of their powers. 
 but the freqaencv of their inclination for such du- 
 ties gradually becomes much diminished, andthat is a 
 symptom which is at all times indicative of apj^roach- 
 ing impotence; for the inclination, gradually and en- 
 tirely ceasing, the power speedily follows, or rather 
 both are lost together. 
 
 Many who have unwarily acquired the habit of 
 self-pollution, have been convinced, by reading this 
 treatise, of its iniquity and injurious consequences to 
 health, and have determined to give it up, thinking- 
 that by so doing they may recover their pristine 
 health and vigor. In this, however they are deceiv- 
 ed. A new and unnatural association having been 
 established between the organs of generation and the 
 mind, the bad consequences of the practice do not 
 cease when the habit is left off . Involuntary dis- 
 charges of semen take place during sleep, occasion^ 
 ally occurring as frequently as two or three .times in 
 the course of one night. The effect of these emis" 
 sions is extremely debilitating; all the symptoms al- 
 ready described are aggravated and the mind sinks 
 into'a state of the deepest dejection. Here there is 
 no time to lose; they should immediately apply for 
 the necessary medicines, and the practice being dis- 
 continued [certainly a main point in the case] they 
 may confidently anticipate the speedy renovation of 
 their constitution. I therefore recommend an early ap- 
 plication for advice and assistance, which in every case 
 will be given with kind consideration and undeviat- 
 ing attention that will give confidence to the timid 
 and restore vigor to the debilitated. 
 
NOCTURNAL EMISSIOiTS. 79 
 
 Of Nocturnal Emissions, Senninal 
 
 Weakness, Impotency, Nervous 
 
 Debility. 
 
 The secretory glands of the human body form an 
 apparatus, the action of which is unvarying and con- 
 stant. The liyer is perpetually employed in the 
 formation of bile; the kidneys, in the 
 separation of urine from the blood. In fact all the 
 secretions are derivable from the living and vitalizing 
 fluid. The gall-bladder is provided as the temporary 
 receptacle for the bilious, soapy fluid secreted by 
 the liver; and as the wants of the system require, it 
 is poured into the first intestine to assist in the sep- 
 aration of the nutritive portion of the partially di- 
 gested aliment. Precisely analogous is the action of 
 the testicles, pouring their appropriate secretion into 
 the receptacles denominated the ^'vesiculce seminales," 
 or seed-lladders, not to be absorbed again into the 
 system, but rather to be excreted as indispensable to 
 the reproductive act. Hence the stimulus arising 
 from distention of these vessels becomes a pleasura- 
 ble impulse of the necessary multiplication of the 
 species; and if sexual desire were susceptible of grat- 
 ification only as the result of instinct; if depraved 
 man, instead of lashing his genital organs to exertion 
 by filthy conversation, lewd and impure imaginations, 
 
80 NOCTUEKAL EMISSIONS. 
 
 and the various causes which are entirely absent 
 among the brute creation; if, like them, he were 
 content to follow the dictates of his unerring organi- 
 zation, diseases arising from excess would be unknown, 
 equally among us as with them; and their proverbial, 
 and almost certain fecundity be but the transcript of 
 our own. xis the seminal vessels [like the gall- 
 bladder] will not allow of extraordinary distention, 
 the thinner portions of the semen become partially 
 absorbed; and though thereby the bulk of that se- 
 cretion be lessened, yet the residum becoming more 
 acrid and stimulating, the impulse to excretion is 
 thus rendered unconquerable; and so nature, in the 
 absence of the act to which the stimulating impulse 
 tends, occasionally relieves herself of the superabund- 
 ant secretion. Of this act, men are mostly uncon- 
 scious; if, however, it arrests attention, \i^ frequency 
 and its consequences are the circumstances that rouse 
 the proper and natural fears of the sufferer. 
 
 A popular author on this, subject observed, — '^2'he 
 causes of these nightly or 'wet dreams,^ as they are 
 called, are numerous. In the first place, the testicles 
 must have acquired, through the practice of Onan- 
 ism — for involuntary emissions rarely assume the 
 formidable character here depicted, except induced 
 by masturbation — a morbid sensitiveness, that, on 
 the slightest local or neighboring irritation, they put 
 in action their secretive powers. In fact, the infirm' 
 ity might not inaptly le termed a consumption of those 
 glands. Consequently, the cause may be, at this 
 period, piles or hoemorrhoids, constipation, indiges- 
 
NOCTURNAL EMISSIONS. 81 
 
 tion, irritability of the bladder or kidneys, etc., etc; 
 for they all, more or less, are present, and, perhaps, 
 severally aggravated by stimuli, of one kind or other, 
 taken during the day or previously to rest. Another 
 occasion may be the loss of tone of the absorbents, 
 and also loss of sensibility of the passages through 
 which the discharge escapes; thereby acting as somno- 
 lent sentinels only to the brain, whereby even the little 
 control the will might possess is lost." So by this we 
 perceive that this infirmity is not merely local debil- 
 ity of the generative apparatus, but that many other 
 functions of life participate in it. The constant 
 drain from the testicles impoverishes the whole sys- 
 tem, and the same phenomena ensue as when Onan- 
 ism is practiced to the same extent. The semen of 
 a person tormented with this infirmity is thin, wat- 
 ery, sickly odored, and rarely prolific. Although I 
 have already depicted the consequences of unnatural 
 indulgenc'e in the previous pages, the following pas- 
 sage from a more able pen than my own, exhibits so 
 well the desolating effects alluded to, that its tran- 
 script is too useful to my purpose to neglect: — " The 
 muscles of the youth become soft; he is idle; his 
 body becomes bent; his gait is sluggish, and he is 
 scarcely able to support himself. The digestion be- 
 comes enfeebled, the breath fetid; the intestines in- 
 active, the excrements hard ened in the rectum, and 
 producing additional irritation of the seminal condu- 
 its in its vicinity. The circulation being no longer 
 free, the youth sighs often, the complexion is livid, 
 and the skin, on the forehead especially, is studded 
 
82 NOCTUBNAL EMISSIONS. 
 
 with pimples. The corners of the mouth are length- 
 ened, the nose becomes sharp; the sunken eyes de- 
 prived of brilliancy, and enclosed in blue circles, arq 
 cast down; no look of gayety remains, — the very aS' 
 spect is criminal. General sensibility becomes ex. 
 cessive, producing tears without a cause; perception 
 is weakened and memory almost destroyed; distrac^ 
 tion or absence of mind, renders the judgment unfit 
 for any operation. The imagination gives birth only 
 to fantastics and fears without ground; the slightest 
 allusion to the denominating passion produces a 
 motion of the muscles of the face, the flush of shame 
 or a state of despair. The wretched being finishes 
 by shunning the face of man and dreading the obser- 
 vation of women. His character is entirely corrupt- 
 ed, or his mind is totally stupified. Involuntary 
 loss of the reproductive liquid takes jolace during the 
 night, and also during the daily motions; and there 
 ensues a total exhaustion, bringing on heaviness of 
 the head, singing in the ears, and frequent faintings, 
 together with pains, convulsive trembling and partial 
 paralysis." 
 
 The reproductive power may not le entirely destroy- 
 ed ly that state of generative deUlity which is engen- 
 dered ty nocturnal emissions^ and yet very painful 
 consequences of another character may unquestionably 
 arise. A healthy female may become pregnant, from the 
 feeble yet exhausting effort of a man whose constitu- 
 tional power is seriously broken, yet it would be un- 
 fair, unphilosophical, unsupported by any analogy 
 drawn from the history of the lower animals, to ex- 
 
NOCTURIA" AL EMISSIONS. 83 
 
 pect that this circumstance would not tell most pow- 
 erfully and detrimentally upon the offspring. The 
 opinions of the learned, in all ages, have not varied 
 widely on this subject. Lucretius, and a great num- 
 ber of ancient physiologists, admitted this doctrine. 
 That a great many considered that there was a mix- 
 ture of fluids, and that these, united in the sexual 
 organs of the female, were animated, developed, and 
 changed into a being resembling those who furnish- 
 ed them. Further, that the the most vigorous of the 
 two determined the sex-, and if this principle be ad- 
 mitted, it is easy to trace every puny or diseased pe- 
 culiarity the father or mother may transmit. It ap- 
 pears to be the general opinion that whichever parent 
 furnishes the most elaborate, the most abundant 
 seminal fluid, would impress the lineaments and form 
 upon the offspring; that the most vigorous parent 
 would possess the most genital power, would deter- 
 mine the sex and physicial character of the infant; 
 and consequently that the offspring would most 
 certainly resemble this parent, both in mind and 
 body. If genital power be equal, the child may be 
 expected to resemble both. But this can scarcely 
 be expected, where there is debility of the genera- 
 tive organs in either parent, and the elaboration of 
 imperfect fluids, from their too frequent escape. 
 
 OF SEMIN"AL WEAKN^ESS. 
 
 The prominent character of Seminal Weakness is 
 general, not partial, debility. The seminal vessels 
 are fitted to perform certain functions with progress- 
 ive regularity, which, if undisturbed by disease, or 
 
84 SEHIK'AL WEAKJ^ESS. 
 
 ■unimpaired by yicious perversion of the natural 
 sexual habit, they will continue to execute through 
 the whole range of active manhood. Sexual ability 
 in man is a mysteriously compound power, requir- 
 ing a perfect association in the action of the secre- 
 tory organ of the seminal secretion, and the instru- 
 ment of its ejaculation and discharge. Any f uijc- 
 tional irregularity, or want of correspondency be- 
 tween the action of the testicles and the penis, is 
 therefore an unquestionable state of disease; for 
 since both are so closely and intimately dependent 
 on each other, the least want of exactness in their 
 adaption might be the cause of Impotence. Whatever 
 be the mode in which this deviation from the healthy 
 and natural action of the parts is first induced, it is" 
 not difficult to trace its inevitable effect in the pro- 
 duction of SeminoWeUUty^ and the ultimate destruc- 
 tion of sexual power. Irritation, however engender- 
 ed, rapidly propagates itself along the urethra; and 
 chronic inflammation of the prostatic and most sen- 
 sitive portion of that canal is rapidly established, and 
 the muscles surrounding the membraneous division 
 of the urinary passage are sympathetically affected^ 
 with irregular spasm. The irritation extends itself 
 by continuity of surface to the seminal vesicles, and 
 even to the testicles, producing in the former unnat- 
 ural evacuations,and in the latter an exaggerated thin 
 secretion, too rapidly elaborated, and therefore, for 
 all the purposes of generation, worthless. 
 Among individuals so affected, on attempting inter- 
 course with the sex, the emission is too quickly dis- 
 
SEMINAL WEAK3S-ESS. 85 
 
 charged, nocturnal pollutions are frequent — indeed 
 these are often the immediate precursors of seminal 
 weakness — or the semen is expelled during the evacu- 
 ation of the Madder and bowels. With some, there 
 is more or less complete extinction of the venereal 
 desire, the erections become few and feeble, incom- 
 plete, or absolutely impossible. This condition of 
 the sexual organs has its appropriate general charac- 
 ter, analogous to those which are attributable to the 
 wilful and determinate pollutions of earlier youth; 
 the sufferer, now perhaps too late, sensibly aliye to 
 the origin of his weakness, becomes timid, fearful, 
 careless of the world around him, his mind absorbed 
 in the consideration of his malady, until the contin- 
 ual presence and the recurrence of the same train of 
 painful thought involve him in the worst form of 
 monomania, or rather the premature childishness of 
 old age. All the functions of the body languish and 
 are deranged, until a complete and general d egrada- 
 tion sweeps with uncontrolled dominion over every 
 power and faculty both of body and soul. 2'he semi- 
 nal fluid may drihile away without pleasure, without 
 erections, without the natural ejaculations, and its 
 loss, when occurring in this manner, gives ris^ to 
 the same or infinitely greater evils than those which 
 occur from mere sexual excess, or what is worse, from 
 self-pollution. 
 
 The term Impotence is applied as relative to that 
 inability or incapacity to the performance of the 
 sexual act, which may arise from a variety of causes, 
 but from none so frequently as the excesses of Sen- 
 
&<) SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 
 
 sualism, more especially the secret, vicious, and soli- 
 tary indulgence of self -pollution . It is important, 
 in a practical point of view, that we do not confound 
 this condition of the generative system with Steril- 
 ity, inasmuch as a male who is sterile, or a barren 
 female, may possess a perfect aptitude for coition, 
 though for all the purposes of procreation absolutely 
 incapable. In Impotence there is a temporary or 
 permanent destruction of those powers which are 
 absolutely essential for generative purposes. Sterility 
 may therefore be defined as mability to propagate the 
 species, though not affect the sexual congress; while 
 Impotency in either sex, whether natural or acquired, 
 whether as the result of disease or malformation, 
 entirely ^precludes its performance. Impotence, re- 
 sulting from physical imperfection of the sexual 
 organs, is mostly incurable; but when originating 
 in such disorders of the urinary or genital apparatus 
 as are tracable to irritation or inflammation of those 
 structures, or to conditions however produced,thence 
 resulting, such as thickening of the bladder, enlarge- 
 ment of the prostate glands, or testicles, wasting of 
 the penis, especially long-continued gleets and stric- 
 tures, our first efforts are naturally directed to the 
 removal of thosQ proximate causes of Impotence; and 
 if the habit be still indulged, the baneful ultimate, 
 or primary cause of so severe a deprivation. If, 
 under those circumstances. Nature do not readily 
 reassume her wonted functions, if there be remain- 
 ing debility, it is necessary to inyigorate the frame 
 by the employment, not merely of those diffusible 
 
SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 87 
 
 stimuli which act generally upon the whole system, 
 but by the administrb,tion of those remedies which 
 are known to act immediately upon the generative 
 organs. If there be present excessive irritablity, it is 
 necessary to employ such remedies as tend to diminish 
 irritation in the morbidly sensitive organs. 
 
 Impotence in the male may arise from a wide 
 diversity of conditions. Incapacity of erection, gen- 
 erally referable to self -pollution; Impotence, arising 
 from a want of power of retention in the seminal 
 vessels, induced by morbid susceptibility of those 
 vessels, and brought about in like manner by a per- 
 sistence in the same vicious practice; Impotence, 
 from inability of retention resulting from repletion 
 of these vessels, all demand a variety of treatment 
 peculiar to the precise condition of the parts. Im- 
 potence from mental influence has also its appropri- 
 ate management. Exclusive of this, the generative 
 infirmity under consideration, though occasionally 
 arising from simple disease, is ascribable in by far 
 the greater majority of instances to the excesses of 
 Sensualism, either with women, or, more commonly 
 still, from that vile excess to which such frequent 
 allusion has been made in these pages. Long-pro- 
 tracted chastity or continence is not to be overlook- 
 ed as a cause of impotence; the very reverse of the 
 degrading habit of self-pollution, it is not only com- 
 paratively rare, but offers in its very nature the 
 indications of a cure. But that long-continued de- 
 bauchery, whether with women or by masturbation, 
 is to be assigned as the most common and prominent 
 
88 SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 
 
 of the causes of Impotence, is a fact admitted by all 
 systematic writers, and amply and painfully confirm- 
 ed by my own experience. Mons. Pinel observes, — 
 *'The impotence caused by the latter excess reduces 
 youth to the nullity of old age, and is too often 
 incurable." Fortunately, the records of a numerous 
 list of cases prove that recovery of the powers of 
 manhood is not [under judicious management] so 
 altogether hopeless, as might seem to be. the fact, 
 trusting only to the observation of those medical men 
 who have made these subjects their peculiar and ex- 
 clusive study. 
 
 Impotence is often caused by debility of the geni- 
 tal organs, induced by precocious venereal enjoyments 
 or by the unrestrained abuse of the delicate struc- 
 tures in any method that tends to produce repeated 
 and severe evacuations of the seminal fluid. If Im- 
 potence result from self -pollution, there is a want of 
 erection, and should a seminal emission take place, 
 the semen does not possess its prolific power, and 
 thus the man is at once Impotent and Sterile, 
 This form of impotence is truly deplorable, and un- 
 fortunately it is the most prevalent variety; neverthe- 
 less, the author has cured many persons laboring 
 under this distressing complication, although several 
 involuntary diurnal as well as nocturnal emissions 
 have regularly occured without amorous impulse. Next 
 to Self -pollution, excessive venery is a frequent 
 cause of impotence, as well as of sterility among the 
 male sex. This is a frequent cause of want of off- 
 spring in young unmarried persons, In these cases. 
 
SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 89 
 
 the semen may escape without the aid of the ejacula- 
 tory muscles, is imperfect in quality, devoid of power 
 until the health be improved, or, if impregnation 
 ensue, the child undoubtedly partakes of the debility 
 of the parent, soon to be consigned to a premature 
 grave, the victim of that nameless atrophy or wasting 
 decay which hurries thousands of infants 
 annually to the tomb. In these cases the male pa- 
 rent generally suffers from inflammation of the semi- 
 nal vesicles, or there is a seminal weakness, with 
 more or less involutary discharge. 
 
 The surest means by which sound and vigorous 
 children may be engendered is a good constitution, 
 unenfeebled by excessive waste of those powers 
 which in their assemblage constitute the manifesta- 
 tion of the living principle. It is admitted, not 
 merely by philosophic writers who have speculated 
 deeply upon the subject, but by all who have paid 
 the least attention to the facts connected with such 
 a statement, that not merely the physicial but the 
 moral dispositions of the parents are transmitted by 
 generation; hence, if a sound mind in a sound body 
 be the first, greatest, and most lasting blessing, and 
 its deprivation or absence the greatest possible curse, 
 how imperatively necessary is the obligation to calcu- 
 late closely the tendency of vicious indulgences, to 
 avoid the contamination of depraved habits, and to 
 correct and elude the consequences of that debility 
 already imposed upon the generative organs by sensual 
 excess! Impotence and Sterility are usually the re- 
 sults of wilful imprudence. Malformation is a 
 
90 SEMINAL WEAKIS'ESS. 
 
 direct interposition of creative wisdom; its occurt 
 rence is comparatively rare; but failing power is no- 
 only exceedingly common, but generally constitutes 
 a self-inflicted evil. Diseased and delicate parents 
 procreate diseased and weakly offspring . The same 
 results are observed in plants and animals. Can it 
 be supposed that the physical powers, the sympathies, 
 of a beautiful woman of an excellent constitution are 
 in unison with those of a man whose best energies 
 were long ago expended in the premature and illicit 
 excesses of lawless excitement, whose youth has been 
 a hurried history of wild enjoyment, whose passions 
 have been lashed past the natural powers of bodily 
 organization, and who now brings his decrepit efforts 
 as a worthless offering at the shrine of matrimonial 
 sanctity? Or worse still — is there a mockery more 
 deep, more bitter, than that desolation of spirit 
 which an affectionate woman must feel on finding 
 when she clasps, entwined within her circling em- 
 brace, the mere wreck of Sensualism, the horrible 
 victim of self -pollution; the creature, who, having 
 trained his imagination and bodily powers to mere 
 fancied enjoyments, is now deprived almost, if not 
 entirely, of the capability of resuming the actions 
 for which his generative organs were destined? 
 Woman's scorn must be the more intense, because 
 from the very nature of her own position she is pre- 
 cluded from giving vent to her feelings of anger and 
 vexation. Love cannot be reciprocal in such cases; 
 animal or organic impulse will prefer that which is 
 more accordant with itself, even beasts prefer males 
 
SEMINAL WEAKNESI. 91 
 
 which are possessed of vigor, power, and beauty, and 
 this instinct is implanted by Nature in all animals. 
 Whatever perversion civilization may effect in our 
 feelings and manners, it cannot extinguish this in- 
 stinct. And this is an eminently wise ordination, as 
 tending to the perpetuity of a healthy race of human 
 beings. 
 
 If Sensualism has impaired the powers, not of 
 both parents, but of one only, the punishment of the 
 offence is either Sterility or deUlity\ or pain, dis- 
 ease, and death transmitted to the children and re- 
 flected back with sorrow upon the parents. Impo- 
 tence, then, is the last crowning scourge of sexual 
 imperfection, and demands for its removal the most 
 cautious application of the resources of the healing 
 art. The treatment of the chronic diseases of the 
 generative system has been strangely neglected and 
 signally misunderstood. The efficacy of well direct- 
 ed efforts has been much distrusted in this matter, 
 and it is remarkable that both the patient and 
 practitioner contribute to these impediments; for as 
 the latter has been accustomed to see his remedies 
 speedy in their effects, he is himself discouraged if 
 they do not immediately produce the desired benefit. 
 "NTor is it any wonder that the patient becomes incred- 
 ulous of the promised relief, neither of them recol- 
 lecting that the morbid states have been slowly pro- 
 duced, and cannot therefore be speedily changed. 
 
 Self -pollution, the frequent cause of sexual Impo- 
 tence and sterility, is generally the habit of the best 
 years of youthful life; and its deadening impress 
 
$2 SEMIKAL WEAKls'ESS. 
 
 often tells with deplorable certainty, long after the 
 baneful practice has been relinquished. Time must 
 therefore be afforded for the rectification of that 
 artificial state into which the powers of the system 
 have been wantonly plunged. It is evidently the ab- 
 sence of fixed principles, in our pathology of the 
 generative system, that has given such unbridled 
 license to quackery. There has always existed a 
 vagueness of opinion respecting their nature, and an 
 unsettled doctrine as to the most rational methods to 
 be adopted for their mitigation and cure. The commu- 
 nication of disordered action is an inevitable result of 
 indulgence in any mode of Sensualism, either excess- 
 ive, or contrary to the order of nature and the con- 
 stitution of our being; and the nature of that per- 
 verted action may be readily anticipated. In fact we 
 see it exemplified in excessive irritability of the blad- 
 der and seminal vesicles, producing incapability for 
 retention, disease of the spinal marrow and brain, 
 spasm of the urethra, and stricture, and effeminate 
 flaccidity of the penis, testicles and scrotum. Can it 
 be expected that these organs should be capable under 
 such ^circumstances of fulfilling their approjDriate 
 office in the task of procreation? Most assuredly 
 not. Where Impotence is consequent upon that 
 baneful propensity, which cannot be sufficiently stig- 
 matized, its extent of severity is far greater than 
 when produced by excessive indulgence with women, 
 because the vital fluid that could have improved the 
 stamina of the system has been lost without satisfac- 
 tion; consequently no gratification of the mind has 
 
SEMINAL WEAKNESS, 93 
 
 been had in counterpoise to compensate, and in some 
 measure to repair, the expenditure of power. » 
 
 The man who, from his anxiety to indulge to the 
 utmost his libidenous propensities seeks for variety 
 among women, may certainly find in such variety a 
 a new stimulus efficient for the occasion, and may be 
 able to accomplish more frequent repetitions of the 
 sexual act than the sober married man who is faithful 
 to one; but we cannot overlook the fact that this is 
 undoubtedly accomplished at the expense of a cor- 
 responding amount of unnaturally excited energy, 
 and the ultimate results of such efforts tell with 
 fearful and tremendous horrors upon the helpless 
 and debilitated votary of greedy pleasure. The night- 
 y partner of a husband's bed silently offers only that 
 gratification which is demanded by the sexual organs, 
 when fully charged with seminal fluid and impatient 
 for relief; to such a man, the stimulus of variety is 
 unsought, contemned, forbidden, as contrary not 
 merely to all laws, human and divine, but as directly 
 opposed to his well-being, to the maintenance of his 
 animal organization in health, strength, and useful- 
 ness. Here, then, the natural laws of his physicial 
 constitution harmonize most admirably with the 
 higher sanctions of morality. The actual amount 
 of enjoyment realized by the temperate is, in the 
 long run, far greater; power is maintained until old 
 age, and a vigorous offspring is engendered; while 
 the hasty, violent, and forced gratification of the 
 Sensualist, though vivid for a moment, are succeeded 
 by that worst form of helplessness — insatiable desire, 
 
94 SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 
 
 appended to diseased and powerless organs. The 
 draining of the seminal fluid which occurs either 
 from excessive indulgence in venereal gratifications, 
 or from solitary vice, is not equally great in every 
 instance. There are some individuals who are not 
 rendered absolutely, but only partially impotent 
 They can accomplish the sexual acts occasionally, 
 and with severe effort, to the disgust, doubtless, of 
 the female, or they are tolerably able, yet unprolific^ 
 Their powers are weakened, not altogether destroyed. 
 TJiese patients have resources left in surgical skill. 
 
 If these things be so [and who will dare to contra- 
 vene their truth, founded as it is on ordinary every- 
 day observation of mankind?] it follows that there 
 are, and may be, varieties of Seminal Weakness, orig- 
 inating most commonly in Nocturnal Emissions, and 
 these, dependent in many instances, but not invari- 
 ably so, on the unnatural practice of Self-Pollution, 
 to which such ample reference has been made in the 
 foregoing pages. That these emissions lead to the 
 most deplorable consequences, independent of the 
 injury done to the generative function, is indisputa- 
 ble. The most studious people, and those of a sple- 
 netic cast, are subject to this infirmity, and the dis- 
 charge of semen is commonly so considerable, that 
 they fall into a slow wasting consumption, A Roman 
 physician [whose opinion is supported by John of 
 Acarius, author of a work composed for the Emper- 
 or] observes; *'If nocturnal emissions continue any 
 time, the necessary consequences are consumption 
 and death; for the most balsamic part of the humor 
 
EFFECTS OF SELF- ABUSE. 95 
 
 and animal spirit is dissipated; the whole body falls 
 away, and particularly the back; the patients become 
 feeble, dry and pale; they languish in slow melan- 
 choly agony." Let this antiquated, yet terrifically 
 correct portraiture, deter the thoughtless from prac- 
 tices which lead to such a state; and those in whom 
 it is commencing, let not incipient evil be deemed 
 unworthy of their most serious consideration. 
 
 The Moral and Physical Effects of 
 
 Self-Abuse, Spermatorrhoea 
 
 and Impotence. 
 
 All the faculties are weakened by indulgence in 
 this yice. The sense of hearing loses its acuteness, 
 and much annoyance is caused by noise and singing 
 in the ears; sometimes even deafness results The 
 eyes lose their brilliancy, and appear dull; the pupils 
 are more or less dilated. According to Richter — one 
 of the most eminent of surgical authorities — '' No 
 general weakening causes operate on the eyes and 
 occasion total blindness so powerfully and so often 
 
96 EFFECTS OF SELF-ABUSE. 
 
 as premature and excessive indulgences in Teneral 
 pleasures." Another of the evils resulting from self- 
 pollution is failure in the power of the mind, especially 
 the memory. In short, it may be stated with the 
 utmost confidence that there is not an intelligent 
 faculty with which the beneficent Creator has blessed 
 us, that is not liable to be impaired by these causes. 
 It is a curious fact that the habit of self -pollution is 
 invariably followed by a diminution in the size of the 
 penis. The organ shrinks to one-half its former out- 
 line, or in those who have practiced it in youth, 
 does not attain to full growth . The power of perfect 
 erection is altogether destroyed; when coition is 
 attempted, the requisite solidity is not maintained,or 
 if an entrance into the vagina be partially effected, it 
 is followed by a premature emission. Let not the 
 victim of secret vice flatter himself his unmanly act 
 escapes detection. Dr. Armstrong observes, — '* I 
 think I should know a person in the streets who has 
 addicted himself to this vice, by merely walking be- 
 hind him, from his peculiar gait." 
 
 From the commencement of the unfortunate habit 
 of self-pollution, which is invariable the cause of 
 seminal weakness, there is frequently a loss of desire 
 for sexual intercourse; or where the desire is felt, a 
 repetition of the unmanly habit is preferred to coition 
 in a natural way. This when persisted in, causes the 
 face to become pale, bloated, and cadaverous, the 
 body feeble and emaciated, and an impeded circu- 
 lation in the extremities. Then occur trembling 
 hands, dim eyes, confused ringing in the ear, some- 
 
EFFECTS OF SELF-ABUSE, 97 
 
 times deafness, accompanied with frequent and violent 
 headache. A nervous dread and loss of energy are 
 very common, and we have frequently heard patients 
 confess that thej^ have walked their rooms for hours 
 together, at night, fearing to go to bed. This is 
 often experienced when the nocturnal seminal emis- 
 sions are numerous. We may here observe that the 
 practice of Onanism may sometimes be indulged in 
 without apparent ill effects for a time. Some are 
 affected in a month or two; some may escape for years; 
 but none entirely escape, for it is impossible to violate 
 any law of Nature and Nature's God, without evil 
 consequences resulting. The practice of Onanism is 
 a moral and physical crime, consequently the punish- 
 ment is twofold. Thus, while the bodily vigor is lost, 
 and senses lose their keenness, the mind also becomes 
 affected, the memory fails, the judgment becomes 
 affected, and the patient becomes unable for any ex- 
 ertion, bodily or mental. Such is the history of 
 many cases of suicide of which we read in the news- 
 papers; cases mysterious, at first sight causeless, but 
 understood by the educated physician, regarding them 
 by the clear light of science. Tissot, the celebrated 
 physician snd early writer on this subject, states the 
 result of this practice to be. First: — Total derange- 
 ment of the stomach, shown in loss or irregularity of 
 appetite and indigestion. In some cases the appetite 
 becomes almost vor^cious, Nature thus endeavoring 
 to repair the loss inflicted upon her. Second: — 
 Weakness of the respiratory organs, v/hence frequent- 
 ly result dry coughs, almost always colds, weakness 
 
98 EFFECTS OF SELF-ABUSE, 
 
 of the voice, and sense of suffocation on slight exer- 
 tion. Third: — General relaxation of the nervous 
 system, lassitude by day, painful dreams by night; 
 the sleep is unrefreshing. Fourth: — Great debility 
 of the organs of generation; almost all complaining 
 of only imperfect erections ; desire no longer exists, 
 and impotency results. Nocturnal emissions are a 
 terrible scourge to these sufferers, and often over- 
 whelm those even whose organs are absolutely sense- 
 less when awake. When the patients have nocturnal 
 pollutions, they find themselves next day in a state of 
 depression, of discouragement, debility, ennui, and 
 lassitude, with pains in the loins, head and eyes. Fifth : 
 — Eruptions frequently appear on the face and fore- 
 head; the features become changed from the rosy hue 
 of health to a dull, heavy, and sallow complexion. 
 
 We will conclude this part of the subject with a 
 few words respecting Spermatorrhoea and Impotence. 
 This term spermatorrhoea is derived from two Greek 
 words, signifying a flowing of seed, and is applied to 
 all cases in which an emission of the seed takes place, 
 excepting from coition; in other words spermatorrhoea 
 may be termed an involuntary loss of semen. The 
 usual causes of this disease are self-iDollution, but it 
 may also be the result of immoderate indulgence in 
 coition, of ill-cured gleet, and frequently the disease 
 of the prostate gland. Constipation of the bowels, 
 and the irritation of the rectum caused by piles, may 
 also predispose. But, after all, the influence of these 
 causes is insignificant compared with that of self- 
 abuse. The symptoms of spermatorrhoea may be di- 
 
EFFECTS OF SELF- ABUSE. 99 
 
 Tided into local and constitutional. Tlie local 
 symptoms are generally emissions of the seed at 
 night; and we call the particular attention of our 
 readers to this rule. Nocturnal emissions are decided 
 signs of debility and symptoms of approaching im- 
 potence. Let it be remembered that every drop that 
 escapes is the habitation of living beings, a particle 
 of a living seed, and that one drop under favorable 
 circumstances, is sufficient to give life to a future be- 
 ing With respect to diurnal emissions — which occur 
 at stool, whilst making water, or which are evident 
 in a continual moisture and humidity of the organs 
 — they are a complicated character, and are in many 
 instances undiscovered and unsuspected by the patient 
 till disorder has assumed a most formidable character; 
 for he is quite unconscious of any seminal loss. The 
 nocturnal emissions sometimes leave him entirely,the 
 drain by day being so excessive; but at last some for- 
 midable symptoms force him to seek relief at the 
 eleventh hour. During the progress of spermatorrhoea 
 many patients suffer from a hard dry cough, a diffi- 
 culty of breathing, pains in the chest, and hence are 
 treated for consumption; for the constitutional symp- 
 toms of spermatorrhoea are innumerable, when the 
 cause of disease is unknown and unsuspected, the 
 general practitioner will naturally attack the symp- 
 toms. The appetite, at first, will frequently increase 
 and become voracious — it is the effort Nature makes 
 to support the failing strength. All the senses are 
 more or less affected — the eye loses its brilliancy, 
 there is always more or less dilation of the pupil, and 
 
100 EFFECTS OF SELF- ABUSE. 
 
 the very look of the patient reveals his secret to 
 the glance of experience. The penis and testicles be- 
 come small and relaxed; and a high surgical author- 
 ity observes, the infirmity may not inaptly be termed 
 a consumption of these glands. And we cannot be 
 astonished at the frightful effects caused by unnatu- 
 ral emissions of seed, when we recollect that physi- 
 cians of all ages are agreed that the loss of one ounce 
 of semen by self-abuse, nocturnal emissions, or at 
 stool, injures the system and weakens it more than 
 the abstraction of twelve ounces of blood. In the 
 early stages of seminal weakness, different persons 
 are variously affected; some are incapable of procur- 
 ing a discharge of semen into the cavity of the female 
 genitals in a natural way, though they may effect 
 temporary erection; while others cannot perform the 
 act of copulation, from the emission taking place too 
 quickly, and before the proper firmness of the male 
 organ has enabled it to effect the requisite penetra- 
 tion. To recapitulate briefly the result of our expe- 
 rience: — Impotence, from long-continued sperma- 
 torrhoea, is the inability to perform the venereal act. 
 Those cases are most difficult to cure which have 
 been caused by self-pollution; but science, combined 
 with skill and experience, will almost effect miracles, 
 and our treatment of these cases has been most 
 successful. Imjootence is also caused by too free in- 
 dulgence in sexual pleasures; these cases can be cured 
 with comparative ease by rest and tonic medicines. 
 Impotence is sometimes the result of moral causes — 
 nervousness, too much respect, etc.; the treatment is 
 
EFFECTS OF SELF-ABUSE, 101 
 
 obvious. Impotence, then, is chiefly caused by debil- 
 ity of the genital organs; there is a want of erection, 
 and if a seminal emission takes place, the semen does 
 not possess its prolific power, and the man is at once 
 impotent and sterile. Sterility, or barrenness, is 
 sometimes s fault of the female organization, and is 
 produced by various causes; amongst others which 
 entail a loss of vital and productive energy, excessive 
 indulgence is one of the most prominent. Excessive 
 venery is a frequent cause of want of (offspring in 
 young married people. In these cases the seed does 
 not acquire sufficient vitality to stimulate the ovum 
 in the womb; and even if a child should come to life 
 it* partakes of the debility of the pareot, and is soon 
 hurried to a premature grave, the victim of that 
 nameless atrophy or wasting away which kills its 
 thousands of infants annually. Impotence and ster- 
 ility are generally the result of willful imprudence. 
 Malformation is very rare; but failing power is not 
 exceedingly common, but generally constitutes a self- 
 inflicted evil. The author is frequently consulted by 
 those contemplating marriage, and whenever bad 
 habits have existed, or weakness is experienced, 
 the precaution is most wise, and may prevent much 
 future unhappiness. Ijikewise, as respects the mar- 
 ried man, it often occurs that a few minutes' confi- 
 dential conversation with one who has made these 
 subjects a special study is attended by the happiest 
 results. There are resources in the science of medi- 
 cine, and few, very few, need despair of restora- 
 tion to power of manhood. But we will refrain from 
 
102 EFFECTS OF SELF-ABUSE. 
 
 further details, our object is friendly suggestion, not 
 importunate dictation. We will conclude this chap^ 
 ter with a few words of the celebrated Lallemand: — 
 '^Many diseases, when left to themselves, work their 
 own cure, provided only they be not exasperated by 
 the imprudence of the patient. This is not the case 
 with spermatorrhoea, chiefly, perhaps, because the ef- 
 fects produced by the disease itself are favorable to 
 to the increase of involuntary discharges. The natu- 
 ral tendency of this disease to become aggravated, as 
 the result of its own effects, frequently leads to a fa- 
 tal termination. The patients generally expire in one 
 of the attacks of sjmcope that follow congestion of 
 the brain. In this way such of the insane who have 
 fallen into a state of dementia usually expire. Many 
 die from diseases [as consumption, &c.] aggravated 
 and inflamed by unsuspected sj)ermatorrhoea; the 
 symptoms are treated by the j)hysician, but the great 
 cause, spermatorrhoea, remains unsuspected. 
 
TREATMENT OF SPERMATORRHCEA. jQg 
 
 Treatment of Spermatorrhoea, Sem- 
 inal Weakness and Nervous 
 Debility. 
 
 Like many other intractable diseases, sperma- 
 torrhoea has been the '* opprobrium medicorum " of 
 the regular practitioner. From its tediousness, the 
 medical man is wearied of it; and, like an obstinate 
 gleet, after trying all possible remedies, has given up 
 in despair, Nor is this altogether to be wondered at, 
 when we consider the extreme difficulty of the diag- 
 nosis. Spermatorrhoea is a drainage or waste, a 
 dribbling away of the seminal fluid. As already ex- 
 plained, it may exist unknown, and, consequently, 
 unattended to until great mischief has been inflicted 
 on the constitution and yital powers. Now what are 
 the indications of treatment? Naturally, to give 
 tone to the vessels that neglect their office; to prevent 
 the too profuse secretion of impoverished fluid; to 
 establish a healthy relation between the two; to re- 
 move the provoking causes that brought about the 
 first estrangement; to cultivate the mind into higher 
 notion of its importance, and thereby withhold the 
 irritating consequences of disordered imagination. 
 The treatment, then, of spermatorrhoea and its ac- 
 
i()4 TREAtMENT OF SPESMATOERHCEA. 
 
 companying affections, mental and phyBical, may be 
 divided into — First:: — Local and Constitutional. See. 
 ond: — Moral and Dietetic. The first step on wliich 
 we must insist is tlie relinqaishing of those practices 
 which have occasioned the disease This is essential; 
 the most careful and the most scientific treatment 
 must otherwise increase the mischief, and, by giving 
 greater temporary strength, enable the patient to in- 
 flict on himself more permanent evils. A due atten- 
 tion to air, exercise, sleep and regimen is in all cases 
 proper, and entirely within the control of the pa- 
 tient. A local remedy of great value is cold water; 
 the sponge-bath or shower-bath should be used in the 
 morning, a small quantity of bay salt being dissolved 
 in the w^.ter. Coarse toweling and flesh brushes 
 should be used after the bath; a suspensory bandage 
 should be used, the diet should be generous, but not 
 stimulating, animal food in moderation, and he should 
 eat little and often, rather than too full a meal. Ex- 
 ercise must not be neglected, moderate at first, and 
 gradually augmented. Stimulating drinks are im- 
 proper, spirits are m all cases hurtful; a glass or two 
 of wine may be taken if demanded by previous habit. 
 In this case a pale dry sherry will be best. With 
 respect to medicines, a sketch only of the treatment 
 can be offered. Cases vary so widely, that the cura- 
 tive means must be varied accordingly. The class of 
 drugs which allay excitement and irritability are first 
 likely to be required, for the stomach is so weakened 
 and capriciou'3 that the disease is ft'equently mistaken 
 for indigestion. Mild and cordial laxatives, alterative 
 
TREATMENT OF SPERM ATOERHCEA. ^05 
 
 irugs, with neutral salts, febrifuges, and sedatives, 
 vill soon quiet the system, and enable it to tolerate 
 tonic and restorative medicine, which if commenced 
 with, are decidedly injurious. But what is. the mean- 
 ing of tonic? for no word is so much misapplied. One 
 man means quinine, another iron, a third mineral 
 acids, whilst a fourth means stimulants , and so on 
 through the whole pharmacopoeia. Now, we mean, 
 not any one, but the whole class of medicines com- 
 bined changed, increased, or diminished to suit the 
 particular case; in this consists the real art of scien- 
 tific prescribing. One man gradually gathers strength 
 from quinine, which would not suit another, whose 
 deterioated blood-globules will become red and healthy 
 under the exhibition of iron, in some of its numerous 
 preparations. The peculiarity of my treatment con- 
 sists in the selection and practical adaption of reme- 
 dies we possess. And the above are but a few of the 
 remedies we employ in generative diseases or debility. 
 The peculiarity of oar treatment is to act directly on 
 the seminal vessels, to strengthen without exciting 
 and so restore health by removing the cause of dis- 
 ease. It would be easy to recommend various reme- 
 dies; but medicines in the hands of timid, irresolute 
 or ignorantjis more likely to produce evil than advan- 
 tage. In all cases let the best advice be sought from 
 one who has made these diseases a special study. 
 Someare prevented from applying for assistance from 
 dread of accidental exposure; it may, therefore, be 
 proper to remark, that it is our rule to destroy all 
 correspondence at the termination of each case; or if 
 
106 UEETHEAL DISCHARGES. 
 
 preferred, to return it to the writers. Inviolable 
 secrecy and certain relief are the boons we offer to 
 suffering humanity. Unfortunately, practitioners in 
 this country have long been averse to selecting this 
 branch of medical art as a study; many distinguished 
 men have risen to fame and affluence by devoting 
 their talents to midwifery, operative surgery of the 
 eye and ear, &c. The author of this treatise is con- 
 tent to brave the sneers of the ignorant and envy of 
 the malicious, when he reflects on the gratitude of 
 those whom he has rescued from an untimely grave; 
 he knows that in selecting this peculiar department 
 of medicine his usefulness has been increased, and 
 that he deserves well of his fellow men. 
 
 On Certain Urethral Discharges. 
 
 We shall not here consider the gonorrhoeal dis- 
 charges, as those are treated on in another part of the 
 work. There are, however, other discharges, and of 
 a serious nature, which often call for skillful and 
 attentive treatment. The first of these is termed 
 gleet, which is the consequence of an ill-cured or 
 neglected gonorrhoea or clap. There is another dis- 
 charge, a discharge of the semen without sensation. 
 
URETHRAL DISCHAEGES. 107 
 
 which is the result of a debilitated frame, and is 
 frequently induced by long-continued self -pollution, 
 or long residence in hot or cold climates. The penis 
 is invariable damp and clammy; there is a slight 
 mucous discharge rather thicker than ordinary clap« 
 which sticks in patches on the linen, and between 
 the nut and foreskin of the penis. Under the mi- 
 croscope this discharge is found to consist of 
 spermatoza, frequently in a mutilated state, and free 
 from vitality. The affection is characterized by the 
 emission of semen upon the very first attempt at sex- 
 ual intercourse, and often before a regular erection 
 can take place; sitting in a warm room, horse exer- 
 cise, and many trivial causes will produce it. The 
 emission causes little or no sensation, excepting 
 sometimes a slight spasm. These discharges are not 
 contagious, but sexual intercourse must be studious- 
 ly avoided on account of the great injury that may 
 result to the patient. Such discharges are generally 
 connected with deficiency of generative power. In 
 one instance under our notice, impotence was almost 
 complete; in another [a married professional man], 
 the powers had greatly declined. These patients 
 were in the prime of life; both had, however, led ir- 
 regular lives. The irritation in cases of this nature, 
 will generally be found to exist in the prostate gland 
 which is often enlarged; hence a frequent desire to 
 urinate, and a feeling as if the bladder were com- 
 pletely emptied, and as though a few drops of urine 
 were retained in the posterior part of the urethra. 
 This form of discharge is generally confounded 
 
108 . WITHDRAWAL. 
 
 with a common contagious clap, and treated yigor- 
 ously with copaiba, cubebs and injections. A cure by 
 these means is impossible; the disease is increased, as 
 the general health suffers from the remedies. It is, 
 however, quite true that these patients have pre- 
 viously suffered from gonorrhoea, in some instances 
 more than once. But in order to cure, we must pu- 
 rify the blood, and strengthen the parts. The sub- 
 ject, altogether, is well worthy the careful attention 
 of the profession, for these cases are decidedly on the 
 increase. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 Withdrawal. 
 
 There is a Practice which is very prevalent and very 
 destructive and canni)t be too highly censured. It is 
 followed in all classes of society among the married 
 and consigns thousands to the grave annually. I re- 
 fer to the horrible and filthy habit of withdrawal dur- 
 ing coition, and yet pernicious as this habit is, no 
 voice has ever been raised against it as I have heard, 
 indeed many married people practice it by advice of 
 the family physician, where the wife is deformed or 
 subject to miscarriage or from any cause unable to 
 give birth to living children without endangering her 
 own life, and so the husbnad practices that which is 
 far worse than masturbaation and thereby risks the 
 
WITHDEAWAL. 109 
 
 sacrifice of his health, for such a course is snre to end 
 in nervous debility, loss of vitality and manhood, and 
 indeed consumption and an early grave. Thousands 
 of married people indulge in this pernicious habit to 
 a great degree to say nothing ofwhat is practiced by the 
 unmarried. But the question will be asked, what shall 
 we do, if on the one hand the wife's life is in danger, 
 and on the other, that of the husband? what course 
 shall be pursued? shall we cease from cohabitation 
 altogether? We answer no! We say there are means 
 provided whereby cohabitation may be indulged and 
 the life of neither party jeopardized. In speaking of 
 puberty and its diseases in another part of this work, 
 I have said that married people in this dilemma may 
 consult me and I will show them a way out. Mas- 
 turbation I have told you was destructive to health, 
 but the habit of which I now speak is much worse, 
 the passion is checked at the height of excitement 
 and Idiocy, Spinal Diseases, Affections of the Kid- 
 neys and Bladder, l^ervous Debility and Consump- 
 tion is induced. Thousands of married people have 
 followed this practice, ignorant of its effects, until 
 they have become walking skeletons. I have treated 
 hundreds of such persons, far on the road to decline, 
 and in my first consultation with them pointed out 
 out the cause. They at once admitted the fact but 
 laid the blame to their physician for encouraging 
 them in the evil. 
 
 After curing them I have always shown them how 
 to evade future danger. The business of the medical 
 man is to treat of evils, causes, effects, and preven 
 
110 QUESTIONS FOR PATIENTS. 
 
 tives as well as cures; and I feel no delicacy in warn- 
 ing mankind to flee from those evils that are annually 
 carrying thousands to an untimely grave. 
 
 Persons desiring to consult me on this subject 
 must give their Express office address or they cannot 
 be replied to. 
 
 Questions for Pationts. 
 
 Most cases can be treated by mail, where a visit to 
 this city would be fraught with heavy expense or other- 
 wise inconvenienced, yet there are cases where a per- 
 sonal examination is im'^erative and the presence of 
 the patient required for a correct diagnosis of his dis- 
 ease. For the convenience of those who find it out 
 of their means to visit me, I propose a series of ques- 
 tions, the answers to which will enable me to form a 
 just opinion of their case. 
 
 1, — What is your name and age, are you married 
 or single, your occupation, post-office address, ex- 
 press office, how far do you live from the latter? 
 
 2. — Are you weak and emaciated, or stout and 
 fleshy? 
 
 3. — Are your bowels regular or constipated? 
 
 4, — Did you ever use medicine for your present 
 disease, and what kind, as well as you know? 
 
 6. — How long have you had your present disease, 
 and what kind of doctors have treated you, if any, as 
 well as you know? 
 
QUESTIONS FOR PATIEK"TS. Ill 
 
 6. — At what time of life did you begin masturba- 
 Hon, if this is not the cause of your trouble, describe 
 It fully in your own words? 
 
 7. — Could you bring semen when you first began 
 masturbation? 
 
 8. — About how often on an average, through the 
 whole time, did you commit the act? 
 
 9. — How long since you entirely quit the practice? 
 
 10. — Are there little red spots or a dull bluish color 
 on the head of the penis? 
 
 11. — Have you a dislike for the society of females? 
 
 12. — Are you impotent or deficient in erections? 
 
 13, — Impotency may be caused by sexual excess- 
 es. Did you ever indulge in excess? 
 
 14.— Have you emissions of semen on occasion of 
 lewd sights or amorous thoughts of dallying with fe- 
 males? 
 
 15. — Do you lose semen in bed and how often, does 
 it occur with lascivious dreams and does it producp. 
 debility? 
 
 16. — Do you have emissions, only a drop or two- 
 after urinating or at stool ? 
 
 17. — Does the left testicle hang lower than tne 
 other; is it enlarged, or soft and inflamed or othei 
 wise affected? 
 
 18, — Are the penis and testicles small in size or 
 were they always small? 
 
 19, — What are your habits regarding eating. drink- 
 ing, exercise and bathing, or washing the body? 
 
 20. — Could you conveniently visit the city in case 
 it should be necessary for you to do so? 
 
112 QUESTIOi^-S FOE PATIES-TS. 
 
 21. — Are the eyes dim, red, weak or inflamed? 
 
 22. — ^Have you any pain in tlie shoulders, back, 
 chest or stomach? 
 
 23. — Is your mind much occupied with thoughts 
 of your disease? 
 
 24. — Are you troubled with heaviness, weakness, 
 weariness in the whole body? 
 
 25.— Are you heedless for business, having no am- 
 bition, but, ou the contrary, feel lazy and indolent? 
 
 26, — Do you have thoughts of self-destruction? 
 
 27. — Do you often have a ringing noise in the ear 
 or deafness? 
 
 28. — Can you concentrate your thoughts on any- 
 thing, or have you a confusion of ideas occasionally 
 running through your mind? 
 
 29. — Is your memory good or bad? 
 
 30. — How often do you make water in twenty-four 
 hours? 
 
 3i. — Has the urine a sediment on standing in a 
 chamber? 
 
 32. — Have you skin eruptions, and where? 
 
 33, — Are you nervous — the least excitement caus- 
 ing trembling. 
 
WOMAN A2fD HEE DISEASES. 113 
 
 Woman and Her Diseases. 
 
 A difference of opinion exists upon the propriety 
 of any physician making a selection of some one 
 branch of medical science, and confining himself in 
 his reading, investigations, and practice, to that par- 
 ticular branch, and so advertising . For my own part 
 after a thorough medical education, at twenty-two, 
 like most young men in all the professions, I thought 
 I knew it all or nearly so, but actual demonstration 
 at the bedside of the sick, and in the room of the dy- 
 ing, soon convinced me of my inability in many 
 cases, and that medicine is not one of the exact 
 sciences, and that the only hope f or the adT ancement 
 of medical knowledge lays in the field of experience. 
 After seven years of toil, and a fair share of patron- 
 age, I was led to the following conclusions: First, 
 that if a physician embrace in his practice the treat- 
 ment of all diseases his knowledge of all -of them 
 must necessarily be vague and inaccurate. Secondly, 
 that the common mode of prescribing from the state- 
 ment of the patient, with perhaps no examination at 
 all, and no record being made of the symptoms, is, 
 to say the least of it, not the best mode in which to 
 conduct a case of disease, especially when the treat- 
 ment extends through several months. Thirdly, that 
 in many eases, from the dishonesty or ignorance of 
 
114 WOMAIS" AH'D HER DISEASES, 
 
 druggists, the medicines are frequently rendered in- 
 effective, and positively injurious to the patient. 
 Fourthly, that I could no longer follow such a course 
 of uncertainty, where such important interests were 
 involved; and I appeal to the general public if my 
 conclusions were not legitimate and correct. Aban- 
 doning the general practice, I chose a branch of med- 
 ical science sufficiently extensive to engaga all the 
 powers of any physician, and one that was certainly 
 susceptible of improvement. In the study of these 
 troubles, I have not confined myself to the knowledge 
 embraced in the allopathic system of medicine by any 
 means. I have found that every system furnishes a 
 large amount of valuable information pertaining to 
 them. The results I have accomplished during the 
 twenty-five years I have been engagad in this special 
 practice, have fully convinced me that no person can 
 acquire great skill in the treatment of these com- 
 plaints, unless he devotes his whole attention to 
 them. In fact the adoption of some particular spec- 
 ialty is the rule in almost every profession and 
 who will have the hardihood to affirm that we 
 are not benefitted thereby, both individually and col- 
 lectively. In the legal profession we have our crim- 
 inal, land title, admiralty, United States, State, and 
 other classes of lawyers, each having an indispensible 
 amount of legal knowledge, but giving especial atten- 
 tion to his particular branch, and reading very many 
 volumes not included in the regular course, relating 
 particularly to that branch. In painting we have our 
 landscape, portrait, ornamental, carriage and sign 
 
WOMAN AND HER DISEASES. 115 
 
 painters, each excelling in his particular branch, but 
 any attempt to become perfect in all, would certainly 
 meet with a failure, The same fact obtains in archi- 
 tecture, manufactures, merchandising, and even 
 farming. "With these facts before us, the medical 
 man who assumes to know everything, presumes up- 
 on the ignorance of his patrons, and in the matter of 
 life and death, if a physician, by the adoption of a 
 particular specialty can increase his skill, even ten 
 per cent,, it is almost priceless, and if my own expe- 
 ience is any criterion, the general public so regards 
 it, I am of the opinion that it would be a step for- 
 ward, if our legislators would interfere and oblige 
 every physician to write his prescriptions in plain 
 English. Nothing short of this, in my opinion, will 
 bring quackery to an end, and though I do not press 
 so desirable an object, I am ready for it, and for years 
 have allowed my patients to know on request the med- 
 icines they are using. 
 
 When a case of disease is presented to me, my first 
 efforts are directed to ascertain what is unnatural or 
 or wrong, always making an instrumental examina- 
 tion when I regard it necessary. Having determined 
 the exact nature of the complaint, I make a record of 
 all the symptoms in detail, in a case book kept for 
 that purpose, together with the patient's habits, 
 dress and occupation, as well as the previous treat- 
 ment. Having thus made a complete record of the 
 case, I can watch the changes that occur in the con- 
 dition of the patient, and consequently am enabled to 
 direct the treatment with far greater success than if 
 
116 IBMALE IRREGULARITIES, 
 
 I trusted solely to memory. Again, my prescriptions 
 are prepared in my own laboratory, under my special 
 supervision, and I purchase only the best and purest 
 of drugs, irrespective of cost. I am vain enough to be- 
 lieve, thousands all over the country owe the health 
 they now enjoy to the skill I have acquired by con- 
 fining myself to these diseases as a specialty, and the 
 fidelity with which I have tried to address myself to 
 real conditions. 
 
 Female Irregularities. 
 
 Females, owing to the peculiar and important re- 
 lations which they sustain, their peculiar organiza- 
 tion, and the offices they perform, are subject to 
 many sufferings and ailments peculiar to their sex. 
 Freedom from these contributes in no small degree 
 to their happiness and welfare, for none can be happy 
 who are ill. Not only so, but no one of these various 
 female complaints can long be suffered to run on 
 without involving the general health of the individual 
 and ere long produc permanent sickness and pre- 
 mature decline. 
 
PATHOLOGY OF THE UTEKUS. 117 
 
 The Pathology of the Uterus and its 
 Appendages. 
 
 The sexual system of the human female consists of 
 the uterus, and of its internal and external append- 
 ages. Before the age of maturity, the uterine organs 
 are small, exert but little influence on the constitu . 
 tion of the female, and are not liable to many diseas- 
 es. From the age of fourteen to fifteen, when mens- 
 truation is usually established, until the middle 
 period of life, the functions of the uterus are sub- 
 ject to serious derangements; and at a more advanced 
 period of life, its structures are often destroyed by 
 diseases of a malignant nature. In extreme old age, 
 the uterine system, without any organic disease, un- 
 dergoes a great diminuation of volume, and not n- 
 frequently the canals of the Fallopian tubes and 
 upper part of the cervix uteri become impervious. 
 
 The uterus has been found wanting in some 
 women; others have had the orifice closed by a mem- 
 brane, or a dense fleshy substance, or the os uteri has 
 opened into the rectum. The vagina is also some- 
 times malformed. Its orifice has been impervious 
 from unusual strength of the hymen, or a consider" 
 able portion of the canal has been closed within the 
 OS externum, by a thick fleshy substance. Cases have 
 been recorded in which the whole vagina has been 
 
118 PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 filled up "with a dense solid mass. An extreme nar- 
 rowness and shortness of the canal has also been re- 
 peatedly observed, and in some it has been altogether 
 wanting. In the neck of the bladder, urethra, and 
 parts situated around the orifice of the Vagina, many 
 varieties of malformation have occurred. 
 
 We ascertain the presence of disease in the uterine 
 system chiefly by the uneasy sensations of the patient, 
 by the disordered functions of the organs, and by the 
 changes in their situation, form, and sensibility. The 
 mammae, stomach, brain, and nervous systems are 
 all sympathetically affected in many of the diseases 
 of the uterus, and in most of the organic affections 
 of the organ and its appendages there is severe burn- 
 ing or lancinatiDg pain experienced in the hypogas- 
 trium, or dull gnawing pain in the sacrum, loins, 
 pubis, and upper part of the thighs. There are often 
 sickness and vomiting, loaded tongue, impaired ap- 
 petite, and other sigas of gastric derangement. There 
 are frequently, also, dull pain, sense of giddiness, 
 confusion of the head and many irregular nervous 
 affections. The mammae sometimes become enlarg- 
 ed and painful, as in the early months of pregnancy. 
 The functions of the uterus, more particularly men- 
 struation and conception,are interrupted or disturbed. 
 There is frequently an altered secretion of the lining 
 membrane of the uterus and vagina, and instead of 
 the mucus which lubricates the passages, serum, pus, 
 or blood are poured out in greater or smaller quanti- 
 ty from the parts. When a female after the middle 
 period of life suffers from an habitual discharge of a 
 
PATHOLOGY OF THE UtERTTS. 11^ 
 
 serous, sanguineous, or purulent nature from the 
 vagina, with pain in the back and irritation within 
 the pelvis, an internal examination should be made 
 to determine the condition of the uterus. It is neces- 
 sary for the patient to reccollect that there is great 
 variety in the form of the os-uteri in different women 
 without disease. In some individuals its length is re- 
 markable, and in many women who have had chil- 
 dren, in whom labor has been natural, there are 
 irregularities or fissures from laceration, where there 
 is no organic disease. In some women, after repeated 
 labors, the lips of the os uteri do not project, the ori- 
 fice occupying directly the upper part of the vagina 
 like a funnel. This we have repeatedly found to be 
 the state of the os uteri in aged females, whether 
 they have had children or not. Sometimes the orifice 
 is so large as to admitthe point of the finger and pro- 
 longed backward and to the left by an oblique fissure 
 with round edges. Not only should the smoothness, 
 hardness, and regularity of the lips of the os uteri be 
 be examined, but the degree of dilatation of the ori- 
 fice should be ascertained, if any exists, and whether 
 it is giving passage to a tumor of any description. 
 The size and weight of the uterus should also be de- 
 termined, and whether the fluid covering the finger 
 be mucus, serous, sanguineous or purulent. The con- 
 dition of the vagina should likewise be accurately ex- 
 plored, for there are few diseases of the uterus of a 
 cancerous or malignant nature, in whieh some change 
 s not perceptible in the coats of the vagina. It is by 
 
120 DISEASES OF THE FALLOPIAK TXTBES, 
 
 an examination pei yaginam that we become acquaint- 
 ed not only with the alteration of structure in the os 
 and cervix uteri, but with the numerous displace- 
 ments to which the organ is liable, 
 
 I now propose to give a short account of some of 
 the important diseases. 
 
 1. Of the Fallopian tubes. 
 
 2. Of the uterus. 
 
 3. Of the vagina and organs situated around its 
 orifice. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE FALIiOPIAN TUBES. 
 
 The fallopian tubes are two slender, tortuous canals 
 about four or five inches in length, which extend 
 between the ovariaand the upper angles of the uterus. 
 They consist, like the uterus, of a peritoneal, mus- 
 cular, and mucous membrane, and they perform the 
 office of conveying the spermatic fluid from the uterus 
 to the ovaria and, after impregnation, of carrying 
 back the germ or ovum to the cavity of the uterus. 
 They are liable to attacks of acute and chronic inflam- 
 mation. The canals of the tubes are also sometimes 
 obstructed, and sterility is the result. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE UTEBUS. 
 
 The most important diseases of the human uterus, 
 accompanied with sensible alteration of structure, may 
 be divided into three classes: — 
 
 1 . Those which are produced by inflamation of one 
 or more of the textures which enter into the compo- 
 sition of the uterus, 
 
 2. Those which arise from the formation of tum- 
 ors in the parietes of the organ, or from enlargement 
 
ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS. 121 
 
 of the glands situated in its orifice, which have no ten- 
 dency to degenerate into a malignant form, and do 
 not contaminate the surrounding structures. 
 
 3. Those diseases which result from a specific or 
 malignant action of the uterus, by which its different 
 textures and the adjacent viscera become disorganiz- 
 ed. 
 
 ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 Acute inflammation of the unimpregnated uterus, 
 or Acute Metritis, is occasionally met with; the in- 
 flammation may be confined to the internal mucous 
 lining of the organ, to its serous coat, or to its proper 
 tissue; or, the three may be simultaneosly affected. 
 
 CAUSES. — The unimpregnated womb may be at- 
 tacked with inflammation as a consequence of exposure 
 to cold, menstrual suppression, excessive coition, and, 
 indeed, the same causes that induce congestion of the 
 organ . 
 
 SYMPTOMS. — The attack may be very slight and of 
 short duration, or it may be manifested suddenly and 
 with much severity. A deep seated pain of more or 
 less intensity, will be experienced in the pelvis or hy- 
 pogastrium, with occasional or constant pains in the 
 back, extending to the thighs, groins and pubic bones; 
 the pain is aggravated on deep pressure being made 
 over the affected organ, and also by urinating, def- 
 ecating, sneezing or coughing. The pulse is quick, 
 sometimes full or hard; at other times weak and com- 
 pressible. 
 
 The general symptoms vary considerably; it is gen- 
 erally ushered in with rigors, succeeded by febrile 
 
22 lN-FLAMM:ATI02r OF THE UDEEUS. 
 
 symptoms; there will be heat and dryness of the skin, 
 constipation,irritablestomach,,dry and furred tongue, 
 headache, slight delirium, &c. Ante version of the ut- 
 erus, or retroversion, sometimes takes place, or the 
 breasts may become painful and enlarged; and fre- 
 quently the patient will faint while sitting up. Men- 
 struation is usually suspended, but not in all cases. 
 
 On a vaginal examination, the cervix will be found 
 swollen, tender, and more open than nature, with 
 more or less heat. Occular inspection will frequent- 
 ly discover small, whitish, hard or soft granulations 
 upon the cervix, with rednsss and vascularity of the 
 surrounding parts, pain, discharge, and tendency to 
 bleed upon the least touch, and to which condition 
 the term 'Agranular inflammation" has been applied. 
 The disease seldom proves fatal, unless the inflam- 
 mation extends to the peritoneum and intestines. It, 
 more commonly, passes into the chronic stage, occa- 
 sioning various annoying and even serious consequen- 
 ces. Among its terminations may be names, abscess 
 induration, ramollissement, and gangrene of the 
 uterus; though it frequently terminates in resolution. 
 Chronic Inflammation of the Uterus, or chronic Me 
 tritis, may be the result of an acute attack, or it may 
 exist, more commonly, as the primitive affection, de- 
 veloping itself very gradually. The inflammation is 
 generally confined to the cervix and its lining mem- 
 brane, though the whole organ, or any part of it, may 
 be affected. 
 
 Inflammation of the lining membrane of the uterus 
 sometimes produces merely an increase of the natural 
 
INFLAMMATIOK OF THE UTERUS. 12S 
 
 secretion of the part, in other c^SLses pus is secreted, 
 as in inflammation of the mucus membrane of other 
 organs . 
 
 In some women who menstruate with pain, there 
 is a membrane somewhat like the decidua, though es- 
 sentially different in structure, discharged from the 
 cavity of the uterus at each monthly period. Women 
 who are afflicted with this peculiar disease of the 
 uterus suffer more or less uneasiness in the region of 
 the organ in the intervals of menstruation, and they 
 seldom become pregnant. The false membrane is 
 probably formed between the monthly periods, by a 
 peculiar and specific inflammation of the mucous coat 
 of the uterus. The symptoms would lead to the infer- 
 ence that the substance of the uterus is also afflicted. 
 Causes. — Chronic Inflammation of the uterus may 
 be occasioned by anything which will maintain a con- 
 stant excitement or irritation of the organ, as, ex- 
 posure to sudden changes of temperature, severe labor, 
 excessive coition, masturbation, stimulating diet, 
 erotic desires, frequent child-bearing, menstrual de- 
 rangements, abortions, blows externally,improper use 
 of cathartics, pressaries, vaginal injections or emmen- 
 agogues, dwelling in damp situations, constriction of 
 the abdomen by tight dresses, metastasis of rheumatic 
 affections, prolonged celibacy, alcoholic drinks, &c.; 
 it frequently comes on without any assignable cause, 
 and sometimes follows as a consequence of some fe- 
 brile disease or inflammation of neighboring organs. 
 
 Symptoms. — The symptoms of this disease vary 
 very much, more especially those of a sympathetic 
 
124 ACUTE IXFLAMMATIOIT OP THE UTERUS. 
 
 character. In some cases, the only symptoms wih be 
 a mental depression, with slight and irregular leu- 
 corrhoeal attacks. In others there will be more or 
 less disturbance of the menstrual function, some diffi- 
 culty or distrees in evacuating the rectum and bladder 
 with slight pains in the region of the uterus; a sense 
 of weight and dragging in the pelvis, heat, leucor- 
 rhoeal discharge, tenderness of the cervix, weakness of 
 the back, &c. The sympathetic symptoms are pain 
 in the head, derangement of the stomach and diges- 
 tive functions, palpitation of the heart, pains of the 
 breast, sense of oppression, formication in the legs; 
 cramps, hysterical attacks, nervous disorders, restless- 
 ness, &c. And these symptoms may be met with in 
 every degree, from a bare perception of them, to se- 
 vere suffering and distress. 
 
 Upon making a vaginal examination, more or less 
 heat in the cervix may be present, or it may be of na- 
 tural temperature, the body of the uterus, as well as 
 the cervix, may be augmented in the volume from 
 congestion, or they may be of normal size; when the 
 cervix is affected there is pain or tenderness of some 
 portion of it on pressure, and the os uteri is usually 
 softer and more open than natural. When the body 
 of the uterus is enlarged, the increased weight may 
 be ascertained by elevating and poising it on the fin- 
 ger When the cervix is observed through the spec- 
 ulum, its redness is increased, and many of its blood- 
 vessels may, in some cases, be seen. Chronic inflam- 
 mation of the uterus may terminate in resolution, or 
 it may continue, giving rise to ulceration, especially 
 
ULCEEATIOiq' OF THE UTERUS. 1^6 
 
 of the cervix. The malignant affections of this organ, 
 are often preceded for a longer or shorter time, by a 
 chronic inflammatory condition of some portion of it; 
 but it is doubtful whether this condition is, in reality, 
 the cause of the subsequent mischief, except it be im- 
 properly treated, or of long continuance. Obstinate 
 chronic uterine inflammation in a scrofulous female 
 or in one whose relatives have suffered from a can- 
 cerous disease of the part, must be watched with 
 great care and anxiety. 
 
 UliCEEATION OF THE NECK OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 Chronic Inflammation sometimes terminates in 
 resolution, but usually results in ulceration of the 
 neck of the womb . 
 
 In ulceration of the os and cervix uteri, there is a 
 loss of the epithelium covering the cervix, as well as 
 a disorganization, to a greater or less extent, of the 
 subjacent papidce. The ulceration may be limited, 
 exist in patches, or occupy the entire external sur- 
 face of the cervix, passing within the lips of the os 
 uteri. On lightly passing the finger over them, a 
 slight depression will be felt, of greater or less ex< 
 tent, the borders of which will be regular or irregu- 
 lar, and well defined; sometimes the parts will be 
 very tender, and bleed upon being touched Upon 
 removing the finger an inodorous, whitish, or yellow- 
 ish substance will be observed upon it, occasionally 
 tinged with blood. The irregularly bordered ulcer is 
 stated to be indicative of a syphilitic taint, but I have 
 frequently observed a regularly defined margin in 
 
126 tJLClBATIOK OF THE tJTEEUS. 
 
 cases connected with this infection. When the ul- 
 ceration is very superficial the finger may not detect 
 it. The employment of the speculum will discover 
 one large ulcerated surface, or many smaller ones of 
 various sizes, with well-defined edges, and reddish, 
 granular surface, the smaller ulcerations coalescing 
 and forming larger ones, giving to the surface of the 
 OS an eaten corroded appearance. The os is general- 
 ly open more than natural. 
 
 In ulceration, the parts may in some cases be ex- 
 quisitely tender, while m others there will be but 
 very slight increase of sensibility, or perhaps, none 
 at all. Erosion and ulceration are very common in 
 strumous individuals laboring under leucorrhoea; 
 there is a muco-purulent discharge, which has no 
 odor, unless it has been detained for some time in 
 the vagina, when it has a smell like that of sulphur- 
 etted hydrogen. Cleanliness of the parts will remove 
 this fetor. 
 
 An open condition of the os, the cervix being 
 swollen and spongy; with heat, tenderness and some 
 discharge of blood, frequently follow irritations pro- 
 duced and continued by the use of pessaries, etc. 
 
 Syynptoms. — There is, generally, an almost constant 
 discharge, usually more or less profuse, of a ropy 
 consistence, transparent or semi-transparent, and 
 communicating no stain, but merely a starch-like 
 stiffness to linen upon which it has dried. It has al- 
 kaline reagency,but when it descends into the vagina 
 and is acted upon by the acid discharge of this canal, 
 it becomes coagulated and opaque, and loses its vis- 
 
ULCERATI015r OF TH EUTERUS, 127 
 
 cidity, resembling very closely the vaginal discharge. 
 When ulceration is present, the discharge will be 
 muco-purulent, and of a greenish or brownish tinge; 
 and sometimes it will be more or less bloody. Occa- 
 sionally, the blood discharged from the cervix may be 
 so constant and profuse, as to be mistaken for mon- 
 orrhagia. In connection with this discharge will 
 exist a variety of local and constitutional symptoms, 
 from those of a mild character to those of great se- 
 verity. Paleness or sallowness of complexion, occa- 
 sional or constant weakness in the back and loins, 
 with more or less pain; heaviness, with bearing down 
 or dragging sensations, menstrual derangements, as 
 dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, monorrhagia, &c., are 
 usually complained of. In some more active cases 
 there may be considerable heat and itching of the 
 parts; and the discharge may be acrid, excoriating 
 the external parts with which it comes in contact. 
 The bladder may become irritable, giving rise to dif- 
 ficult urination, or retention of urine, scalding, &c. 
 Coition is frequently very painful. 
 
 Debility, fatigue on the least exertion, indisposi- 
 tion to exercise, torpid liver, deranged appetite, acid 
 stomach, disagreeable eructations, constipation, more 
 or less severe headache, eruptions on the forehead 
 and face, hollowness of the eyes, swelling of the eye- 
 lids with a dark appearance encircling them, flabbi- 
 ness of the breasts, palpitation of the heart, colicy 
 pains, coldness of the extremities, flashes of heat, 
 vertigo, faintness, hysteria, indifference to surround- 
 ing objects, &c., are among the more common gener- 
 
128 TUMOKS, 
 
 al symptoms. When there is an accompanying relax- 
 ation of the vaginal walls, prolapsus of the uterus 
 will be present, rendering the disease more difficult 
 of cure. Sometimes the tongue will be pale, flabby, 
 and showing the indentations of the teeth upon its 
 edges, especially when amenorrhea is present. Ster- 
 ility is frequently due to ulceration of the womb, es- 
 pecially when amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea is present, 
 with a debilitated, anemic condition of the system; 
 and this is almost iavariably the case, when the dys- 
 menorrhea is attended with membranous exudations. 
 This is certainly a very fortunate circumstance, 
 since when conception does take place, it tends to 
 greatly aggravate the disease, and in some instances 
 a fatal termination is inevitable. 
 
 When the constitutional symptoms that usually ac. 
 company ulceration of the neck of the womb are but 
 slight, the discharge from the vagina is frequently 
 regarded by the patient as a simple leucorrhoea. In 
 every case where the discharge from the vagina has 
 existed for some time, and the ordinary means em- 
 ployed for its cure have failed to give permaneut re- 
 lief, there is sufficient reason for suspecting inflam- 
 mation or ulceration of the neck of the womb, that 
 must, sooner or later produce serious results. 
 
 TUMORS AlTD ENLARGEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT OF A MALIG- 
 NANT NATURE. 
 
 The fibrous tumor is usually of a globular form, 
 and varies greatly in size. It has generally a cartil- 
 aginous and fibrous structure, and the fibres are often 
 
TUMORS. 129 
 
 disposed in a concentric or converging manner. This 
 tumor has sometimes a granular appearance., or seems 
 to consist of a congeries of smaller tumors, of differ- 
 ent densities, each having a thin capsule of cellular 
 membrane. When large, the tumors often unequal, 
 lobulated, or divided by deep fissures, and arteries 
 and veins of considerable magnitude can be traced 
 into its substance. Cavities containing a bloody or 
 dark colored gelatinous fluid are sometimes formed 
 in the central parts of the tumor, by a process of 
 softening which its substance undergoes. 
 
 The symptoms and the accidents which these con- 
 cretions of the uterus produce, do not affect this 
 organ exclusively. Their situation with respect to 
 the bladder may greatly derange its functions. The 
 following observation will show that difficulty in 
 passing the urine, and even retention of urine, may 
 be occasioned by the presence of a concretion in the 
 uterus. A woman, seventy-two years of age, died at 
 Lille in 1688, She had been afflicted for fifteen or 
 sixteen years with difficulty in voiding the urine, in- 
 supportable pains in the region of the loins, os pudis 
 and perineum. The cause of the symptoms was re 
 ferred to the kidneys or bladder, but accidentally the 
 uterrTS was examined and it appeared to be scirr- 
 hous, A large hard stone filled its whole cavity, 
 which was considerably dilated by this foreign body. 
 The outer layer of this stone was of a friable matter, 
 which was easily detached. 
 
 Mr. Louis relates the case of another woman, six- 
 ty-two years of age, who died of a disease of the chest 
 
130 TUMORS. 
 
 in the Salpetriere, on the 16th of April, 1744. On 
 opening the body the uteius was found as large as a 
 hen's cggf and low down in the vagina. 
 
 Salius relates the case of a nun sixty years of age 
 who suffered violent pains in the uterus for several 
 months. The pains, which were alleviated by no 
 remedies, ceased after the escape of a concretion the 
 size of a duck's egg. 
 
 About the year 1070, in a village of the Soisson- 
 nais, according to the chronicle of the Antonin as 
 quoted by Louis, a pregnant woman, who had been 
 three week's in labor, was delivered of three stones. 
 One was of the size of a goose's egg, the other was as 
 large as a hen's egg, and the third was like a nut. 
 The child immediately followed, and the woman was 
 freed from her pains. 
 
 Sometimes we find only one tumor present in the 
 walls of the uterus; at other times several are met 
 with of different sizes, and not unfrequently they are 
 combined with cysts and tumors of the ovary. They 
 have no disposition to ulcerate, nor to degenerate 
 into a malignant form, though they are not uiifre- 
 quently observed in individuals who have cancerous 
 affections of the uterus, mammae, liver and other or- 
 gans. They have seldom, if ever, been observed be- 
 fore the age of puberty, and Bayle affirms that they 
 are most frequently met with in the bodies of those 
 women in whom the physical signs of virginity are 
 present, that in twenty out of one hundred women 
 taken indiscriminately after the middle period of life, 
 the fibrous tumor more or less developed, is found on 
 dissection imbedded in the walls of the uterus. 
 
CANCEROUS DISEASES OF THE UTERUS. 131 
 
 Before the middle of the eighteenth century, few 
 facts of any importance had been ascertained respect- 
 ing the origin and structure of the polypus of the 
 uterus. The older writers included under the term 
 polypus all the different tumors of the uterus which 
 have now been described, the greater number of the 
 organic affections of the os and cervix uteri of a ma- 
 lignant nature, and also fleshy moles or ova in a 
 morbid state. The confusion and obscurity in which 
 the pathology of uterine polypi has so long remained 
 may be attributed in a great measure to the circum- 
 stance that few opportunities have been enjoyed of 
 investigating their structure before it has been de- 
 stroyed by inflammation and sloughing produced by 
 artificial or natural means. 
 
 OP THH MALIGNANT OR OANOBEOUS DISEASES OF THE 
 UTEEUS. 
 
 Scirrhus, carcinoma, cauliflower excrescence of the 
 OS uteri, corroding or phagedenic ulcer of the cervix 
 uteri, are some of the terms which have been employ- 
 ed by different authors to designate the varieties of 
 malignant or cancerous disease of the uterus. That 
 -there is no essential difference between these affec- 
 tions is proved by the fact, that the morbid alterations 
 of structure by which they are characterized are 
 sometimes found blended together in the same uterus 
 and they have all this common tendency that they 
 invariably proceed after a longer or shorter period to 
 destroy the different textures of the uterus and the 
 adjacent viscera. 
 
132 CAXCEKOUS DISEASES OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 When the os uteri is affected with, that form of 
 malignant disease termed carcinoma, it generally "be- 
 comes thick, hard, irregular, and the lips are everted 
 and painful on pressure. One or both lips of the os 
 uteri become projecting, or they are changed into 
 hard, irregular knobs or tumors, which frequently 
 bleed when touched. In the greater number of cases 
 of malignant disease, the os and cervix uteri are the 
 the parts first affected, but the opinion is incorrect 
 that the cervix uteri is invariably the part first at- 
 tacked, and that the disease commences in the glands 
 of the part. In some cases the lining membrane of 
 the fundus or body of the uterus is extensively disor- 
 ganized by malignant disease before any change has 
 taken place in the lower portion of the uterus. The 
 cavity of the uterus may be distended with a large, 
 hard, carcinomatous tumor, adhering to the fundus, 
 or with a soft fungus mass growing from the lining 
 membrane of the body of the uterus, while the os 
 and cervix have undergone no sensible alteration in 
 structure. 
 
 Causes. — It is often a hereditary disease It is not 
 produced by inflammation, but inflammation is often 
 excited in its progress, and when produced hastens 
 the fatal termination of the affection. Mechanical 
 injury has been enumerated among the causes of 
 malignant disease of the uterus; but we have never 
 met with a case where it could be distinctly referred 
 to violence of any kind. 
 
 A great part of my practice has been in the treat- 
 ment of this difficult and obscure class of diseases, 
 
FALLING OF THE WOMB, 133 
 
 having treated thousands of cases, I feel myself com- 
 petent to cure all curable cases, and for the encour- 
 agement of those afflicted I will say I have cured 
 many cases given up as hopeless by other physicians. 
 
 PROLAPSUS UTERI OR PAIiLING OP THE WOMB. 
 
 Among the various displacements of the womb, 
 there is none so common as prolapsus, or falling of 
 the womb, by which is meant a condition of this or- 
 gan in which it is much lower than it should be. It 
 is more generally met with among married women, 
 especially those who have borne children, but may 
 occur among the unmarried. It is sometimes of a 
 most obstinate character, resisting all remedial meas- 
 ures, and proving a source of suffering to the female 
 for the remainder of her life . Most cases are curable 
 however. 
 
 Symptoms. — Prolapsus of the womb varies from a 
 very slight descent below the natural position of the 
 uterus, to its projection through the external parts, 
 occasions alterations in the relative situation of the 
 neighboring organs, from which many uapleasant 
 symptoms arise. It generally comes on with a feel- 
 ing of fullness in the pelvis; a weight and bearing 
 down in the parts, with a sensation of dragging which 
 extends from the navel to the loins; pains in the 
 back extending around into the groins; considerable 
 distress standing or walking; the bowels are usually 
 constipated; and the urine will be unnaturally hot, 
 and pass with more or less difficulty. Most of these 
 symptoms are relieved when the patient lies down. 
 
134 ANTEVEESION OF THE UTEEUS, 
 
 Leucorrhoea, excessive menstruation, or painful men- 
 struation, are frequent attendants upon prolapsus of 
 the womb. 
 
 From its intimate relation with the womb, the 
 stomach soon becomes deranged, the appetite is ir- 
 regular or deficient; the stomach and bowels lose 
 their tone; rolling of wind in the bowels, accompanied 
 with a rumbling noise, is common; the spirits become 
 depressed and the patient loses all desire for exercise, 
 employment, or even life. The symptoms common 
 to this complaint are varied, and numerous, so much 
 so, that a careless practitioner will be led to suspect 
 disease of various other organs, which these frequent- 
 ly simulate. 
 
 Causes. — Falling of the womb is owing to a relax- 
 ation and want of tone of the vagina, and of the lig- 
 aments which sustain this organ. This may arise from 
 over-.exertion, straining at lifting, coughing, violent 
 vomiting, &c,, it may be the result of many child- 
 bearings, or repeated floodings, menorrhagia, leu- 
 corrhoea, and frequently occurs from a general debil- 
 ity of the system. It may take place from getting up 
 too soon after delivery, and may also happen during 
 pregnancy or even parturition. It is sometimes com- 
 plicated with stone in the bladder or with polypus of 
 the womb. A common cause is inflammation or ul- 
 ceration of the womb itself. 
 
 ANTEVEESION OF THE UTEBUS- 
 
 Anteversion of the womb is by no means a common 
 displacement, and rarely, if ever, occurs during preg- 
 
ANTEVERSION OF THE UTERUS, 135 
 
 nancy except at an early period. It may be gradually 
 occasioned by pelvic tumors pressing upon the fun- 
 dus and Xorcing it downward anteriorly; by relaxa- 
 tion of the ligaments, owing to previous pregnancies, 
 or, it may come on by the exertion of a sudden force 
 while the bladder is empty, as falls, violent and sud- 
 den muscular efforts, &c. It has also been occasioned 
 by fecal accumulations in the rectum, persistent 
 diarrhoea, and by hypertrophy of the round ligaments 
 resulting from previous inflammation. 
 
 Symptoms. — The symptoms will not be sc well 
 marked in cases where the anteversion comes on 
 slowly, as in those where it is of sudden occurrence; 
 and sometimes the only symptoms complained of will 
 be an uneasiness of the part, with more or less bear- 
 ing down, and pei'haps leucorrhoea. There will be a. 
 sense of fullness, weight, uneasiness, and bearing 
 down, with pain in the hypogastric region and about 
 the perineum, as well as in the back and thighs; a 
 frequent desire to urinate, which may be effected 
 with more or less difficulty; the symptoms are reliev- 
 ed on lying down, but much increased on assuming 
 the erect posture, as in standing, walking, riding, &c. 
 These symptoms will be more or less severe, accord- 
 ing to the completeness of the version. Leucorrhoea 
 may accompany the accident, and there may be a de- 
 ranged condition of the catamenial function. 
 
 These symptoms can only lead us to suspect some 
 disorler of the pelvic organs; a vaginal examination 
 will confirm our suspicions and reveal the true char- 
 acter of the malady. The uterus will be felt blocking 
 
136 EETKOVEESIOK OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 lip the pelvic cavity, the fundus being tilted over an- 
 teriorly so as to press upon the neck of the bladder, 
 while the cervix uteri is thrown backward so as to 
 press upon the rectum, the long diameter of the 
 uterus lying in an anteroposterior direction. 
 
 Discrimination. — Anteversion of the uterus may 
 be determined from retroversion by the fundus being 
 thrown anteriorly instead of posteriorly; from calcu- 
 lus in the bladder, or vaginal cystocele, by passing a 
 catheter into the bladder, and feeling the point 
 of it in the supposed tumor by a finger introduced 
 into the vagina; from pelvic tumors, by the pres- 
 ence of the OS and cervix uteri; although when 
 these tumors produce the displacement^ it may be 
 difficult to detect them; and from an ovarian tumor, 
 by its sensibility^ by the presence of the os and cervix 
 and by its history. When the cervix cannot be readily 
 reached with the finger, or the os uteri is pressed 
 closely upon the sacrum, an examination per rectum 
 may enable us to complete the diagnosis. 
 
 RETROVEESIOIS^ OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 Eetroversion of the Uterus is exactly the reverse 
 of anteversion, and is a much more frequent accident; 
 it is occasioned by a relaxed condition of the round 
 ligaments. These ligaments are so attached to the 
 fundus of the womb and the Pelvis as to prevent the 
 former from falling downward and backward to any 
 extent, unless they are very much relaxed. This re- 
 laxation may be produced by several causes; a very 
 common one is a retention of the urine, which dis- 
 
RETROFLEXION OF THE UTERUS. 13? 
 
 tending the bladder, this organ presses upon the fun- 
 dus and carries it downward and backward, placing 
 the round ligaments on the stretch; a daily persistence 
 in this retention will soon cause relaxation of the 
 elongated ligaments, and consequent retroversion. 
 Females, in traveling, are especially liable to this ac- 
 cident, from a neglect to empty the bladder; this 
 organ becomes enlarged from being filled with long 
 retained urine, when a loud laugh, a sneeze, a spring 
 from a coach or a car, or any sudden jar,&c., will be 
 sufficient to finish the mischief by retroverting the 
 womb: and it is more certain to occur if the pelvis be 
 large, and the woman be two months advanced in 
 pregnancy. Eetroversion may come on suddenly but 
 more frequently manifests itself by degrees. 
 
 Symptoms. — There will be pains low down in the 
 abdomen, and in the lumbo-sacral region, increased 
 upon motion. The urine will be voided with difficulty, 
 or not passed at all, there will be constipation, with 
 tenesmus, and difficulty in defecating, Sometimes, 
 the uiine can be passed without any trouble. The 
 symptoms, in other respects, will very much resemble 
 those of anteversion. 
 
 A vaginal examination is always necessary; the 
 fundus of the uterus will be found in the hollow of 
 the sacrum, while the cervix will be toward the pu- 
 bic arch, and sometimes above it; perhaps, pressing 
 upon the urethra. 
 
 KETEOFLEXION OF THE TJTEKTTS 
 
 Is a bent condition of the womb upon its cervix, 
 
138 IlfFLAMMATIOlT OF THE OVARIES. 
 
 similar to that of anteflexion, but differing from it in 
 the uterine tumor being- found on the posterior face 
 of the cervix, while no enlargement can be felt on its 
 anterior face The fundus is bent over into the 
 hollow of the sacrum, while the cervix and os uteri 
 are nearly in the normal position. The same rules, 
 with the above exception, may be adopted for its 
 diagnosis, as named for anteversion. 
 
 rNTIiAMMATION OF THE OVAEIES. 
 
 The Ovaries are not so subject to attacks of disease 
 as the uterus, probably owing to their peculiar 
 structure, and freedom from exposure to morbid or 
 irritating discharges, as well as from direct mechan- 
 ical injuries. They are, however, liable to the same 
 maladies as the tubes and womb, some of which are 
 exceedingly rare. The more common affections of the 
 ovaries only will be noticed. 
 
 ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE OVAEIES. 
 
 May occur in the unimpregnated state, but is more 
 generally associated with inflammation of other or- 
 gans of the pelvis, following an abortion or delivery. 
 More commonly only one ovary is affected at the 
 game time. Menstruation is usually suspended, if 
 the attack occurs during the monthly period. The 
 same causes which produce inflammation of the 
 uterus, tubes, or peritoneum, may give rise to ovari- 
 tis. The local and constitutional symptoms will be 
 similar to those of inflammation of the tubes, unless 
 there is an extension of the inflammation, when there 
 will be additional corresponding symptoms, thus if 
 
CHROKIC INFLAMMATION OF THE OVAEIES. lo9 
 
 the disease spreads to the bladder, there will be a fre- 
 quent desire to pass water, with scalding and pain 
 during urination; if it extends to the peritoneum the 
 pain in the abdomen will be more severe, as well as 
 the general symptoms; and there will be sometimes a 
 painful bearing down sensation in the pelvis, with a 
 desire to evacuate the rectum, almost amounting to 
 a tenesmus. A vaginal examination will not throw 
 any light upon the disease; but the finger introduced 
 into the rectum can, generally, be readily carried to 
 the side of the womb, where the ovary, if inflamed, 
 will be felt swollen and more or less painful on pres- 
 sure. 
 
 Acute inflammation of the ovaries may terminate 
 by resolution, or by suppuration; or it may extend to 
 the neighboring perit(>neal tissue, and prove fatal; or 
 it may result in chronic inflammation. Sometimes 
 softening of the ovaries ensues. The prognosis in all 
 ovarian diseases is unfavorable, from the fact that 
 they generally remain undiscovered or unsuspected, 
 until the favorable period of treatment has passed 
 away. 
 
 OHBONIO INPIiAMMATION OF THE OVAEIES 
 
 May be the result of the acute form, or may appear 
 independently of it. The symptoms are similar, but 
 not so marked as in the acute form. There will be a 
 dull pain in the affected part, which may be slightly 
 increased by motioi^ The catamenia may be sus- 
 pended or deficient, and the constitutional symptoms 
 will hardly be observed, except when the disease is 
 
140 MEKSTRlTATIOlf. 
 
 approaching an unfavorable termination. An exam- 
 ination per rectum should always be made, the same 
 as the acute form. The termination, as well as the 
 pathological appearances, will be the same as those 
 named in Acute Ovaritis. 
 
 When either the acute or chronic form of Ovaritis 
 is about to terminate in abcess, the formation of pus 
 will be known by the rigors, the increased pain, heat, 
 weight, swelling and throbbing of the parts, the 
 the quickness and softness of the pulse, and the dim- 
 inution of the constitutional suffering. The abcess 
 commonly points at some spot in the iliac region, and 
 the pus may escape spontaneously or by an artificial 
 opening through the walls of the abdomen, or it may 
 be discharged through the bladder, rectum or uterus. 
 Sometimes it may be emptied into the peritoneal cav- 
 ity, occasioning a speedy death; or, the subsequent 
 discharge of matter into the cavity may be for a time 
 prevented, by an adhesion taking place between the 
 ovary and some of the adjacent parts. 
 
 MKNSTBUATION. 
 
 It is not intended in the present article to discuss 
 the various theories of this important function of the 
 human uterus, which have at various times prevailed. 
 It will be sufficient to state generally that we consider 
 the menstrual discharge to be the consequence of a 
 peculiar periodical condition of the blood-vessels of 
 the uterus, fitting it for impregnation. 
 
 The functions of menstruation last, on the average 
 for about thirty years of the life of a woman, begin- 
 
MEKSTEUAtlOK. 141 
 
 ning at puberty, and ending somewhere between for- 
 ty and fifty years of age, "unless interrupted by dis- 
 ease, by pregnancy, or by suckling. During tbis large 
 proportion of female life there is a great liability to 
 derangements, of one form or another, in the men- 
 strual process, and to which much importance is attri- 
 buted; though from some remains of the old doctrine 
 that the menses were the outlets of '^peccant hum- 
 ors,'' more anxiety is generally expressed in cases of 
 diminished or suspended discharge than in those 
 where it is unnaturally profuse. 
 
 For a very considerable period before puberty, of- 
 ten two or three years, symptoms of the approaching 
 important change in the system may be detected. It 
 is not at all uncommon to meet at this age very ob- 
 stinate disorders, such as headaches, epileptic fits, or 
 cutaneous affections; and upon finding the usual 
 plans of treatment fail, some medical men are in the 
 habit of prophesying a cure when menstruation is es- 
 tablished. 
 
 If the young trees your orchard need pruning, so the 
 young maiden at this time needs the attention of her 
 mother, and if the symptoms alluded to continue, 
 scientific medical advice should be obtained. It is 
 not often necessary to use much medication, but the 
 little needed is indispensable, if you wish the girl to 
 become a healthy wife and mother. The mother, if 
 a close observer, can state the case to me, or, when 
 far from the city, write it out in plain detail. 
 
 When the function of menstruation has been once 
 fairly established, it may become disordered in seye- 
 
14'^ AMEIS-ORRHCEA. 
 
 ral ways, each forming distinct classes of diseases. 
 Menstruation may be faulty in respect to the quanti- 
 ty of the discharge, the quality of the discharge, the 
 regularity of its appearance, the time of its duration 
 and the degree of pain with which the process is ac- 
 companied. When the discharge has been in any way 
 suppressed in a peculiar condition of health, what 
 has been called yicarious menstruation has sometimes 
 periodically occurred from other parts of the body, 
 the stomach, the lungs, the bowels. The diseases 
 connected with menstruation are Amenorrhcea, Dys- 
 menorrhoea and Menorrhagia. 
 
 AMENOEEHCEA. 
 
 Amenorrhcea has usually been divided into reten- 
 tion and suppression of the menses. Under this he.ad 
 we shall also consider vicarious menstruation . 
 
 1. — Emansio, or retention of the menses. The 
 non-appearance of the menstrual discharge at the 
 usual age does not, in itself, constitute a disease. The 
 condition of the bodily development must chiefly be 
 taken into consideration, for the age at which the 
 ovarian functions are first manifested varies exceed- 
 ingly. Instances of very precocious puberty are nu- 
 merous; neither is it at all uncommon to meet with 
 cases where the menstrual discharge does not occur 
 till a very late period of life. 
 
 We have met with young women of eighteen or 
 twenty years, resembling children in conformation, 
 with a weak and languid frame, a feeble circulation, 
 attenuated, colorless, and of stinted growth. The 
 
DYSMENOEEHCEA, 143 
 
 case is obviously one of constitutional debility, and 
 as such, requires medical treatment. 
 
 When at the usual age of puberty, a decided change 
 in the system is observed, and a struggle is evidently 
 taking place to bring about the sexual functions, al- 
 though followed by no actual development, we may 
 conclude that the defect is only in degree, and^that, 
 by proper medical assistance. Nature will accomplish 
 her object. But if from false modesty on the part of 
 the young female, or the want of a proper regard for 
 her situation, either from carelessness or ignorance 
 on the part of the parents, the case be neglected, 
 three chances out of four are that she will become 
 the victim of consumption, and fill an early grave, 
 and the fourth chance, all her life long have some or 
 all of the menstrual derangements so common in the 
 country. 
 
 DTSMENOBBHCEA, PAINFUL OR DIFFICULT MENSTRUATION. 
 
 This disease is important from its occasional ex- 
 treme obstinacy, from the great suffering which it 
 produces. In healthy menstruation there is often no 
 warning whatever of the period; more generally there 
 is some degree of discomfort, consisting of a sensa- 
 tion of weight and fullness about the pelvis, with a 
 bearing down and aching of the thighs, but usually 
 the suffering is so slight as not call for medical aid; 
 in Dysmenorrhoea, however, the menstrual period is 
 accompained with such acute pain and suffering, 
 and looked forward to with such apprehension, that 
 the patient is eagerly inclined to seek for relief, and 
 
144 DYSMEEOEEHCEA. 
 
 is but too often driTen from one remedy to anoth^*' 
 with but trifling adyantage, 
 
 The time at which the pain comes on varies in dif- 
 ferent cases. In many the pain precedes the dis- 
 charge, or else the discharge is exceedingly scanty as 
 long as the pain lasts; but as the quantity increases 
 to a full flow, a subsidence of the suffering takes 
 place; in these cases the pain will last only a few 
 hours. In other instances the discharge is more pro- 
 fuse than natural during the whole continuance of 
 the pain, is apparently exj)elled in gushes, and is 
 then usually mixed with coagulated blood. In a few 
 more rare cases the pain will only occur in the latter 
 part of the menstrual period, accompanied either 
 with a diminution or an increase of the flow, and 
 ceasing only after every vestige of the discharge has 
 passed off. 
 
 All these varieties will be found in practice, and 
 though in the histories of this disease some have of- 
 ten been omitted, most authors have described the 
 pain as occurring only at the onset, and ceasing when 
 the full, and free evacuation takes place. 
 
 The pain often resembles the grinding pains of the 
 first stage of labor, and is similarly in paroxysms of 
 short dura<tion and frequent occurrence. There is 
 also, in the intervals, a constant aching pain down 
 the legs, with a dragging sensation in the back and 
 loins; there is sometimes, also, a sensation of bearing 
 down in the pelvis, with even an actual lowering of 
 the uterus. All these pains will vary in degree; for 
 in some severe cases the paroxysms have been so vio- 
 
MENORRHAGIA. 145 
 
 lent that the patient has rolled on the bed or the 
 floor with agony, and, in a few instances, the writer 
 of this article has noticed severe convulsions of the 
 character of tetanus, even amounting to regular opiS" 
 thotonos. 
 
 It would appear that the immediate cause of this 
 distressing disease is extreme irritability of the uterus; 
 and as it is well known that great irritation is but a 
 step removed from inflammation, it is very probable, 
 that in some cases, where a membrane is expelled, in- 
 flammation of a peculiar character may be excited. 
 Hence the necessity of attending to this form of dis- 
 ease, that you may avoid the more serious complica- 
 tion of inflammation or ulceration of the womb- 
 
 MENORRHAGIA. 
 
 This term implies morbidly profuse menstruation. 
 The term uterine hemmorrhage is so constantly lim- 
 ited in practice to cases unconnected with menstrua 
 tion, and occasioned by organic diseases, accidental 
 injury, or the consequences of pregnancy in parturi- 
 tion, that it is much more convenient to include un- 
 der the title at the head of this article all those in- 
 stances of the discharge of real blood from the uterus, 
 which occur in connection with the menstrual func- 
 tions. The cases, indeed, are very rare in which any 
 strikingly profuse menstruation exists, without more 
 or less real blood escaping at the same time. 
 
 Menorrhagia is a disease occasionally of great ob- 
 stinacy, and sometimes of alarming severity. It not 
 only includes the immoderate quantity of discharge 
 
X46 MENOKRHAGIA, 
 
 at each monthly period, the time remaining regular, 
 but it is also understood to comprehend the too great 
 frequency of the reccurrence of menstruation, even 
 when the quantity lost is not unusually abundant; 
 still the definition of '* morbidly profuse menstrua- 
 tion" ought to be remembered, because to constitute 
 the disease the quantity lost must be relative. In 
 healthy menstruation the discharge takes place every 
 twenty-eight days, lasts from two to four days, and 
 the quantity lost upon an average is about five or six 
 ounces. 
 
 Menorrhagia may occur in very opposite states of 
 the system, and has therefore been divided into ac- 
 tive and passive; the former arising from too great 
 activity in the vessels of the uterus, the latter from a 
 want of tone in the secretive orifices. Either of these 
 states may exist in a plethoric habit of body, or in 
 one of great debility. After a long continuance of 
 the disorder, the strongest and most plethoric frames 
 are brought down to the state of weakness, and the 
 active menorrhagia may thus become passive. In ac- 
 tive menorrhagia, for a short time, sometimes for 
 two or three days before the expected period, there 
 is a sensation of unusual fullness about the pelvis, 
 with throbbing referred to the situation of the uterus 
 itself, along with sense of heat and weight; the ex- 
 ternal parts of generation are often slightly swollen, 
 and the mammm become hot, tumid and painful.The 
 circulation is quickened, the mouth hot, the tongue 
 dry with thirst, and there is a general feeling of op- 
 pression, with headache and giddiness. After these 
 
MEN^ORRHAGIA. 147 
 
 symptoms have lasted for a certain time, the function 
 of menstruation begins; but the discharge comes on 
 with violence, in gushes, and usually accompanied 
 with pure blood, as proved by the presence of coagula. 
 The progress is then variable; sometimes after the 
 first few hours the patient feels relieved, lighter and 
 cooler, and the rest of the period passes over more 
 quietly and naturally; but in more aggravated cases, 
 the flow still proceeds in equal or increased quantity, 
 and lasts for several days, occasionally subdued, but 
 again breaking forth on the slightest exertion, till at 
 the end of the period the patient is left weak and 
 languid, with a feeble pulse and pale countenance. 
 
 The causes of Menorrhagia may be divided into the 
 constitutional and accidental; but it often seems to 
 require a combination of both to excite the disease. 
 The active Menorrhagia is found to occur in plethor- 
 ic habits, often apparently as a natural relief to the 
 overloaded system, but aggravated or excited by lux- 
 urious living, a sedentary and indolent life, hot 
 rooms, and also by very violent exercise or any other 
 fatiguing exertion. The passive monorrhagia, on the 
 other hand, is caused by all those circumstances 
 which lower the bodily powers, and weaken the action 
 of the heart and arteries. But in both of these cases 
 there are local causes which peculiarly tend to direct 
 the mischief to the uterus, and increase the circula- 
 tion in the vessels of that organ, leading to the in- 
 creased discharge, whether that be the immediate ef- 
 fect of excess of activity, or diminished power of re- 
 tention; such as blows and falls, or any other local 
 
148 FALLING OF THE VAGIiq-A. 
 
 violence; frequent and recent abortions, leucorrhoea, 
 over indulgence in sexual intercourse, irritation in 
 the bladder, diarrhoea, tenesmus, piles, ascarides of 
 scybala, in the rectum. 
 
 There is a frequent cause of Menorrhagia not much 
 attended to, and not mentioned in systematic works 
 on the subject, but the knowledge of which is highly 
 necessary It has been often observed that the most 
 obstinate forms of chronic Menorrhagia occur in per- 
 sons who have an impeded or disordered circulation 
 through the abdominal veins, particularly where 
 there is organic or functional disorder of liver. We 
 have no doubt that this is not at all an uncommon 
 cause of obstinate Menorrhagia. 
 
 The mother who would allow her daughter to be- 
 come emaciated with Menorrhagia, a loss of all that 
 glow of countenance, the sure indication of health, oc- 
 casioned by this disease, rather than apply for medi- 
 cal assistance, in nine cases out of ten, I will think, 
 has never suffered in debilitating effects, or she would 
 pity and relieve, if possible, the malady, whether ex- 
 isting in her own child or any other, and the husband 
 who would allow his wife to suffer from this com- 
 plaint is not worthy, of her affections, and cannot 
 long expect to have them or the wife either, for the 
 blood is the life. 
 
 PROLAPSUS, OR PAIiliING OF THE VAGINA. 
 
 Prolapsus or Descent of the Vagina is met with 
 more commonly among females after thirty or thirty 
 five years of age, and who have given birth to several 
 
FALLING OF THE VAGINA. 149 
 
 children; it is always accompanied with a relaxed 
 condition of the vaginal walls. There are three va- 
 rieties of vaginal prolapsus, known as, 1 — Prolapsus 
 of the anterior vaginal wall; 2 — Prolapsus of the 
 posterior vaginal wall; 3 — Prolapsus of the entire cir- 
 cumference of the vagina, either complete or incom- 
 plete. 
 
 Cause. — These displacements are owing to a relax- 
 ed condition of the walls of the vagina, which causes 
 a change in the direction of the bladder and urethra, 
 rendering urination more or less difficult; in conse- 
 quence of the urine being thus incompletely evacuat- 
 ed, it accumulates in and distends the bladder, the 
 weight of which causes it to descend, carrying the 
 relaxed vaginal wall before it. Every degree of pro- 
 lapsus may be met with, from a mere protrusion of 
 the anterior vaginal wall to its appearance as a tumor 
 within the vaginal canal or even external to the vulva. 
 Relaxation of the vagina may be occasioned by re- 
 peated child-bearing, an abnormally large pelvis, 
 heavy lifting, long-continued leucorrhoea, improper 
 habit of retaining the urine too long before voiding 
 it, improper use of warm hip baths, excessive coition, 
 violent exertions, severe vomitings, tight lacing, &c. 
 
 Sym/ptoms, — A sensation of dragging in the pelvic 
 region, with a heaviness and bearing down is expe- 
 rienced, together with difficulty in walking; the over 
 distended condition of the bladder impairs its con- 
 tractile power so that the urine passes with difficulty 
 or cannot be discharged at all. Sometimes there is a 
 stinging sensation felt along the urethra. Generally, 
 
150 INFLAMMATION OF THE VAaiNA. 
 
 by pushing the bladder up toward its normal position, 
 and holding it there, the urine will be more freely 
 evacuated. But little pain is complained of. When 
 the bladder extrudes it is liable to ulceration, injur- 
 ies, &c. 
 
 This affection is divided into three classes, but I 
 have no space to amplify and the disease is of not 
 very common occurrence. If uncomplicated, every 
 case is amenable to treatment. 
 
 ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE VAGINA 
 
 Is frequently met with; but is less common among 
 middle-aged females and the unmarried. 
 
 Causes. — This malady may be occasioned by ex- 
 posure to cold, mechanical violence, as excessive coi- 
 tion, manual or instrumental operations during par- 
 turition, stimulating vaginal injections, etc. It is 
 often caused bj the introduction of haid substances 
 into the vagina, especially for the purpose of mastur- 
 bating; and may arise from any source that will irri- 
 tate the mucous membrane of the vulva and vagina. 
 
 Symptoms. — The vagina is affected with increased 
 heat, and soreness, and becomes reddened, dry, 
 swollen and painful, with troublesome itching at 
 times, and in cases not attended to and cured, a sen- 
 sation of dragging in the parts, and pain in the loins 
 is likely to set in and continue; finally, discharges 
 set in almost like venereal gonorrhoea, and in many 
 cases impart that disease to the husband. No doubt 
 many a woman has been slandered by incompetent 
 physicians who, though unable to effect a cure, by 
 
LEUCORRHCEA. 151 
 
 sly words leave the husband or friends to doubt the 
 chastity of the patient, which I consider a poor excuse 
 for incompetency. 
 
 liEUOORBHCEA OR WHITES. 
 
 By the term Leucorrhoea, Flour-albus, or Whites, 
 are meant a whitish or colorless discharge from the 
 vagina, being the result of an unhealthy condition of 
 the vagina, the womb, or both combined. It is a very 
 common malady among women, but few passing 
 through life without having one or more attacks of it. 
 
 Symptoms. — The leucorrhoeal discharge is more or 
 less profuse, and varies much, both in quantity and 
 color; in mild cases it is whitish, in others, it is of a 
 brownish or greenish hue, and frequently so acrid as 
 to excoriate the external parts. When the discharge is 
 abundant, or of long standing, it occasions much de- 
 bility, with a sense of pain and weight in the back 
 and loins, pain in the stomach, colic, impaire I or de- 
 praved appetite, acid stomach, headache, paleness of 
 the countenance, hollowness of the eyes, chilliness, 
 palpitation of the heart and great mental depression. 
 If no beneficial measures be pursued, the constitution 
 soon becomes impaired and exhausted, emaciation 
 ensues, the flesh becomes loose., the pulse small and 
 frequent, the breasts soft, the breath fetid, the eye- 
 lids bloated, hysterics are common, and the feet and 
 ankles swell, and constantly cold. The menstrual 
 discharge frequently becomes diminished or suppress- 
 ed, obstinate constipation is a common symptom and 
 the urine is generally turbid, flocculent, and scanty. 
 
152 LEUCOHRHCfiA. 
 
 Dropsical swelling of the whole body is often present. 
 
 Leucorrhoea is divided into two varieties, the mu- 
 cous and the purulent; of the mucous, there are two 
 forms, characterized by the properties of the dis- 
 charge, and the part from which it is secreted. 
 
 When the mucous discharge is from the neck of 
 the womb, or its canal, it is a transparent, glairy 
 fluid, of the consistency of the white of egg, has an 
 alkaline reaction, changing reddened litmus paper to 
 its original blue, communicates no stain, but only a 
 starchy hardness to linen upon which it has been al- 
 lowed to dry, has such a slimy, ropy, and tenacious 
 consistence, that it is with great difficulty it can be 
 removed from the neck of the womb; and examined 
 under the microscope, is found to contain a large 
 number of mucous-corpuscles. This is a common 
 and most obstinate form of leucorrhoea. 
 
 When the mucous discharge is from the vagina, it 
 is of an opaque, whitish character, of the consistence 
 of cream, has an acid reaction, changing blue litmus 
 paper to red, communicates a stiffness to linen upon 
 which it has dried, leaving a greyish spot, deepest at 
 its edges, is never ropy, and under the microscope 
 exhibits a large number of ej)ithelial scales. This 
 form is frequently accompanied with a relax condition 
 of the vagina, and troublesome itching of the parts. 
 
 When leucorrhoeal discharge is of a purulent char- 
 acter, it is colored greenish, or any intermediate 
 shade between a light yellow and dark brown, leaves 
 deep stains on linen, which are removed with diffi- 
 culty by washing, and exhibits under the microscope 
 
LEUCOREHCEA. 16S 
 
 * 
 
 a large number of pus globules. Most generally this 
 discharge issues from an excoriated or ulcerated sur- 
 face on some part of the neck of the womb, occasion- 
 ally it proceeds from the vagina. This, however, may 
 be determined by its acidity or alkalinity. Women 
 laboring under this form of leucorrhaea are very 
 subject to abortions, 
 
 Leucorrhoea sometimes becomes of so acrid and ir- 
 itating a character as to communicate a disease very 
 closely resembling gonorrhoea. And the determina- 
 tion of this matter, upon which the happiness of a 
 family depends, is attended with much difficulty. 
 Great care must be taken by the physician in pro- 
 nouncing positively in cases of this kind, as a mis- 
 taken diagnosis will be a source of much misery and 
 mortification. 
 
 Causes, — Leucorrhoea arises from many causes, the 
 most common among which is excessive coition; and 
 on this account a woman wedded to a sensual animal 
 husband, whose only consideration for his wife is to 
 compel her to gratify his selfish passion, without re- 
 gard to her health, is much to be pitied, as she is 
 constantly liable not only to the present disease, but 
 to every malady which may afflict her sex. And to 
 this cause, is, no doubt, attributable by far the great- 
 er number of those diseases so common at the present 
 day among women in all sections of the country. 
 Other causes, however, may produce leucorrhoea, as a 
 rapid succession of children, colds, dampness, diffi- 
 cult deliveries, masturbation, abuse of warm baths, 
 purgatives, or emmenagogues, prolonged suckling, 
 
154 ABORTIOlT. 
 
 irritation of the rectum by thread- worms, relaxation 
 of the system by too much warmth, abortions, me- 
 chanical injury by pessaries, secondary syphilis of 
 the husband, sedentary life, sudden mental or physi- 
 cal shocks, excessive menstruation, &c. 
 
 When the leucorrhoeal discharge is considerable, 
 and continues throughout the greater part of the 
 menstrual interval, it is generally occasioned by 
 chronic inflammation in the uterine region, and very 
 frequently the neck of the womb is the seat of the 
 inflammation. It is to this fact that the intractibil- 
 ity of leucorrhcea is attributable. When the ordinary 
 means for the cure of this complaint have been em- 
 ployed for a length of time without giving permanent 
 relief, there is ample reason for suspecting that the 
 medical attendant does not thoroughly understand 
 the case, that he has failed to recognize the fact that 
 the leucorrhcea is but a symptom of that serious 
 trouble, inflammation, with, perhaps, ulceration of 
 the neck of the womb. It is almost of daily occur- 
 rence for persons to apply to me for treatment for 
 what their physicians have termed a simple leucorr- 
 hcea, and find, upon examination, that they have ex- 
 tensive ulceration of the womb. 
 
 ABOKTION, OB MISOABRIAGE. 
 
 Abortion may be owing to attacks of epilepsy, hys- 
 teria, dysentery, to acute attacks, as scarlet fever, 
 small pox, &c. Females whose systems are tainted 
 with syphilitic disease, or scrofula, or who labor un- 
 der excessive leucorrhcea, are apt to abort; tumors in 
 
ABORTIOK. 156 
 
 the pelvis or other abnormal formations, displace- 
 ments of the womb, ulceration of the neck of the 
 womb, rheumatic affection of the womb, etc., are all 
 causes of abortion. Disease of the foetus is a com- 
 mon cause, being generally received from the parent, 
 as syphilis, small pox, &c. Vaccination during preg- 
 nancy will often occasion a miscarriage; and it is 
 dangerous to vaccinate a woman who has recently 
 been delivered. Accidents always give rise to abor- 
 tion, as powerful exercise, heavy lifting, blows, 
 bruises, severe jars, long-continued and violent danc- 
 ing, rough riding, excessive coition, &c. In many 
 instances it is produced by long-continued suckling 
 of a child, and also by the means frequently em- 
 ployed for the purpose. Females of full habit and 
 voluptuous are very apt to abort. When the motions 
 of the foetus cease, the morning sickness disappears, 
 and the breasts become soft and flaccid, it is an indica- 
 tion of the death of the child, and abortion will cer- 
 tainly come on; the same will happen when the 
 waters have been evacuated. 
 
 Symptoms. — These depend considerably upon the 
 causes, and the time of pregnancy. Thus, for the 
 first ten or twenty days after conception, there may 
 be hardly any pain, but little blood so that the fe- 
 male will be more disposed to look upon it as a men- 
 strual derangement instead of an abortion. But in 
 the latter periods of pregnancy, and especially af- 
 ter the third month, various symptoms may usher in 
 the abortion; there will be more or less febrile symp- 
 toms, nervous excitability, deranged appetite, cold- 
 
166 DISEASES OF PBEGlfANOy, 
 
 ness of the feet and legs, a purplish discoloration of 
 the skin around the eyelids, which are more or less 
 puffed up, shooting pains are frequently felt in the 
 breasts, which become soft and lose their elasticity, 
 lowness of spirits, a feeling of pressure or bearing 
 down in the lower part of the bowels, frequent calls 
 to CYacuate the bowels or the bladder, and slight 
 pains in the back, which come on at intervals, grad- 
 ually increasing in severity extending in front, and 
 eventually becoming severe and expulsive, or true 
 labor pains. As the pains advance, a discharge of a 
 bloody character ensues, becoming more profuse as 
 the abortion progresses; finally the bag of water is 
 broken and the foetus is expelled; occasionally it 
 comes away entire, being surrounded by a bag of 
 waters. It is often the case that the first indication 
 of an abortion is the flooding, followed by pains, ab- 
 sence of motion in the child, and its ultimate expul- 
 sion. 
 
 Now if when a woman seems likely to abort, prop- 
 er care be taken, and scientific medical advice be pro- 
 cured, much evil, disease, and the unhappiness of 
 families might be prevented. But if abortion has ac- 
 tually taken place, or is inevitable, the very best of 
 medical aid is required to render life certain, the 
 health good, and as a matter of consequence, the 
 after years of life pleasant and happy. 
 
 DISEASES OF PKEGNANCY. 
 
 There are certain symptoms common to the preg- 
 nant female, which are peculiar to this condition. 
 
DISEASES OF PBEGKANCY. 16t 
 
 and are in fact indications of the healthy act of con- 
 ception, and should not, as a general rule, be inter- 
 fered with. In some cases, however, they become so 
 much increased in severity or protracted in duration, 
 that they may be termed the '^disease of pregnancy," 
 and will require treatment to remedy them. 
 
 Females, when pregnant, should never compress 
 any part of the body or limbs, with belts, corsets, 
 &c., as this may not only give rise to abortions, en- 
 larged veins in the legs, and other difficulties, but 
 will likewise tend to produce dropsy of the head, or 
 deformity of the child, as well as positions of the in- 
 fant in the womb, known as cross-births, breech-la- 
 bors, &c., which render instruments necessary to 
 bring the child into the world, and may prove fatal 
 to mother and offspring. The diet also requires par- 
 ticular attention, using light and nutritious food,and 
 avoiding all alcoholic drinks, fatty, acidulous, and 
 indigestible food. Gentle exercise daily, out of doors, 
 is very important during the first months of preg- 
 nancy; fresh, pure air, with bathings of the whole 
 body once or twice every week, cannot be too highly 
 recommended. 
 
 The following are among some of the most com- 
 mon diseases of pregnancy: Vomiting, diarrhoea, 
 cramps and heartburn; constipation, which should 
 always be avoided if possible, is a common and an- 
 noying symptom during pregnancy; headache, con- 
 vulsions during pregnancy, are generally of an 
 hysterical nature; cough, (j^Edematous swelling of 
 the limbs, piles are common during pregnancy, and 
 
158 CHLOROSIS. 
 
 are more apt to be present when the bowels are cos- 
 tive; though they are sometimes met with during an 
 attack of diarrhoea. Pain in the right side is occas- 
 ioned by the enlarged womb pressing against the 
 liver; itching of the genitals, or eruption of the parts 
 with excessive itching; suppression of the urine; as 
 well as difficulty in urinating. 
 
 All or any of these symptoms can be relieved or 
 entirely cured if medical assistance can be had re- 
 course to of a scientific character; and thereby not 
 only make life pleasant, but influence the offspring 
 at a time when, of all others, it is under the influence 
 of the mother. 
 
 A plain statement by letter is quite sufficient to 
 enable me to prescribe by mail or express. 
 
 CHIiOBOSIS. 
 
 Chlorosis, or G-reen Sickness, is a disease common 
 to females, especially at the age of puberty, and is 
 very apt to be associated with a retention of the 
 menses, though this may, and often does occur, with- 
 out any chlorotic tendency. 
 
 Symptoms, — Chlorosis is characterized by a state 
 of melancholy and disposition to inactivity, the fe- 
 male becomes silent and gloomy, frequently sighing 
 involuntarily, or shedding tears without cause; the 
 countenance becomes pale, or a greenish tint and 
 bloated, the eyes languid and the eye-lids swollen, with 
 a dark areola around them, especially in the morning; 
 the skin is dry and cool, and has a flabby or a doughy 
 feel; the pulse is frequently and easily suppressed. 
 
CHLOROSIS. 159 
 
 the breathing is hurried or laborious; the digestive 
 functions deranged; the bowels costive or irregular; 
 the stools sometimes become white and hard, and oth- 
 er times fluid, the sleep is disturbed, and the dreams 
 unpleasant; the intellect becomes dull, and the mind 
 is occupied with fanciful notions or projects; head- 
 ache is usually present; ringing in the ears; the face 
 cold; the nostrils dry; neuralgic pains, and palpita- 
 tions in the neighborhood of the heart and stomach. 
 
 The tongue is generally coated, white, and acid re- 
 gurgitation takes place frequently, with nausea, es- 
 pecially in the morning. There is often an accom- 
 panying cough of an irritable and distressing nature, 
 leading the friends to suppose that the patient is la- 
 laboring under consumption. Sometimes dropsical 
 swellings occur in various parts of the body, or the 
 patient may be attacked with St, Vitus' dance, hys- 
 terics, or epilepsy. Leucorrhoea is generally present, 
 with a re tension or suppression of the menstrual dis- 
 charge; or if any fluid escapes monthly, it contains 
 but little coloring matter, and less fibrin than usual. 
 
 All the above symptons will not be present in any 
 one patient, but a great proportion of them will; and 
 they will vary in their character according to the 
 circumstances attending each case. 
 
 Causes. — The causes of chlorosis are various and 
 numerous. It may be owing to indigestion, to 
 living in low, damp and cold situations, secluded from 
 the rays of the sun, bad food, late hours, excessive 
 use of vinegar, green fruit, and all crude articles, in- 
 dulgence in warm drinks, want of exercise, and a 
 
160 SELF-ABUSE OF FEMALES. 
 
 sedentary, lazy and voluptuous mode of life. Females 
 of a rapid and premature growth, those of a weak, 
 delicate constitution, of a scrofulous habit, or of a 
 nervous temperament, are more especially liable to it. 
 
 Many young females produce this disease by a vio- 
 lation of the moral and physical laws of Nature. Such 
 females labor under a great depression of mind; are 
 often affected with some menstrual derangement, &c. , 
 and become almost unfit for society. 
 
 Ladies thus afflicted suffer long and severely, be- 
 cause of a false delicacy in not seeking early the ad- 
 vice and counsel of a scientific and skilful physician, 
 whose sympathies and kindness, in addition to his 
 skill, might soon restore them to their wonted health 
 and vigor. 
 
 SEIiF-ABUSE OF FEMALES. 
 
 Mrs. Gove, in her Lecture to Ladies on Anatomy 
 and Physiology — subjects which every woman should 
 understand — thus discourses concerning its preval- 
 ence among her sex: 
 
 * 'About eight years since, my mind was awakened 
 to examine this subject by the perusal of a medical 
 work that described the effects of this vice when 
 practiced by females. This was the first intimation 
 I had that the vice existed among our sex. Since 
 that time I had much evidence that it is fearfully 
 common among them. 
 
 '^There is reason to believe that, in nine cases out 
 of ten, those unhappy females who are tenants of 
 houses of ill-fame^ have been victims of this vice in 
 
EFFECTS OF MASTURBaTIOK, 161 
 
 the first place. Were this the peculiar vice of the 
 low and vulgar, there might be more excuse for the 
 apathy and false delicacy that pervades the communi- 
 ty respecting it. But it invades all ranks. Profess- 
 ed Christians are among its victims. ^^Our boarding 
 and day schools are sources of untold mischief. A 
 short time since, two sisters, ladies of the first re- 
 spectability, informed me that, when very young, 
 they were put to a female boarding-school, where this 
 vice prevailed, and the practice was explained to 
 them. They were blessed with parents who were 
 willing to converse with and warn their children, and 
 they escaped the contamination." 
 
 One of her correspondents writes that she ^'became 
 addicted to solitary vice about the age of nine years." 
 * 'Facts and important information to young women, 
 etc.," a work which we recommend cordially, details 
 many instances illustrative of the prevalence of this 
 vice. 
 
 EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF MASTURBATION ON FEMALES. 
 
 In girls and womeii the consequences of solitary 
 vice are somewhat different "from what they are in 
 men. The object of the habit is the same in girls as 
 in boys, viz: sexual excitement; but there is this ;if- 
 ference, that girls do not weaken themselves by rhc 
 constant loss of Spermatic fluid, but by the excessive 
 exaltation of the nervous system. Excessive prostra- 
 tion of the nervous energy, and general debility, is 
 therefore, the effect of masturbation in young females. 
 The cerebellum, or little brain situated on the back 
 
162 EFFECTS OF MASTUKBATIOJST. 
 
 part of the head, is acknowledged to be the seat of 
 Amativeness, and this organ has also been proved^bj 
 the best pathologists, to be the seat of Epilepsy in 
 tt jnajority of cases. The sexual organs, as we have 
 already remarked, being highly supplied with nerves, 
 which are endowed with the keenest sensibility, and 
 which connect in a wonderful and mysterious manner 
 through the medium of other nerves in the spinal 
 column, carrying their direct effect to the cerebellum 
 and brain, the seat of the soul, it will be readily uq- 
 derstood why girls are much more subject to Epilepsy 
 St, Vitus' Dance, (Chorea,) Vertigo, excessive head- 
 ache, sadness, suUenness, depression of spirits, idiocy 
 and insanity. Instead of the local organs in the height 
 of the excitement and pleasure from this habit, pour- 
 ing out a functional secretion, leaving the longings 
 of the mind and desire somewhat satisfied, as in the 
 male, it does not obtain to produce this effect in the 
 female, but the pleasurable excitement being con- 
 tinued into a perfect moral orgasm, the cerebellum, 
 the brain, and the whole nervous system receives a 
 shock, which in thousands of instances is sufficient 
 to result in madness, mania, the loss of self- control, 
 or all shame, even to the exposure of the naked per- 
 son. These results are not the first effects, only in 
 a milder degree, but as the habit becomes formed, 
 the victim gives herself up more and more, and 
 oftener and oftener, to indulgences that sooner or 
 later develop one or more of these effects and sad re- 
 sults. 
 
EFFECTS OF MASTURBATION. 163 
 
 During twenty years practice, we have been con- 
 sulted in over one thousand cases of Epilepsy, St. 
 Vitus' Dance, 'N'euralgia, Nervous Spasms, Hysteria, 
 Cramp, Fits, and the catalogue of this class of disor- 
 ders, and in every case were they traceable to this 
 vice. 
 
 But again, the membranes lining the vagina and 
 the female genital organs, are supplied with glands 
 and tissues for the special office of secreting a healthy 
 mucous to keep the parts properly lubricated, the 
 same as in the mouth, pertaining to the salivary 
 glands. The continued irritation and excitement 
 kept up by the female upon these membranes and 
 parts by the habit, cause an excessive morbid secre- 
 tion to be poured out from the vagina, which dis- 
 charges itself over the labia and thighs, excoriating 
 them, generating humors and eruptions, and in many 
 cases an intolerable itching, causing hysteria, and 
 morbid excitement of the passions. 
 
 The face and complexion shows most evidently the 
 effects of this ^ice; red blotches and pimples appear, 
 the countenance often becoming yellow and discol- 
 ored. 
 
 Despondency of spirits, moreover, intolerable grief, 
 alternated by violent fits of uncontrollable laughter; 
 sullenness, madness and insanity, ore the result in 
 long continued and more aggravated cases, in females 
 possessing peculiar temperaments. 
 
 In our prescriptions and treatment for Lung dis- 
 eases we always consider it an imperative duty to ac- 
 quaint our patients with all the causes, and emphat- 
 
164 KETENTION OF THE MEl^-SES. 
 
 ically give them to understand that, without cutting 
 ofi and avoiding all causes, the baneful effects cannot 
 be got rid of, — health cannot be restored; consequent- 
 ly we have been able to reach and save many that 
 were surrounded by the twilight of the grave. We 
 conscientiously advise mothers having daughters man- 
 ifesting any of the above symptoms we have describ- 
 ed, to seek our advice before too late. An earnest ex- 
 postulation made to their reason, with an array of as- 
 tounding cases and practical facts, will often arouse 
 a gleam of reflection and moral decision, without 
 which a fatal termination would be the result. 
 
 EETENSION OP THE MEXSES. 
 
 The non-appearence of the monthly evacuation at 
 the natural period, is called retension of the menses, 
 and is generally followed in time by serious conse- 
 quences to health. From various causes, the menses 
 are liable to become obstructed at a period when they 
 ought to appear; and unless nature is assisted, the con- 
 stitution becomes so impaired as to induce consump- 
 tion, or some other fatal disease. 
 
 The cause of this disease seems to be a want of pow- 
 er in the system, arising from inability to propel 
 the blood into the uterine vessels with sufficient 
 force to open their extremities, and allow a discharge 
 of blood from them. The more remote cause seems 
 to be suppressed perspiration occasioned by leading an 
 inactive and sedentary life. We have noticed of late 
 that a large proportion of females troubled with this 
 complaint, are those engaged in factories; and we are 
 
EETENTIOls" OF THE MEN'SES. 165 
 
 satisfied that persons thus confined, year after year, 
 deprived as they must be of fresh air, and kept con- 
 stantly in a constrained position, inflict a lasting 
 evil upon their constitutions. 
 
 Among the symptoms which characterize this dis- 
 ease are debility, great disorder of the stomach and 
 bowels, sallow countenance, pains in the back and 
 loins, swelling of the ankles at night, and face in the 
 morning, palpitation of the heart, hurried or labori- 
 ous breathing, disturbed sleep, colorless urine, de- 
 rangement of the nervous system, and often harass- 
 ing cough. The skin is pale and cold, and some- 
 times of a greenish hue, which has given the disease 
 the name of the green sickness. 
 
 In regard to treatment of this complaint, it is evi- 
 dent that as it proceeds from debility, the great ob- 
 ject to be fulfilled is to give tone and energy to the 
 system . The patient should keep her feet warm and 
 dry, and avoid all exposure to a cold or damp atmos- 
 phere, especially the night air. If the weather is 
 mild, exercise in the open air will be beneficial. 
 
 The skin should be rubbed night and morning with 
 a coarse towel, or flesh brush, till it is in a glow. 
 
 The food should be light and nourishing, avoiding 
 the use of tea and coffee, fat meat, and all oily sub- 
 stances. Seashore bathing, change of air, &c., will 
 do more than any other course to establish the health 
 of the patient. Herb tea, such as motherwort, 
 pennyroyal, &c., in connection with the female 
 periodical pill. 
 
166 SUPPEESSIOl^- OF THE MENSES. 
 
 SUPPRESSION OF THE MENSES. 
 
 Aside from pregnancy, the menses are frequently 
 interrupted by exposure to cold, mental agitation, 
 and a variety of other causes which derange the 
 health. The discharge is sometimes suddenly check- 
 ed by remaining in a damp place till the body is chill- 
 ed, and in that case there is usually headache, a dry 
 cough, hot skin, thirst, tenderness in the region of the 
 womb, and pains of the back and lower extremities. 
 Sometimes the patient is attacked with shiverings. If 
 the suppression continues beyond two or three periods 
 the health becomes more or less impaired, as in re- 
 tention of the menses; and hemorrhage from the 
 lungs, or some other organ is liable to occur. 
 
 Our prognostic in this disease is to be directed by 
 the cause which gives rise to it, the length of time 
 it has continued, and the state of the person's health 
 in other respects. When suddenly suppressed in con- 
 sequence of cold, it may easily be restored by pursu- 
 ing proper means; but where the suppression has 
 been of long standing, and leucorrhoea attends, we 
 ought always to consider such circumstances as un- 
 favorable. 
 
 In those cases we have treated which terminated 
 fatally, in consequence of the long continuance of the 
 disease, the same morbid changes in the ovaries and 
 uterus are to be observed on dissection, as in those of 
 retention of the menses. In this complaint the pa- 
 tient should be fully apprised of the connection be- 
 tween the suppression and pregnancy. 
 
GONORRHCEA. 167 
 
 In the treatment of this disease, if the suppression 
 is owing to a sudden cold, a cure may be effected by 
 a free use of warm herb teas, until perspiration en- 
 sues; and if the patient is in bed, a heated stone, 
 wrapped in damp cloth, may be placed at her feet. 
 If she perspires with difficulty, an injection should 
 be administered, followed by the vapor bath, and if 
 necessary, an emetic to cleanse the stomach. If the 
 disease is obstinate and of long standing, the treat- 
 ment directed for retention of the menses will be 
 equally applicable in this, viz: Female Periodical 
 Pills, which are the result of the combined knowledge 
 and experience of some of the oldest and most distin- 
 guished physicians. To eulogize their virtues would 
 not add to their merits. We will only say try them, 
 and if they do not prove to be what they are repre- 
 sented, your money shall be refunded. 
 
 Price, Five Dollars per box. They can be trans- 
 mitted by Express to any part of the Union, 
 
 VENEREAIj diseases — GONOREHCEA. 
 
 Gonorrhoea is an inflammation of the urethra in the 
 male, and of the vagina in the female, attended by a 
 whitish or yellowish discharge. The disease may arise 
 from leucorrhoea in the female, or other exciting 
 agents; but, as a rule, it is contracted in intercourse 
 with a person similarly affected. 
 
 An average case of gonorrhoea, if not cut short by 
 treatment, presents four stages, viz: 
 
 The first or initiatory stage, which lasts from twen- 
 ty-four hours to a couple of days, and consists in a slight 
 
168 GLEET. 
 
 tickling, or tingling, at the orifice of the urethra and 
 the flow of a small quantity of thin, transparent mu- 
 cous or milklike discharge. 
 
 Secondly, to this succeeds the inflammatory stage, 
 in which the lips of the urethra become red and 
 swollen, the discharge becomes copious, yellow, or 
 greenish; the act of micturition is attended with pain 
 and scalding. During this stage, also, the most dis- 
 tressing of the complications of the disease are apt to 
 occur, such as irritation of the bladder, inflammation 
 of the testicle and of the prostate gland. 
 
 The third stage, viz: that of subacute inflammation 
 follows the subsidence of the foregoing acute symp- 
 toms. It is marked by slight irritation in making 
 water, and the continuance of a discharge of yellow 
 matter. This stage is apt to be protracted, and to re- 
 sult in the fourth stage, or 
 
 GLEET. 
 
 Gleet consists in the continuance, after all inflam- 
 matory symptoms of gonorrhoea have subsided, of a 
 discharge from the urethra of a fluid varying in color 
 and consistency — being one case simply mucous, in 
 another purulent. The quantity is generally small, 
 often not more than a few drops in the course of 
 twenty-four hours, whilst at times it ceases entirely 
 for days together, returning without assignable 
 causes, or in consequence of some excitement in the 
 way of diet or exercise. Though most commonly the 
 result of an acute attack of gonorrhoea, mild cases of 
 that disease, also, not unfrequently, run on and as- 
 
OLEET, 169 
 
 sume the true character of gleet. The disease is often 
 maintained by a state of debility, or by a strumous 
 rheumatic or gouty diathesis. That general debility 
 is a fruitful source of the persistence of gleet, is evi- 
 dent from the frequency of this disease in persons of 
 broken-down constitution. Again, gleet is peculiarly 
 frequent and obstinate in persons of a strumous dia- 
 thesis, who are subject to inflammation of the mu- 
 cous membrane, and, under such circumstances, is 
 benefitted by anti-strumous remedies. The influence 
 of rheumatism and gout in the production of dis- 
 charges from the urethra is notorious. 
 
 The sources in the discharge of gleet are various. 
 In some cases it issues from the lacuna magna, situ- 
 ated a short distance up the urethra. When that is 
 the case, a drop of the discharge may almost at any 
 moment be obtained — provided the patient has not 
 recently passed water — by squeezing the end of the 
 penis. In other cases it may proceed from chronic 
 relaxation of the membrane higher up the passage 
 towards the bladder, or from the prostate gland, or 
 more commonly still, from a stricture. 
 
 In many cases of gleet the discharge is the only 
 symptom. There is an entire absence of pain in the 
 part, of redness and tumefaction of the lips of the 
 meatus, and of scalding in passing water. In some 
 instances, however, the patient experiences a feeling 
 of uneasiness in the penis, or perinaeum or an itching 
 about the glans or in the deeper portion of the ure- 
 thra, which may be constant or attendant only upon 
 the passage of the urine. Again, at the first act of 
 
170 GONORRHCEA IN WOMEN. 
 
 micturition in the morning, the obstruction offered 
 to the exit of the urine by the matter that has dried 
 around the meatus and glued its lips together, often 
 gives rise to a forcible distention of the canal, and a 
 sharp momentary pain which may be avoided by pre- 
 viously separating the lips of the orifice . The symp- 
 toms of gleet no^ described are liable to be aggravat- 
 ed by any cause which produces urethral or vesical 
 irritation. 
 
 Some physicians are in doubt as to whether the 
 discharge present in gleet possess any contagious 
 properties. My experience teaches me that it is con- 
 tagious, in the great majority of cases, and certainly 
 no one is Justified in having connection with a female 
 while a vestige of the discharge remains. 
 
 GONOERHCEA IN WOMEN. 
 
 The urethra is much shorter and more capacious 
 in females than in the other sex, and hence the in- 
 flammatory symptoms are less violent, although the 
 disease is sometimes of longer duration, extends to the 
 external genitalsand the vagina,thus affecting a much 
 greater surface than in man. When these parts are 
 acutely iaflamed, sexual intercourse is performed with 
 more or less pain and difficulty, and sometimes be- 
 comes intolerable, but when the disease is chronic, 
 there is no inconvenience. 
 
 The discharge is very abundant, and sometimes 
 comes in contact with the extremity of the rectum, 
 which it inflames, when the mucous membrane of 
 this part affords a whitish or purulent secretion. It 
 
GONOKRHCEA IN WOMEiq-. 171 
 
 the mucous lining of the rectum is inflamed, there 
 will be heat and pain in the part, which are greatly 
 aggravated on evacuating the bowels, and the stools 
 will be mixed with mucous or yellow matter, and 
 sometimes with blood. 
 
 When this disease occurs during pregnancy, it is 
 absolutely necessary that it be cured before parturi- 
 tion, as the matter discharged m coming in contact 
 with the eyes of an infant in passing into the world, 
 may cause a violent purulent opthalmia. We might 
 narrate the histories of numerous cases in which the 
 vision of the new-born infant was destroyed by opa- 
 cities of the cornea, induced by the gonorrhoeal dis- 
 charge of the parent. It is, however, fortunate that 
 many such cases admit of cure. 
 
 The medical treatment of both sexes is constitu- 
 tionally alike; but the female has to depend more 
 upon local treatment than the male. Frequent 
 ablution, rest, temperate diet, the more farinaceous 
 and mucilaginous the better, avoiding entirely wines, 
 fermented and spirituous liquors, together with mild 
 aperients and salines, constitute the chief means of 
 cure, together with our Ricord's complete cure for 
 Gonorrhoea, of which we make mention in another 
 part of this work. 
 
 We have already alluded to the difficulty of getting 
 female patients to be their own confessors. If they 
 appoint others, every possible information should be 
 furnished, and fastidiousness by no means should 
 supplant the avowal of real facts. 
 
 The urethral and vaginal discharge is so acrid in 
 
1112 IKFLAMMATION OF THE PROSTATE. 
 
 some cases, as to excoriate the labia, and to give rise 
 to excresences, vegetations and warts, which may be 
 succeeded by ulceration or sloughing of the affected 
 part. 
 
 INTIiAMMATION OF THE PROSTATE GIiAND. 
 
 This, though not so frequent a complication of gon- 
 orrhoea as the foregoing, is a troublesome and painful 
 complaint. It is seldom seen except in attendance 
 upon those acute and obstinate cases which occur in 
 scrofulous and irritable constitutions. The inflam- 
 mation in these cases, commencing at the orifice, 
 speedily runs up the passage to the bladder, involving 
 the prostate in its course. 
 
 The symptoms of this affection are a heavy aching 
 in the perineum, extending often to the rectum, and 
 causing an ineffectual urging to relieve the bowel. 
 Pressure over the prostate is intolerable, and the pa- 
 tient is unable to sit. The gland swells, and may be 
 examined per anum, and felt also externally. 
 
 IRRITATION OF THE BLADDER. 
 
 This is common, and at times, a very distressing 
 accompaniment of gonorrhoea. Few acute cases are 
 are free from it. It commonly comes on early in the 
 disease, being coincidental with the most inflamma- 
 tory stage of the attack. Its leading symptom is a 
 painful, and, in some cases, an almost incessant urg- 
 ing to pass water; and the suffering is often the 
 greatest the moment after the bladder has been emp- 
 tied. The urine is generally loaded with mucous, 
 and, in some cases, is intermixed with blood. 
 
TKFLAMMATIOK OF THE BLADDER. 173 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDEB. 
 
 Inflammation of the bladder, or Cystitis, is usually- 
 caused by injuries, irritating diuretics, injections, or 
 diseasesof adjacent viscera or is the result of gonorrhoea, 
 occurring as a consequence of the extension of the 
 inflammation along the continuous mucous surface 
 common to the urethra and bladder; but it may be 
 produced by any cause that occasions irritation. It 
 has also been attributed in rare instances, to the 
 gonorrhoeal discharge finding its way, or being forced 
 into the bladder, and there lighting up inflammation 
 similar to that affecting the ur ethral walls. All those 
 causes which aggravate the urethritis may concur in 
 exciting cystitis, among which may be mentioned 
 sexual intercourse, indulgence in alcoholic stimulants 
 including malt liquors, fatigue, and the use of highly 
 irritant injections. Cystitis never occurs at the com- 
 mencement of an attack of gonorrhoea, but usually 
 toward its decline, after the disease has had time to 
 invade the deeper portions of the urethra. 
 
 Cystitis is almost always confined to the neck of the 
 bladder. The first symptoms that attract the atten- 
 tion of the patient are a frequent desire to pass his 
 urine, and feeling of heaviness in the perinaeum, 
 which is frequently accompanied by a tickling or 
 itching sensation at the extremity of the penis. The 
 urine is high colored, and deposits upon standing a 
 more or less copious, stringy, and whitish sediment, 
 composed chiefly of pus and mucus; and the urethral 
 discharge usually becomes more free and purulent. 
 
174 SWELLED TESTICLES. 
 
 In acute oases the f?ymptoms are much more severe; 
 there is a decided pain in the perineum and across 
 the hypogastric region, radiating to the head of the 
 penis, the testicles, and the groins; the desire to 
 micturate recurs every few minutes, when only a very 
 small quantity of dark-colored urine can with dif- 
 ficulty and pain he evacuated, followed sometimes by 
 a few drops of pure blood, and usually by most dis- 
 tressing tenesmus at the vesicle neck, which the pa- 
 tient endeavors to relieve by pressing with one hand 
 upon the perineum, while with the other he pinches 
 the extremity of the penis. In such cases there is 
 usually some degree of febrile disturbance, indicated 
 by a frequent pulse, loss of appetite, anxiety of coun- 
 tenance, general depression, and intense thirst. Re- 
 tention of the urine is rare in gonorrhoeal cystitis; 
 but it occasionally occurs as a consequence of the loss 
 of contractility in the vesicle walls, and the distended 
 bladder can then be felt above the pubes. 
 
 SWEIiliED TESTICLES. 
 
 The most frequent complication of gonorrhoea is 
 an affection of the scrotal organs, known by the name 
 of swelled testicle or orchitis. 
 
 In the early stages of urethral gonorrhoea the in- 
 flammation is generally confined to the neighborhood 
 of the fossa navicularis. At a later period, however, 
 the deeper portions of the canal are involved, and the 
 disease thus gains access to the ejaculatory duct, and, 
 under the influence of any exciting cause, may extend 
 along the spermatic canal to the epididymus, or even 
 
SWELLED TESTICLES. 176 
 
 beyond this, to the testicle and the tissues which en • 
 velop it. The patient's own sensations will sometimes 
 indicate that in this mode has originated the affection 
 of the testicle. He has felt a dull pain in the peri- 
 naeum and in the groin, along the course of the sper- 
 matic vessels, for a day or two before he observed the 
 tenderness and swelling of the testis. Again, we may 
 find additional evidence in the fact that the cord cor- 
 responding to the inflamed testicle can be felt exter- 
 nally to be swollen and hard, and can be traced from 
 the testicle through the inguinal canal, even to the 
 iliac fossa. Post-mortem examinations also, ha^e ex- 
 hibited ordinary appearances of inflammatory action 
 through the whole of the canal connecting the testicle 
 and urethra. There can be but little doubt, therefore, 
 that in many and probably in most cases, swelled tes- 
 ticle owes its origin to the extension of the inflam- 
 mation along a continuous mucous surface. 
 
 In some cases of swelled testicle, after the more 
 acute symptoms have subsided, the parts still remain 
 engorged, and the disease shows a tendency to become 
 chronic. This is most likely to occur in patients of a 
 weak habit, and while this condition lasts the least 
 exciting cause may induce a return of the acute in- 
 flammation. 
 
 Most cases of swelled testicle, if appropriately 
 treated, terminate favorably. In some rare instances, 
 abcesses form in the cellular tissue underlying the 
 scrotum, or in the epididymis or body of the testicle. 
 
S76 STRICTURE. 
 
 STRICTURE. 
 
 By this term is meant a narrowing of some portions 
 of the urethra, by which its capacity is lessened and 
 the flow of the nrine from the bladder impeded. The 
 common cause of stricture is the inflammation at- 
 tendant upon gonorrhoea, in which disease the whole 
 length of the urethra is sometimes involved. There 
 may be one or several strictures, and the whole or a 
 portion only of the circumference of the canal may 
 be implicated. The earliest symptom is ordinarily 
 an increased frequency in the desire to empty the 
 bladder, or the retention of a few drops of the urine, 
 which dribble afterward, and on cooling, the urine 
 deposits a cloud of mucous. The obstruction in 
 voiding urine increases with the growth of the stric- 
 ture, and the stream becomes smaller, twisted and 
 split In almost every recent case, there is also, a 
 gleety discharge. Indeed, the obstinate persistence of 
 this discharge is one of the most unfailing signs of 
 the existence of stricture. In aggravated, long-stand- 
 ing and neglected cases of this complaint, the patient's 
 sufferings are sometimes truly distressing. The irri- 
 tation extends to the urinary organs— the bladder 
 becomes disorganized by the action of offensive am- 
 moniacal urine, from the irritating presence of which 
 it is never free, and ultimately the kidneys become 
 involved in the destructive process. The patient is 
 constantly impelled to fruitless efforts to empty the 
 bladder; his rest is thereby broken, his appetite fails, 
 his general health becomes impaired,and unless timely 
 
SYPHILIS. 177 
 
 relief is afforded, hectica succeeds, and he sinks under 
 an accumulation of eyils. 
 
 What is called spasmodic stricture seems to be 
 simply an aggravation of an already existing stricture 
 by some exciting cause, as a sudden cold, over-indul- 
 gence in alcoholic drinks, and the like. 
 
 SYPHILIS. 
 
 Syphilis is one of the class of diseases called infec- 
 tious, and is characterized by the presence of a mor- 
 bid poison by which the disease is transmitted from 
 one person to another. The existence of a specific 
 virus was at one time called in question by some, but 
 at the present day it is established beyond any ques- 
 tion whatever. Daily experience demonstrates that in 
 syphilis there exists a contagious element by means 
 of which the disease is communicated, and though 
 this morbid poison cannot be detected by the senses, 
 by the microscope, or chemical analysis, its presence 
 is fully proved by its effects. 
 
 As stated above, syphilis depends upon the intro- 
 duction into the system of its peculiar virus. This 
 may be accomplished in various ways. In the great 
 majority of instances the disease is communicated by 
 sexual intercourse. It may also be contracted from 
 the body and bedclothes of a person bearing the dis. 
 ease, by surgical instruments, by chambers and water 
 closets, by the fingers of an infected individual. In 
 fact, a person may be inoculated upon his lips, nose, 
 eyelids, or any raw or abraded surface, upon any por- 
 tion of the body. The disease may also be communi- 
 
178 PBIMARY SYPHILIS^ 
 
 cated by either or both parents to their offspring. 
 
 Syphilis is usually divided into three stages, and 
 each has symptoms peculiar to itself. These are 
 known as Primary, Secondary and Tertiary, 
 
 PEIMAEY SYPHILIS. 
 
 The lesions peculiar to primary syphilis are the 
 chancre or ulcer and an enlargement of the lymphatic 
 ganglions of the groin, or bubo. 
 
 Tlie Chancre. — Although a chancre may occur on 
 any part of the body, yet it is by far most common 
 on the genital organs. Its common sites are the head 
 of the penis and prepuce, the vulva, vagina and ute- 
 rus. The disease may also attack the urethra in both 
 sexes, especially in the male, although the occurrence 
 is very uncommon. Any portion of the head or fore- 
 skin of the penis may be affected, but of the former, 
 the corona, or rather the gutter just behind the co- 
 rona, and the surface on each side of the frenum, are 
 most liable to be involved, from the circumstance that 
 these parts are particularly apt to retain the infect- 
 ng matter; for the same reason the free extremity of 
 the prepuce is very prone to suffer. A severe chancre 
 occasionally forms on the body or root of the penis. 
 ■ In the female the disease sometimes occurs on the 
 perineum, on the outer surface of the labium, and 
 around the anus. 
 
 A chancre upon the mucous surface of the genital 
 organ does not always pass through the same reg- 
 ular stages as a chancre upon the skin from artificial 
 inoculation. On the contrary, it frequently begins as 
 
PRIMARY SYPHILIS. 179 
 
 an ulcer, iu consequence of the matter having heen 
 brought in direct contact with the abraded surface, 
 or a scratch, and in this case the CTolution of the dis- 
 ease is always peculiarly rapid and well-marked. 
 Sometimes the chancre is so small as to escape the 
 observation of the patient. At other times, again, it 
 commences as a boil or an abscess. This form is most 
 common when the inoculation has taken place from 
 the matter having insinuated itself into the orifice of 
 a mucous follicle. Under such circumstances, the 
 gland swells and becomes softened, and is soon after 
 destroyed by ulcerative action. Moreover, it is impor- 
 tant to remember that the viscular and pustular 
 stages may have passed by unnoticed, and that, con- 
 sequently, when the sore is first inspected it may pos- 
 sess all the character of a well-defined chancre, No 
 general symptoms precede or usher in the local disease 
 whatever may be the form in which^it begins; all that 
 the patient experiences is a slight sensation of heat, 
 some itching, and an increase of the sensibility of the 
 part which is about to become the seat of the infection. 
 
 Chancre presents itself under two varieties of form, 
 the indurated or hard and the non-indurated or soft, all 
 distinctions being now abandoned, on the ground 
 that, whatever differences of appearance the sore may 
 exhibit, they are solely and entirely of an accidental 
 character, and, therefore, altogether independent of 
 the nature of the syphilitic virus. 
 
 The indurated chancre is usually rounded or some- 
 what oval, and from the diameter of a split pea to 
 that of a five-cent piece. Its surface is hollow, as if 
 
180 SECOi^'DARY SYPHILIS. 
 
 scooped out, and incrusted with a layer of lymph, of 
 a dirty grayish color, and very firmly adherent. The 
 edges of the ulcer arc hard, slightly elevated, and 
 inclined a little slopingly from within outward. 
 
 The indurated chancre has no distinct areola; its 
 march is indolent; and it furnishes a thin, serous, 
 sanguinolent, or ichorous fluid, small in quantity and 
 difficult of inoculation. Hence, unless the matter 
 comes in contact with a raw surface, or a surface well 
 adapted for its absorption, a second chancre seldom 
 arises during the progress of the primary one. 
 
 The soft chancre, also generally of a rounded form, 
 but less regularly so than the hard, is much more 
 common than the latter, and is often multiple, from 
 three to six or eight occasionally occurring in the 
 same subject. It is particularly apt to snow itself at 
 the free margin of the prepuce, and at or just behind 
 the corona of the penis. Several of teii arise simultane- 
 ously, and others are liable to form during their pro- 
 gress from fresh inoculation, or the mere contact of 
 their own secretion with the surrounding parts. The 
 surface of the soft chancre is superficial, flat, uneven, 
 and coated with a grayish, whitish or dirty drab 
 colored deposit 
 
 SECONDAKY SYPHILIS. 
 
 The term secondary syphilis is applied to the le- 
 sions that follow the primary form of the disease. 
 Secondary syphilis usually supervenes in about eight 
 weeks after contagion. In some it appears earlier 
 than I have mentioned while in others it does not 
 appear until a later period. 
 
SECONDARY SYPHILIS, 181 
 
 It must be remembered that every patient does not 
 have all the symptoms of secondary syphilis that I 
 am about to mention; if he has received treatment it 
 is likely that but few of them will occur. 
 
 The appearance of general syphilis is in most in- 
 stances preceded by certain symptoms, which resem- 
 ble those that usher in other eruptive diseases and 
 which have been called the'* syphilitic fever." 
 
 Although these symptoms usually precede by eight 
 or ten days secondary eruption, it is impossible to 
 regard them as mere fore-runners of the latter, since 
 they frequently continue after the eruption appears, 
 and in some cases commence at the same time or even 
 follow it. They never occur alone without being fol- 
 lowed by other manifestations of syphilitic poisoning; 
 are most common in connection with the first out- 
 break of secondary symptoms, but may accompany, 
 usually in less degree^ a second or third attack. 
 
 These symptoms consist chiefly of head ache, pains 
 resembling neuralgia or rheumatism in various parts 
 of the body, and a general feeling of malaise or list- 
 lessness. The patient is depressed in spirits; has a 
 pale, sallow and haggard look; is disinclined to at- 
 tend his ordinary occupation; and loses flesh,although 
 he may eat his usual quantity of food; the hair gen- 
 erally falls out to a considerable extent. He also 
 Suffers from headache, which may be nocturnal, but 
 which, most frequently, unlike the cephalalgia of 
 tertiary syphilis, recurs in paroxysms of considerable 
 severity, without reference to the period of day and 
 night. 
 
1 82 AFFECTIONS OF THE SKIK. 
 
 It is sometimes diffused over the whole cranium, 
 and at others confined to the frontal region. In some 
 instances periodical attacks of a febrile character are 
 met with, consisting of a chill followed by a hot stage 
 and sweating, occurring with great regularity at a 
 certain hour of the day, generally toward evening, 
 and hence, liable to be mistaken for intermittent 
 fever. 
 
 In some cases the digestive functions are disorder- 
 ed, the appetite is diminished, the tongue coated, 
 and the patient is attacked with nausea and diarrhoea. 
 In others, these symptoms are absent, and the appe- 
 tite may even be inordinately increased. Epistaxis, 
 oedema of the lower extremities, palpitations, and a 
 hruit de souffle accompanying the first sound of the 
 heart, and audible both in the cardiac region and 
 over the carotids, have also been noted. 
 
 These symptoms generally become more severe, and 
 persist for some time after the appearance of the erup- 
 tion, though, in some instances, they suddenly cease 
 upon the outbreak of syphilitic ery^7^e??2« or papulce, 
 or diminish and gradually disappear in the course of 
 one or two weeks. They are not benefitted by mer- 
 cury, but on the contrary, are increased if this agent 
 be used to excess; and this fact would seem to indicate 
 that they are not directly dependent upon syphiUtic 
 poisoning. 
 
 STPHILITIO AFFECTIONS OF THE 8KIN. 
 
 Syphilitic are distinguished from other eruptions 
 by certain peculiarities, no one of which, by itself. 
 
AFFECTIONS OF THE SKIK. 183 
 
 possesses absolute yalue, but several of whicb com- 
 bined are generally sufficient to establish the diagnosis. 
 
 The color of a syphilitic eruption will often indicate 
 its origin. No very definite idea of this color, how- 
 ever, can be conveyed by words. The older writers 
 on venereal compared it to the cut surface of a ham; 
 it is now commonly known as the copper color; but 
 both these comparisons fail to convey a perfect idea 
 of the exact hue that is intended. It is best described 
 as a reddish-brow Q which a slight admixture of yel- 
 low, which, in many cases, is modified by the natural 
 color of the skin and by the age of the eruption. 
 
 The copper color of syphilitic eruptions, however, 
 is by no means constant, and may be simulated by 
 various forms of skin disease which are not dependent 
 upon the syphilitic virus. Thus, it is never seen in 
 mucous patches, which are either red or of a grayish- 
 white hue. It is absent in most cases of syphilitic 
 erythema at the commencement of the eruption, and 
 only appears as the blotches begin to fade away; and 
 as a general rule, in nearly all syphilitic eruptions, 
 the copper color is less marked at an early than at a 
 late period. Again, the cicatrices of lupus, acne, and 
 variola, may assume a reddish-brown color which is 
 readily mistaken for the copper color of syphilis. In 
 spite of these various sources of error, which with 
 care may generally be avoided, the peculiarity re- 
 ferred to is one of the most valuable means of distin- 
 guishing syphilitic eruptions from those of simple 
 origin. 
 
184 SYPHILITIC TUBERCLES. 
 
 STPHTLITIC TUBEBCIiES. 
 
 Tubercles, like papulse, are solid elevations of the 
 derma, but differ from, the latter in their larger size, 
 the greater depth to which they involve their tissues, 
 the later period of their development, and their 
 marked tendency to ulceration. 
 
 Tubercles are rareJy, if ever, the fii'st syphilitic 
 manifestations upon the skin. It may be laid down 
 as a rule, to which there are probably no exceptions, 
 that they have in all cases been preceded by some one 
 of the more superficial syphilodermata, as erythema 
 or papules. They are to be ranked among the late 
 sjTnptoms of syphilis, and may occur ten, twenty or 
 even forty years after contagion. 
 
 TEETIART SYPHILIS. 
 
 When the specific poison has deeply penetrated the 
 system, and become, as it were, inlaid in its different 
 structures,, as well as thoroughly commingled with the 
 blood, the effect which it produces constitute what is 
 denominated as tertiary syphilis, which usually su- 
 pervenes within two years after the appearance of 
 the chancre. 
 
 The textures which are particularly prone to suffer 
 in tertiary syphilis are the skin, mucous membranes, 
 periosteum, bones, fibro-cartilages, aponeuroses, ten- 
 dons and testicles. All parts of the economy, how- 
 ever, are involved in the contamination, and it is 
 extremely probable that, in the worst cases, hardly any 
 organ or structure entirely escapes. The affections of 
 the internal viscera, however, although alluded to by 
 
tICTtJEES FROM REAL LIFE. 185 
 
 many of the older syphilographers, haye only of late 
 attracted serious attention, and, hence, the amount 
 and nature of their participation in this poisonous 
 process have not yet been satisfactorily ascertained. 
 Enough however, has been determined to produce 
 conviction that the changes in lungs, brain, heart, 
 liver and other organs are often of a grave character, 
 liable to be followed by the worst results, because so 
 insidious are their approaches and progress, that even 
 their existence is hardly ever suspected during life, 
 to say nothing of the impossibility of arresting them 
 by any known treatment or combination of remedies. 
 The most common of these internal lesions, which 
 have, strangely enough, been termed secondary, are 
 foul, ragged-looking abcesses, with imperfectly elab- 
 orate contents, softening and pulpy degeneration, and 
 tubercular deposits. Attention has not yet been suf- 
 ficiently directed to the alterations of the ovaries of 
 females who die of tertiary syphilis; but from the 
 resemblance which exists between these organs and 
 the testes, both in structures and function, and from 
 the fact that the latter are so often involved in the 
 disease, it is highly probable that it will be found, as 
 our pathological researches are extended, that they 
 frequently seriously participate in the morbid action. 
 
 PICTUKES FKOM BEAIi LIFE. 
 
 These are not intended to challenge criticism, nor 
 excite idle curiosity. Many may see them for whom 
 they will have no interest — who may, perhaps, hardly 
 understand them. They will, however, fall into the 
 
186 PICTURES FROM REAL LIFE. 
 
 hands of some few who thoroughly comprehend their 
 purpose, and for whom they will have a solemn in- 
 terest. They are, to those few, addressed in earnest 
 solicitude, by one who desires to minister to their 
 sorrows and to mitigate their infirmities. I ask, in 
 good faith and kindliness of heart, one favor from 
 the person who may receive this copy, I beg of him 
 to read it carefully, thoroughly; and if he finds in it 
 nothing that has a personal application to him, to 
 present it to some young man of his acquaintance. It 
 may thus find a reader for whom it may have a pecu- 
 liar interest. I entreat that reader to weigh my 
 words calmly and deliberately, for on the decision of 
 that present ten minutes will hang, in all human 
 probability, the happiness or misery of his future 
 days. In that time may be determined whether he 
 shall live an ornament to society, an honor to his 
 name, a healthy, happy man; or whether he shall 
 sink into the poor, pitiful, joyless, nerveless, prema- 
 turely old man, without heart, health or hope. 
 
 PICTURE FIRST; THE YOUNG SENSUALIST. 
 "The glory of a young man is his strength." 
 In the great battle of life there is need that each 
 combatant should have a brave heart and well-braced 
 nerves, for the fight is long and arduous, and the 
 weak and timid have no chance therein. Nor is the 
 work all toil; the high endeavor — the end in view — 
 makes of it a pleasure, and as we watch the passers 
 b y in the broad thoroughfares of the city, every face 
 seems eager and earnest. No, not every face. Here 
 
t»ICTURES FROM REAL tilFD. ] 87 
 
 comes one, alone — a solitary one. He is young, but 
 he has none of the busy characteristics of his fellow- 
 men. Listless in his manner, timid in his air, he 
 wanders rather than walks through the crowded 
 street. May be he is a clerk, or a student or a me, 
 chanic. But why is he so vacant and sad? It is but 
 three or four short years since, with a father's bless- 
 ing and a mother's prayers, he went forth into the 
 world to conquer fortune, and to ''make himself a 
 man," Then his nerves were firm, his mind was 
 buoyant, his step was light, and his hopes were high. 
 But these few short years have wrought a sad and 
 fearful change. Now, neither hope nor ambition finds 
 a place in his bosom. The fresh vigor of his youth 
 is replaced by a weariness of life, even while his foot 
 is yet but on its threshold. See how vacant and ob- 
 jectless is his gaze! His hand wanders to his forehead, 
 which it feverishly presses, whilst a deep sigh escap- 
 ing him tells of nervous exhaustion, and of a mind 
 brooding over darkling thoughts. If you knew him 
 as a child you are struck with the change. Then he 
 was robust and stout; now he is thin and pale. Then 
 his eye would flash fire, as he dashed with energy in 
 to some boyish game; now he turns aside from old 
 companions, and frowns on what were once delights. 
 And, hark! that hectic cough that shakes his frame, 
 exhausts his breath, and tells of an undermined con- 
 stitution, and, perhaps, of the dread approach of 
 consumption. Speak to him. What says he? " He 
 has been ill, and growing worse for a year or so. He 
 cannot account for it, and the doctor does not seem 
 
188 PICtUEfiS FROM REAL LlF:^. 
 
 to do him any good, or to know what is the cause of 
 of his illness. His eyes are weak, and his njemory 
 gets very bad." Poor fellow! It is a sad tale. Is 
 there no solution? Yes; come with me. 
 
 It is night time. He has retired to his bed. Let 
 us lift the veil of night, and gaze on him when he 
 fondly fancies that no eye is upon him. Does he 
 sleejy the sleep of conscious rectitude — enjoy the 
 welcome repose of a self-satisfied mind? Xo, alas! 
 What tempest of passion — what hurricane of lust is 
 this that sweeps across the soul? Why do his eyeballs 
 glare on Yacancy? Why does his cheek flush now like 
 fire, now become pallid as death? Why does his pure 
 heart now beat as if it would burst through its tene- 
 ment of flesh and bone, and anon scarce indicate a 
 fitful pulse? And now, why does he sink sighing and 
 exhausted, helpless and lifeless upon his pillow? The 
 fearful truth is all revealed. Sensuality has only too 
 faithfully painted its deep lines on his body and 
 mind. The picture is only too complete. Before you 
 lies a poor, self-destroying, self-debauching, nerve- 
 less, joyless Onanist. 
 
 "A shocking picture indeed I" some of my readers 
 exclaim, ''but surely a little overdrawn?" Not so. 
 The silent tortures, the voiceless sorrows endured by 
 those who persist, from year to year in the practice 
 of Onanism, exceed the descriptive power of my pen, 
 or of any other. Instead of exaggerating, every true 
 mind sinks appalled from the magnitude and stern, 
 ness with which these evils haunt the footsteps of 
 those who persist in the practice, whether wilfully or 
 ignorantly. 
 
I»ICTURES J?ROM RUAL LIFE. 189 
 
 PIOTUKE SECOND; THE BACHELOR SENSUALIST. 
 
 In every community there are many middle-aged 
 men, who, from choice or necessity, have not assum- 
 ed the responsibilities of married life. It may be that 
 they have failed to secure one whom they have fond- 
 ly loved in youth ; it may be that they have deter- 
 mined to secure a higher position, and a more assured 
 income before marriage. As a general rule these men 
 are hard-working, energetic men of business, strictly 
 temperate, well educated, saving in their habits, and 
 highly esteemed in society. But there are amongst 
 them others altogether different — men of shy habits, 
 and downcast looks, sometimes of morose and peevish 
 minds. In what should be the very prime of their 
 life, they find their constitution failing them. They 
 have well-grounded fears that manhood, vigor, men- 
 tal and bodily, are fast leaving them. I have been 
 consulted by many such. Their usual theme has been 
 "Why do I suffer? Have I not led a sober, temperate 
 and sensible life? Have I ever been guilty of dissipa- 
 pation or debauch? My life has been regular; I have 
 kept early hours — lived in good, well-ventilated, 
 cheerful homes; my diet has been sound and whole- 
 some, and I have taken sufficient and regular exer- 
 cise." All this is true. Every rule tending to health 
 and happiness has been observed, save one. Under- 
 stand, my friend, the blood is the life. Do you 
 know that one ounce of the semen is equivalent to 
 FORTY ounces of blood? Be no longer ignorant — you 
 are answered. The secret sin — the sin of Ouan — has 
 
190 PICTURES FROM REAL LIFE, 
 
 been draining your heart's blood for year&. Be as* 
 sured that no man can commit evil without evil con- 
 sequences — for '^Sorrow tracketh wrong forever and 
 ever/' 
 
 When the constitution is healthy and vigorous, it 
 may resist the consequences for years; but the ulti- 
 mate effect will be all the more aggravated. The vital 
 force, unable to bear the waste of more than life, 
 gives way suddenly. The healthy, middle-aged man 
 becomes a confirmed invalid. Worse — infinitely worse 
 it is when such a man ignorantly marries. I remem- 
 ber such a case. The gentleman was about forty 
 years of age. He had gradually worked his way up 
 (without capital) from the position of book-keeper, 
 at a few shillings a week, to salesman, buyer and ul- 
 timately partner, in one of the greatest commercial 
 houses in G. This fact speaks volumes for his mental 
 activity and unblemished integrity. He was a person- 
 able man, stout of limb, healthy in appearance, but a 
 confirmed private sensualist. Years had passed since 
 he first addicted himself to the unfortunate habit — 
 yet hitherto his system had resisted the constant 
 drain upon its vital resources. Not that he has been 
 without warnings Sometimes a failing eye, a wander- 
 ing mind, a unwilling stomach, perchance restless 
 nights, and vague discomfort. He soothes his con- 
 science, and says,**I work too hard, I have indigestion, 
 I will take a holiday." And now he thinks it is time 
 he should marry. His position is assured — he is a 
 a wealthy man — his ambition is satisfied, and he will 
 seek to be happy. He is, to all outward appearance, 
 
PICTURES FR03I EEAL LIFE, 191 
 
 \n acceptable husband; his character is beyond re- 
 proach. He only knows of one disreputable phase 
 which disfigures it, and that he determines to abandon 
 forever, in order that he may be fit for the pure and 
 virtuous embraces of his bride-elect. His sin has 
 found him out; those who will not be warned must 
 be punished; unhappily, too, the innocent must suffer 
 also. He marries, and on the nuptial couch, in the 
 arms of her he loves, he — poor self-deluded, self- 
 ruined sensualist — discovers that the vigor of man- 
 hood has departed from him forever! 
 
 But there is another and more frequent cause of 
 matrimonial unhappiness — a cause to which I have 
 already directed attention. 
 
 Subjects of grave and painful importance require 
 plain and intelligible language. I will therefore say, 
 emphatically, that the destructive habit of self-abuse 
 practiced in early life, fearfully injures the energies 
 concerned in the reproduction of our species, and the 
 due fulfillment of the nuptial rite. It unfortunately 
 happens that a man may abandon self-abuse as a vol- 
 untary act, and yet not be free from the consequences 
 of his former folly. A new and unnatural association 
 has been established between the organs ()f generation 
 and the mind — involuntary discharges of semen take 
 place during sleep; the seed is lost in the urine, at 
 stool; the muscular fibers surrounding the seminal 
 ducts become relaxed, and all control over their action 
 is entirely lost. Let not any, then, imagine that 
 having incurred the judgment of guilt they shall 
 ©escape ^^e penalty, unless by prudent and prompt 
 
192 PICTURES FROM REAL LIFE. 
 
 action, and attention to skilled advice, the instant 
 the knowledge of that guilt and the certainty of its 
 fearful consequences occur to them, they adopt the 
 only measures by which the scourge can be averted. 
 Therefore, let me solemnly warn any young man now 
 contemplating marriage, and who may at times have 
 indulged in the secret vice of the solitary sensualist, 
 not to take upon himself the sacred obligations and 
 responsibilities of a husband until he is fully satisfied 
 that his blood, his nervous system, and his procrea- 
 tive powers are free from the morbid effects of his 
 past indulgence, 
 
 PICTUKE FOURTH:— THE WIDOWER SENSUALIST 
 
 A man who could sit in my consulting room, and 
 listen day by da}^ to the weary tales of sin and suf- 
 fering, folly and remorse, which are continually 
 poured into my ear, without occasionally weeping 
 ^vlth. the sufferers, is a man whose sternness and stub- 
 bornness of heart I do not envy. For myself I do not 
 blush to confess that during such confessions I am 
 frequently compelled to give outward signs of my 
 sympathy for the suffering narrator, and the more 
 devoted do I become to the specialty I have made of 
 these diseases for the last twenty-five years, and the 
 more determined is my resolution to persevere to 
 the end in probing the very depths of scientific study 
 and research. 
 
 Of all the pitiable phases presented by the practice 
 of self-abuse, none is so pitiable as that of the man, 
 who, having been bereft of the partner of his bed at 
 
PICTURES FROM REAL LIFB. 193 
 
 home, abandons himself to the tyranny of self-lust, 
 and thus precipitates himself into a dark and dismal 
 gulf of bodily and mental aflliction. 
 
 PICTURE fifth: the skeptic sensualist. 
 
 I can imagine one of my readers, who has glanced 
 with rapid eye over the preceding pages, who may 
 exclaim: "Ay, ay, doctor; it is all very well, and I 
 dare say there are some two or three in a million to 
 whom these facts and descriptions apply,but they ap- 
 ply to very few! I believe that a man may practice 
 self -abuse for years, and really suffer no evil conse- 
 quences. 1 know that I have no time, no means, nor 
 opportunity of indulging myself in the pleasure of a 
 connubial life, and I have resorted to this habit to 
 relieve myself of the promptings of nature, and I am 
 neither sick nor diseased; I have had none of the evils 
 you speak of, and I don't think I ever shall." 
 
 My reply is, "Gently, my friend; do not draw rash 
 conclusions. Listen patiently for a tew minutes, and 
 I think you will own yourself in the wrong." If you 
 are an Onanist; if you have at any time abandoned 
 yourself to that vice, which has been aptly called the 
 '^Adultery of the mind," I defy you to say truthfully 
 that you have not experienced effects more or less evil. 
 I challenge you, as an honest man, to say whether you 
 have not had your warnings? I beg of you, specially 
 YOU skeptical reader, — infatuated abuser of yourself, 
 — to answer to your own soul, in truth and sincerity, a 
 few questions of solemn import touching the effects of 
 self -abuse, not on another man, but on yourself— on 
 
194 PICTURES FROM REAL LIFE. 
 
 your own precious body and mind. Answer them 
 truly, seriously, in the solitude of your own chamber, 
 and think ere you reply. 
 
 Are you an Onanist? 
 
 In pursuit of the baneful and degrading practice 
 of self -abuse, have you ever felt it to be a sinful prac- 
 tice — unmanly, unchristian and degrading you be- 
 neath the level of the beast, which in following the 
 mere promptings of instinct never falls so low? 
 
 Have you ever yet oi^CE practiced it without, in the 
 act, making up your mind that you would ncTer re- 
 peat it? 
 
 Do you suffer from involuntary nocturnal emissions 
 or are you ever troubled with erections without any 
 apparent cause, failure of erection when desired, or 
 premature discharge of semen during coition? 
 
 Have you dull pains in the groin, pains in the back? 
 Does your sight fail you? Have you nervous head- 
 ache? 
 
 Are you subject to pimples on the face, back or 
 forehead ? 
 
 Do you suffer from a hacking cough, for which all 
 remedies seem unavailing? 
 
 Are you fatigued with the slightest exertion, and 
 and does lassitude of body arnd mind overtake you 
 without cause? Are you restless when fatigued, and 
 unable to obtain refieshing slumber? 
 
 Have you lost energy, appetite, power of enjoy- 
 ment? Are you frequently averse to society, even of 
 intimate friends? Bashful in female society, unable 
 to join in conversation? 
 
PICTURES FROM REAL LIFE. 195 
 
 Does your memory fail you? Are all your senses 
 blunted? 
 
 Do you fall into dreamy fits of abstraction, brood- 
 ing over the past, hopeless as to the future — all the 
 noble aspirations forgotten which gilded the morning 
 of your career? 
 
 Honestly, thoughtfully, mournfully recalling your 
 past life, are you not certain that your health would 
 have been better, your heart stouter, your hopes 
 brighter, your mind and thoughts purer, more digni- 
 fied and manly, if you had not acquired for yourself 
 your own self-reproach? 
 
 Let the victim of his own evil passions answer these 
 questions, among a thousand such I could propose to 
 him. Answer them truly, honestly and without 
 mental reservation, as between heaven and his own 
 conscience. And if the answer to them or any part 
 of them, be the one emphatic "Yes," how will he 
 dare to say that he has indulged his vile appetite for 
 solitary excess without experiencing some of its at- 
 tendant evils? — without having had emphatic warn- 
 ing that his sin is finding him out, and that days and 
 and nights of woe and torture are now impending, 
 Unless he accepts the warning, and reverently retraces 
 his steps from the evil path he has chosen? 
 
 Let him, therefore, earnestly endeavor to lead a 
 new life, lest in the future day, as he has sown the 
 storm so will he reap the whirlwind, when the tem- 
 pest of passion and lust shall have left him, bereft of 
 all but an enfeebled mind, and a body racked — 
 
196 LIVEE COMPLAINT. 
 
 preyed upon by the tortures of a memory bitterer 
 even than death. 
 
 But I hope that many who read this will turn from 
 their errors, the truth will prevail, that their con- 
 science will be awakened — alas ! so many err through 
 ignorance. And if this book is instrumental in saving 
 even oi^E who would otherwise have been lost, from 
 evils leading to destruction, I am amply rewarded — 
 it has not been written in vain. 
 
 LIVER COMPLAINT. 
 
 This is a disease much talked about, but at the 
 same time, very imperfectly understood. Properly 
 speaking, every derangement of the liver oi bilious 
 system is a liver complaint, but the peculiar state of 
 the liver, to which I now have reference, is a chronic 
 affection, and usually arises from a torpid or conges- 
 tive state of that important organ. Sometimes the 
 bile is deficient in quantity or vitiated in quality, or 
 both of the states prevail at the same time; some- 
 times the disease is owing to an obstruction in the 
 duct or pipe which conveys the bile from the liver in 
 to the bowels. The obstruction is very frequent,and 
 is usually caused by the pipe being clogged up by a 
 thick, tenacious slime or mucous, and sometimes by 
 gall stones. The bile is then thrown back into the 
 gall bladder, which conveys it into the thoraciQduct, 
 a pipe that runs up along the spine, and terminates 
 in and empties itself into the large vein of the left 
 shoulder, near its junction with the veins of the head 
 and neck, and from thence the bile is conveyed to 
 
LIVER COMPLAINT. 197 
 
 the heart, and becomes mixed with the blood. The 
 bile in this manner, being diverted from its proper 
 course, and circulating in a part of the body- 
 where it was never designed to by Nature, produces 
 much evil, and often disastrous effects upon the 
 health of the individual, because, for the want of 
 healthy bile to mix with the half-digested food, a 
 complete separation never takes place between the 
 chyle (the milky liquid which forms the blood) and 
 those portions of the food designed by Nature to be 
 ejected from the bowels; for the bile when present, 
 purifies and separates the healthy from the unhealthy- 
 portions in the same manner that isinglass or white 
 of eggs separates wine or cider from their imperfec- 
 tions, and consequently- the very fountain of life is 
 vitiated and corrupted at its source; costiveness pre- 
 vails, or alternately costiveness and diarrhoea, wind 
 in the stomach and bowels, and the patient is often 
 annoyed with worms and frequently with the piles. 
 The coarse particles of the bile thus mixed with the 
 blood more or less obstruct the pores of the skin and 
 small blood vessels, and hence give rise to various 
 diseases of the skin, such as erysipelas, eczema, itch- 
 ings, small watery vesicles, blotches, tumors, pimples, 
 scurfiness, boils, sore eyes, sores and ulcers of various 
 kinds. The skin is more or less yellow, and when 
 the disease is of long standing, often very dark; and 
 has a disagreeable, dirty, greasy appearance, and 
 sometimes there is a perfect jaundice. The whites of 
 the eyes have a a green or yellow tinge. 
 More or less bile is strained off from the blood in 
 
198 LIVER COMPLAINT, 
 
 its passage through the kidneys, and is mixed with 
 the urine, which, by its acrimony, produces pains in 
 the back, and scalds and irritates the urinary pas- 
 sages. Some days the discharge of urine is profuse, 
 and natural in its appearance; at other times it is 
 scanty, and the desire to evacuate is frequent and ur- 
 gent, and occasionally there is a total suppression of 
 it. Sometimes the color is nearly white, and milky, 
 but usually it is high colored, red or yellow, with a 
 rank, offensive odor; and sometimes it is bloody. 
 
 The tongue is usually more or less coated with a 
 white or brown scurf. There is irritation and fre- 
 quently chronic inflammation of the inner surface of 
 the stomach and bowels, with tenderness on pressure 
 and soreness along the lower edge of the ribs. Some- 
 times there is a loathing for food, and at other times 
 there is a voracious appetite. There is often a feeling 
 of chilliness, and coldness of the feet and knees, and 
 along the inside of the thighs, sour or bitter eructa- 
 tions, and sometimes a spitting or throwing up of 
 the food after eating. 
 
 There is a feeling of oppression across the stomach 
 and chest, as if pressed down by a weight; trouble- 
 some and often frightful dreams, low spirits, languor, 
 want of energy, melancholy, restlessness, and dis- 
 contentedness — gloominess of mind, timorousness, 
 and a great dread of trouble, and a disposition to 
 magnify every evil — sometimes great watchfulness 
 and an inability to sleep — at others, great drowsiness 
 and weariness, and a disinclination to motion. At 
 times the face is flushed, and more or less fever, es- 
 
LlVfiR C0M1>LA1KT. 100 
 
 pecially at night, or in the afternoon. Sometimes, 
 violent colics and wandering pains in various parts of 
 the body. Frequently there is a short hacking cough, 
 with a huskiness of throat, and. sometimes a very se- 
 vere, dry and hard cough, which is often mistaken 
 for consumption. This cough often commences in 
 the latter part of the night or early in the morning, 
 and lasts for hours, frequently producing nausea and 
 vomiting. If there be any expectoration, it is a tough, 
 ropy, tenacious phlegm, which adheres to everything 
 it touches. There are also, frequently, chronic pleu- 
 risy pains in various parts of the chest, which shift 
 about from one part of the breast or side to the other. 
 Sometimes abcesses form in the liver, and pressing 
 upward on the lungs, produce constriction and cough; 
 and breaking, discharge their contents into the lungs, 
 from whence it must then be ejected by expectoration, 
 or the patient is destroyed. Some persons are troubled 
 with spasmodic twitches in various parts of the 
 body, sometimes faintness and sighing, difficulty of 
 breathing, reading or talking producing weariness. 
 There is a beating sensation near the pit of the stom- 
 ach, with palpitation and fluttering of the heart; pro- 
 fusion of dandruff and loss of the hair; indeed, to 
 sum up in a few words — a yellow, dirty, greasy ap- 
 pearance of the skin, a yellow or green tinge of the 
 eyes an aching pain across the kidneys and hips, with 
 irritation or heat in discharging the urine — a sensa- 
 tion of fullness and distention across the abdomen, 
 with tenderness on pressure — lowness of spirits, 
 frightful dreams, acidity of the stomach, with other 
 
^00 t>HYMOSlS. 
 
 dyspeptic symptoms, bilious fever, bilious colics and 
 bilious diarrhoea and dysenteries, obstinate costive- 
 ness, intermittent and remittent fevers, jaundice, 
 fever and ague, chill and fever, &c., all originating 
 from the same cause — a deranged state of the liver. 
 
 PHYMOSIS. 
 
 The term phymosis is applied to that condition of 
 the penis in which it is impossible to retract the 
 prepuce behind the glans. 
 
 In the majority of cases phymosis is a congenital 
 malformation due to unnatural narrowness of the 
 preputial orifice, and may h& associated with adhe- 
 sion, varying in position and extent between the 
 glans and its covering. Congenital phymosis is a 
 source of not only great inconvenience to the subject 
 of it, but of increased exposure to venereal diseases 
 in promiscuous intercourse, and is sometimes the 
 cause of serious disturbance in the genito -urinary and 
 nervous systems. Among the symptoms which have 
 been ascribed to congenital phymosis are balanitis, 
 constant itching and even pain at the head of the 
 penis, inordinate excitability of the genital organs, 
 frequent erections, erotic dreams, seminal emissions, 
 imperfect developement of >the penis and testicles, in- 
 complete and painful ejaculations of the sperm, vesi- 
 cal tenesmus, incontinence of urine, gastralgia, 
 neuralgia and general lassitude and prostration. 
 Probably no one will be disposed to call in question 
 the occasional connection between the milder of the 
 above affections and phymosis. With regard to the 
 
PATIENTS AT A DISTANCE. 201 
 
 others, some doubts might be legi timately entertain- 
 ed, were it not for the circumstaatial report of the 
 symptoms, and the fact that simple excision of the 
 elongated prepuce has in most cases brought complete 
 and permanent relief. 
 
 TO PATIENTS AT A DISTANCE. 
 
 Our present mail facilities are so perfect and rapid, 
 that an interchange of thought, and every want can 
 be communicated and every trouble told. The advan- 
 tage thus accruing to individuals remote from each 
 other by distance, can scarcely be estimated. Few 
 appreciate this more than the individual that is in need 
 of the advice and services of a scientific physician; 
 though the facilities of the ma il a correspondence 
 may be established between physician and patient, 
 and delicate questions discussed ; although thousands 
 of miles apart it is no barrier to the patient fully 
 solving some question concerning their organization, 
 of which perhaps he or she has long been in doubt; 
 anxious perhaps to make known some infirmity, or 
 solicitous to ascertain how to remove one, and one it 
 may be that no power could induce them to speak 
 of verbally to the family physician. Thousands there 
 are who have infirmities, ailments, or impediments to 
 their forming matrimonial alliances, trifling perhaps 
 in themselves, and easily removed by a skilled and 
 experienced physician; yet all the world could not 
 induce these persons to speak of them to their near- 
 est and dearest friend, much less their resident phy- 
 sician, although he may be a friend. Very many 
 there are who would rather go down into the grave 
 
202 PATIEl^TS AT A DISTAKCU. 
 
 than to be recognized by their friends, even their pro- 
 fessional friends, as the afflicted in the manner par- 
 ticularly discussed and treated upon in this work,but 
 in the form of a letter every minute suffering may be 
 portrayed, every fact may be made known, and the 
 history of the case fully detailed; and yet the writer 
 if he chooses, remains incognito. In my experience, 
 which extends over many years, I have found that 
 patients, many of them, could sit down in their clos- 
 ets and delineate their case, minutely in every partic- 
 ular, while in the presence of a physician they were 
 diffident, agitated, and could make little or no state- 
 ment. Then the advantage financially to those at a 
 distance, by the mail facilities, is great. I have had 
 patients visit me for some ailment, where the distance 
 was so great, that the railroad fare and expenses while 
 in the city, amounted to much more than the treat- 
 ment, cases had they given me a written statement, I 
 could haTO done just as well for them at their homes 
 and not incurred the large traveling expense. True, a 
 personal interview is always preferred where patients 
 can state the facts without hesitation or flurry, and 
 can afford the expense of coming to the city and in some 
 few cases it is absolutely necessary. I hold myself 
 in readiness to give counsel in either way to such as 
 desire it, and all such consultation, personally or by 
 mail, will be held most religiously sacred. A postage 
 stamp must accompany all communications or they 
 will not be replied to. On receiving a candid state- 
 ment, I shall make my demands in accordance with 
 the patient's limited means. My medicines are all 
 
VOLUPTUOtJS BOSOM. ^03 
 
 compounded in my own Laboratory under my super- 
 vision; the best of drugs are procured, regardless of 
 expense; and in sending medicines by mail or express, 
 care is taken that the contents of the package shall 
 not be known. 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 Patients applying to Dr. Bate's Institute see the Prin- 
 cipal in person, who is constantly there during office 
 hours, and personally responsible to all who may ap- 
 ply either by mail or in person. The associate phy- 
 sicians are engaged most of their time in patting up 
 medicines, and answering the numerous correspon- 
 dents, after all such correspondence has been read 
 carefully by Dr. Bate in person, and directions given 
 in regard to answers. Patients desiring private apart- 
 ments, board, attendance, etc., have it provided for 
 them, 
 
 A VOIiUPTTOUS BOSOM. 
 
 My success in stimulating nature in its action up- 
 on the organs of the chest and mammary glands 
 has far exceeded my most sanguine expectations 
 
 1 have seen the soft, flabby, shrunken, and non- 
 developed breast, in a short time, under my treat- 
 ment, develop and increase in size and fullness, and 
 attain the most bewitching symmetry of a beautiful 
 bosom, which was truly marvelous. To those who 
 have never been properly developed, or those who 
 have lost the beauty of the breast from nursing, pad- 
 ding or any other cause, I recommend my mode of 
 treatment, and in a short time no art, or padding 
 wjll be required to perfect the beauty of your form, 
 but matchless beauty will adorn your chest, give grace 
 
204 ATTRACTIVE COMPLEiXlOlf. 
 
 and dignity to your person, witli the gratification of 
 possessing a healthy well-formed bosom and strong 
 lungs. My treatment is based on the laws of physiol- 
 ogy and science 
 
 Ladies need not hesitate to address me on this sub- 
 ject, as in this and in all other correspondence the 
 strictest confidence will be maintained. Price of a 
 course of treatment including remedies, fifteen dollars. 
 Remedies carefully packed, concealed from observa- 
 tion, forwarded anywhere by express on receipt of 
 115, or if you prefer you can send 87,50. I will col- 
 lect balance on the package. Money can be sent by 
 post oflBce order, registered letter, draft, or express 
 at my risk. 
 
 ATTBACTIVE COMPLEXION. 
 
 It is a duty of the highest importance that every 
 lady owes to herself, to preserve her complexion in all 
 its attractiveness and beauty. All agree in the one 
 impression made by a perfect complexion. It capti- 
 vates and ravishes all beholders. The skin of all 
 exposed portions should be clear without spot, and 
 free from all suspicion of any disease. The beautiful 
 women of all ages owed their beauty to their fair com- 
 plexion and ravishing form. Diseases which destroy 
 the complexion are of two kinds, first those which af- 
 fect the skin and below it, such as tetter, ring-worm, 
 acne, red blotches, pimples, black worms, etc. 
 
 Chronic forms of erysipelas often attack the face 
 and nose, causing the nose to enlarge and become pur- 
 ple red. All of these skm diseases on the face are 
 curable to a certainty, and should not be allowed 
 
BLAKCH DE LA PEAU. 205 
 
 to destroy the beauty. Another class of affections 
 attack the scarf-skin, which lies upon and covers the 
 the true skin, such as freckles, moth patches, brown 
 and yellow discol orations under the eyes and upon 
 other parts of the face, premature wrinkles at the 
 angles of the eyes, extending to the temples. To pre- 
 serve the complexion in all its attractiveness and 
 beauty, I have never met with anything to compare 
 with a preparation that has been used by European 
 ladies; it removes all freckles, moth patches, pimples, 
 tan, softens the skin and beautifies the complexion. 
 This preparation has received the approbation of the 
 fashionable and beautiful ladies of Paris for the past 
 fifty years. It was prepared by Madame De Morris- 
 coe, and called 
 
 BLANCH DE LA PEAU. 
 
 This preparation has acquired a reputation on its 
 merits and ability, and been recommended by one to 
 another from actual knowledge of its value as a beau" 
 tifier; for imparting freshness, smoothness and trans- 
 parency to the skin it has no equal in the known 
 world. Once used and it is forever sought after by 
 persons desiring a beautiful complexion. 
 
 For gentlemen it is invaluable in stopping all su- 
 perflous growths, and for itching and tenderness 
 after shaving; for redness of the eyes, chapped lips, 
 exposure to the sun or wind, burning of the scalp, 
 looseness or falling of the hair. It always gives the ut- 
 most satisfaction as a toilet for infants — for chafing or 
 from any cause. It cannot be excelled. It never fails 
 
to give entire satisfaction. I am the only person in 
 America having the original receipt of this valuable 
 preparation; it is prepared by me and sent anywhere 
 by express or mail with full directions. Price $2.00 
 per package or |18,00 per dozen. 
 
 IMPORTANT TO THE MABRIED AND MARRIAGEABIiE. 
 
 Much infelicity, dissatisfaction, complaint, jeal- 
 ousy and domestic wrangles leading to divorces and 
 separations frequently arise from the premature dis- 
 charge of semen on the part of the male during cop- 
 ulation, before the female can reciprocate. She is 
 disappointed and disgusted; and in suppressed anger 
 feels she is the victim of previous sensuality. This 
 infirmity can be positively cured by Dr. Bate and 
 persons thus afflicted should apply to him in person 
 or by mail at once, 
 
 IMPOSTEES. 
 
 I feel it my duty to caution patients and partic- 
 cularly strangers against impost ers who infest all 
 large cities. Many of these fellows are men of the 
 lowest type, publishing bogus certificates of cure by 
 the thousand. No scientific or honorable physician 
 will attempt to bolster up his business by flaunting 
 the names or cases of persons he has had under his 
 professional care, and Dr. Bate respectfully cautions 
 the afflicted against such pretended physicians. Pa- 
 tients are informed that under no circumstances will 
 Dr, Bate reveal the names of patients coming to him 
 for medical treatment or advice, or allude to their 
 case in any way verbally or in print, but the most in- 
 
LOST PASSIONS REGAINED. 207 
 
 violable secrecy will be maintained, and all corres- 
 pondence returned or destroyed at the end of the 
 treatment, and the most timid may consult me with- 
 out hesitation and rely on inviolate secrecy. 
 
 liOST PASSIONS REGAINED. 
 
 It is a fact most apparent, that hundreds, yes 
 thousands of females, from various causes, a few years 
 after marriage, lose that passion and warm desire that 
 they possessed when first married. The passions be- 
 come dormant, and while there is no particular aver- 
 sion to intercourse, there is a coldness, an indifference, 
 little or no desire for weeks. The husband soon feels 
 that loss and secretly asks himself why his wife is so 
 cold and growing so dormant, and thus a coldness 
 and indifference is apparent on the part of both, and 
 the wife begins to wonder why her husband does not 
 pay her that nice attention he formerly did. The 
 cause is obvious. Restore those passions that are nat- 
 ural, and should not begin to fail but remain vigor- 
 ous and strong up to forty-eight and fifty. 
 
 My Female Invigorator is an infallible remedy in 
 such cases. I have used it in my practice for the last 
 fifteen years. No female should be without it, as it 
 regulates, invigorates and keeps the generative or- 
 gans in a healthy condition. Put up in pint bottles, 
 at $5.00 each. 
 
 SPEOIAIi OAED. 
 
 Any person needing immediate treatment, and not 
 knowing my charges, can send me $10.00 fully de- 
 scribing their symptoms, and I will immediately for- 
 
208 A FAMILIAR TALK WITH MY PATRONS. 
 
 ward a package of medicine with full instructions for 
 a complete cure of the diflQculty, if the nature of the 
 disease requires additional fee, it can be sent on re- 
 ceipt of the package. 
 
 A FAMILIAB TALK WITH MY PATRONS. 
 
 My practice is founded on the principles of Truth, 
 Science and Humanity. In all cases conscientious ad- 
 vice will be given. If, on examination or description, 
 I find a patient incurable, I frankly state that the 
 disease is beyond my skill. 
 
 My practice being the most extensive in the West, 
 If not in America, from great experience and study, 
 I have acquired such a rare facility in diagnosing and 
 prognosiiig disease that I am able to tell, almost at a 
 glance, the curability or incurability of any case. 
 
 Being a regularly educated physician, from the 
 first Medical Colleges, I employ the best means to 
 obtain the best results, although, from large expe- 
 rience, I have been forced to throw aside much of 
 what I learned in my medical course, and adopt a 
 more rational and comprehensive materia medica. 
 
 I will not promise to perform impossibilities; but 
 ill shall be truthfully advised, faithfully and honest- 
 ly served. 
 
 I claim patronage on the ground that invalids can 
 obtain from me the finest medical treatment in this 
 30untry, the absence of charlatanism, and reference to 
 our first citizens. 
 
 I do not claim that my views of disease and treat- 
 ment or that my remedies are perfect or infallible. I 
 
FACTS FOR EVERYBODY. 209 
 
 believe in the divine progress of the human race and 
 the nascent power of human understanding. 
 
 I appeal to the common sense, the justice and the 
 judgment of the people. Those who know me and 
 my cures are enthusiastic in my praise. 
 
 The diseases now prevalent in America threaten, 
 if continued, to sweep the inhabitants into premature 
 graves. I rarely find a healthy person now; all 
 have something the matter with them — some secret 
 disease which is silently sapping the foundation of 
 life. 
 
 FACTS FOR EVEETBODY. 
 
 Infinite wisdom has procured innumerable remedies 
 for the cure of all diseases. By divine direction water 
 cured Naaman, the Syrian; a fig poultice cured Hez- 
 ekiah, the king; the Balm of G-ilead restored David; 
 Oil and Wine were used by the good Samaritan; 
 Christ cured the blind man by the application of clay 
 to his eyes. 
 
 Animals when sick eat certain plants and are cured. 
 A dog will eat grass when sick, and poisonous rep- 
 tiles when bitten are cured by plants of the woods. 
 
 The Vegetable Kingdom is the connecting link 
 between the Animal and Mineral Kingdom. Chem- 
 istry has analyzed most Animal, Mineral and Vege- 
 table substances, and demonstrated that their elemen- 
 tary constituents are the same. 
 
 Chemical science has shown that vegetables contain 
 gold, silver, iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, &c, 
 — all purely metallic substances, 
 
210 FACTS FOE EVERYBODY. 
 
 Hence, it is manifest ignorance for a certain class 
 of persons to style themselves ^'Vegetable Doctors," 
 and assert that they do not use minerals. 
 
 The bones contain five, the saliva three, the gastric 
 juice four, and the blood five, distinct mineral sub- 
 stances; and, as these are indispensible to the living 
 body, they must be constantly supplied — a deficiency 
 of either of them producing various diseases. 
 
 When I see the pale, weakly female, her eyes dull, 
 her complexion tumid or waxy, her menstruation 
 irregular, and a want of energy and life characteriz- 
 ing all her movements, it is well known a certain 
 element of the Mineral Kingdom is wanting. 
 
 When I see a man averse to female society, his 
 virile powers enfeebled or erratic, his temper irritable 
 and capricious, and he finds fault with li?e generally, 
 it is well known that here also a certain element of the 
 Mineral Kingdom is wanting. 
 
 And how few know the true cause of their feelings! 
 
 There never was a truer saying than Bishop 
 Whatley's, "That a sound body makes a healthy 
 mind." 
 
 IN THK HOUB OF HEALTH HOW PEW THINK OF DISEASE. 
 PROORBATION. 
 
 An author says that to procreate is in effect to die 
 to one's self and leave one's life to posterity. 
 
 Nonsense. Continent men on the average die 
 sooner than those who are married. 
 
 Moderate intercourse deprives the system of noth- 
 ing but what it is healthful to lose. 
 
ADVANTAGES OF MARRIAGE. 211 
 
 ADVANTAGES OF MARRIAGE. 
 
 We fully agree wifch a certain physiologist, that 
 "Matrimony, as established in Christian countries, 
 greatly contributes to the health and happiness of the 
 human species," but we are not so sure that he is 
 right when he says that **men before they are mar- 
 ried are always discontented." 
 
 Our conviction is that a bachelor, even beyond the 
 hope of matrimony, is not so discontented a being as 
 a man who is married, but not to his mind. 
 
 And the same rule will apply, even more forcibly, 
 to the other sex; for men have a partial corrective, 
 which, if not sanctioned, is at least winked at by so- 
 ciety; whereas women have none but the one which 
 involves their destruction. 
 
 Consequently, great care should be taken in the 
 choice of a partner for life, not as regards beauty, 
 habits, manners, &c., but physical construction and 
 desires. 
 
 It is a great error to society, that which compels 
 people to marry, while so much in the dark on cer- 
 tain subjects in which they are so vitally concerned . 
 
 For instance, it is not to be expected that much 
 happiness can attend the union of a lymphatic man 
 with a sanguine woman, or vice versa; and equally, 
 or even more disagreeable is the result, when a wed- 
 ded couple discover that they are unsuited to each 
 other; and hence they cannot duly realize the most 
 important of the enjoyments of wedlock. 
 
812 ADVANTAGES OF MAERIAQE. 
 
 It might be well for millions, if the manners of the 
 age permitted inquiry on those subjects; and it might 
 be accomplished through relations or friends, without 
 any great sacifice of modesty. 
 
 At all events, the mode of taking each other, for 
 better or worse blind-folded, is in nine cases out of 
 ten the cause of unhappy marriages, divorces, elope- 
 ments, desei-tions, and so forth; for if a couple are 
 physically and mentally agreed, contentment is the 
 natural result. Otherwise, matrimony is not to them 
 the thing they expected and hoped for, and each 
 pines for enjoyments which they find it impossible to 
 convey to the other. 
 
 However, marriage in any mode is far better than 
 none at all; for, to say nothing of its immorality, 
 promiscuous intercourse enervates the system, oppress- 
 es the brain, and blunts the appetite of desire. 
 
 Variety, in fact, counteracts healthy and vigorous 
 excitements, for its stimulations are but as the passing 
 moments of unnatural strength, during the crisis of 
 fever. 
 
 Hence, men who have been renowned for their 
 amorous propensities, according to their own admis- 
 sion, derive but little enjoyment, yet great prostration 
 from sexual intercourse; and their children, when 
 they had any they could vouch for, have been in most 
 cases weak, puny and imbecile. 
 
 Thus the laws of Hymen do not restrict, but actu- 
 ally promote sexual pleasures, and are the only certain 
 road to them; for such is the state of society, that 
 
ADVA.NTAGES OF MARRIAGE. 213 
 
 without legal vows, fidelity can harldy be expected. 
 Cupid may visit other places, but with all its draw" 
 backs — and they are many there is no denying — he 
 rarely finds himself truly at home but in the marriage 
 couch. 
 
 M. de Hansierck argues with eloquence in favor of 
 polygamy. 
 
 He insists that it is agreeable to the original inten- 
 tion, and refers to certain customs amongst ancient 
 Jews, in evidence. 
 
 He further insists that no man can be satisfied with 
 one wife, but that four, differing in disposition, and 
 style of beauty, would bound his desires. 
 
 And several distinguished German philosophers 
 are of the same opinion. 
 
 But we hold them to be in error, for jealousy must 
 be the sure result of polygamy, and indeed it seems 
 one of the principal intentions of this vigilant sensa- 
 tions to make one man and one woman faithful to 
 each other. 
 
 However, in some nations — China for instance — 
 a plurality of wives is said to produce no unpleasant 
 domestic results, and the Chinese novelists, when 
 they wish to have their heroes in a state of extreme 
 conjugal felicity, usually give them two wives, of 
 opposite temperament and style of beauty, who are as 
 tenderly attached to each other, as they are to their 
 common husband. 
 
 But in all such cases the women must rather be 
 regarded in the light of slaves than of bosom partners 
 
214* ADTA>.'TAGE3 OF MARBIAQE. 
 
 and if they had their own will in the matter, we donbt 
 not they would alter the system, for every female is 
 a natural despot in the afiair of love, and will of her 
 own consent permit no rival near the throne. 
 
 At all events, we are satisfied that the doctrine of 
 plurality would not answer in civilized countries, 
 where tht3 sexes are more on a par in general privil 
 eges: for here, if the man insisted in two wives, there 
 is nothing more certain thanthat the two women 
 would compromise the matter, by providing them- 
 selves, legally or otherwise, with two husbands. 
 
 Furthermore, '^in places where a plurality of wives 
 is allowed," says an eminent writer, ''the carnal ap- 
 petite grows surfeited, and occasionally so depraved, 
 that other objects become yet dearer to it than the 
 female sex. 
 
 Thus, the monarchs of the Celestial Empire have 
 been known to indulge in the most unnatural excesses . 
 
 ''Hence/' continues the same author, "if we would 
 escape evil, marriage is not only a benefit, but a 
 necessity." 
 
 Let us add that while marriage, as legal in most 
 parts of Europe, promotes sexual pleasures, it secures 
 constant moderation, which is necessary for the health 
 of the body — yet more so for that of the mind. 
 
 When persons alike eschew marriage and libertin- 
 ism, unnatural indulgence — to which we have devoted 
 a chapter elsewhere in this book — is in nineteen cases 
 out of twenty the consequence, and where it is avoid- 
 ed, and absolute continence persisted in, the party 
 
ADVANTAGES OF MARRIAGE. 215 
 
 will have to purchase the peculiarity by a life of 
 anxiety, sorrow aud suffering. 
 
 Among the effects of the latter are ferocity, deter- 
 mination of the blood to the head, indigestion, inor- 
 dinate desires, heart throbbings, inability to divest the 
 mind from the prevailing passion, partial insanity, 
 and early death, 
 
 Besides, to be continent is not to be chaste, as it is 
 sure to engender a constant change of voluptuous im- 
 ages, and untameable desires, which it would be diffi- 
 cult to reconcile with strict purity. 
 
 By long and severe fasts, and shunning the so- 
 ciety of the female sex, we have no doubt that men 
 may greatly suppress their animal desires, but they 
 by no means obliterate them, and clergymen of the 
 most austere orders have admitted this, whenever they 
 chose to speak freely on the subject. 
 
 An ecclesiastic in Bordeaux, finding it impossible 
 to starve out his desires, shot himself through the 
 heart, where lay the seat of his disease, 
 
 Gregory admitted the difficulties, in this respect, 
 that celibacy imposed on its votaries, but argued, 
 that were it otherwise, continency would be no virtue 
 •end sexual intercourse no sacrifice. 
 
 Monsieur M. wrote more particularly on the sub- 
 ject. He said, that at the age of thirty- two, being 
 bound by a vow of celibacy, he began to feel the ac- 
 tion of the reproductive organs very intensely, and 
 that his health was thereby mjured. 
 
 At this period he fixed his eyes on two women, who 
 
^16 ADVAKTAGES OF MARRIAGE. 
 
 made sach an impression on him, that they appear- 
 ed to be illuminated, and to glitter with an electric 
 fire, so that he retired, thinking that it was an illu- 
 sion of the devil. 
 
 He had then violent contraction and tension of the 
 limbs, which were succeeded by delirium; and after- 
 wards his imagination was assailed by obscene images, 
 suggested by the desires of nature. 
 
 In a word, continence to his body was obscenity to 
 his mind, and made him most miserable. 
 
 The confessions of Anselmo, an austere and virtu- 
 ous man, are further eminent illustrations to the 
 same effect. Also the memoirs of Catineau. 
 
 And likewise the admissions of an exalted father, 
 who exclaims, '*^0h, how often have I, when settled 
 in the desert — in that vast solitude which, burned up 
 by the solar heat, affords to monks a horrid habita- 
 tion — how often have I imagined myself to be for a 
 moment in the midst of Roman pleasures. But I sat 
 alone, because my heart was full of woe and bitter- 
 ness. My members deformed as they were, abhorred 
 the sack which invested them, my shriveled flesh felt 
 the thirst of Ethiopic fire. Daily tears, daily groans, 
 were mine; and if dear sleep oppressed me, I slid my 
 scarcely adhering bones down upon the naked ground; 
 my mind was full of dreams at variance with my vow. 
 I, therefore, who for fear of hell, had condemned my- 
 self to such imprisonment — the companion only of 
 scorpions and wild beasts — did often, in imagination, 
 find myself amid the choirs of maidens. Pallid was 
 
ADVA.KTAQES OF MARRIAGE, 2l7 
 
 I with fastings, and in a frigid body, yet my mind 
 burned with desires — the flesh being dead before the 
 man, the fires of lust alone boiled up; and thus must 
 it be with all who, like me, endeavor to sacrifice the 
 flesh to the spirit." 
 
 Nor is the case better with the other sex. 
 
 Indeed if anything, the images of the mind of the 
 woman are more intense, as she has fewer objects to 
 distract her attention, and hence she is the greater 
 sufferer by absolute continence. 
 
 Languor, melancholy, uneasiness and haziness, are 
 earliest symptoms of suppressed desire in females; 
 then chlorosis; then probably death, unless her pass- 
 ion finds vent in marriage — or in a solitary practice, 
 the evils of which are fully considered further on. 
 
 Having thus, in the difficulties of continence, illus- 
 trated the necessity of marriage, I will now proceed 
 to give some instructions as to the best mode of choos- 
 ing an appropriate partner. And these instructions 
 may easily be taken advantage of, unless where matches 
 are. made in an indecent hurry. 
 
 We may be told that love is blind, and will not be 
 advised or taught on such a subject. 
 
 We insist, however, that he would be advised, if he 
 knew beforehand that the parties inspired by him 
 were physically and mentally disagreed to such an ex- 
 tent that the objects for which they were chiefly 
 brought together could never be duly consummated. 
 
 This may be a good place to state that nymphoma- 
 nia, uterine epilepsy, uterine colic, virgin convulsions. 
 
21 S IN-TEEMARRIAGE. 
 
 hysterics and otlier morbid affections, are cured by 
 marriage, and effectually so by no other remedy. 
 
 Nor is this all,for marriage purifies the complexion^ 
 removes blotches from the skin, invigorates the mus- 
 cles, makes the carriage erect and free, and, in fine, 
 is the principal medium through which nature makes 
 the human species tranquil, healthy, and even hap- 
 
 py. 
 
 I/OVB MATCHES. 
 
 It is an old saying that love matches are seldom or 
 never happy. 
 
 By this rule hate matches would promote the pleas- 
 ures of matrimony. The idea is absurd. 
 
 Unless there is love before marriage, there is sel- 
 dom any feeling warmer than moderate friendship 
 afterwards. 
 
 COUBTING. 
 
 In Wales and Holland the young people have a 
 way of courting in which they go to bed together and 
 discuss the preliminaries of marriage 
 
 The Dutch and Welsh contend for the morality of 
 this fashion, and maintain that it never results in 
 anything wrong, 
 
 IinEBMABBIAGE. 
 
 When two persons of parallel dispositions or ap- 
 pearance are united, it is common to observe that 
 they are a well matched couple. 
 
 In fact, however, they are not, and the very re- 
 semblance which seems to claim admiration is a strong 
 ground for saying they are unsuitable companions. 
 
INTERMARRIAGE, 219 
 
 The profound physiologist will readily admit the 
 justness of this assumption, and that marriages are 
 most happy, and most productive of healthy and 
 handsome offspring when the husband and wife differ 
 not only in mental conformation, but in bodily con- 
 struction. 
 
 A melancholy man should mate himself with a 
 sprightly woman, and vice versa; for otherwise they 
 will soon grow weary of the monotony of each other's 
 company. 
 
 By the same rule should the choleric and the patient 
 be united, and the ambitious and the humble; for the 
 opposites of their natures not only produce pleasure- 
 able excitements, but each keeps the other in a whole^ 
 some check. 
 
 Had Macbeth been married to a person of a dispo- 
 sition less aspiring than his own he would never have 
 murdered King Duncan. 
 
 In the size and form of the parties the same princi- 
 ples hold good. 
 
 Tall women are not the ideals of beauty to tall men 
 and if they marry such they will soon begin to imagine 
 greater perfection in other forms than in those of their 
 own wives. 
 
 And this is well ordered by nature to prevent the 
 disagreeable results which are almost certain to grow 
 out of unions where the parents have a strong resem- 
 blance . 
 
 For instance, tall parents will probably have chil- 
 dren f.aller than either, and mental imbecility is the 
 usual attendant of extreme size. 
 
S20 Iin:EEMAEEIA01. 
 
 The union of persons prone to corpulency, of dwarfs 
 etc., would have parallel results; and so likewise that 
 of weakly or attenuated couples. 
 
 To use a lucid but homely phrase, the "breed should 
 be crossed" to make it good. 
 
 Thus, the tall should marry the short — the corpu* 
 lent the lean — the choleric the gentle — and so on; and 
 the tendency to extremes in the parents will be cor- 
 rected in the offspring. 
 
 We do not mean to produce any ridiculous associ- 
 ations in the reader's mind by advancing that Brob- 
 dignags should marry Lilliputians — man-mountains 
 united to shadows, but that the choice of partners 
 should be so regulated as not to propitiate the birth 
 of semi-monsters, for parents prone to corpulency be«^ 
 get flabby and shapeless infants. 
 
 Where the parents are alike of cold and unexcitable 
 natures, their children are likely to be subject to id- 
 iocy; the issue of a very ill-tempered couple will prob- 
 ably be a semi-brute; and melancholy fathers and 
 mothers produce hyprochondriacs and objects for su- 
 icide. 
 
 Apart from these serious considerations, there are 
 reasons why persons of the same disposition should 
 not be united in wedlock, as explicit as the subject 
 deserves. 
 
 An amiable wife to a choleric man is like oil to 
 troubled waters, an ill-tempo'ed one will make his 
 life a misery and his home a hell. 
 
 The man of studious habits should marry a woman 
 of sense and spirit, rather than of erudition, or the 
 
IKIERMARRIAGID. 221 
 
 union will increase the monotony of his existence, 
 which it would be well for his health and spirits to 
 correct by a little conjugal excitement, and the man 
 of gloomy temperament will find the greatest relief 
 from the dark forebodings of his mind in the society 
 of a gentle but lively and smiling partner. 
 
 Further, in wedlock ''like love not their like" so 
 well as something of an opposite nature to excite 
 them. 
 
 Timid maidens are most affected to brave men; 
 sages, to good housewifes who love their domestic 
 duties better than books; and men of blunt disposi- 
 tion can best appreciate the graces of refined wives. 
 
 In a word, the affections of antipodal natures sym- 
 pathize most dearly; a partial illustration of which 
 may be seen in the fact that the greatest philosoph- 
 ers find their sweetest relaxation in the prattle of child- 
 hood and a yet apter one in the equally incontestible 
 fact that the bully of the school and the gentlest of 
 the boys usually select each other for companions. 
 
 However, in some particulars the dispositions and 
 constructions of married people must assimilate, or 
 they will have but few enjoyments in common. 
 
 The man of full habits and warm nature had bet- 
 ter remain single than unite his destinies with a wo- 
 man whose heart repulses the soft advancements of 
 love; and the sanguine female, in whose soul love is 
 the dominant principle, should avoid marriage with 
 a very phlegmatic person, or her caresses instead of 
 being returned in kind, will rather excite feelings of 
 disgust. 
 
INTERMARRIAGE. 
 
 Thus the discriminations to be made in the choice 
 of a partner are extremely nice, and can hardly be ex- 
 plained in writing; but nature, assisted by the fore- 
 going hints, will be a sufficient guide. 
 
 Lest the reader should say, you first advise persons 
 of opposite dispositions to marry, and then advise 
 them otherwise, let me add that the opposite natures 
 must excite, not shun each other. 
 
 Thus the bold and timid will sort well in wedlock, 
 as their natures, though opposed in their general fea- 
 tures, may unite in love, but the very lymphatic 
 and the very sanguine should by no means come to- 
 gether, as they can have no sympathies in common on 
 the point which is matrimony's principal charm and 
 grand consummation. 
 
 But nature generally assists art in the choice of 
 partners. 
 
 We instinctively seek in the object of our desires 
 the qualities which we do not possess ourselves . 
 
 To the fair of both sexes the brunette complexion 
 is most engaging, and vice versa; and the same prin- 
 ciple governs throughout — alike in physical and moral 
 conditions. 
 
 Thus the slender affect the plump ; the tall the 
 shorter; the impassioned the mild; the boisterous; 
 the calm; and so on to the end of the chapter. 
 
 And this is a most admirable arrangement of Prov- 
 idence, as it establishes an equilibrium and prevents 
 people from tending to extremes; for it is known that 
 unions of dwarfs are fruitful of dwarfs, that giants 
 proceed from the embrace of giants; and that the off- 
 
INTERMARRIAGE. 223 
 
 spring of parents alike irritable, alike passive, alike 
 bashful, etc., inherit the prominent qualities of both 
 to such a degree as to seriously interfere with their 
 prospects in the world. 
 
 It has another advantage. 
 
 Through its means * 'every eye forms its own beau- 
 ty," Hence, what one person rejects is the beau-ideal 
 of another's conceptions; and thus we are all provided 
 for. 
 
 This difference of tastes has been a stumbling block 
 with writers in all ages. 
 
 They could not divine why an object that was beau- 
 tiful, or the reverse to one, was not the same to all. 
 
 But had they thoroughly investigated the matter, 
 they would have perceived that a manifest design 
 was at the bottom of it, and that in this variety of 
 tastes nature was wisely accomplishing her own ends. 
 
 Many physiologists have argued that like does not 
 produce like; but the testimony of all experience is 
 against them. 
 
 See, for instance, the children of red haired pa- 
 rents, of those who have supernumerary toes etc., 
 and the reader will require no further evidence of 
 the invalidity of their doctrine. 
 
 But the main proof of my assumption, and the 
 grand argument in favor of uniting opposites, is to be 
 found in the evil consequences attending marriages 
 among blood relatives. 
 
 Here is generally a moral and physical resem- 
 lance between the parties which is almost sure to en- 
 tail suffering on their offspring. 
 
224 INTERMABRIAGE. 
 
 This is strongly illustrated in the degeneracy of 
 royal and noble families who marry among each 
 other. 
 
 In Spain, where the proud old Hidalgos carried this 
 absurdity to its greatest height, the race at length 
 became so ugly, puny and imbecile, that to be dwarf* 
 ish and hideous was considered an evidence of nobil- 
 ity; and when strength and beauty graced the offspring 
 of rank the mother's fidelity was more than suspect- 
 ed. 
 
 The Hidalgos, to avoid all risk of ignoble admix- 
 tures, not only married their own blood relations, but 
 confined their choice to first and second cousins; nor 
 was the sad result to be seen alone in decrepit off- 
 spring, but also in the birth of hopeless idiots, 
 
 Royal families take a wider range, but still not suf- 
 ficient to insure bodily and mental vigor. 
 
 Hence they are for the most part afflicted with he- 
 reditary diseases, but more than all with Scrofula^ 
 which is one of the most offensive that pertains to hu- 
 man nature. 
 
 The injurious results of a union between persons 
 having a close moral and physical resemblance will be 
 augmented if there should also exist a close kindred- 
 ship of blood. 
 
 But here nature again kindly steps in to arrest the 
 evil — for married relatives, near of kin, have rarely 
 if ever numerous progenies, owing probably to the 
 fact that, being for the most part of a like form and 
 disposition, the one cannot frequently cause m the 
 
INTERMARRIAGE. 226 
 
 other that state of excitement which is necessary to 
 the ends of reproduction. 
 
 In fine, with man as with animals, the best way to 
 improve the breed is to cross it — for the intermar- 
 riages of like with like and relative with relative, not 
 only causes man to degenerate, but if the system be- 
 came universal, wo aid in time bring the human race 
 to a termination altogether. 
 
 But, to the main subject of this chapter, namely: 
 the choice of partners. 
 
 A male or female with a very low forehead should 
 carefully avoid marriage with a person of like confor- 
 mation, or their offspring will, in all probability, be 
 weak minded, pei'haps to partial idiocy. 
 
 The system of crossing is so perfect that marriages 
 between persons who are natives of different countries 
 are likely to be pleasant and fruitful. 
 
 Speaking on this subject, an English writer says, 
 "The Persians have been so improved by introducing 
 foreigners to breed from, that they have completely 
 succeeded in washing out the stain of their Mongolian 
 origin." 
 
 And the same author adds to the effect th&t in 
 those parts of Persia where there is no foreign inter- 
 course the inhabitants are sickly and stunted, while in 
 those that are frequented by strangers they are large 
 and healthy. 
 
 To make what is called a **handsome couple" the fe- 
 male should be about three inches less than the male, 
 and if the parties are proportionately developed 
 
226 INTERMARRIAGE, 
 
 throughout their system, this selection may be found 
 of advantage in other matters besides appearances. 
 
 Wide haunches in a man, as well as being a deform- 
 ity, argue flabbiness and a weak overgrowth in the 
 procreant function. 
 
 On the contrary they are a beauty in women, and 
 a proof that the reproductive organs are well develop- 
 ed. 
 
 Hence, a strong and amorous man would not do well 
 to marry a female with narrow haunches; for though 
 such a pair may be equal to the consummation of 
 marriage, there is almost certain to be a difficulty at 
 the time of delivery, especially if the child should be 
 robust in proportion with the father. 
 
 It may be as well to say here, that a female with 
 narrow haunches should unite herself with a person 
 of delicate bodily construction, not only in reference 
 to certain rights, but because the offspring of such a 
 person is likely to be small, and hence suited to the 
 peculiarity of her conformation. 
 
 This may seem to the general reader a little thing 
 to be so especial about; but it involves advice of great 
 importance to one for whom it is intended. 
 
 For instance, a woman with narrow haunches al- 
 ways suffers much on delivery; the giving birth to 
 large children seriously effects her health and wrecks 
 her constitution; and it constantly happens in such 
 cases that delivery cannot be affected at all, unless by 
 operations which must destroy the life either of the 
 child or the mother. 
 
Ii?-TERMA.RRIAGB, 237 
 
 No matter how delicately formed a female may be 
 in other parts, if her haunches are wide, the attri- 
 butes thereunto pertaining regular and proportionable, 
 she need not be afraid to marry a giant. 
 
 We use the word haunch in its largest sense — that 
 is to express the hip and fore and hinder part; or in 
 other words, to take in the whole circumference of 
 the pelvis. 
 
 ''A well formed woman," says a modern physiolo- 
 gist, '* should have her head, shoulders and chest 
 small and compact; arms and limbs relatively short; 
 the haunches apart; her hips elevated; her abdomen 
 large, and other things voluminous." 
 
 Hence she would taper from the center up and 
 down. 
 
 Great hoUowness of the back, the thighs against 
 each other in walking, and the elevation of one hip 
 above the other are indications of the ^'malformation 
 of the pelvis. " 
 
 From the same writer I take the following, which 
 is applicable here; it is very correct in its estimates 
 of beauty in both sexes : 
 
 The length of the neck should be proportionately 
 less in the male than the female, because the depen- 
 dence of the mental system on the vital one is natural- 
 ly connected with the shorter courses of the vessels of 
 the neck. 
 
 The neck should form a gradual transition between 
 the body and head — its fullness concealing all promi- 
 nences of the throat. 
 
%%S INTBRMAREIAGB. 
 
 The shoulders should slope from the lower part of 
 the neck, because the reverse shows that the upper 
 part of the chest owes its width to the bones and 
 muscles of the shoulders. 
 
 The upper part of the chest should be relatively 
 short and wide, independent of the size of the shoul- 
 ders, for this shows that the vital organs which it 
 contains are sufficiently developed. 
 
 The waist should taper little farther than the mid- 
 dle of the trunk, and be marked especially in the back 
 and loins, by the approximation of the hips. 
 
 The waist should be narrower than the upper part 
 of the trunk and its muscles, because the reverse in- 
 dicates expansion of the stomach, liver and great in- 
 testines, resulting from their excessive use. 
 
 The back of woman should be more hollow than 
 that of man; for otherwise the pelvis is not of suf- 
 ficient depth for parturition. 
 
 Woman should have loins more extended than man 
 at the expense of the superior and inferior parts for 
 this conformation is essential to gestation. 
 
 The abdomen should be larger in woman than in 
 man for the same reason. 
 
 Over all these parts the cellular tissue, and the 
 plumpnessconnected withit, should obliterate all dis- 
 tinct projection of muscles. 
 
 The surface of the whole female should be charac- • 
 terized by its softness, elasticity, smoothness, delicacy, 
 and polish, and by the gradual and easy transition 
 between the parts. 
 
INTERMARRIAGE. 229 
 
 The moderate plumpness already described shoiild 
 bestow on the organs of the woman great suppleness. 
 
 Plumpness is essential to beauty, especially in 
 mothers, because in them the abdomen necessarily 
 expands, and would afterwards collapse, and become 
 wrinkled. 
 
 An excess of plumpness, however, is to be guarded 
 against. Young women who are very fat are cold, 
 and prone to barrenness. 
 
 In no case should plumpness be so predominant as 
 to destroy the distinctness of parts. 
 
 A male and female formed on the above models 
 would be well matched, and have fine children. 
 
 If a female throws her feet much to the rear in 
 walking, her knees are inclined inwards. A woman 
 that marches, rather than walks, has large hips, and 
 a well-developed pelvis. 
 
 If she moves along trippingly on her tip-toes, a 
 large calf and strong muscles are indicated. 
 
 The foot lifted in a slovenly manner so as to strike 
 the heel against the back of the dress, is a sure sign 
 of a small calf and pelvis. 
 
 A heavy walk, when there is but little spring on the 
 toes, evidences a slender ness and weakness of limbs. 
 
 When the foot and ankle assume a bony appear- 
 ance, and the heel strikes the ground before the ball 
 or edge of the foot, they indicate that the female has 
 passed the meridian of life, no matter how other ap- 
 pearances may weigh against this. 
 
 Blue eyes should marry black; for when persons 
 
230 WHAT AGE TO MARRY. 
 
 both having blue eyes are united, their offsprings are 
 apt to have very light hair and a tendency to blind- 
 ness. 
 
 When a person is of consumptive habits, this is a 
 peculiarly important consideration, for it is known 
 that in consumptive families hazel and black-eyed 
 children die, while the blue-eyed live. 
 
 Hence, a man or woman having dark eyes and a 
 consumptive tendency, should choose a blue-eyed 
 partner. 
 
 However, we by no means advise consumptive per- 
 sons to marry at all; that is, unless the disease be ar- 
 tificially produced and not hereditary; for in the 
 former case matrimony may be of service, and has 
 been known to produce a permanent cure, even when 
 all other applications have failed. 
 
 The person who studies this book thoroughly will 
 not be easily deceived in the make, form, or internal 
 conformation of either male or female, though hav- 
 ing to judge of them outside their dress. 
 
 The moral qualities are matters to be discovered by 
 parentage, time and conversation. 
 
 And thus advised, there cannot be much difficulty 
 in bringing about matrimonial arrangements, so as to 
 "cross the breed," which as we have clearly shown, is 
 a consideration of much importance in married life. 
 
 AT WHAT AGE TO MARRY. 
 
 Very early in life, varying from ten to sixteen years, 
 begins to be felt the anxiety of the sexes to be to- 
 gether, and were people more robust as they might 
 
WHA.T AGE TO MARRY. 231 
 
 be — did they live in a simple state of nature, and 
 without suffering the fatigues and hardships general- 
 ly experienced in savage life — the chances are that 
 their desires might be consummated as well then as in 
 after years, and without the incurring of physical 
 injury. As it is, however, there is a serious day of 
 reckoning for early indulgence; for precocious per- 
 sons — unless their constitutions are as powerful as 
 their desire — who give way to their passions at first 
 exactions, barter their youth for their enjoyment, and 
 are old and weary of the world at an age when people 
 of more moderate habits are only in the meridian of 
 pleasure and existence. 
 
 It has been written over and over again that in 
 Arabia^ and other warm climates, girls of twelve, and 
 boys of fourteen, are ripe enough for marriage. In 
 their affections they may be — for there, in a warm 
 climate, it effects an undoubted influence, but other- 
 wise, they are unsuited for such a change of life; for 
 early communion of the sexes is as productive of 
 physical prostration in sultry latitudes as in other 
 places. 
 
 The proper age to marry, all over the world, is be- 
 tween twenty-five and thirty for men, nineteen and 
 twenty-five for women; and in fact, previous to the 
 age of twenty-five and nineteen, they are, as a gen- 
 eral rule, inadequate to the requirements of matri- 
 monial intercourse. Some young men who imagine 
 that early development of the passions is a proof of 
 manhood, will not be ready to admit this, but we can 
 tell them that their strength to accomplish does not 
 
232 WHAT AGE TO MAEET. 
 
 keep pace with their will to dare. Hence boys who 
 marry derive but little enjoyment from the connubial 
 state; and the ladies who unite themselves with juve- 
 niles become disappointed, and suspect their husbands 
 of incapacity — (we dare not give it a more appropri- 
 ate title) — whereas, the only thing they are deficient 
 in is age. Many a separation, and even elopement 
 has been thus occasioned; and the offspring of such 
 marriages is usually puny and consumptive. 
 
 Further, men who marry too young, unless they 
 are of cold and phlegmatic constitutions, and thus 
 moderate in their conduct, become partially bald dim 
 of sight, and lose all elasticity of limb in a few years; 
 while women in a like position rarely have any bloom 
 in their cheek or fire in their eye by the time they 
 are twenty-five. And all profound physiologists a- 
 gree that, from the same cause, the mental faculties 
 suffer in the same ratio. 
 
 A medium, however, is to be observed. It is not 
 well to defer till middle age the period of connubial 
 intercourse; for too tedious spinstership is as much 
 calculated to hasten the decay of beauty, as too early 
 a marriage. Hence, there is rarely any freshness to 
 be seen in the maiden of thirty, while the matron of 
 that age, if her life has been a happy one, and her hy- 
 menial condition of not more than ten years standing, 
 is scarcely in the hey-day of her charms. And the same 
 rule will apply with equal force to the other sex, for 
 after the first prime of life, bachelors decay and grow 
 old much faster than married men. Hence says the 
 poet. 
 
WHAT AGE TO MARRY. 2S3 
 
 '*Oonnubial pleasures keep men in their prime, 
 While those who shun them, wither ere their time." 
 
 The rich are qualified for marriage before the poor. 
 This is owing to the superiority of their aliment; for 
 very nutritious food and the constant use of wines, 
 coffee, &c., greatly assist in developing the organs of 
 reproduction; whereas the food generally made use of 
 among the peasantry in most countries, as vegetables, 
 corn, milk, &c., retards their growth. Owing to this 
 difference of diet, the daughter of a man of wealth, 
 who keeps a good table, will be as adequate to certain 
 duties of married life at eighteen, as the daughter of 
 a humble peasant at twenty one. Singular as it may 
 seem, it is none the less true, that love, novels, amor- 
 ous conversations, playing parlor games for kisses, 
 voluptuous pictures, waltzing, and in fact all things 
 having a tendency to create desire, assist in promot- 
 ing puberty, and preparing young persons for early 
 marriage. Those who reach this estate, however, by 
 artificial means and much before the natural period, 
 will have to suffer for it in after life. 
 
 Maidens suffering from peculiar diseases, as 
 nymphomania, uterine epilepsy, green sickness (which 
 is mostly the result of love,)virgin convulsions, &c., 
 should be married as soon as possible, though they 
 have scarcely passed the term of puberty, for mar- 
 riage is a certain cure in these complaints, and cannot, 
 at this period, do as much evil as it will effect good. 
 
 The female who marries before the completion of 
 her womanhood — that is before her puberty is estab- 
 lished — will cease to grow, and probably become pale 
 
234 FACTS OF IMPOETANCB. 
 
 and delicate, the more especially if she becomes preg- 
 nant soon after marriage. A person thus circumstanc- 
 ed will also be liable to abortion, and painful deliver- 
 ies. In fine, unless under very peculiar circumstances 
 indeed — such'for instance, as may be involved in the 
 afflictions noticed in the preceding paragraph — 
 marriage should not take place until two or three 
 years after puberty. Let us, therefore, advise the 
 male reader to keep his desires in leading-strings un- 
 til he is at least twenty-five, and the female not to en- 
 ter within the pale of wedlock until she is past her 
 eighteenth year; but after those periods, marriage is 
 their proper sphere of action, and one in which they 
 must play a pcirt, or suffer actual pain, as well as the 
 loss of one of the greatest ot earthly pleasures; for Na- 
 ture is a tyrant, and will not be deprived of this, 
 perhaps the most imperative of her claims, with 
 impunity. 
 
 Facts of Much Importance to Both Sexes. 
 
 The knowledge contained in this chapter is the re- 
 sult of many years' research, thought and experienct • 
 It contains much that will be new to the reader, but 
 nothing is authoritatively advanced, the truth of 
 which we have not fiarly tested. Young physicians 
 will be pleased to find so much that they should know 
 in a few words, for the chapter contains nearly every- 
 thing worth seeking for, connected with the subjects 
 it treats of, and many things not considered, or even 
 hinted at, by previous physiologists. 
 
IBUITFUL MONTHS, 235 
 
 ON PHYSIOLOGY. 
 
 Physiology is the science of life — life itself being 
 an aggreate of phenomena, which manifest them- 
 selves in organized bodies. Some philosophers hold 
 the opinion that it is merely the effect of the play of 
 the element on certain combinations of matter, and 
 that there is no such thing as a living principle. This 
 theory, however, is easily disproved; but not by the 
 substitution of any which explains the mystery of sen- 
 tient existence, 
 
 OBSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 Should any unexpected barriers be discovered to 
 the consummation of the rights of marriage, a physi- 
 cian should be consulted without delay. A false 
 modesty in such cases may be productive of the most 
 serious consequences. The Duchess de Berri is a 
 case in point. After being married about six weeks, 
 she was on the eve of separating from her husband, 
 when one of the ladies of the court learned the cause, 
 and prevailed on her to consult one of the faculty, 
 who soon set all right. However, both the duke and 
 duchess had suffered much through their delay or 
 ignorance. 
 
 THE FRUITFUL MONTHS. 
 
 It is estimated that the healthiest children are born 
 in February, March, April and May. Consequently, 
 May, June, July and August must be the months 
 most auspicious to conception. This is merely the 
 popular opinion, but Dubois, La Basche, and the 
 skillful writer Le Temps assert that their experience 
 corroborates. 
 
^6 HABITUAL MISCAERIAQE8. 
 
 TWINS. 
 
 A female may have twins, the offspring of differ- 
 ent fathers. Thus, a woman in North America, be- 
 ing delivered the same day of a black and white infant, 
 acknowledged that nine months before she had been 
 with her husband and a negro slave. In births where 
 one child preceeds the other for one or two months, 
 it is fair to suspect adultery. 
 
 Indeed, the infants themselves mostly give evi- 
 dence of a different male parentage. 
 
 MAERIAGE AND POETRY. 
 
 Marriage "blunts the imagination, A married wri- 
 ter of fiction must hold Hymen in check, or weary 
 his readers; and poetry is almost irreconcilable with 
 the state of wedlock. 
 
 Schiller observes, that one cannot woo his wife and 
 the muses; and there is, no doubt, much philosophy 
 in the assumption. 
 
 Thus it would seem that poetry is the escape of 
 love when not otherwise directed. 
 
 IDEAS OF BEAUTY. 
 
 Men of poetical or sanguine temperament prefer 
 the beauty of the face. 
 
 Those of stronger animal propensities, the beauty 
 of form. 
 
 The latter make the most attentive husbands, as 
 they are most content with the realities of life. 
 habituaij miscarriages. 
 
 The force of habit is such in women, that when a 
 female once miscarries she will always be liable to 
 misscarry when the same stage of pregnancy occurs. 
 
EESEMBLAKCKS. ^d1 
 
 OOIiOB OF THB SKIN. 
 
 The complexion of the sKin depends on that of the 
 rete mucosum, a glutinous substance that lies be- 
 tween the under and outward skin. In blacks this 
 membrane contains an inky fluid, which is ascribed 
 to carbon and the increase of bilious secretions in hot 
 climates . 
 
 Puberty. 
 At the time of puberty the blood of both sexes tends 
 towards the parts subservient to reproduction, which 
 causes these organs to awake from their torpor and 
 expand. 
 
 The Haib. 
 
 A profusion of hair is a sign of an amorous dispo- 
 sition, as is also a rough husky voice. When a man 
 is castrated he loses his beard, and his voice grows 
 feminine. He is also liable to periodical hemorrhages, 
 like the other sex. Likewise he becomes artful, de- 
 praved and foolish. 
 
 Besemblanoks. 
 Children should resemble both parents, or there 
 may be a fair doubt of their legitimacy. However, 
 notwithstanding the theories of Straus, Gutilett and 
 Walker the rule is not imperative; for we, and others, 
 have seen infants who, in face or form, bore not the 
 slightest similitude to their female parents; which 
 must be taken as proof positive in the premises. Still, 
 this so rarely occurs as to be only the exception to the 
 rule. 
 
338 LOITG COURTSHIPS. 
 
 EBNEWING lilPB. 
 
 In 1677, France was thrown into a state of great 
 excitement, by the publication of a theory of life by a 
 physician named Richard Lower, who contended 
 that life might be renewed and prolonged indefinitely, 
 by transferring the blood of young into old people. 
 
 The system was first tried on dogs, with — accord- 
 ing t«7 Lower — ^the most successful results. However, 
 it not only failed, with men, but in some instances, 
 it came nearly killing those who were candidates for 
 immortality, owing to the difference of the tempera- 
 ment between the receiver and giver of the blood. 
 Nevertheless, the doctrine continues to be steadily 
 maintained by some visionaries, with this saving 
 clause, that the party who received the vital fluid, 
 must have been of the same habits, temperament, 
 state of health, etc., when at the same age of him who 
 yielded it, 
 
 LONG OOUKTSHIPS. 
 
 Beware of long courtships, for there are so many 
 slips between the cup and the lip, that it is almost as 
 well to marry in haste and repent at leisure. 
 
 PERIOD OF CHILD-BEARING. 
 
 Women may be ten, eleven, and even twelve months 
 in a certain condition, the ignorance whereof causes 
 much domestic trouble, and has occasionally been the 
 means of divorces. On the contrary, full grown chil- 
 dren may be born in the seventh month after concep- 
 tion, and some say in the sixth or even less, but we 
 doubt them. At least, out of all our experience, we 
 never had personal knowledge of a case of the sort 
 
BAD HABITS. 339 
 
 but one, and then we had our suspicions, grounded 
 on various circumstances apart from the main one, 
 which were rather unfavorable to the lady's char- 
 acter. 
 
 Excesses. 
 
 Beware of youthful excesses, for sooner or later 
 they have to be paid for. 
 
 A great English philosopher truly says, *'the de- 
 bauches of youth are so many conspiracies against 
 old age." 
 
 GEEEN SICKNESS. 
 
 One of the most active causes of laborious or ob- 
 structed menstruation is disappointment in love, and 
 a transfer of the affections would work a cure with- 
 out any other remedy. 
 
 BAD HABITS. 
 
 There is but one mode in which the sexes of the 
 human race can know each other without the sacri- 
 fice of pleasure, and probably risks of yet greater im- 
 portance, and that mode is dictated by nature. 
 
 Valsalva and others assumed that monstrous births 
 were often occasioned by shunning the advice of na- 
 ture in this particular, 
 
 GBEEX SICKNESS. 
 
 Suppressed catamenia, excessive menstruation, dys- 
 pepsia, and other causes, occasionally produce green 
 sickness, which may be detected by the pale, lurid 
 and greenish cast of the skin; but the leading cause 
 is disappointment in love, or in other words inability 
 to obtain the object of one's desires; for it rarely af- 
 fects either sex until after the age of puberty, and 
 
240 THE HYMEN, 
 
 then it is known to have a manifest inBuence over 
 the prolific organs. For this disease, when occasion- 
 ed by love, cooling aperients, and the daily use of a 
 bidet of cold water used unsparingly, and meager di- 
 et, may be of advantage; but a more certain remedy 
 will be found the preceding page, 
 
 LIVING BODIES. 
 
 *ill living bodies spring from a germ which was 
 part of another being. This rule holds good through- 
 out the vegetable and animal kingdom. 
 
 FOR AND AGAINST. 
 
 Consumption in either sex has been corrected by 
 marriage. The chances, however, are in favor of fe- 
 males, for it has been known to bring the decay of 
 man to a hastier climax. 
 
 THE HYMEN. 
 
 The existence of the hymen in woman is no certain 
 evidence of virginity — neither is its absence of deflor- 
 ation. 
 
 l[!oung females may be deprived of it by illness; and 
 it has been found in ladies at the period of delivery. 
 However, these are the exceptions, and very rare 
 ones. 
 
 As a general rule the hymen indicates the maiden 
 and vice versa, so that a man missing it on marriage 
 may have good grounds for suspecting his wife's 
 chastity, unless she can otherwise explain the cause 
 of its absence. 
 
 COQUETET. 
 
 Beware how you marry a confirmed coquet; for her 
 manners are not so much the result of af ectation as 
 
TEETHIKQ. 341 
 
 as the actual changes of her mind, and her phreno- 
 logical developments will show that constancy is not 
 in her nature, 
 
 Baillie had, no doubt, good grounds for saying that 
 a confirmed coquet would rather have any man than 
 her husband, after the first six months of marriage. 
 
 LONGING FOB MARBIAGE. 
 
 Young unmarried ladies, from the time they arrive 
 at the age of puberty, think and talk about little else 
 besides love, and its attributes. 
 
 Young men, however, though they have other ob- 
 jects of pursuit, are more carried away by the passion. 
 
 When crossed in love, a woman becomes melan- 
 choly, a man insane. 
 
 TEETHING. 
 
 The small molar teeth appear between the age of 
 eighteen months and two years, and then the first 
 dentition is complete, and the child's life m ore secure 
 Convulsions and diarrhoea are the most fatal accidents 
 attending dentition, and call for all the nurses care. 
 Teething children are often lost by neglect or ill ad- 
 vice. Perhaps the best of remedies is Mrs. Whitcomb's 
 Syrup — the infant's and children's great soothing re- 
 medy. It is sold by all medicine dealers. Price 
 twenty-five cents per bottle. 
 
 SENSATIONS. 
 
 Infants laugh toward the middle of the second 
 month, which shows that they begin at that period 
 to be capable of agreeable sensations. Not to smile 
 at that time, or very soon after, may be taken as an 
 evidence of sickness. 
 
342 MERCURY. 
 
 MEBCI7BY. 
 
 Mercury in its metallic state, exerts no action on the 
 animal economy. It has, nevertheless, been admin- 
 istered in large doses, with a view of operating me- 
 chanically, and overcoming by its weight, obstruc- 
 tions existing in the ileus, but as it cannot act by its 
 gravity on the ascending part of the bowels, it is not 
 easy to conceive how it should have ever been recom- 
 mended; and the issue of the cases in which it has 
 been given, have sufficiently proved the futility of the 
 practice. 
 
 It was formerly thought that mercurial prepara- 
 tions constituted an unfailing specific for every form 
 of the venereal disease, and that unless this mineral 
 were administered freely, it was the nature of syph- 
 ilitic affections to go on progressively from bad to 
 worse, till the end was the infallible destruction of 
 life. And during the middle of the last century, as 
 well as later, when the doctrines of the celebrated 
 Hunter were received with implicit submission, when 
 medical practitioners bowed contentedly to the au- 
 thority of great names, not daring to think for them- 
 selves, or to acquire from patient and personal obser- 
 vation, correct notions of the progress of diseases and 
 the action of remedies; during the existence of such 
 a state of things, doubtless many unfortunate victims 
 of venereal contagion have perished, not so much 
 from the virulence of the affection as from the incau- 
 tious and injudicious operation of active and danger- 
 ous, as well as deadly agents, employed professedly 
 for ite cure. (At that time it was thought that if any 
 
MERCURY. 24'^ - 
 
 sore, the result of impuie coition, were observed to 
 heal without mercury having been given, that it 
 could not have been venereal, nor likely to be followed 
 by any constitutional symptoms.) 
 
 When we take into consideration the variety of 
 forms under which syphilitic disease is cloaked, and 
 the general treatment, we cannot but deplore the 
 great loss of life, which is daily occurring from the 
 use of that mineral, which is constantly administered 
 by medical men at the present day; the blood is poi- 
 soned by it, and by being so, it conveys wherever it 
 travels in the arteries and veins, the seeds of disease. 
 
 The blood thus poisoned goes to the heart, and 
 diseases of this organ are the consequences; it goes to 
 the lungs, aad this organ becomes morbidly deranged 
 in fact, to whatever part of the system it travels, there 
 it lays the foundation of disease. In cases like these 
 it was formerly the custom of the faculty not to rid 
 the system of the poison which is destroying the un- 
 happy sufferer by inches, and preying upon his vitals, 
 but they have pursued a course of treatment as incor- 
 rect in sound theory, as it is repugnant to human- 
 ity and common sense. 
 
 One would have supposed that some drug would 
 have been administered to counteract the effects of 
 the poison circulating in the veins. Not so ! Instead 
 of so doing, poisons were thrown into the system, in 
 the shape of arsenic, and other mineral poisons; so 
 that the unfortunate sufferer, instead of being bene- 
 fited was doomed to pass years of misery and unhap- 
 piness. In treating the venereal disease, it used to 
 
244 MERCUEY. 
 
 be (and I am sorry to say it is to some extent at the 
 present) the practice always to throw into the system 
 immense quantities of mercury. And what were the 
 consequences of this unnatural and inhuman mode of 
 treatment? The unfortunate being had caries of his 
 his bones, copper colored eruptions made their ap- 
 pearance all over his body, with running sores in the 
 neck, and distorted features. 
 
 Yes, the rotten skulls which are to be found in 
 anatomical museums, with all the other beautiful 
 specimens of diseased bones, which in our younger 
 days were so abundant in hospitals, in the great ma- 
 jority of cases were the production of long and har- 
 assing courses of mercury. 
 
 Its rash, indiscriminate use is the means of infinite 
 mischief. Under the notion of its being an antidote 
 for a certain disease, the untutored think they have 
 only to saturate their system with mercury, and the 
 business is accomplshed. Fatal error! Thousands are 
 yearly either mercurialized out of existence, or their 
 constitution so broken, and the functionof nature so 
 impared, as to render the residue of life miserable. 
 For where is the practitioner of any eminence, whose 
 experience beyond a first or second slight infection, 
 has not seen the inefficiency of this boasted mineral? 
 If physicians and surgens, those of them who have 
 the care of hospitals in particular, were candid 
 enough to give the public all the information they 
 could upon this head, it would be as generally known 
 as it is true, not only that mercury frequently fails 
 in cases where the infection has been contracted for 
 
MERCURY. 345 
 
 the first time, and that as it loses its energy by repe- 
 tition (not indeed against the constitution but against 
 the disease alone,) the cure becomes at each succeed- 
 ing infection more dangerous, difficult and uncertain 
 than the last; but that instances every day occur, in 
 which the excessive exhibition of that mineral seems 
 to retard the cure, and be the only obstacle to entire 
 removal of the diseases; instances in which the 
 patient, reduced by disease and the remedy together 
 to such a state, that certain death must follow any 
 longer persistence in the use of mercury, is sent to 
 the country as a last resource, and there without any 
 other remedy but the absence of mercury alone, re- 
 covers his former health and strength. 
 
 To give the reader an idea of its ill effects upon the 
 system, I will here make an extract from a late pub- 
 lication of the justly celebrated Professor of Surgery 
 in London University College, Mr. Listen: ''Of the 
 bad effects of mercury on the constitution, much ha 
 been said; treatises have been written on mercurial 
 pox, a species reported to be much the most violent; 
 and others have detailed an accumulation of evils, 
 under the title of mercurial disease. There is no 
 doubt that extensive, deep and sloughy ulcers of the 
 throat are produced by mercury, and of this I saw 
 the following unexceptionable instance: The fauces 
 presented one extensive mass of ulceration, slough- 
 ing at itsmargins, and the uvula was almost detached. 
 The patient was an old and emaciated woman who 
 neither had, nor could be supposed to have, any ve- 
 nereal complaint. She employed herself m coating 
 
346 MERCURY. 
 
 mirrors with quicksilver, and to that ascribed her 
 malady. In fact, her system had been long under 
 mercury, in consequence of her occupation. When 
 I visited her, her daughter and husband, [the latter 
 of whom was paralytic, and almost bed-ridden,] were 
 affected from the same cause, with a pustular erup- 
 tion of the face, and disease of the nostrils and sniv- 
 eling. Another old woman had numerous and deep 
 ulcers of the fauces, tonsils and lips, having been 
 kept unmercifully under mercury for nine continuous 
 months. She had besides taken it, from time to time, 
 for upwards of four years, though her sole complaint 
 was a slight sore throat." Pains of the joints, too, I 
 believe, are attributable to the use of mercury. That 
 mineral has no power to prevent the occurrence of 
 nodes, for these form during its action. Affections 
 of the periosteum are easily excited in some people, 
 who have neither had pox, nor made use of mercury, 
 but in no instance of venereal disease have I observ- 
 ed serious affections of the bones where it has not been 
 given. Even the advocates for mercurializing, speak 
 of mercurial nodes. It has been asserted, that nodes 
 do not occur when mercury has been given for liver 
 and other complaints; but they deform under such 
 circumstances, though not so frequently as when the 
 mediciue has been given during venereal symptoms. 
 A cachetic state is often produced by a continued 
 use of mercurial prej^arations, or at least by mercury 
 and disease together, in constitutions not originally 
 strong. It is marked by pale lips; bloodless conjunc- 
 tiva; a rough anserine skin; a relaxed state of themu- 
 
MERCURY. Ht 
 
 cons membranes; hemorrhage from them, particular- 
 ly from the gums, which may prove fatal,^as I have 
 myself witnessed; exfoliation of the alveolar process- 
 es; slimy stools; pale urine; pains of the limbs; sores 
 showing great indolence of action, or assuming a 
 malignant one; dropsical symptoms, and other evils, 
 of which a lengthened catalogue might be enumerat- 
 ed. Such symptoms were often met with when mer- 
 cury was exhibited for every trifling, or suspected 
 sign of disease. 
 
 On this subject, a modern waiter has well remark- 
 ed, ^'experience has well convinced me that in no forms 
 of chancre,nor in any other stages of the venereal dif- 
 ease, is it proper to exhibit Mercury in the unmerciful 
 quantity, andfor the prodigious length of time, which 
 custom, ignorance, and prejudice, used to sanction 
 in former days. Violent salivations ought, at all 
 events, to be forever exploded.'' 
 
 This woful picture is not exaggerated, and cannot 
 be too strongly impressed on the mind. A small 
 quantity of mercury will violently affect some con- 
 stitutions, as of those who have been in warm cli- 
 mates, or have taken much of the drug even in this 
 country. 
 
 There are also several diseased appearances of the 
 skin caused bymercaj-y; but enough, it is hoped, has 
 been said, to warn against this powerful agent, which 
 it has been too much the custom, even in our own 
 day, to make as common use of as the more simple 
 contents of the domestic medicine chest. Let it always 
 
348 C01?^CEPTI0K. 
 
 be remembered that in all its forms and preparations, 
 mercury is a two-edged sword, and may affect as 
 much or more e\il than good. And forget not. Oh! 
 indulgent reader, that it is the active ingredient of 
 nine-tenths of the quack nostrums for venereal dis- 
 ease, though their vendors warrant them vegetable, 
 but, **bv their fruits ye will know them." 
 
 CONCEPTION. 
 
 It often happens with newly married couples that 
 the first year of their marriage is unfruitful on ac- 
 count of their too frequent amorous embraces. Bon- 
 aparte and Josephine seem not to have been adapted 
 to each other, and though the former used various 
 tinctures, borax, marjorum, etc., they had no off- 
 spring; but both of them had issue when joined to 
 other partners. Conjugal enjoyment on the part of 
 the female should be followed by repose, as but very 
 little motion or agitation in persons of warm temper- 
 ament is sometimes sufficient to prevent the ovulum 
 from reaching its proper location. 
 
 A female desirous of conceiving must not cohabit 
 too frequently for the first month after her supposed 
 conception, as the spasmodic agitation consequent 
 upon the embrace of a very amorous couple is calcu- 
 lated to disturb the embryo in its earliest stage of ex- 
 istence, and hence occasion abortion or miscarriage. 
 
 Finally, the great cause of barrenness is weakness 
 and debility on the part of the male or female or both, 
 Dubois says that if this matter was attended to, nine- 
 tenths of the people who are now pining for heirs 
 might be blessed with numerous progenies. 
 
CONCEPTION. 249 
 
 The principal causes of this debility are libertinism 
 and that horrid practice of masturbation or self-abuse 
 upon which we have treated at large in other parts of 
 this worJi. Among the minor causes are tight-lacing, 
 dancing immoderately, stimulating drugs, such as 
 cantharides, arrow-root, tincture of lyttae, port 
 wine, syrup of pine-apples, mushrooms roasted and 
 steeped in salad-oil and borax. All these are worse 
 than useless, for many of them actually injure the 
 person , 
 
 CTnprincipled quacks palm off their injurious and 
 nauseating stuff for money; regardless of the lasting 
 injury to those who are unfortunate enough to use 
 them. Yet some of these remedies, sold for the cure 
 of sterility, impotency, weakness or debility, diurnal 
 and nocturnal emissions, or loss of semen, are actual- 
 ly recommended by physicians, either from ignorance 
 or self-interest. Some imagine there are fertilizing 
 properties in duckweed, carrots, water-cresses, pota- 
 toes, figs, dandelions, fish, eggs and hemp-seed. They 
 are generally incentives to amorous feelings, but 
 nothing more. In some countries the females swallow 
 spiders, flies, ants, crickets and even frogs, to pro- 
 mote fecundation. 
 
 The most auspicious time for promoting genera- 
 tion is in the morning. 
 
 A female with a low womb, married to a muscular 
 man, will probably fail in having an offspring if the 
 difficulty is not corrected. 
 
 It is a popular error that there is a mode by which 
 male or female offspring may be produced at will. It 
 
250 CAUTION. 
 
 is of no consequence whose theory of the mysteries of 
 reproduction is correct, they are agreed on certain 
 points which show this to be impossible. There are 
 tolerably conclusive rules, however, for telling the 
 sexes of children before they are born. Ladies expe- 
 rience more sickness with boys than with girls, which 
 may be caused by their geneially being larger and 
 more lively. Their appetites generally vary, such as 
 food that is hearty for one, and of a different kind 
 for the other. A roundness of the form promises a 
 boy; whereas, when the tendency is nearly all to the 
 front; and the hips and back give but little evidence 
 of the lady's situation, the great probability is that 
 the little stranger is a girl. When a pregnant female 
 is prone to sickness in the morning, longs for food of 
 an invigorating quality, and carries her increase of 
 form rather all around her than in any particulai 
 place, the chances are altogether in favor of a boy; 
 whereas, if her symptoms are otherwise, and as de- 
 scribed above, she will, in all probability, be deliver- 
 ed of a girl. 
 
 CAUTION. 
 
 A woman ought not to suckle a child when she is 
 pregnant; it robs the foetus and injures both mother 
 and child. The milk taken by a healthy infant is 
 equal to about a third of the food taken by the moth- 
 er. The foetus absorbs a portion of all the aliment 
 the mother partakes of; and, therefore, pregnant 
 women should be careful what they eat and drink. 
 
UNIOIf OF THE SEXES. 251 
 
 UNION OF THE SEXES. 
 
 The institution of marriage is not so well under- 
 stood, or its advantages appreciated by unprofession- 
 al men and women as it ought to be. Many men, 
 desiring variety, imagine that the marriage tie is a 
 curb, or restraint, which cuts short their pleasures, 
 and that to have free range in "flowery plains and 
 pastures new" is all that is required to consummate 
 their earthly happiness. Independent of the continual 
 risk of disease, this is a very erroneous view of a very 
 important subject. 
 
 While a few people are willing to speak openly 
 against this noble institution, very many act, in se- 
 cret, as if its vows, its duties and obligations were of 
 mere nominal importance, and as if a breach of them 
 was rather a subject for a joke than for serious re- 
 proof. 
 
 The physician knows that marriage is a true and 
 natural bond. It may, indeed, be said that physical 
 or sexual intercourse is the lowest form of wedded 
 love. But this is not true. The physiological view 
 of marriage is more important than is generally sup- 
 posed; and the physical pleasures themselves, which 
 rule and regulate the rest, are far from being the low- 
 est. When we consider that the institution of mar- 
 riage exists in some form or other among all races of 
 mankind, it will be perceived that it is too deeply 
 rooted to be overthrown by a mere form of words, or 
 the style of casuistry, adopted by disputants who 
 either understand not the facts, or find it convenient 
 to ignore them. 
 
^62 UNION OF THE SEXES. 
 
 It is true that marriage, like many other good 
 things, may become degraded to the lowest and basest 
 purposes — it may be associated with all that is vile 
 and worthless, and converted into a curse instead of 
 a blessing. On the other hand it may cherish and de- 
 velop the holiest dispositions of mankind, promote 
 love, fidelity and truth, and do more for human hap- 
 piness than the most romantic enthusiast has ever 
 conceived. 
 
 No bond on earth can be more pleasureable than 
 that in which all members of the family are bound 
 together by domestic ties; where they are properly 
 respected and faithfully adhered to, no pleasure on 
 earth is so great as that of living in a state of matri- 
 mony. 
 
 Thus wise legislstors have always given encourage- 
 ment to marriage. Caesar gave rewards to those who 
 had many children, and prohibited women under for 
 ty-five years of age from wearing jewels who were un- 
 married and had no children. 
 
 Augustus went still further, and inflicted new pun- 
 ishments on those who remained single, while he re- 
 warded those who were married, particularly if they 
 had children. The law was not popular, however, 
 and at the end of thirty-four years it was repealed. 
 Louis XIV encouraged early marriages, and recom- 
 pensed the fathers of families who had legitimate 
 children. 
 
 The most agreeable companion that a man can 
 have is a kind and loving wife, who will share his 
 pleasures and his pains; who is always rejoiced to hear 
 
FEMA.LE SYRINGE. 26^ 
 
 of his prosperity, but who clings to him all the more 
 closely in adversity. It is, however, late in life — in 
 the season of the sere leaves of life's autumn — that 
 this rare and rich blessing is, and must be more high- 
 ly appreciated. 
 
 It has been proved by ample statistics, that married 
 men live longer than bachelors. This is doubtless the 
 case, if the parties live happily together; otherwise, 
 bachelors have the advantge. In a happy marriage, 
 everything conduces to enjoyment, to well-being, 
 health and longevity; for life is passed without 
 shocks and agitation. But, in an unhappy marriage 
 when each person is a perpetual cross to the other, 
 everjrthing is anguish, torment, trouble and disquie- 
 tude; to-day, to-morrow and always; ateach moment 
 the bitter cup — full to overflowing — approaches and 
 touches the lips. Is there a constitution sufficiently 
 strong, or health sufficiently robust, a soul sufficient- 
 ly firm, to flatter itself that it can resist such cruel at- 
 tacks? 
 
 As these unhappy marriages are very common, no 
 one should ally himself to one whom he does not sin- 
 cerely love. It is not enough that the parties agree 
 in their sentiments and opinions. Let them never 
 make the deplorable mistake of marrying one who has 
 wavered during courtship, or who has evinced the 
 least disposition to favor some other person of the 
 opposite sex. 
 
 FEMALE SYRINGE. 
 
 There are various styles of syringes for the use of 
 females, some are made of glass, others of Brittania, 
 
254 TO MY PATEOi^S, 
 
 hard rubber^ etc. But those manufactured from rub- 
 ber for us are altogether the most efficient instru- 
 ments. This instrument will throw a volume of water 
 or other fluid with great force, so as to penetrate ev- 
 ery part of the vaginal cavity; and it may be used for 
 years without losing its elasticity, while others are apt 
 to become worthless after a few months use. Xo one 
 good habit conduces more to the health of the female 
 than of occasionally syringing the vagina, and keep- 
 ing the organs of procreation cleanly, and free from 
 corrosive acrimonious secretions. Ladies wishing to 
 possess themselves of an excellent; article of this kind 
 can be supplied confidentially on application in per- 
 son or by mail. Price. 63; forwarded postage paid to 
 any part of the United States on receipt of price. 
 
 CONCLUDING JREMAEKS. 
 
 Before closing my volume, I would address a few 
 words of parting advice to the reader. If you are af' 
 flicted, delay not an instant after the first symptoms 
 of disease appear to apply to a skillful physician. Let 
 no false delicacy, no fear of expense, deter you; for 
 you need not hesitate to expose every secret to one 
 whose lot it unfortunately is, daily to witness the in- 
 roads made upon health by sexual indulgence. If you 
 have the means, you are amply remunerated by the 
 best medical advice. 
 
 A FEW WOKDS TO MT PATRONS. 
 
 My Terms. — Sometimes people say, ^'Why doyou 
 have pay in advance? Why not cure us and then we 
 will pay you?" A large proportion of my patients 
 live hundreds of miles from me, and are entire stran- 
 
TO MY PATR0K3. 255 
 
 gers; and my only protection is to receive the pay 
 before I send the medicine. No mercantile house 
 would esteem it a safe business to send goods on cred- 
 it to strangers, and I must malve my business safe. 
 My expenses are immense, my medicines are procured 
 without reference to cost. I use the best, let the cost 
 be what it may. I invest in my business a large for- 
 tune every year. My responsibility has now been 
 tested for many years. Is it unreasonable to invest a 
 few dollars in an enterprise which interests your 
 health, and perhaps your life? In this way I treat all 
 alike, impartially. I devote all my energies and study 
 to do the utmost good; and I depend upon my pat- 
 ronage for my success in curing the sick, fully realiz- 
 ing that I confer a blessing untold upon those I cure 
 and that such cures increase my business and my 
 permanent success. Humanity prompts me to do the 
 very best that is possible. 
 
 Eeferences where desired, will be furnished. 
 
 NOTICE TO PATIENTS AND INVALID RKADEES. 
 
 Much of Dr, Bate's practice is carried on by cor. 
 respondence, and he has been successful in curing 
 numerous cases, which have been conducted by letter 
 only. Patients at a distance, are requested to be as 
 minute as possible in describing the symptoms of 
 their cases, age, habits, occupation, etc., and if any 
 treatment has been previously adopted. Dr. Bate 
 has made arrangements, by which the necessary rem- 
 edies can be forwarded to any part of the world, safe- 
 ly packed and free from observation, and it is his in- 
 
256 TO MY PATEOl^^S, 
 
 variable custom to destroy all correspondence, or 
 return it to the patient at the termination of each 
 case. Patients may have letters or packages forward- 
 ed by Initials, the most perfect confidence may be 
 relied on, so that no diffidence or timidity may pre- 
 vent the application for professional relief. 
 Address 
 
 DOCTOR BATE, 
 288 S. Clark St., Chicago, IlL 
 
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