AIATIYEOSS: 
OR 
EVILS AND REMEDIES 
OF 
EXCESSIVE AND PERVERTED SEXUALITY. 
INCLUDING 
WARNING AND ADVICE 
TO THE 
MARRIED AND SINGLE. 
BEING 
A SUPPLEMENT TO “LOVE AND PARENTAGE.” 
BY 0. S. FOWLER, 
PRACTICAL PHRENOLOGIST, 
Editor of the “ American Phrenological Journal,” and author of “ Phrenology Proved," 
“Education and Self-Improvement,” “Hereditary Descent,” “Religion,” 
“Matrimony,” “Love and Parentage,” Etc. Etc. Etc. 
“ Wherefore, God gave them up to uncleanness, through the lust of their own hearts 
to dishonor their own bodies between themselves."—Paul. 
THIRTEENTH EDITION. 
Nrto Dork: 
FOWLERS AND WELLS, 
PHRENOLOGICAL CABINET, No. 131 NASSAU STREET. 
BOSTON: SAXTON & KELT. BUFFALO! T. S. HAWKS. PHILADELPHIA: 
COLON & ADRIANCE. WORCESTER: J. GROUT. MILWAUKIE J 
I. A. HOPKINS. AND BOOKSELLERS GENERALLY. 
1848. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1344, by 
FOWLERS & WELLS, 
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern District of 
New York. CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER L 
PREVALENCE OF SENSUALITY. FAGI. 
Its prevalence among the Ancients. Sodom. Venus. Jupiter. Alexander. 
David. Solomon. Nero. Poppaea. Quotation from Tacitus. Courts. Em- 
blem of the French Revolution, Number of courtesans. Select prostitution. 
Virginity bought and sold. Seventy two venereal patients. Few preserve their 
purity. Matrimonial excess. Self-abuse. Boys. A boy. West-Point. Opinions 
of Dr. Woodward, Wm. C. Woodbridge, E. M. Iv. Wells, the Author, Dr. Alcott, 
and Dr. Snow. Prevalence among females. Mrs. Gove’s testimony. Facts. 
Exhortation. --..--....7 
CHAPTER II. 
EFFECTS. 
Happiness—its object. Misery when perverted. It injures health. Exhausts the 
body. Reason. Facts. Gross temperaments sustain less injury. It drains the 
feeble organs first. Opinions of Physicians. This secretion imbodies a great 
amount of vitality, which indulgence wastes. It inflames the whole system. 
Inflammation produces pain. It enfeebles offspring. It diseases the sexual 
organs, and this deteriorates the manhood or womanhood. Mutilated animals. 
It diseases the whole system by diseasing this apparatus. Reason. It deranges 
the brain and nervous system. Lunatic Asylums. Dr. Clark’s opinion. It 
engenders depravity in all its forms. Licentiousness and vice go together. 
Purifying this passion will obviate other forms of sin. It perpetuates and re- 
augments itself. The first indulgence. - - - - - • 20 
CHAPTER III. 
THE EFFECTS OF PROMISCUOUS INDULGENCE, MATRIMONIAL EXCESS, AND 
SELF-ABUSE, COMPARED. 
Licentiousness. Venereal diseases. Transmitted. Prevalence. Sandwich 
Islanders. Sale of Books. Matrimonial excess. Facts. It ruins the health of 
women. Kills many wives. Impairs most Impairs or prevents offspring. 
Indulgence during pregnancy. Husbands mainly to blame. Private sensuality 
same as licentiousness. Comparison of the two. More prevalent More 
accessible. More injurious. The dilemma. - - - • - 41 
CHAPTER IV. 
SIGNS OF SENSUALITY IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS. 
Satan never keeps secrets. It reveals itself. The hands. Signs of sensuality and 
self-pollution. Rakes. Other signs of solitary libertinism. Sin and lust. Pain 
in the back. Reason. - - - - • - - -50 
CHAPTER V. 
REMEDIES. 
Nature furnishes cures for most violations of her laws in which structure is not 
impaired. Self-cure. Total abstinence. Prayer. Regain health. Cold water. 
Bathing. Wet bandages. Shaving the organs. Avoid all stimulants and irri- 
tants. Tobacco. Tea. Coffee. Dr. Woodward’s opinion. Keep doing. 
Wedlock. ..........54 
CHAPTER VI. 
PREVENTION. 
Premature development of Amativeness. Nature postpones this passion. 
Causes of its premature development. Conversation. Novel reading. Diet. - 63 
CHAPTER VII. 
TREATMENT OF THE ERRING. MADAM RESTELL. ITS PROMOTION. CONCLUDING 
ADVICE. • • - - -67 SYMBOLICAL HEAD. 
1. amativkness, Sexual and connubial love. 
2. Philoprogenitiveness, Parental love. 
3. Adhesiveness, Friendship—sociability. 
A. Union for Life, Love of one only. 
4. Inhabitiveness, Love of home—patriot- 
ism. 
5. Continuity, Completion—one thing at a 
time. 
6. Combativeness, Resistance—defence. 
7. Destructiveness, Executivencss—force. 
8. Alimentiveness, Appetite, hunger. 
9. Acquisitiveness, Frugality—accumula- 
tion. 
10. Secretiveness, Policy—management 
11. Cautiousness, Prudence, provision. 
12. Approbativeness, Ambition—display. 
13. Self-Esteem, Self-respect and confi- 
dence-dignity. 
14. Firmness, Decision—perseverance. 
15. Conscientiousness, Justice—equity. 
16. Hope, Expectation—enterprise. 
17. Spirituality, Intuition—prescience— 
spiritual revery—communion with 
God. 
NUMBERING AND DEFINITION OF THE ORGANS. 
18. Veneration, Devotion—worship, r* 
epect 
19. Benevolence, Kindness—goodness 
20. Constructiveness, Mechanical ingenuity 
21. Ideality, Refinement—taste—purity. 
B. Sublimity, Love o grandeur. 
22. Imitation, Copying- -patterning. 
23. Mirthfulness, Jocoseness—wit—fun. 
24. Individuality, Observation. 
25. Form, Recollection of shape. 
26. Size, Measuring by the eye. 
27. Weight, Balancing—climbing. 
28. Color, Judgment of colors. 
29. Order, Method—system—arrangement 
30. Calculation, Mental arithmetic. 
31. Locality, Recollection of places. 
32. Eventuality, Memory of facts. 
33. Time, Cognizance of duration. 
34. Tune, Music—melody by ear. 
35. Language, Expression of ideas. 
36. Causality, Applying causes to effects. 
37. Comparison, inductive reasoning. 
C. Human Nature, Perception of motives. 
D. Agreeableness, Pleasantness—suavity PREFACE. 
Every human function is perfect when exercised in harmony with 
its primitive constitution; but, when perverted, occasions suffering 
proportionate to the happiness its right exercise confers. 
Pre-eminently is this true of the sexual function. It was insti- 
tuted to perpetuate our race, but has been perverted to a depraved 
use, more, probably, than any other faculty, and occasioned more 
misery. 
It is high time its ravages were staid ; but who is there to come 
up to the “help of the Lord” and of humanity against this blight- 
ing curse 1 The pulpit—that ordained watch-tower of morality 
and exponent of sin, is comparatively mute concerning it, at least 
touching its worst forms—an omission utterly unjustifiable. The 
medical profession, whose duty it is to sound the alarm and diffuse 
knowledge, is mostly silent; yet pockets the wages of sins and suf- 
ferings it should obviate. Lawyers live on the fees tendered by 
this propensity, more, probably, than from any other crime perpe- 
trated by our fallen nature ; besides being infinitely above (1 below) 
attempting its remedy. The moralist is silent, and the philanthro- 
pist is dumb. Most of the self-constituted watchmen on the walls 
of the public safety, are “dead dogs,” seeming afraid to touch 
this vile thing. A mere moiety attempt to arrest this mighty cur- 
rent, yet the aggregate effort is utterly insignificant compared with 
the evil. Nor can more be said of the mode. None have the keys. 
None beard the lion in his den. Of the few recent productions on 
this subject, none have effectually probed this festering bile to its 
core, or anointed it with an effectual remedy. Nor can this be 
done but by understanding the primitive constitution of this 
element, and thereby the consequences of its perversion. 
Phrenology mounts the breach. It descries the evil. It weeps 
over its ravages. It points out the remedy, and the Author claims 
to be its humble expositor. Long has he seen and sighed over 
this monster disease and wretchedness. He hoped to have escaped 
both the wo of silence and the odium of utterance by its effectual 
exposition from some other quarter. But he has seen nothing which 
did full justice to this subject. Not that he would disparage the 
earlier efforts of that noble apostle in this cause, Dr. Woodward, 
from whom he so often quotes. Almost the first among distin- VI 
preface, 
guished men to open the battery of facts upon this enemy of all 
good. Above all praise his noble efforts in this forlorn cause. But 
his Hints to the Young,” have not sufficiently explained the ra- 
tionale of the injury sensuality inflicts, or attempted to reach 
more than a single form of lust. Nor, even if it had, would this 
work be uncalled for; because our thoughtless youth need “line 
upon line,” and the married require “ precept upon precept.” This 
work may find its way where his has not gone. “ Facts,” &c. “ to 
Young Men ” we cordially recommend. They have done good ; 
yet they occupy ground less comprehensive and scientific than that 
assumed here. Mrs. Gove has awakened attention to this sin and 
shame of too many of her own sex; yet we endeavor to grapple this 
goring monster “by the horns,” and expose the why and how of 
this frightful evil. To disseminate knowledge is our object. In- 
formation is the required preventive. Our misguided youth dream 
not that they are sinning, nor suspect the direful consequences that 
impend, till their ruin is well nigh complete—till their bark of life 
is stranded on the quicksands of inflamed passion, or dashed to atoms 
by the billows of lust in one or other of its forms. 
The married, too, need warning. Thinking themselves entitled 
to a perfect glut of indulgence in wedlock, they little suspect it as 
the cause of their physical diseases or mental alienations. Nor has 
the warning voice probably ever before been raised in their ears. 
Let not the erring think that we come to scorn or deride. We 
proffer pity for your folly, and ointment for your self-inflicted wounds. 
So far from casting reproaches, we would put you again on the feet 
of self-respect, and the road of restoration. 
Those who object to the presentation of this subject, or think it 
uncalled for, err in judgment. They may sit supinely if they will, 
and even bark, but shall neither hinder us from snatching from the 
fires of lust those half consumed brands within our reach, nor wrest 
from us the joys of doing good, or the thanks of suffering humanity. EVILS AND REMEDY, ETC. 
CHAPTER I. 
PREVALENCE OF SENSUALITY. 
The one crying- sin of our entire race, from before the flood, 
down through Sodom and Rome, and in almost every “ na- 
tion and kindred, and tongue under the whole heaven,” has 
been the worship of that sensual goddess, whose temples were 
more abundant, and whose worshippers (? victims) were more 
numerous and more devoted, than those of any other god of 
heathen or Christian lands or fables. In what did the worship 
of Venus consist, but in the most public and the most excess- 
ive debauchery ?—her thronging votaries revelling in her 
temples in the most shameless and remorseless prostitution! 
Nor was Jupiter, their god of gods, much better. Behold, in 
his disgusting amours, the licentiousness of all his followers, 
which embraced most of the world for many ages! This, even 
this, was their religion—he or she being deemed the most de- 
vout who indulged the most wantonly. What was then their 
private practice ? What was Sodom’s crying sin ? u And 
they called unto Lot, and said unto him: Where are the men 
which came in to thee this night? bring them unto us, that we 
may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, 
and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do 
not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters, which 
have not known man ; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto 
you, and do ye unto them as is good in your eyes: only unto 
these men do nothing ; for therefore came they under the sha- 
dow of my roof. And they said, stand back. And they said 
again, this one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be 8 
EVILS AND REMEDY OF SEXUALITY. 
a judge: now will we deal worse with thee than with them. 
And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near 
to break the door.”—Gen. xix. 5-9. When, and for what did 
Babel fall ? When the whole city was revelling in lust, and 
because of her “ fornication and all manner of uncleanness.” 
Against what did Paul most vehemently declaim? “ For this 
cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their 
women did change the natural «se into that which is against 
nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of 
the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men 
with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in 
themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” 
Of what did Alexander die ? Shameless debauchery. Da- 
vid, “ the man after God’s own heart,” with all his scores 
of wives, must ravish Bathsheba; and Solomon, with all his 
wisdom, yet reveled in carnality. Those who brought the 
faithless woman to Christ, to a man the victims of this crime, 
and probably fair samples of their nation, else why should their 
laws thus vehemently denounce this sin ? The greatest philo- 
sopher of Greece marries a courtesan with honor! Behold 
licentious Rome ! The marriage rites a rope of sand, broken 
oy every wanton desire! What made Poppea queen of the 
“ mistress of the world ?” Her sexual passions, and shameless 
adultery. Hear Tacitus describe a sample feast of licentious 
Nero:— 
“ I shall here give a description of this celebrated entertain- 
ment, that the reader, from one example, may form his idea of 
the prodigality of the times, and that history may not be encum- 
bered with a repetition of the same enormities. Tigellinus 
gave his banquet on the lake of Agrippa, on a platform of pro- 
digious size, built for the reception of the guests. 
“ To move this magnificent edifice to and fro on the water, he 
prepared a number of boats superbly decorated with gold and 
ivory. The rowers were a band of Pathics. Each had his 
station, according to his age, or his skill in the science of de- 
bauchery. The country round was ransacked for game and 
animals of the chase. Fish was brought from every sea, and 
even from the ocean. On the borders of the lake brothels were PREVALENCE OP SENSUALITY. 
9 
erected, and filled with women of illustrious rank. On the 
opposite bank was seen a band of harlots, who made no secret 
of their vices, or their persons. In wanton dance and lasciv- 
ious attitudes they displayed their naked charms. When 
night came on, a sudden illumination from the adjacent groves 
and buildings blazed over the lake. A concert of music, vo- 
cal and instrumental, enlivened the scene. Nero rioted in all 
kinds of lascivious pleasure. Between lawful and unlawful 
gratifications he made no distinction. Corruption seemed to 
be at a stand, if, at the end of a few days, he had not devised a 
new abomination to fill the measure of his crimes. He per- 
sonated a woman, and in that character was given in marriage 
to one of his infamous herd, a Pathic, named Pythagoras. The 
emperor of Rome, with the affected airs of female delicacy, put 
on the nuptial veil. The augurs assisted at the ceremony; the 
portion of the bride was openly paid ; the genial bed was dis- 
played to view; nuptial torches were lighted up ; the whole 
was public, not even excepting the endearments which, in a 
natural marriage, decency reserves for the shades of night.” 
What was chivalry, the reigning passion of mankind for 
many ages, but this same element slightly modified and re- 
strained? Look in upon the courts of Henry the Eighth, 
Charles the Second, of all the Bourbons, and Stuarts, and 
Louis’s, and in short, of all the thrones of all the old world, 
ever since they stood, and say from these tolerated examples in 
high places, what must have been the morals (? immoralities) 
of their subjects. Behold the emblem of the “ Bloody Revolu- 
tion”—an unclothed courtesan ! Is it any wonder that a ma- 
jority of all the children born in licentious Paris are born 
without the sacred pale of wedlock, or that the mariiage rites 
are almost wholly disregarded, and virtue is counted a weak- 
ness ? Promenade the fashionable walks of our great cities, 
and mark the crowds of harlots proclaiming their own shame 
without a blush, and setting themselves up for a price! Look 
in upon those dens of infamy which infest every street iv all 
our cities, disgrace every village, and pollute probably every 
town in the land, besides blasting, by uncounted thousands, our 
loveliest daughters of female innocence and perfection, and 
slaying the noblest specimens of manhood’s towering pride! 10 
EVILS AND REMEDY OF SEXUALITY. 
All France, all England, all America, all the civilized world f 
thronging with wanton women and licentious men! 
Nor is this vast concourse the half of those who buy and sell 
the polluting embrace for a price! Private, or more properly 
select prostitution, more common still! Pretended widows, 
who claim to live by industry, members of churches, visiting 
the sanctuary only to mark and entrap their man by knowing 
looks, lascivious smiles, and all the wily arts of this enticing 
passion—that great maelstroom of the devouring pit! All this, 
besides that still more extensive, still more depraved, indulgence 
for its own sake, participated solely to gratify carnal, debasing 
lust, throughout every nook and corner of our land! How 
vast the number of seductions, of abortions, and of illegitimates, 
which annually disgrace our age! Virginity sold at a 
price ! Wall-street brokers actually speculate in maid- 
ens ! !* Mothers sell their own yet unpolluted daugh- 
ters to beastly sensualists! Oh, Christianity ! where is thy 
purifying leaven? Oh, philanthropy! where are thy tears? 
Oh, depravity ! where is thy limit ? 
Think not that I over-rate. I would not defame my race; 
but converging facts and testimony which can neither be gain- 
sayed or resisted—especially the Author’s professional prac- 
tice, and extensive observation of men and things—give him 
access to sources of information, and to individual histories, 
which extort the reluctant declaration, that few have more than 
the faintest conception of the fearful extent to which this vice, 
in all its appalling forms, is practised ! It is the ruiner of our 
* It may not be believed, but cau readily be proved, that Wall- 
street brokers but and sell virgins at a price ; less, but none the 
less real, than the southern slave-broker obtains for human flesh 
and blood ! And to supply this accursed mart, pimps and stool- 
pigeons scour our country, ply every art, and too often force. 
Yes, women are caught up in our streets, gagged, thrust into 
a waiting carriage, and then worse than murdered, by ruthless 
villains, just to gratify this hellish passion. And some are mur 
dered! Yet behold the public apathy! PREVALENCE OF SENSUALITY. 
11 
youth, of both sexes, and still more, of our husbands and 
wives. Almost every other man you meet bears its beastly mark 
upon his brow. Called for, and furnished, at the bars of our 
hotels as shamelessly as cigars or wine! 
A few palpable facts. A single physician in a factory vil- 
lage of some two or three thousand inhabitants only, had at one 
time over seventy venereal patients, besides many who were 
under the care of other doctors in the place! Look at the prac- 
tice of those who advertise to cure this class of diseases. Cate- 
chise physicians on this point. Cast your eye over almost any 
newspaper, and then see how much of their relative space is 
occupied with advertisements of cures and practitioners of 
“ certain delicate diseases!” This diabolical business adver- 
tises double and quadruple above any other! This tells the 
doleful story. And the countless bills—half of all you see 
posted up in all our cities—echo its saddening notes ! Madam 
fiestell’s riches and murders, re-echo more plaintive still, the 
groans and woes of unhallowed passion ! A physician recent- 
ly avowed his belief, that if, by any secret means, however 
painful or dangerous, he could prevent progeny, he could 
make a princely fortune in a year. Thank God ! no one has 
found out a specific preventive. Nor ever should; because 
this will throw open the floodgates of passion, and trample un- 
der the foot of unbridled lust nature’s great ordinance, nature’s 
great laws. Hear our news-boys either boast of their licen- 
tiousness, or else tantali/a those whose native modesty is not 
yet wholly effaced, oi their failure! What kinds of edibles 
command the highest price in market? Those that stimulate 
this passion, and because they create impure desires. What 
mean those oyster stews, and crab-parties, and terrapin soups, 
and squab suppers, wild fowls, cloves, and a host of other like 
things ? Eaten, in many instances, in high (? low) life, ex- 
pressly to beget unhallowed desires! Oh! shame, where is 
thy blush! Do you want more proof? Behold the fertile 
south! But particulars are too revolting, both as regards the 
beastly indulgence of whites with blacks, and the number of 12 
EVILS AND REMEDY OF SEXUALITY. 
rakes and harlots among the latter ! Our world is literally 
full of sensuality! 
Oh, virtue! how few worship at thy holy shrine, or keep 
thy robe of spotless innocence unstained with carnality! To 
say what proportion keep their robes white, and know only 
their lawful companions, it is difficult to say, but not many 
stones would be cast if they alone cast them. Alas I how few 
observe the seventh commandment! And how almost univer- 
sally is chastity sacrificed to lust, in one or other of its forms! 
But even this is r.ot all; is not the most, is not the worst! 
One other form of this vice is doubtless little less appalling, and 
another is probably even more so ! Reference is had, first, to 
excessive indulgence in wedlock, and next, to private sensual- 
ity. Few know that any excess of the former, however great, 
can possibly be sinful, and almost all suppose that marriage en- 
titles to its right in any desired excess. But does marriage entitle 
the parties to kill each other or themselves ? Little do we real- 
ize how many are dying continually around us from this sole 
cause. How and why this proves thus injurious, we shall see 
hereafter. 
Would that we could here end this painful chapter. Its 
worst, because most common, form still remains untold. We re- 
fer to self-abuse. You look surprised. “A false alarm,” 
you exclaim. “ Impossible F But put it to any numerical test 
you please. Catechise promiscuously every boy you meet, and 
then say if nine in e\ery ten, from eleven years old and up- 
wards, and half, from seven to eleven, do not practise more or 
less ? Many who deny in words, own up in dad by the shame 
manifested—a sure sign of guilt. Of those still ol<W, the pro- 
portion is greater yet. Question the keepers of our hospitals 
for bad boys and poor children. A friend took a boy about 
ten years old from an asylum for poor and orphan children, 
and finding that he took every opportunity, when alone, to per- 
petrate this filthy practice, chastised him often severely, 
but to no purpose, and finally kept his hands tied behind him 
ns the only preventive, but at length disposed of him as incor- rnEVALENCE OF SENSUALITY. 
13 
rigible. The boy has since died. I have known boys not 
yet four years old, both practise it, and also indulge with 
the opposite sex; and known hundreds ruined by it before 
they entered their teens! Nor are any children safe from 
this loathesom# habit. Especially are our schools the nur- 
series of this vice, where it is often practised in companies. 
“ I speak what I do know, and testify what I have seen.” Nor 
are any of even our own dear children, though watched how- 
ever closely, safe from this corrupting and deadly snare ! 
Nor am I alone in this view of its extensive practice among 
children. Dr. Woodward, higher authority than whom I 
could hardly quote, writes thus, touching this matter : “ Those 
who hold these opinions,” namely, that information on this sub- 
ject is either unnecessary or injurious, “ are hardly aware how 
extensively known this habit is with the young, or how early 
in life it is sometimes practised. I have never conversed with 
a lad twelve years of age who did notknoio all about the prac- 
tice, and understand the language commonly used to describe 
it.” Remember, he who expresses himself thus strongly, is a 
cautious, discreet man, and always says much less than he 
means. So alarming does he regard this evil, that he has de- 
voted a work to its exposition, entitled “ Hints to the Young.”* 
Wm. C. Woodbridge, so long and so ably devoted to the cause 
of Education, and whose means of knowing was extensive, thus 
writes in that able work, “ The Annals of Education :” “ A 
topic in Physiology which 1 artificial modesty’ has covered up 
until a solitary but fatal vice is spreading desolation throughout 
our schools and families, unnoticed and unknown.” Thou- 
sands,” says E. M. R. Wells, a distinguished teacher in Bos- 
ton, <c of pure minded and amiable boys and young men, are 
undermining their physical constitutions, and prospectively cor- 
rupting their souls, by a pleasurable, and, to many of them, 
innocent gratification.” 
* This work, and two others on kindred subjects, namely, 
Facts to Young Men,” and “ Facts to Young Women,” can be 
ordere 1 through us. 14 
EVILS AND REMEDY OF SEXUALITY. 
u What,” says a fond parent, “ our high schools and colleges 
contaminated with this vice?” Even so. They are the most 
infected; first, because their boys are highly organized, and 
such experience proportionally greater pleasure and injury; 
and secondly, this vice pre-eminently is catching, especially as 
they commingle thus freely with each other.* An English 
medical author remarks: “Some children escape this know- 
ledge till puberty; the majority, it is to be feared, however, 
commence earlier. * * * Schools generally have the 
credit of germinating this enervating fascination ; but it is also 
acquired from the tuition of associates at home—from ser- 
vants, relations, and others with whom they sleep.” “ Conceal- 
ment,” says A. Walker, “ is quite impracticable.” 
Ruinous and prevalent as this practice is among boys, it does 
not end with childhood ; but extends its sway, and deepens its 
power, as adolescence increases. One would think this a merely 
boyish, foolish, practice, which age would correct, but years 
only serve to increase it. I do not delight to scandalize my 
fellow-men ; I would not trespass upon the reader’s credulity • 
but I solemnly declare, as my deliberate conviction, that few 
of my own sex wholly escape this snare ; while thousands on 
thousands die annually from this one cause! My sources of 
information are not few, nor limited, nor recent. This work 
I have contemplated for ten years, and of course directed my 
observations and inquiries accordingly. I have been consulted 
in cases, almost without number, by those on the brink of ruin, 
who sought relief from its consequences. I know its subjects 
by its infallible signs, and, go where I will, in the busy street, 
.'n the lecture room, in the family, they throng me like leaves 
* This sending children to school, however select, is a most 
grievous evil; because, as children are imitative creatures, all the 
bad habits of all the scholars are adopted by all the others. Our 
common schools are complete nuisances, by thus propagating vice ; 
nor can the evil be remedied till parents educate their own chil- 
dren. But of this in “ Education.” PREVALENCE OF SENSUALITY. 
15 
in autumn. One who knows, and is connected with West 
Point Academy, said he believed it to be practised very gene- 
rally at that institution ; and that the debility occasioned there 
by was the reason why so many of its students were unable to 
pass examination. In 1841, on application from the author of 
“ Facts and Important Information for Young Men,” in a com- 
munication to him on this subject, I expressed my views as 
follows: 
££ Philadelphia, Sept. 8, 1841. 
£‘ Mr. G.—Dear Sir: Your letter and book are received. I 
am right glad you have taken hold of this subject. Much as 
reform is needed in other matters, no reform—no, not even 
that in reference to alcoholic drinks—is demanded half is 
much as in reference to this solitary vice. To this conclusion 
my practice, which, you know, has not been limited, and my 
means of information, which have been varied and extensive, 
have led me reluctantly but inevitably. And, what is most de 
plorable, unlike other forms of vice which prey upon the coarse 
and the vulgar, this is even more likely to attack those of fine 
feelings and ardent temperaments, and otherwise unblemished 
morals. They are not aware that this is one of the greatest 
sins they can commit. 
££ I have of late seen this evil to be so alarming, and its ra- 
vages on the intellect, and morals, and health, so fearful, that I 
have contemplated preparing a work on the phrenological or- 
gan of Amativeness, to consist mainly of the physiological, in- 
tellectual, and moral effects of this vice ; but I rejoice that you 
are before me in this matter. 
££ I could give you a vast number of facts that have come to 
my knowledge. A few days ago, a young man, who had 
been a gentleman, called upon me, in a state of mind and body 
truly wretched—the mere wreck of a man. His head was af- 
fected and painful, the back part of it in particular ; and his 
mind was literally distracted with those horrors which this in- 
dulgence always induces. His mind was flighty, his appetite 
destroyed, and the tones of his voice the very personification 
of grief. Both his head and his conversation gave evidence 
of superior talents in ruins. Fifty times, in the course of an 
hour, did he exclaim, ££ O my God, what shall I do! Iam 
mad, I know it. What can I do?” 
££ In laying open his case, in order that I might give him 
advice, he mentioned his having been much addicted to this 16 
EVILS AND REMEDY OF SEXUALITY. 
habit, and would often bring his hands to these parts—an in 
variable sign of their being in a fevered state, either by secret 
indulgence, or indulgence with the other sex. His anxiety 
was, to escape the mad-house and regain self-control; because 
on this he had always prided himself. On inquiring of him 
as to the prevalence of this evil, he said that nine-tenths of his 
acquaintances were given to it. 
u On inquiring of one of the physicians in Blockley Alma 
House, Philadelphia, as to the number of its inmates who were 
brought into the insane department by its instrumentality, he 
started at once upon his feet, and spoke with great energy and 
emphasis of its influence in inducing derangement, and nar- 
rated several very interesting cases. In my visit to that insti- 
tution, a few days ago, I saw several insane patients who were 
brought there by this vice, and whose hands were tied, to pre- 
vent self-pollutioTr. 
“If it is facts that you want, I assure you they exist in 
abundance in every degree of aggravation. Let the young be 
warned, for most of its victims become so ignorantly. Let us 
have light, especially in our institutions of learning; because 
there, the absence of exercise, the seclusion from female society, 
and the character of their studies, especially those that cultivate 
(vitiate) the imagination, all tend to induce and increase the 
evil.” 
Nor am I alone. All who say any thing, corroborate this 
sad testimony. Dr. Alcott, whose authority will deservedly 
be regarded as weighty, writes concerning it thus: 
“ We believe that there is not a town in New England, 
whose bills of mortality, from year to year, are not greatly in- 
creased by this fearful and wide wasting scourge. AVe believe 
that a majority of our diseases and infirmities—our aches, our 
pains, and our deformities too—after the age of puberty, are 
either induced or aggravated in this way. Believe it, did we 
say ? Would to Heaven this expression were as strong as the 
nature of the case and the character of the facts warrant. We 
know it is so, as well as we know any thing of mathematical 
demonstration, or the actual testimony of our senses.” 
Dr. Snow of Boston confirms this painful testimony, as fol 
lows : 
“ Self-pollution is undoubtedly one of the most common 
causes of ill health that can be found among the young men PREVALENCE OP SENSUALITY. 
17 
of this country. From the observations that I have been able 
to make, I am satisfied that the practice is almost universal. 
Boys commence it at an early age ; and tne habit once formed, 
like that of intemperance, becomes almost unconquerable. In 
boarding-schools and colleges, it obtains oftentimes without an 
exception. Hence the many sickly students, and the many 
young men of the most brilliant and promising talents, who 
have broken their constitution and ruined their health, as it is 
said, “ by hard study!” 
Nor, in my humble judgment, do any of these statements 
overrate the evil; but far underrate it, as regards its prevalence 
in this country. English authors speak almost as freely re- 
garding its prevalence there. If it is less extensively practised 
in France, it is probably because licentiousness proper takes its 
place. 
“ But our females, at least, are safe,” exclaims the fond 
mother. “ My daughter’s native modesty is her shield of pro- 
tection.” Would to God this were so ! but facts wrest even this 
consolation from us. They may be less infected, yet woman, 
young and modest, is dying by thousands of consumption, of 
female complaints, of nervous or spinal affections, of general 
debility, and of other ostensible complaints innumerable, and 
some of insanity, caused solely by this practice. On this point, 
Dr. Woodward again thus speaks out: 
u About two years ago, a young woman, aged twenty-two 
years, came under my care, in a state of the worst foim of in- 
sanity. She was furious, noisy, filthy, and, apparently, nearly 
reduced to idiocy. She had been in this condition many 
months, and continued so for some time while with me. She 
was pale and bloodless, had but little appetite, frequently re- 
jected her food, and was reduced in flesh and strength. Find- 
ing her one day more calm than usual, I hinted to her the sub- 
ject of masturbation, and informed her that, if she practised it, 
she could not get well—if she abandoned it, she might. She 
did not deny the charge, and promised to follow my advice 
strictly. In two or three weeks from this time, she was per- 
ceptibly better; her mind improved as her health gained; and 
ioth were much better in the course of a few weeks. The re- 
covery was very rapid in this case. At the end of six months 18 
EVILS AND REMEDY OF SEXUALITY. 
she had excellent health, was quite fleshy, and became per- 
fectly sane; and has continued so, as far as we have known, 
to this time. 
££ Not long since, a case of periodical insanity came under 
my observation, the subject of which was a young lady. The 
disease had existed ten years without any material change, 
Suspecting that masturbation was the cause, I directed her mo- 
ther to ascertain, if possible, and inform me. Some months 
after, I received intelligence that my patient was better, and 
that my suspicions of the habit were confirmed by the observa- 
tion of her friends. The case is not without hope, although of 
so long standing, if the cause is removed. 
££ Three or four similar cases have been under my care 
recently, in which individuals of the same sex have been re- 
duced to the same degraded state. They are now, and will 
continue to be while life remains, a melancholy spectacle of 
human misery, without mind, without delicacy or modesty, 
constantly harassed by the most ungovernable passion, and un- 
der the influence of propensities excited to morbid activity by a 
vice far more prevalent than has been supposed. A large pro- 
portion of the £ bed-ridden’ cases, of which there are so many 
in the community, will be found to have originated in this 
cause.” 
Mrs. Gove, in her Lectures to Ladies on Anatomy and Phy 
siology—subjects which every woman should understand— 
thus discourses concerning its prevalence among her sex. 
££ About eight pears since, my mind was awakened to 
examine this subject by the perusal of a medical work that de- 
scribed the effects of this vice when practised by females. This 
was the first intimation I had that the vice existed among our 
sex. Since that time I have had much evidence that it is fear- 
fully 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 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 pervade the com- 
munity respecting it. But it invades all ranks. Professed 
Christians are among its victims. 
£< Our boarding and day schools are sources of untold mis- 
chief. A short time since, two sisters, ladies of the first respect- 
ability, informed me that, when very young, they were put to PREVALENCE OF SENSUALITY. 
19 
a female boarding-school, where this vice prevailed, and the 
practice was explained to them. They were blessed with pa- 
rents who were willing to converse with and warn their chil- 
dren, 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 im- 
portant information to young women,” &c., a work which we 
recommend cordially, details many instances illustrative of the 
prevalence of this vice. 
My own practice and observation, as to its prevalence, con- 
firm and considerably exceed these statements. I have one 
infallible test, which 1 often applj'- without the knowledge of 
its subjects, and thereby detect many who little suspect me of 
knowing their secret practices. Called to prescribe for a 
young woman, and knowing from this sign what caused her 
complaint, I sought an interview with her mother, to whom I 
disclosed my suspicions. She said she thought her daughter 
innocent, but knew she had slept much with an elder girl who 
was addicted to it. I asked her what she knew concerning its 
prevalence. She said a girl in her neighborhood had just died 
from its effects, and that the female operatives in a neighboring 
factory practised it almost universally ; as she learned from one 
of them. She named other factories in which it was hardly 
less prevalent. I know little girls below their teens, who thus 
abuse themselves, and, from my application of the test named 
above, am constrained to believe the practice alarmingly exten- 
sive among the fairest portion of creation ! I sicken at the 
thought. Oh ! woman, “ who hath thus bewitched you that 
ye should” thus depart from the paths of delicacy, and health, 
and happiness? 
But I forbear, simply alleging that the plague is all around 
and all among us. None of our daughters or sons are safe, 
however carefully we may guard them, till we cast out u this ac- 
cursed ” plague from among us. And being a common enemy, 
it can be extirpated only by community of effort. Single hands 
can do but little. Nothing but combined, concentrated, and 20 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
long continued exertion, can avert the wide-spread and insidi- 
ous contagion. Come, up and doing, every lover of his race, 
every lover of his own dear children. Even for their sakes, 
if on no other account, gird yourselves to this disagreeable 
but indispensable work of philanthropy and reform, till we 
drive this common enemy from our midst. Oh gracious God! 
save our youth, for they border on ruin. Must they indeed 
fall a prey to a vice so brutal? Must they decay and die in 
their youth, but not till all the horrors of even a youthful death 
give relief to their tortured bodies and souls? Save especially 
female purity, and maiden loveliness. 
CHAPTER II. 
EFFECTS. 
Happiness is the one constitutional product of every func- 
tion of our being. Yet every function is capable of a painful 
action. Nor are these two forms or products of the action of 
our respective functions, chance comers and goers, but all are 
governed by inflexible law. That function is necessarily 
pleasurable which harmonizes with the primitive constitution, 
and fulfils the legitimate design, of the faculty exercised, and 
is called normal or natural. That action of any function is 
painful which violates or departs from its normal, primitive in- 
stitution or end, and is called abnormal, which means ‘un- 
natural. 
Of course, these natural axioms apply with significant em- 
phasis to the element before us. To fulfil the legitimate ends 
for which this was ordained, is to be happy in its exer- 
cise ; not to fulfil it, and especially to depart from it, is to 
suffer in and by its exercise. In “ Love and Parentage,” we 
have seen in what this function consists. Now excessive pro- 
miscuous, and matrimonial, and solitary, indulgence, violate 
this function and cause pain. We come now to consider the 
evils consequent on these its perversions. IT EXHAUSTS THE BODY. 
21 
To enumerate the tithe of the evils consequent on excessive 
sexual indulgence, whether promiscuous, or matrimonial, or 
solitary, all one in substance, would fill a world with volumes, 
as it already has with woes, and keep it full. We shall de* 
velop, first, some of its destruction of health, and generation of 
physical evils and sufferings: next, its destruction of the moral 
tone or stamina, and its production of propensity and depravity in 
forms without number, and aggravation beyond description. 
To enumerate a few. 
IT INJURES HEALTH. 
To dwell here on the importance of health as a means of 
enjoyment, and its essentiality to every form and degree of 
happiness, would take us too far from our subject. Suffice it 
to say, that whatever impairs the health, or engenders dis- 
ease, is proportionally fatal to happiness, and prolific of suf- 
fering. 
Now, tl at excessive sexual indulgence injures the health, and 
in a pre eminent degree, appears from the following, among 
its other effects. 
IT EXHAUSTS THE BODY. 
Those at all acquainted, experimentally, with the nature of 
this function, need not be told that few things are equally ex- 
hausting ; and readers of “ Love and Parentage” will remember 
its exposition of the cause, namely, it was instituted to transmit 
the entire mentality and physiology of parents to offspring; 
and since the latter take on the existing conditions of the 
former, and these only, it becomes absolutely necessary that 
this function should call forth, in a powerful degree of action, 
all the mental, all the physical, functions of parents, as the 
means of their transmission to offspring. Now this intense 
and simultaneous action of all the functions of our nature in 
this indulgence, of course proportionally exhausts. A hard 
days’ work does no equally prostrate and fatigue. The fal- 
low buck a ter this passion has subsided, is so tamed down by 22 
it wastes life. 
exhaustion that he can be approached and almost caught by 
hand. 
IT enfeebles the mind. 
Frequent indulgence in any of its forms, will run down, and 
run out, any one, of either sex. Those who would write, or 
speak, or study, must forego this indulgence, or intellectual ex- 
ertion, or else die. Powerful constitutions will stand an im- 
mense drain before they finally break, but terrible indeed is 
the result. 
Mere animal temperaments are less injured, because, by 
supposition, their vitality is abundant, and its drain by other 
functions is slight; nor do they enjoy this function as do those 
more highly organized, and hence are proportionally less ex- 
hausted. Such live, to be sure; so do brutes. Carnal, gro- 
velling, sensual, low-lived animals, living mainly on a single 
pleasure, when their nature serves up so many! Let such 
revel in lust, because capable of little else. But those highly 
organized must partake rarely, else it will excite to destruction, 
and proportionally exhaust. Besides, they can expend their 
less abundant, perhaps deficient, vitality to better advantage. 
Frequent indulgence must necessarily be lustful, and therefore 
debasing to their higher feelings. Those whose intellectuality 
and morality are feeble, may spend their surplus vitality on 
this passion with less injury, yet cannot cultivate their higher 
faculties while they thus revel in lust. Let such remain all 
animal and revel on. But for those who have already too 
little vitality to sustain their higher faculties—for such to rob 
all their nobler, god-like elements of vitality just to expend it 
on a sensual, debasing passion, is physical, mental, and moral 
suicide. Red-faced, bloated, coarse-grained, gouty subjects— 
it matters little what becomes of them. About as well go to 
Texas and be shot as any way, or stay and kill themselves, 
because worth little any how. But for light-built, fine-skinned, 
fine-haired, spare-built, sharp-featured, light-eyed persons, of 
either sex, to indulge, even in wedlock, as often as the moon IT EXHAUSTS THE BODY. 
23 
quarters, is gradual but effectual destruction of both soul and 
body ; because they already work off vitality faster than their 
feeble vital apparatus manufactures it. This excess of expen- 
diture over supply, occasions their sharpness. A surplus 
would render them fleshy. Now to add the most powerful 
drain of all to their already sparse supply, must sooner or 
later, according to their vigor of constitution, render them 
bankrupts of life. 
It will not kill you outright. It will first weaken the gar- 
rison of life, and thus open the door for disease to come in and 
attack the weakest part, and complete the work of death in the 
name of other diseases. As bees, by swarming too freely, 
leave portions of their hive unprotected, and thus allow the 
deposite of those destructive worms which a full supply of 
bees would have prevented, so this indulgence drains the sys- 
tem of vitality, and of course leaves the weaker organs 
especially debilitated, till disease, thus invited, sets in, destroys 
the feebler organs, and ends in death; attributed, however, to 
consumption, dyspepsia, gravel, nervous, heart, and other af- 
fections, according as this or that organ is naturally most fee- 
ble, but rarely to its true cause. Ask any medical man, con- 
versant with diseases having this origin, and he will tell you 
that no other cause of disease equals this, either as to number, 
or aggravation, or difficulty of cure. Hear Dr. Woodward on 
this point. 
££ That the evil is wide-spread and exceedingly injurious, 
cannot he denied or doubted. A great number of the ills 
which come upon the young, at and after the age of puberty, 
arise from this habit, persisted in, so as to waste the vital ener- 
gies and enervate the physical and mental powers of man, 
££ Nature designs that this drain upon the system should be 
reserved to mature age, and even then that it be made but 
sparingly. Sturdy manhood, in all its vigor, loses its energy 
and bends under the too frequent expenditure of this important 
secretion ; and no age or condition will protect a man from tbn 
danger of unlimiled indulgence, legally and naturally exer 
f’..j *? 24 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
“In the young, however, its influence is much more seri- 
ously felt; and even those who have indulged so cautiously as 
not to break down the health or the mind, cannot know how 
much their physical energy, mental vigor, and moral purity, 
have been affected by the indulgence. 
“ No cause is more influential in producing insanity. The 
records of the institutions give an appalling catalogue of cases 
attributed to it.” 
A Doctor in Brooklyn thus writes to the author of “Facts, 
&c., to Young Men.” 
Brooklyn, Dec. 19, 1840. 
In my own practice, I think I have seen the following re- 
sults of masturbation—involuntary emissions, prostration of 
strength, paralysis of the limbs, hysteria, epilepsy, strange 
nervous affections, dyspepsia, hypochondria, spinal disease, 
pain and weakness in the back and limbs, costiveness—and, in 
fine, the long and dismal array of gastric, enteric, nervous and 
spinal affections, that are so complicated and difficult to man- 
age.” 
Dr. J. A. Brown, of Providence, writes to the same source 
as follows. 
“ That it is an evil of vast magnitude, no physician, who 
has been in the habit of tracing effects to causes, can for a mo- 
ment doubt. I, sir, could tell of hundreds who labor under 
incurable maladies, produced by this practice; and I do not 
believe that I have a better faculty for obtaining such informa- 
tion than many others, who are, and will be, dumb on this 
subject.” 
Another physician writes that “seven-eighths of all the 
bodily ills and diseases of the people, are caused, or greatly 
aggravated, by self-abuse, or excessive legal indulgence.” 
Nor is this all, nor the worst. The loss of this secretion 
is the loss of vitality itself. We saw, in Love and Parentage, 
that it imbodied the very quintessence of parentage, in order 
thereby to impart this quintessence of parents to offspring. To 
dwell on this point, however important, is unnecessary, be- 
cause so evident. Now it is a well known principle of physi- 
ology, that when any organ is especially over-taxed, it robs the 
other parts of the system of vitality to supply its own taxation IT INFLAMES THE WHOLE SYSTEM. 
25 
Thus, overloading the stomach causes mental lassitude and 
muscular debility, because the stomach withdraws energy from 
the brain, the muscles, and wherever it can find it, to enable it 
to discharge its burden. Now overtax this secretion, and it 
withdraws energy from all the other parts to re-supply the 
draft. Doing this frequently, diverts the energies permanently 
from the other organs to this. As those who get into the habit 
of being bled frequently, soon get full of blood, because they 
overtax the blood manufacturing energies by this drain, so that 
an undue amount of vitality goes to blood ; so, the frequent 
withdrawal of this condensed vital secretion, causes a drain 
from all the other parts and organs to re-supply it, and thus 
frequent indulgence causes the very life’s blood to run out 
thereat. Well has Wisdom said', “ Give not thy strength 
unto women.” And he who does, must expect to be weak every 
where else. 
But, great as is the evil, especially to growing youth, conse 
quent on this drain of vitality, that infiavimalion, always and 
necessarily consequent on excessive indulgence in all its forms, 
is much more prolific of both disease and suffering. Who- 
ever indulges often, and weekly is often, in wedlock or out of 
it, will experience an unnatural heat, tension, tenderness, irri- 
tation, swelling, perhaps soreness, in these organs, of course 
resulting from their inflammation. 
The immediate cause of this inflammation is two-fold. 
First, intense action, in its very nature, engenders inflamma- 
tion, and what action more intense and inflammatory than this? 
Secondly, in order to ensure intense action in this function, so 
as thereby highly to endow its product, a larger amount of 
nervous tissue is found ramified upon those parts of this appa- 
ratus more immediately brought into action, than upon almost 
any other portion of the body. This contrivance is indispen- 
sable to pleasure, and this, to the endowment of offspring. 
Nerve alone gives pleasure, but inflamed nerve gives pain, and 
IT INFLAMES THE WHOLE SYSTEM. 26 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
pain proportionate to its quantity, and the degree of inflamma- 
tion. Now, frequent action necessarily inflames, and this both 
weakens these organs, and engenders disease in them, and 
throughout the system. It fills the whole being, mental and 
physical, full of wild, excited, preternatural, irregular, abnor- 
mal, painful action. And inflammation thus caused, is harder 
to be reached, and more difficult to be subdued, than disease 
of any other portion of the body ; because, while inflamma- 
tion of the lungs, of the heart, of the stomach, of the bowels, 
muscles, head, &c., can easily be reached through the intes- 
tinal canal, or else by external application, diseases of these 
organs, especially in women, can be reached or cured only 
with great difficulty. 
We have seen that excess produces inflammation, par- 
icularly in these organs. Now inflammation, in its very 
nature, proportionally weakens and destroys. This law of 
organization is too well known to require proof or illustra- 
tion. Excessive indulgence, of whatever kind, necessarily in- 
flames, and therefore weakens and diseases the sexual appa- 
ratus ; and hence that falling of the womb, fluor albus, and 
other female complaints, as well as prostration, or pendency, 
or irritation, or priapism, or gonorehoea, &c., of males, which 
excessive indulgence always and necessarily creates. Nor, 
once effectually impaired, does this apparatus ever fully regain 
its former tone and power. As with a dislocated joint, or affection 
of the stomach, or lungs, slighter, and still slighter, occasions 
of disease renew the chronic complaint, so indulgence, other- 
wise not injurious, now renews the disease, and re.impairsthe 
health, besides enfeebling both this function and its product. 
Allow here a single remark relative to the effect of indul- 
gence, whether promiscuous, matrimonial, or solitary, upon 
offspring. It was shown, in Love and Parentage, that power 
of sexual passion contributed to the endowment of offspring, 
and its feebleness left them proportionally the less endowed. 
Now nature has provided for the retention of this secretion 
till the action and pleasure of this function rise higher and IT DETERIORATES THE SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS. 
27 
higher, and become most exalted prior to its discharge, in 
order that this condensation of energy and function may be 
imparted to offspring. Now frequent indulgence allows it to 
escape prematurely, or before this action rises to its highest 
pitch, and thus prevents that pleasure of its subject so essential 
to the endowment of offspring. Indulgence even goes so far 
sometimes as to cause involuntary emissions, or at least on 
slight incentives, which of course weakens both the pleasure 
and the product of this function. Thus excessive indulgence 
cuts off the very pleasure sought, by diseasing its apparatus. 
IT DETERIORATES THE SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS. 
We have seen that over-indulgence, in all its forms, plants 
disease in the sexual apparatus. Now if this disease ended 
here, it would do great injury; but it goes farther, and does 
more. It deteriorates the sexual characteristics. That is, it 
impairs the manliness of the male, and the feminineness of the 
female. Now the entire manhood of the man, all his noble- 
ness, dignified aspirations, efficiency, and manliness, are created 
by, and depend upon, this his mental and physical sexuality. 
So do all the beauty, grace, refinement, purity, elegance, fas- 
cination, and charms of woman, as explained in section four 
of Love and Parentage. This is certain. Now in and by 
this injury of the sexual apparatus, over-indulgence propor- 
tionally impairs the manhood and power of the former, and 
the beauty, sweetness, and charms of the latter. This result 
is necessary and universal. 
Destroy the sexual apparatus of animals by emasculation, 
and witness the effects. Compare the stallion with the geld- 
ing. What becomes of the proud and lofty prance, the noble 
bearing, the perfect form, the physical stamina, the free, bold, 
neighing, resolute, powerful horse? His neighing subdued, 
except as partially renewed by the arrival of the sexual season. 
His arched and thickened neck unstrung. His lofty prance 
exchanged for the steady jog. His mien humbled. His free 
spirit chained. His physical power greatly subdued. No 28 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
longer the horse proper, hut lowered, mutilated, and the mere 
shadow of that noble animal. Compare the bull with the 
stag. You find results everyway similar; as also by com- 
paring the ram with the wether. What but the perfection of his 
sexual nature gives the bull his force and power of endurance 
over the ox, even enabling him to endure what would kill 
two oxen? Why can the former be easily tamed and subdued, 
but the latter never ? Why a small bull whip a large ox ? Why 
can the stud perform twice the labor of the gelding? The 
perfection of the sexual apparatus alone makes the difference. 
This principle applies throughout the animal kingdom, and is 
equally true of man. I once knew a eunuch, rendered so by 
his own hands. His voice effeminate and hackled. His 
tones pining, and whining, and complaining. The base, strong 
voice of manhood merged into the most diminutive manner 
of speaking imaginable. His look sorrowful and hapless. 
His motions slow and feeble. His very existence a burden. 
And all because his sexuality, mental as well as physical, was 
gone. No more the man! A mere thing. 
Now, by a law of things, whatever impairs the physical 
sexuality, thereby impairs the mental sexuality; and as over- 
indulgence does this, therefore, whoever gives way to this pas- 
sion proportionally impairs his manhood, and becomes the 
ox or gelding; or else effaces the charms of the feminine. 
The man lays down his nobleness, dignity, power, and man- 
hood, and is no longer bold, resolute, determined, aspiring, 
dignified; but becomes depreciated, irresolute, undetermined, 
tamed, and conscious of his degradation. No longer com- 
prehensive in planning, efficient in executing, correct in judg- 
ment, full of thought, strong in intellect, courteous in manner, 
noble in mien, and gallant to woman ; but he becomes dishearten- 
ed, uncertain in his plans and inefficient in their execution, and 
a drone to himself and society. So too the female, diseased 
here, loses proportionally the amiableness and gracefulness of 
her sex, her sweetness of voice, disposition, and manner, her 
native enthusiasm, her beauty of face and form, her graceful- IT DETEHIORATES THE WHOLE SYSTEM. 
29 
ness and elegance of carriage, her looks of love and interest 
in man, and to him, and becomes merged into a mongrel, 
neither male nor female, but marred by the defects of both, 
without possessing the virtues of either. No more tho woman 
till her female organs are restored, and her accompanying 
mental sexuality thereby re-established. This principle fur- 
nishes a very excellent hint to those who would retain or re- 
store their beauty, to preserve or restore this apparatus—a 
means of promoting beauty much more effectual than all the 
padding, bustles, and fashionable attire in the world. 
IT DISEASES THE WHOLE SYSTEM. 
If the diseases consequent on this inflammation were confined 
to that apparatus in which it originates, it would do great da- 
mage, as just seen, but it does incalculably more now ; because 
it plants disease in the very bowels of the frame. We have 
seen, in section three of “ Love and Parentage,” how perfectly 
reciprocal the relation existing between this apparatus and the 
heart, lungs, liver, stomach, kidneys, secretions, excretions, 
and each and all the vital organs and functions, in order there- 
by to propagate them all. Hence, whatever diseases it, thereby 
diseases them also. Disease in no other organ is equally pro- 
lific of disease in all the others. This is the physical citadel 
of health or of suffering, by capturing which you take all the 
others; and they captured, life itself surrenders to death. 
Common parlance designates some clouds as “ weather-breed- 
ers.” This is a disease-breeder—a true Pandora’s box, the 
opening of which engenders all sorts and degrees of pains and 
sufferings “that flesh is heir to.” Dr. Woodward, than whose 
opinion none is more entitled to consideration, remarks con- 
cerning it as follows: 
££ Consumptions, spinal distortions, weak and painful eyes, 
weak stomachs, nervous headaches, and a host of other dis- 
eases, mark its influences upon the one : loss of memory and 
the power of application, insanity, and idiotism, show its devas- 
tating effects upon the other.” 30 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
11 In the spring of 1837, I was consulted by the father of a 
young woman who had, for four years, been in the worst pos- 
sible condition of health. She had consulted many eminent 
physicians, who had prescribed remedies and regimen for her 
without benefit. On first seeing the patient, I was impressed 
that the cause of her illness had not been understood, which 
had rendered all remedies unavailing. Upon inquiring of the 
patient, I found that she had been the victim of self-pollution. 
I cautioned her to abandon the practice, prescribed some reme- 
dies, and saw her no more. 
“ More than a year from the time of seeing her, I heard di- 
rectly from her parent, who sent me word that she had entirely 
recovered her health and energy of mind, and that my pre- 
scriptions had entirely cured her.” 
IT IMPAIRS DIGESTION AND CIRCULATION. 
It thus robs the system of its required nourishment. V ertt- 
go and heaviness about the stomach, &c., necessarily follow 
this excess, because it robs the digestive apparatus of the en- 
ergy required to carry forward this function. It produces 
a gnawing, fainting, distressed, sunken, gone sensation along 
the whole alimentary canal, is a frightful cause of dyspepsia, 
heartburn, &c., and thus robs the system of its very life and 
soul. 
An isolated example. Many years ago, an intelligent, well- 
educated man was brought to the lunatic asylum in Hartford, 
the victim of self-abuse, and rendered nearly idiotic thereby, as 
well as raving perpetually for food, which he would consume 
voraciously most of the time if allowed. His keepers, however, 
refused food unless he would stop the practice. The struggle 
was terrible. His rampant appetite, aided by hunger, finally 
compelled him to desist, and he recovered. 
Nor does the heart escape. Indeed, it suffers among the 
foremost; as those will recognize experimentally who are at 
all subject to weakness, or palpitation, or enlargement, or un- 
easiness, of this organ. Nor can those thus affected indulge 
much without essentially increasing their malady. The kid 
neys in particular are diseased thereby, and hence it causes 
the gravel. IT DERANGES THE BRAIN. 
31 
IT DERANGES THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
But its ravages on the brain and nervous system imbody its 
most terrible consequences. To behold one physical organ 
after another fall a victim to this devastating passion, as house 
after house is consumed by the devastating flames, is indeed 
terrible. To lose limb after limb of the body, or large portions 
of the heart, or lungs, or sight, or hearing, &c., is irreparable, 
and inexpressible by words ; but to lose one after another of the 
mental faculties is inexpressibly greater, because these consti- 
tute the man. As Watts replied impromptu to Mrs. Rowe, 
when she rallied him for his personal diminutiveness— 
“ Could I in stature reach the pole, 
Or grasp creation in my span, 
I’d still be measured by my soul : 
The mind’s the stature of the man.” 
Whatever enfeebles or deranges the brain and nerves, thereby 
impairs the very personality and entity of the man himself. 
Now, we have already seen, in section three of “ Love and 
Parentage,” that this indulgence is most exciting, exhausting, 
and irritating to the brain and nervous system; that excess 
produces inflammation, and disease ; and also that nervous and 
cerebral disease both produces depravity, and renders its vic- 
tims most miserable, where there is no other cause or occasion. 
Behold in this u wheel within a wheel”—in the fact that this 
indulgence inflames the whole body, and especially the brain 
and nervous system,—the reason why this excess causes more 
insanity than anything else except intemperance, which it 
generally accompanies. Of the 128 males in the Me Lean 
Lunatic Asylum in Charlestown, Mass., in 1838, twenty-four 
were brought there by a single form of this vice ! The report 
of the Worcester Insane Hospital for 1836, rates intemperance 
as the most prolific cause of insanity, and this passion as the 
second, of which it then had twenty-six victims. In 1838, of 
its 199 male patients, 42, or almost one-fourth, were the vic- 
tims of solitary indulgence. A superintendent of a French lu- 
natic asylum, says it 11 is more frequently than is imagined, the 32 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
cause of insanity, particularly among the rich.” No cause,* 
says Dr. Woodward,” is more influential in producing insani- 
ty. The records of the institutions give an appalling catalogue 
of cases attributed to it.” 
But, when it does not go so far as to induce complete idiocy 
or insanity, it so far vitiates the nervous system as to leave 
its subjects completely miserable—self-abuse particularly so. 
Section three of “ Love and Parentage” fully demonstrates the 
physiological law that disordered nerves produce mental mise- 
ry ; and as this passion deranges the nervous system, we see 
why its subjects are nervous, fidgety, easily agitated, fearful, af- 
flicted with terrible dreams, melancholic, depressed in spirits, 
and most wretched, as well as partly beside themselves. In 
describing its effects, Dr. Adam Clarke writes thus: 
“ The sin of self-pollution is one of the most destructive evils 
ever practised by fallen man. In many respects it is several 
degrees worse than common whoredom, and has in its train 
more awful consequences. It excites the powers of nature to 
undue action, and produces violent secretions, which necessarily 
and speedily exhaust the vital principle and energy; hence 
the muscles-become flaccid and feeble, the tone and natural 
action of the nerves relaxed and impeded, the understanding 
confused, the memory oblivious, the judgment perverted, the 
will indeterminate and wholly without energy to resist; the 
eyes appear languishing and without expression, and the 
countenance vacant; appetite ceases, for the stomach is inca- 
pable of performing its proper office ; nutrition fails; tremors, 
fears, and terrors, are generated ; and thus the wretched vic- 
tim drags out a miserable existence, till, superannuated, even 
before he had time to arrive at man's estate, with a mind often 
debilitated even to a state of idiotism, his worthless body tum- 
bles into the grave, and his guilty soul (guilty of self-murder) 
is hurried into the awful presence of its Judge ! 
Reader, this is no caricature, nor are the colorings over- 
charged in this shocking picture. Worse woes than my pen 
can relate, I have witnessed in those addicted to this fascinating, 
unnatural, and most destructive of crimes. If thou hast entered 
into the snare, flee from the destruction, both of body and mind 
that awaits thee! God alone can save thee. Advice, warn 
ings, threatenings, increasing debility of body, mental decay. IT INDUCES INSANITY. 
33 
checks of conscience, expostulations of judgment, and medical 
assistance, will all be lost on thee: God, and God alone, can 
save thee from an evil which has in its issue the destruction of 
thy body, and the final perdition of thy soul!” 
“ Facts” &c. to “Young Men,” narrates the history of a 
young man of high talents and standing, promoted to an im- 
portant post of honor, which he once filled satisfactorily to his 
constituents, and who had amassed considerable wealth, and 
was engaged to be married, as follows : 
“ But his health began to fail. His constant complaint was—■ 
“ my nerves are weak”—“ my hands tremble”—“ my wrists 
ache”—“ my knees are weak”—“ I have bad dreams,” &c. 
He was advised to take out door exercise, ride horseback, and 
take strengthening remedies, with a nourishing diet. But all 
this did no good. The symptoms increased. He soon became 
dyspeptic and hypochondriac; and then followed, not only the 
aches and pains that were consequent upon such a state of the 
body, but all those ten thousand imaginary physical and men- 
tal diseases that flesh is heir to. Every remedy was used, but 
to no purpose. He gave up his business, broke off his engage- 
ment with his lady, sought every opportunity to hide himself 
from the gaze of his friends and the world, and seemed to be 
determined to die. 
“ Thus he remained, a most wretched devotee to the suicidal 
practice of self-pollution. Professional advice, and that of his 
friends, who knew the cause of his sickness, had no effect upon 
him. Sometimes, indeed, he would desist for a few days, but 
it seemed to be only to gather new strength, that he might pur- 
sue his ruinous career with greater energy. About two yeari 
ago, he was attacked with palsy of the whole of one side, and 
which continues to this day. Nocturnal emissions, priapisms. 
gleet, or a watery discharge from this arga, and aches and 
pains, with frightful visions, horrid dreams, and idiotic man- 
ners, all now present themselves as the sad result of this dis- 
gusting, criminal, and soul-destroying habit. He is now a 
mere pest to his friends ; and though but comparatively few 
persons are aware of the cause of his wretchedness, it is never- 
theless true, and can be attributed to none other than the indul- 
gence in solitary vice. 
“ Other cases might be referred to, if I had time, of a less 
revolting nature; for when the indulgence is only occasional, 
of course the effects are not so alarming. But even then the 34 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
effects are bad—for there cannot be a single indulgence in this 
way, without producing injury to a certain extent.” 
Of another, it narrates thus: 
“ A few years ago, I had under my care and instruction a 
most promising youth. His talents were of the highest order, 
and he bade fair to take a prominent stand among the first 
scholars of our country. He entered college, and was consi- 
dered one of the first scholars of his class. It was soon per- 
ceived that his constitution was breaking down. Medicine did 
him but little good. Soon after he graduated, he became me- 
lancholy, and finally was deranged; and his friends were un- 
der the necessity of conveying him to a hospital. It was not 
until this event that the cause of his complaint was ascertained. 
It was evident that he had been in the constant habit of crimi- 
nally indulging himself in secret. In a few months, he par- 
tially recovered, and visited his friends. He has, however, 
been sent to the hospital again. He is a most melancholy 
object, for in his lucid moments he is demented, a mere 
wreck of that superior genius which he once was. When I 
meet him in the street, I find that idiotic,lascivious smile, which 
is common in those cases where the individual has been in the 
constant habit of beastly indulgence. 
“ A young man was under my care from one of the southern 
cities. He was an object of pity; he had become so accus- 
tomed to his vicious indulgence, that he has been known even 
at the dinner table to practise it. He was extremely irritable, 
and would often be taken in a fit, (spasms,) which would con- 
tinue for hours. His physician did not understand his case, 
nor was I sensible, at the time, that his bad habits had pro- 
duced his partial insanity. He would often disclose some of 
his practices to his associates, when he was insane, which he 
would much regret when he had recovered his reason. I have 
understood that, since his return to his friends, he has but par- 
tially recovered. He is demented, and is unfit for the common 
avocations of life. 
“ Another young man, who was under my care not long 
since, is obliged to leave his studies, and is just going into a 
decline ; and self-pollution is the cause. I have conversed 
with him, and he is sensible of his error, but I fear too late.” 
A letter to Mrs. Gove, narrating its writer’s experience, de- 
scribes its effects on the mind as follows ; IT INDUCES INSANITY. 
35 
“ At about twelve years of age, my health began to fail; I 
became dyspeptic and nervous. I often awoke in the morning 
bathed in tears ; and the most indescribable and horrible sink- 
ing of spirits was my portion during the forenoon. If I com- 
mitted any little mistake or fault, the recollection of it would 
haunt me for days, and make me superlatively wretched. I 
became pale as death, weak, feeble, and emaciated. I had 
severe palpitation of the heart, pain in the side, and many symp- 
toms of consumption. I had also, much of the time, distressing 
pain in the head. I had much dizziness, and my sight would 
often become entirely obscured, especially when I stooped and 
rose quickly.” 
“It renders them,” says an English author, “stupid, dull, 
and melancholy, and destroys all their vivacity, cheerfulness, 
and health ; it brings on consumptions, weakness, barrenness, 
and all that dreadful train of nervous complaints, which make 
them timid, whimsical, and ridiculous.” 
Another patient writes thus: 
“ My enthusiasm is sensibly diminished ; my perceptions 
are very dull; the fire of imagination much less vivid ; every 
passing event appears to me like a dream ; I have less power 
of conception, and less presence of mind. In a word, I feel as 
if I am wasting away, although, my sleep, appetite, and coun- 
tenance are good.” 
“ The empire which this odious practice gains over the 
senses,” says Tissot, “ is beyond expression. No sooner does 
this uncleanness get possession of the heart, than it pursues its 
votaries every where, and governs them at all times and in all 
places. Upon the most serious occasions, and in the solemn 
acts of religion, they find themselves transported with lustful 
conceptions and desires, which take up all their thoughts.” 
Dr. Woodward gives the following from a letter written by 
a patient. 
“ Having endured so long under this blighting, withering 
curse, my constitution, naturally very strong, is broken down, 
and my mind, as well as body, completely enervated. I am 
haunted day and night with lascivious thoughts and dreams; 
suspicious of my friends and disgusted with myself. My me- 
mory has lost its power—unable to fix my attention—my mind 
is filled with terrible forebodings—fear of insanity, and at times 
it has cost me a continual effort to retain my reason. It is 36 
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
with difficulty that I walk, or stand, or even sit erect. An in 
clination to lie down and sleep, which desire I am sensible i 
have indulged too much :—my sleep never refreshes me ;—1 
rise in the morning weak and weary, to drag out another mise- 
rable day. O how often have I wished for death, or rather 
oblivion, or anything to terminate my woes, i have of late 
been much annoyed with constant little twitchings or spasms 
in various parts of my body, and frequently my face. * * * 
Would to God I had known what I now know when first 
tempted to this health, life, and soul-destroying vice. I feel 
that I cannot hold out much longer.” 
Behold in the following auto-biography of a patient, the men- 
tal anguish and derangement this practice engenders. After 
saying that he commenced the practice at about fourteen years 
of age, and had kept it up at intervals for many years, he 
writes— 
“During the whole of this time, I have suffered the most in- 
tense and unmitigated misery. Although blessed by nature 
with an excellent constitution, and with a kindly, cheerful dis- 
position, I have become dyspeptic, gloomy, and unsociable. I 
am wretchedly timid and irresolute, my mind very weak and 
filled with imaginary terrors. In fine, I have suffered so much 
in body and mind, and seeing no prospect of being restored to 
health and usefulness, that I am sunk in despair, and am daily 
contemplating suicide. It is the anguish my death would 
cause my mother and sister, whom 1 devotedly love, and for 
whom I would wish to live, and whom I would wish to main- 
tain, that mainly prevents.” 
But why detail more ? These are the constitutional, effects 
of this sin. Behold the mind a wreck—the soul undone! 
IT ENGENDERS DEPRAVITY IN ALL ITS FORMS. 
But, all this, most terrible as it is, is not the worst. Ama- 
tiveness being situated in the midst of the animal organs, and 
this indulgence tending necessarily to inflame it, its inflamma- 
tion of course inflames, diseases, and perverts them also. Sec- 
tion three of “ Love” shows that the morbid, painful, diseased, 
action of the propensities constitutes depravity; and this sec- 
tion shows that this excess diseases both the cerebellum and the IT ENGENDERS DEPRAVITY. 
37 
body, with both of which the animal propensities are so 
intimately related that whatever deranges the former, thereby 
perverts the latter, and this causes depravity. Or thus: 
Excessive indulgence inflames the sexual organs, the whole 
body, and Amativeness, located in the cerebellum, in particu- 
lar, and this inflames and depraves the whole animal group of 
organs, and thereby creates sin in all its forms. Correspond- 
ing with, and explained by, this, is the fact that lust, the world 
over, is the concomitant and parent of all other sins. In what 
portions of our cities, towns, and villages is perpetrated the 
most wickedness ? Wherever are congregated the votaries of 
Venus. Where will groggeries be found the most abundant, 
the most frequented ? In the streets and lanes of wantonness. 
Where are you most liable to be robbed ? There also. And 
by whom? Its inhabitants. What but prostitution could 
make woman, aye, amiable woman, swear, and lie, and cheat, 
and drink, and carouse, and rob, and even murder % In what 
part of Boston was that recent tragical murder of Mrs. Bick- 
ford committed? In Old Town, the “Five Points” of that 
goodly city. By whom ? A libertine. On whom ? A lewd 
woman. In short, the dens of prostitution are every where the 
dens of crime in all its forms, in all its aggravation. And what 
is true of these masses, is true of those individuals which com- 
pose them. Who are our defaulters, our swindlers, our gam- 
blers, &c.? Frequenters of lewd houses always. No equal 
incentive to dishonesty and criminality exists. Fortunes are 
yearly stolen by clerks, agents, &c., and covered by false en- 
tries, simply to obtain the means of gratifying this passion. 
How much, the Judgment alone can reveal. Though intem- 
perance will soon run a man down, and wring his last cent 
from him to feed those fatal fires which are consuming soul 
and body, yet it is a pigmy compared with this giant robber. 
It will drain the last cent, and then pursue its victim night and 
day till he becomes literally desperate, and is almost com- 
pelled to lie, steal, forge, rob, any and every thing to procure 
the wages of this sin. Do as great a business as he may, he 38 
EVILS OF EXCESSIVE SENSUALITY. 
rarely becomes rich, but see how many fortunes it has squan- 
dered ! No one who “ goes after strange women” can be 
good, honest, and true ; hut he who does, will commit almost 
any other form of sin. This passion will sow the seeds of de- 
pravity in the purest of souls; and convert those most irre- 
proachable into demons. This is staple truth, apply it where 
you will. 
Moralists ! behold in this relation of perverted sexuality to 
universal depravity, your first work of reform. As long as 
this passion is thus uncontrolled and perverted, so long will 
all other forms of depravity be rife, and all forms of virtue be 
trampled in the dust! Ministers may preach till doomsday 
against any and all other vices without effect, till they preach 
moral purity and in all its forms. It is a matter of perfect 
surprise, that so few ministers preach against this sin in any 
of its forms, especially against self-abuse ; but most of them, 
though posted on the moral watch-towers of society, are “ dead 
doge,” that “ will not bark,” touching this, the very key-stone 
of the arch of depravity. Is it not high time that some moral 
champion should stand forth to proclaim this vital truth? 
Lawyers will not do it, nor doctors, except a few noble Wood- 
wards ; nor ministers. Shall then this monster be left undis- 
turbed to feed on the physical and mental carcasses of his 
prey? God forbid! If the ministerial profession will so far 
prove recreant to their high moral trust, and the other profes- 
sions follow their example of silence, help must come from 
some other quarter ; for this age of reform must begin reform- 
ation here. And the Author is free to confess, that an over- 
whelming desire to prevent iniquity in its other forms, as well 
as this, and by sanctifying and properly directing this propen- 
sity, to promote general moral excellence and obviate general 
corruption, mainly dictated these pages. He wishes, by 
“ Love and Parentage,” to aid in rendering after generations 
better by nature—more intellectual, more pure and holy in 
soul, and elevated in aspiration, and by this work, to stay li- 
centiousness, public and private, by showing the superiority of IT PERPETUATES AND AUGUMENTS ITSELF. 
39 
moral purity over sinful propensity, in order thereby to pro- 
mote moral purity and all other virtues, on the one hand, and 
on the other, to prevent this vice, and thereby all other forms 
of human depravity and wo. 
IT PERPETUATES AND RE-AUGMENTS ITSELF, 
We have seen that excess begets inflammation, and that in- 
flammation creates desire. Hence every new indulgence only 
re-augments the cravings of this propensity. As an inflamma- 
tion of the stomach causes a morbid hankering after food, the 
gratification of which still farther increases both the disease 
and the craving, so excessive sexual indulgence fevers these 
organs so that they call still more loudly for gratification, every 
new indulgence of which re-augments the inflammation and 
consequently the power of passion, till, like the letting out of 
waters, it rises and rushes till life itself is emptied out thereat, 
and both body and mind swept on to remediless destruction 
and wo ! Indulgence is fuel to these already consuming fires 
of perdition. This propensity being to the sexual apparatus pre- 
cisely what appetite is to the stomach, since as eating, so far 
from satisfying the ravenous cravings of the dyspeptic, only in- 
creases them, by re-inflaming the stomach;so sensual indul- 
gence first inflames the sexual apparatus, and this re-increases 
both disease and desire till the entire system is drained of ener- 
gy, and its victim dies. 
This passion inflamed by indulgence becomes the horseleech 
of life and happiness, crying perpetually, louder and louder, 
“ give, give, give, GIVE,” but never enough ; or the gluttonous 
tape-worm, the more it is fed, the more insatiate its ravages, 
till, after having devoured all the other powers and faculties of 
its miserable victim, it ends only in a death of all deaths the 
most horrible. Like the falling, perhaps, of an icicle on Mount 
Blanc, which gathers size and force as it descends, and now 
rolls heavily and rapidly down the steep sides of yonder tow- 
ering cliff, anen bounds from peak to peak, sweeping their 40 
IT PF.UPETUATES AND AUGMENTS ITSELF. 
snowy sides and tearing up huge trees and rocks in its resist- 
less course, till, leaping yonder yawning precipice, it plunges 
into the deep abyss, dashing to atoms both itself and all its 
prey, scattering ruin and death in all its course. 
Nor does this principle govern one form of sensual in- 
dulgence merely, but all its forms. It is inherent in all 
forms, and appertains alike to matrimonial, promiscuous, and 
personal indulgence in all their stages. Animals, one and 
all before their first indulgence, experience only a moderate 
power of this impulse ; but afterwards become uncontrollable. 
The less it is exercised, the more easily can it be held in 
check. 
Beware, then, oh youth! how you unchain this roaring lion 
till walled in by wedlock; else propensity will haunt and 
goad you night and day, clamorous for indulgence, yet never 
satisfied till your ruin is complete. Indulge but once, and you 
will have no peace of your life, but will be dashed hither and 
yon, with those waves of passion into which “one false step” 
plunges you. If you have no regard for the sin committed, 
yet regard your own subsequent peace and happiness for life. 
Mark ; we do not put this matter on its moral turpitude, but 
on its necessarily consequent evils and sufferings; first, be* 
cause the latter involves the former, and is the cause or ration- 
ale of all sin—the reason why sin is sinful, as well as the mea- 
sure of the sinfulness of sin—and because we thus appeal to 
the two strongest, and even the governing motives of human 
nature ; namely, first, to its love of happiness, and secondly, to 
its dread of suffering. Not that it is not most sinful. It is 
morally wrong in exact proportion to its miseries, which we 
have just seen to be so frightful. LICENTIOUSNESS. 
41 
CHAPTER III. 
THE EFFECTS OF PROMISCUOUS INDULGENCE, MATRIMONIAL EX- 
CESS, AND SELF-ABUSE, COMPARED. 
Thus far, our inquiries have related to the constitutional 
effects of excessive sexual indulgence in its collective capacity, 
or indiscriminately in all its forms. But, this hydra monster 
assumes many forms, three of which deserve consideration. 
1. LICENTIOUSNESS. 
That promiscuous indulgence is most sinful, is evident from 
that terrible penalty affixed to its perpetration. To be eaten 
up by peacemeal, with sores and ulcers, nauseating and loath- 
some beyond description—to lose bone, and muscle, and nerve by 
inches, and literally be eat up alive, besides being simultaneously 
tortured with agony the most excruciating mortals can endure, 
affixes nature’s seal of proportional moral turpitude upon its 
cause. Consequences thus direful show that their cause must be 
a sin propoitionally aggravated. Quacks may essay to cure it, 
but its virulent poison still lurks in the veins for life. Calomel 
may give immediate relief, but the grave alone can entirely 
eradicate it. Sin ye who will, but suffer ye who sin. God is 
just, and but visits his violated law with mete retribution. 
Nor does this curse of curses cease with its author, but is 
justly entailed upon his children, and his cbuMren’s children, 
“ unto the third and fourth generations.” See yonder maimed 
and hobbling object of pity, his limbs distorted, his joints dislo- 
cated and racked with pain, his life tormented with running 
sores, his mind feeble, and passions ungovernable ? All this 
is but the wages of his father’s licentiousness. A physician 
once remarked to the Author, that a more prolific, cause of 
scrofula, consumptions, and kindred affections did not probably 
exist, than this sin of parents ; adding, that it often broke out 
two or three generations down, and could rarely be eradicated 42 
VARIOUS FORMS OP INDULGENCE COMPARED. 
from descendants. Oh! how great the crime of thus cursing 
posterity, instead of blessing it with all the endowments confer- 
red by virtuous love! 
Nor do many know how prevalent this disease is in its various 
forms. Its victims keep their own secret as long as possible, 
and doctor themselves, except when their case becomes despe- 
rate ; and then confide it only to their medical adviser, whose 
very profession forswears him to keep the secret. Oh! how 
many thousands of our young men have ruined their constitu- 
tions, and become invalids for life, solely by means of this dis- 
ease, or attempts to cure it. Indeed, its prevalence at the Sand- 
wich Islands actually threatens the extinction of that nation ; 
which, at its present rate of mortality, it is computed to effect 
in about sixty years! And if it goes on to increase in the ra- 
tio of its past progression, it will ultimately cut oft' our race 
itself! 
The fact that several thousand copies of a little work of 
less than twenty pages, on the cure of venereal diseases, are 
sold every month, at one dollar per copy, and that other works 
of this class sell in proportion, shows conclusively that there 
are several thousand new victims every month! No patient 
wants more than a single work, yet twenty thousand per 
month* does not equal the sales of these works, and of course 
falls far short of the number of victims, for none but venereal 
patients will pay thus dear for so small a book, of no manner 
of interest to fhose not thus afflicted. Ail this, besides all those 
who indulge with other than harlots by profession ! Almost 
incredible, but nevertheless true! 
We thus see that 7iature, as well as the Bible, condemns li- 
centiousness ; so that disbelievers in the latter are yet bound by 
nature’s inflexible laws to continence, except in wedlock. But 
a point thus self-evident, need not be urged. Beware then, oh 
passionate youth, how you commit this sin! Even though you 
* A single house in New-York sells some ID" 8000 «o ccpies 
per month! MATRIMONIAL EXCESS. 
43 
neither 11 fear God nor regard man,” yet at least regard your 
own happiness, and induce not so terrible a curse ! 
MATRIMONIAL EXCESS. 
But this is not the- only form of sin assumed by this propen- 
sity. It invades married life, and sows the seeds of misery 
within the hallowed pale of wedlock. Reference is not now 
had to those who, though married, seek foreign indulgence ; 
but to those who know theii own legal companion only. This 
will surprise many who are married, because they think them- 
selves entitled to any desired amount of indulgence. Far 
otherwise. Nature cares nothing, knows nothing about hu- 
man enactments. Excessive indulgence between husband and 
wife produces all the consequences shown in the last chapter 
to result from excessive Amativeness. A miserable victim of 
connubial excess is hardly less miserable than the victim of li- 
centiousness. A newly married husband once called upon a 
medical friend of the Author to prescribe for what he supposed 
to be venereal disease, contracted from his wife. Soon after, 
she called on the same errand ; both accusing each other of 
having given the disease. He told both that their hymeneal 
excess had inflamed and diseased both, and prescribed mode- 
ration. 
But, what stamps effectually the seal of nature’s reprobation 
on excessive matrimonial indulgence, is its destruction of the 
health of woman. Is it not a most prolific cause of those dis- 
tressing female complaints which bury half our married women 
prematurely, and seriously impair most of the balance ? Tes- 
tify, Drs. Sherwood, Banning, Hollick, Benjamin, and others, 
in this line of practice; are not these complaints alarmingly 
prevalent, and occasioned mainly by excessive indulgence? 
Do not thousands of our women die annually in consequence? 
Speak out, ye weakly, nervous wives, now dying by wretched 
inches of these diseases, and say whether your sufferings were 
not caused mainly, and have not been aggravated to their pre- 
sent painfulness, by the frequency, the fury, the almost goat- 44 
VARIOUS FORMS OF INDULGENCE COMPARED. 
ishness, of your husbands’ demands ? I say fury, because 
though frequency is bad, yet harshness is worse; nor do hus- 
bands always consider how exceedingly tender, and how liable 
to consequent inflammation and disease, this apparatus. Many 
a husband has buried more wives than one, killed outright, 
ignorantly, yet effectually, by the brutality of this passion. 
Reader, if thou knowest none such, thou knowest not the 
cause of all the deaths that transpire around thee! And yet, 
the pulpit, the press, the lecture room, are silent in view of this 
vast, this wicked waste of life—of even the infinitely valuable 
life of woman! 
And tens of thousands of those whom it does not kill, it ne- 
vertheless effectually despoils, by impairing both their sexual 
organs, and their health, as well as minds. More : It cuts off" 
the very pleasure sought. As over-eating diminishes appetite, 
and thus curtails the gustatory pleasure sought, so excess here 
engenders those diseases which cut off this very pleasure. By 
causing the prolapsus uteri, albus, &c., it renders this inter- 
course utterly repugnant mentally, and painful physically; thus 
inducing the penalty in the direct line of the transgression. 
IT PREVENTS AND IMPAIRS OFFSPRING. 
Whatever enfeebles or diseases the sexual apparatus, of 
course impairs its products, or else prevents offspring alto- 
gether. That over-indulgence causes barrenness, has even 
been canonized into a proverb, which all will recognise in this 
connexion. An amorous husband who partakes thrice as of- 
ten as the sun rises, never had but two children by his wife ; 
both of which received existence on his return of only an hour 
from an absence of some weeks, and his immediate recall and 
absence for weeks longer. Another pair, who partake as often, 
have no children, and deserve none. Excessive indulgence is 
one great cause of sterility, partly by diseasing these organs, and 
thus impairing their functions, and partly by disturbing the 
seeds of life before fairly rooted. IT DETERIORATES WOMAN IN THE ESTIMATION OF MAN. 
45 
Nor this merely: It also impairs many which ii does not 
destroy. By obviating the enhancement of pleasure lent by 
novelty, it tames down this function, and of course its product; 
while rarity facilitates their endowment by promoting parental 
ecstasy, in harmony with a law already demonstrated. As 
we cannot have children without having mothers, so whatever 
unpairs the latter deteriorates the former. 
IT DETERIORATES WOMAN IN THE ESTIMATION OF MAN. 
Besides, lust carries with itself the feeling- of degradation. 
He who indulges frequently, even with his lawful wife, cannot 
but associate her in his mind with this debased feeling to which 
*he administers. He first debases her by his brutality, and 
then despises her for being debased. It is a law of mind that 
this excess should produce contempt for its partner. Reader, 
did you ever hear the libertine speak well of woman as a sex? 
This fact is apparent; and you may always measure the sens- 
uality of a man by his disrespect for the sex, and his moral 
purity, by his estimation of woman. This is a perfect thermo- 
meter of moral purity. Its reasons are obvious. First, rogues 
suspect all mankind of being rogues ; liars, of being deceptive, 
and the sensual, of sensuality. Secondly, he has been mainly 
conversant with woman as a sexual thing, and not as a pure, 
refined, and affectionate being. Her sexuality mainly, is what 
he has noticed, and this he detests in himself, and therefore in 
her. 
Woman thus abused, also soon comes to feel herself hum- 
bled, broken down, and sunk in the scale of self-respect, by 
being put to so low a use. And let the sensual husband re- 
member that knowing ones can read his treatment of her in this 
respect by these and kindred signs—that is, in her downcast, 
self-degraded looks and mien. But over this saddening picture 
of wo, let us draw the curtain of silence, while we shed tears 
of pity over her sufferings. Woman fallen 1 Her loveliness 
engulfed in the fiery sea of lust! Her angelic purity and per- 
fection converted into corruption! The angel become the 46 
VARIOUS FORMS OF SENSUALITY COMPARED. 
animal—a mere sexual thing! And all by violating a plain 
law of nature. Mete punishment for so sensual a sin ! 
Much has of late been said as regards the elevation of wo- 
man on the one hand, and her natural inferiority on the other. 
Without disturbing this mooted question, further than to say 
that she is equally perfect with man in her sphere, which is 
equally elevated with his, that she is as perfect as the God of 
nature could render her—allow special attention to be called to 
the one specific cause of her disrepute. It is man's sensuality. 
How does the Turk regard woman ? As a mere thing, desti- 
tute of a soul, and of all intrinsic merit. Now look at the one 
animal end to which he puts her, and put the two together. 
Wherefore the harem ? Simply to feed his sensuality. And 
this very sensuality breeds this contempt for its object. The 
same holds true of all mankind, and governs individuals as 
well as masses. The libertine always despises his “ bird” af- 
ter he has sated his passion, and because of such indulgence. 
Sensual indulgence begets disgust for its object. This is a law 
of mind, and is as true in wedlock as out of it. Hence, other 
things being equal, in proportion as a man indulges sensually 
with woman as a sex, does he despise the sex, or as an indivi- 
dual does he underrate her individually. Nor, say what you 
will, can woman ever be raised to her true dignity, or be pro- 
perly appreciated, till licentiousness is superseded by pure love. 
Moral purity will elevate woman in exact proportion to its pre- 
valence, while licentiousness, in and of itself, and by virtue of 
its own inherent nature, sinks her in the scale of valuation in 
exact proportion as it rises. This is cardinal truth, and shows 
those who would labor for the elevation of woman, where to 
begin, and what obstacle alone prevents. 
We might mention many more evils that grow out of matri 
monial prostitution, but are not these amply sufficient to stamp 
it as most infamous in its nature, because most direful in its 
consequences ? Indeed, 1 regard its magnitude as scarcely 
less than that of promiscuous indulgence, because its evils are 
substantially the same, and scarcely less aggravated, and partly MAN MORE FAULTY THAN WOMAN. 
47 
Decause so much more prevalent. It offers much greater faci- 
lities and temptations. It costs nothing in and of itself—though 
many a husband has paid out more in the form of doctor’s and 
nurses’ bills, &c., than his licentious neighbor has for promis- 
cuous indulgence. It is almost universal in married life, and 
is burying its victims ten to one faster than its twin sister, pro- 
miscuous intercourse. Mere sensual indulgence as such, in 
wedlock or out of it, in and of itself, sensualizes the mind, de- 
bases the feelings, and engenders depravity in all its other 
forms. It is fire to the nervous system, which, diseased, irri- 
tates all the propensities, and depraves the entire being ! Mark, 
ye husbands whose demands are frequent, the increased irrita- 
bility, and fretfulness, and crossness of your wives the next 
day, and learn from these principles both the cause and cure. 
We must not omit to mention the double injury occasioned 
by indulging while she is fulfilling her maternal relations. 
At these periods she almost always loathes it—proof enough 
that it is then wrong. Besides, it withdraws that vital energy 
equired by her precious charge. It also sensualizes that 
charge ; it partaking by sympathy with its mother’s feelings. 
Nor have I a doubt but that the seeds of much of the sensuality 
of mankind are sown by parental indulgence before birth! 
Then, at least, should the mother’s mind be kept as pure and 
elevated as possible, and her physical stamina promoted, not 
drained off to feed a sensual passion. 
Husbands, be entreated to mark well this entire chapter. In 
this particular you are mainly in fault. Your wives could not 
impose upon you in this matter if they would, and rarely would 
if they could. But do you not often insist on compliance, and 
almost compel it, when very disagreeable to them ? You thus 
inflame their female structure without giving them any plea- 
sure in return, but only repugnance—all pain! Oh! be not 
thus cruel! Wait at least for reciprocity; and then guard 
carefully against all pain and injury. Would that these truths 
might reach every married pair in Christendom! 48 
EFFECTS OF THE VARIOUS INDULGENCES COMPARED. 
PRIVATE SENSUALITY. 
But we have not reached all the evils, if the worst form, of 
“ excessive and perverted Amativeness.” However prevalent 
both licentiousness proper, and legalized licentiousness, private 
fornication I regard as at least equal to either, and much more 
prevalent than the first named. Our youth by wretched thou- 
sands, aye millions, too conscientious to violate the literal law of 
chastity, seek in solitude that same gratification which consti- 
tutes sensuality itself. The two differ in nothing except in the 
substitution of an imaginary partner for a real one—in the 
complete absenee of that love which alone can sanctify this in- 
dulgence, and in its being all sensuality, as well as, if possible, 
' till more unnatural and effectual violation of nature’s laws. 
Do not both consist equally, in warp and woof, of sensuality ? 
Is not the same propensity indulged in both ? Are not the 
same feelings exercised, and in the same way, saving that its 
partner, so indispensable to both, is imaginary here but real 
there ? Is not the kind of gratification sought and afforded 
alike in both? Are not both precisely alike in debasing the 
character? The same feelings, the same organs, the same ac- 
tion in these organs, the same evacuations, except that private 
prostitution is necessarily more completely gross and lustful, as 
well as more injurious to the organs exercised ; besides the far 
greater number of its subjects, and the far greater frequency of 
its indulgence. Is licentiousness debasing and polluting to the 
soul, and is not seZ/’-pollution even more so ? Does it not create 
even a greater degree of shame, and self-abhorrence, and vul- 
garity? Does the former disease the sexual apparatus, and 
does not the latter equally, probably more ? Does the former 
often produce impotency, and does not the latter much more 
frequently ? Does the former derange the nervous system, and 
does not the latter equally, and fill the entire system full to 
bursting with a wild, hurried, fevered excitement, which 
rouses every animal passion, unstrings every nerve, and pro- 
duces complete frustration and confusion ? Does the former AiE SENSUALITY. 
49 
drain the system of animal energy, and waste the very essence 
of its vitality, and does not the latter equally rob every organ 
of the body, every faculty of the mind, of that vital energy by 
which alone it lives and acts? In short, it is hardly possible 
to name an evil which appertains to the former, which does 
not also characterize the latter; whilst the latter, by being so 
much more accessible, subjecting its possessor to no expense, 
(but that of life) and no shame, because perpetrated ir. secret, 
is therefore the more wide-spread, frequent, and ruinou s. Nor 
is it considered a sin ; (shame on those pretended moral watch- 
men who do not denounce it;) and therefore not opposed by the 
terrors of conscience. Nor does that almost insuperable bar- 
rier of native modesty created in the soul of every well-consti- 
tuted youth against licentiousness, avail much here, because 
its natural stimulant, the presence of the other sex, is not pre- 
sent to bring it into action. It is also practised at a much ear- 
lier age, and while the system is yet immature, and all the 
strength required for growth, thus sapping the constitution in 
its infancy, and hence the more completely irreparable and 
fatal, Nor is it scarcely less fascinating than sensuality pro- 
per, though incomparably less so than that banquet of love 
described in “ Love and Parentage.” Both are made up of 
sensuality, and neither call forth any of the higher elements 
of our nature, while love calls them all into intense action in 
connexion with this indulgence, which it sanctifies, and the 
pleasures of which it indescribably enhances. 
If asked my serious opinion as to the comparative evils of 
these two forms of “ excessive or perverted Amativeness,” con- 
sidered collectively, as working the greatest ruin in our age 
and nation, and causing the greatest amount of suffering and 
wo, I should answer unhesitatingly, as the result of my exten- 
sive observation and mature conviction, private fornication— 
ten to one ! And this is substantially the opinion of all who 
have examined this subject. If asked which I should prefer 
a child of mine to practise, (Oh merciful God! deliver me 
from so dreadful a dilemma,) my unequivocal answer would 50 
SIGNS OF SENSUALITY IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS. 
be, <£ Rather let my dear child die, be it even by revolting 
suicide. Any other cup of bitterness sooner! Nothing, oh 
fond parent, can render your beloved offspring more completely 
wretched! 
CHAPTER IV. 
{£ Satan never keeps secrets,” “ Murder will out.” And 
so will sensuality. We can tell the rake, and designate the 
wanton ; and say truly, who has known the other sex, and 
how; as well as who seeks solitary gratification, and who is 
pure. The signs of all these things come to the surface, and 
cannot be disguised. 
To transfer all these signs to paper is impossible; nor can 
a fraction of them be fully given without too much digression. 
Many of them, the “ natural language” of the faculties discloses, 
which a Phrenologist alone can fully understand.* If, by 
casting her eyes over a congregation, the lewd woman can 
easily select her patrons, why cannot we also discern them ? 
We can, by the following, among other indices: 
1. Carrying the hands frequently to these organs by way of 
changing their position ; or sitting with the former partly en- 
closing the latter ; because the latter, being inflamed by over- 
action, are uneasy, and the former are carried to, and move 
them about, to give relief. Such, if married, may know only 
their own companion, but it will be both lustful and excessive. 
SIGNS OF SENSUALITY IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS. 
* Human character was made to be read without mistake ; and 
in spite of all attempted concealment. And Phrenology can read 
it. Yet this department of this science most Authors have compa- 
ratively neglected ; partly, probably, from its difficulty, and partly 
on account of the expense of Illustrative engravings. But vol. viii- 
of the American Phrenological Journal will present this subject 
somewhat fully, and furnish its readers with signs and clews of 
character little suspected, and perfectly certain in their application SIGNS OP PRIVATE SENSUALITY. 
51 
If unmarried, they either abuse themselves, or else seek foreign 
indulgence. Which, may be distinguished by a slight differ- 
ence in a certain position often assumed by each, which the 
natural language of Amativeness perfectly explains. Thus, as 
the gestures of a carpenter, when talking earnestly, will be 
back and forth, as if shoving the jack-plane, or with a striking 
motion, as if driving a nail—as those of the blacksmith will be 
as if swinging his hammer; those of the farmer, often circular, 
as if turning the grindstone ; and all because they severally 
make these respective motions so often as to .assume them 
involuntarily—so, and for a similar reason, those who in- 
dulge much with the opposite sex, when they laugh, or ges- 
ticulate earnestly, will carry their hips and these organs for- 
ward, because so much accustomed to this motion ; while those 
who abuse themselves will have a similar motion, only that 
this apparatus is directed a little upward, as well as thrown 
forward, because they assume this position so often in self- 
pollution. 
The amorous man has also a lascivious expression of the 
eyes and lips, and always manifests sexual curiosity when he 
observes females ; and often turns to look at them. Or, when 
anything is said about the other sex, he acts or laughs as if 
something very curious, or wanton, or vulgar, had said ; 
and relishes it, because he always looks at every thing through 
glasses of lust. Or else he unequivocally condemns and de- 
nounces every thing appertaining to this subject, especially by 
way of obviating this evil, as foul and filthy; because to him 
it is so. A rake can easily be marked by these and kindred 
signs. 
Reader, is it expedient to give the indices of wantonness in 
woman ? Yet they are equally, if not still more, apparent. 
The solitary libertine may be known, partly by these signs, 
and, in addition, by the following ; In conversation, he never 
looks you full in the face ; but averts his eyes, especially down- 
ward, as if ashamed of himself. He also avoids meeting the 
glances of females, yet steals every opportunity to look at 52 
SIGNS OF SENSUALITY IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS. 
them, and intently observes, particularly those portions which 
constitute and characterize the sex. Though very shy of fe- 
males, and all in a tremor while in their presence, when others 
are by, yet when alone, he is forward, and gross in his ad- 
vances, and apt to take liberties ; and is silly and sickish in 
their company, as if prompted by a mean passion, instead of 
being actuated by that love u which maketh not ashamed.” 
Mark well this fundamental difference between the conduct 
of those who are actuated by true love, and by lust in any of 
its forms. “ Love and Parentage” points out the heaven-wide 
difference between the two, and shows in what it consists. 
Now, precisely this difference obtains touching the manners, 
carriage, expression, every thing, of his conduct towards wo- 
man whose Amativeness is pure or perverted. 
The private sensualist may be further known by his pallid, 
bloodless countenance, and hollow, sunken, and half-ghastly 
eyes, the lids of which will frequently be tinged with red ; 
while, if his indulgence has been carried very far, he will have 
black and blue semi-circles under his eyes, and also look as if 
worn out, almost dead for want of sleep, yet unable to get it, 
&c. He will also have a half-wild, half-vacant stare, or half- 
lascivious, half-foolish smile, especially when he sees a female. 
He will also have a certain quickness yet indecision of man- 
ner ; will begin to do this thing, then stop and essay to do 
that, and then do what he first intended ; and in such utterly 
insignificant matters as putting his hat here or there, &c. The 
same incoherence will characterize his expressions, and the 
same want of promptness mark all he does. Little things wil] 
agitate and fluster him. Nor will he be prompt, or resolute, or 
bold, or forcible ; but timid, afraid of his own shadow, uncertain, 
waiting to see what is best, and always in a hurry, yet hardly 
know what he is doing, or wants to do. Nor will he walk 
erect or dignified, as if conscious of his manhood, and lofty in 
his aspirations, but will walk and move with a diminutive, 
cringing, sycophantic, inferior, mean, self-debased manner, as 
if depreciated and degraded in his own eyes; thus telling you SIGNS OF PRIVATE SENSUALITY. 
53 
perpetually by his shamed looks and sheepish manner that he 
has been doing something low, mean, contemptible and vul- 
gar. His secret practices have impaired both his physical and 
mental manhood, and thereby effaced the nobleness and effi- 
ciency of the masculine, and deteriorated his soul, besides hav- 
ing ruined his body. Be entreated, oh foolish and wicked! 
not thus to dethrone the man and enthrone the animal! 
He will, moreover, be dull of comprehension, incorrect, for- 
getful, heedless, full of blunders of all sorts, crude and inappro- 
priate in his jokes, slow to take the hint, listless, inattentive, 
absent-minded, sad, melancholy, easily frightened, easily dis- 
couraged, wanting in clearness and point of idea, less bright 
than formerly, and altogether depreciated in looks and talents 
compared with what he would have been if he had never con- 
tracted this soul and body-ruining practice. 
Pain at or near the small of the back, is another dark symp- 
tom. It at least shows that the sexual apparatus is diseased, 
because the nerve from them enters the spinal column at this 
place, so that their inflammation renders it proportionally ten- 
der and painful. Sexual excess in any of its forms will give 
this pain. True, other causes may have deranged these or- 
gans, and given this pain, yet this is the great cause. Some 
victims of this passion have running sores in the small of the 
back, and are generally tender there. 
Many other signs evince carnality, yet these must suffice. 
Nor am I quite clear in giving these, because they will expose 
so many of my erring fellow men, now unsuspected; the 
Christian and the Phrenological course being to hide sin instead 
of proclaiming it. Yet, again, such are dangerous, and ought 
to be exposed—at least, allowed to tell their own carnal story. 
Let every sensualist, especially 'private libertine, remember, 
that he is marked and known, and read by all men who have 
eyes and know how to use them. This exposition is made, in 
part, to shame them out of degrading vice, into moral purity 
and virtue. 54 
CHAPTER V. 
REMEDIES. 
Thus much of these evils. Next, their rExMEdies. All the 
penalties of nature’s violated laws are not wholly incurable. 
A <£ healing- balm” is kindly furnished for such wounds as 
are not mortal. Though it may be impossible, after these 
evils have become aggravated, for their subject to be as healthy 
and happy as he would have been if he had never sinned, yet 
our merciful Physician has furnished at hand both palliatives 
and restoratives, by the judicious and thorough use of which 
he may become as sound in body and as strong in mind, as he 
ever has been; perhaps better, because he is yet immature. 
When the consequences of this vice have not gone so far as to 
impair or destroy the structure, a comparative cure is attainable ; 
and even though the organization itself is seriously effected, 
yet,as nature restores a broken bone, or flesh wound, so here, she 
will often repair breaches apparently irreparable. Though, as 
a broken bone, or a sprained joint, is more liable to subsequent 
injury than if it had never been impaired, yet, as long and as 
far as life and constitution remain, they hold out the blessed pro- 
mise of recovery and happiness. Unfortunate reader, however 
foolish and sinful you may have been, never despair ; first, be- 
cause discouragement greatly impedes cure ; and secondly, be- 
cause the constitutional tendency of your disease is to render 
you more gloomy and disheartened than you need be. Be it 
that your case is bad, you regard it as much worse than it 
really is. If it were fatal, you would be now literally dying. 
The flag of truce is yet flying. Because you have entered the 
broad road, you are not compelled to go down to final ruin. 
The door of escape is yet open. Few cases are desperate. 
Most men can be well nigh cured. Listen then to the means 
of salvation. 
Though there is now, doubtless, growing in our woods and 
fields a specific cure for your, as for most other, “ills that ABSTAIN TOTALLY. 
55 
flesh” suffers, yet rely not on medicines, especially those gene- 
rally prescribed by physicians. They do not understand these 
complaints, but generally aggravate them. You must cure 
yourselves. Nor is the task easy, but it requires effort, perse- 
verance, and temporary self-denial. You must no, instead of 
passively folding your arms, to which you are inclined. Be it, 
that a cure requires hard work, are not life, health, happiness, 
worth working hard to obtain ? If in the Niagara rapids, and 
certain to be precipitated over its yawning precipice in case 
you remained passive, but could save yourself by powerful ef- 
fort, would you fold your hands? Would you not tax every 
energy of life to its utmost ? What will not man do for his 
life ? And your life is at stake, and the prize of effort. I 
hear your eager inquiry, “ What shall I do to be saved?” 
The least indulgence weakens hope, and is like paddling the 
canoe down the Niagara rapids, instead of towards its banks. 
Gradual emancipation, like leaving off drinking by degrees, 
will certainly increase both indulgence and suffering. This is 
true of all bad habits—is a law of things, and especially appli- 
cable here. 11 Now is the accepted time; behold now is the 
day of salvation.” Some of my cotemporaries advise occa- 
sional indulgence. From this I dissent, and totally and une- 
quivocally condemn all indulgence, every instance of which 
both augments passion and' weakens resistance, by subjecting 
intellect and moral sentiment to propensity. If you cannot 
conquer now, you never can. Make, one desperate stand and 
struggle. Summon every energy l Not once more! Stop 
short !! “ Touch not, taste not, handle not,” lest you “ perish 
with the using.” Flee at once to perfect continence—your only 
city of refuge. Look not back towards Sodom, lest you die! 
u Why will you go on to commit suicide? Oh! son or daugh- 
ter of sensuality! are you of no value ? Are you not God- 
like, and god-endowed, born in your Maker’s rmage, and 
most exalted, both by nature, and in your capabilities for en* 
ABSTAIN TOTALLY. 56 
REMEDIES, 
joyment? Oh ! will you, for a low-lived animal gratification 
sell the birthright of your nature—all your intellectual powers, 
all your moral endowments, all your capabilities of enjoyment, 
and crowd every avenue and corner of both body and soul 
with untold agony ? Behold the priceless gem of your nature! 
Oh! snatch it from impending destruction. Total abstinence 
is life ; animal, intellectual, moral. Indulgence is triple 
death! Resolution—detebmination to stop NOW AND 
FOREVER—is your startirg point; without which no other 
remedial agents will avail anything. ABSTINENCE OR 
DEATH is your only alternative. Stop now and forever, 
or abandon all hope. Will you “long debate which of the 
two to choose, slavery” and “ death,”—and such a death—or ab- 
stinence and life? Do you “ return to your wallowing,” and 
give up to die ? 
No! Behold and shout the kindling resolve! See the in- 
toxicating, poisoned cup of passion dashed aside. Hear the 
life-boat resolution :—“ I wash away the stain of the past in the 
reformation of the future ! Born with capabilities thus exalted, 
I will yet be the man; no longer the groveling sensualist! 
Forgetting the past, I once more put on the garments of hope, 
and press forward in pursuit of those noble ends to which I 
once aspired, but from which this Delilah allured me. I will 
rise yet! On the bended knees of contrition and supplication, 
I bow before Jehovah’s mercy seat. ‘ On the altar of this 
hour, I lay my vow of abstinence and purity! No more will 
1 sacrilegiously prostitute those glorious gifts with which Thou 
hast graciously crowned me ! I abjure forever this loathsome 
sin, and take again the oath of allegiance to duty and to Thee! 
Oh! ‘ deliver me from temptation !’ Of myself I am weak, but 
in Thy strength I amstrong! Do Thou work in me to ‘will 
and to do’ only what is pure and holy. I have served ‘the 
lusts of the flesh,’ but oh! forgive and restore a repentant 
'irodigal, and accept that entire consecration of my every power 
,-nd faculty to Thee ! Oh, gracious God, forgive, and save* 
and accept, and Thine shall be the glory forever. Amen.’ ” COLD WATER. 
57 
<£ 1 rise a renewed man ! My vow is recorded before God ! 
I will keep it invio/.ate. I will banish all unclean thoughts 
and feelings, and indulge only in holy wedlock. I will again 
‘ press forward ’ in the road of intellectual attainment and 
moral progression ; and the more eagerly because of this hin- 
derance. I drop but this one tear over the past, and then bury 
both my sin and shame in future efforts of self-improvement, 
and labors of love. As mourning over my fall does not restore, 
but unnerves resolution and cripples effort, I cast the mantle of 
forgetfulness over the past. I have now to do only with the 
future. Nor must I remain a moment passive and idle. I have 
a great work before me, first to repair my shattered constitution, 
which is the work, not of a day, but of my life ; and also to 
recover my mental stamina and moral standing, and if possi- 
ble, to soar higher still. What shall I do first?” 
REGAIN YOUR HEALTH. 
Your sufferings and losses grow mainly out of the injury it 
has sustained, and to regain it, is indispensable to both effort 
and enjoyment, and your great salvation from the consequences 
of past sins, and prevention of future ones. 
In effecting this restoration, you have mainly to obviate that 
inflammation already shown to have chiefly engendered your 
sufferings, and produced disease. Reduce it, and you both 
forestall farther injury, and give to Nature, your great physi* 
cian, an opportunity to repair the breach. 
By what means, then, can this inflammation be reduced ? 
By whatever will relieve it when created by any other cause 
Of all the means of reducing inflammation, I regard the appli 
cation of 
As the most efficient. Venereal excess deranges both the 
circulation and the skin, both of which, water, especially in the 
form of a shower or hand bath, will do more to restore than 
almost any other restorative agent. Wash your whole person 
COLD WATER 58 
REMEDIES. 
every morning, summer and winter ; and follow with friction, 
I recommend the hand-bath to begin with, as enabling you tc 
regulate it according to your feelings. Dash on the water 
quickly, so as to produce a partial shock, but stop instantly on 
the first sensation of chill. Then follow actively with a coarse 
towel, or flesh brush, and rub briskly, till you produce a de- 
lightful glow. Otherwise it will only injure. Every other 
morning, if your system is low, may be often enough. Con- 
sult your own feelings. Make it agreeable, and it will be 
beneficial, and also kill desire, especially for the time.* Both 
the warm and the steam bath, say one per week, will be found 
excellent. 
Another excellent remedial agent will be found in wetting 
one end of a long bandage, and putting it on and below the 
small of the back, and then wind the balance several times 
around the body ; or else lay on a wet cloth, and wind a wool- 
len bandage over it, so as by keeping this place wet and warm 
to sweat out the disease there located, which has already been 
shown to be its principal seat. A similar wet cloth and cover- 
ing worn upon the sexual organs themselves, will also be of 
almost equal sifrvice, and for a similar reason. So will the 
sitting bath in warm or cold water, (as is most agreeable,) 
especially for female patients, as well as for all afflicted with 
female complaints—sitting from one to three-fourths of an hour 
daily. 
Both to kill desire, and to restore health, a frequent laving 
of these organs in cold water will be found most beneficial, es- 
pecially when desire arises; which it will banish. An ac* 
quaintance whose Arnativeness affects him much, says he has 
found great relief from shaving Amativeness, or the back of 
the neck and base of the brain, letting the hair from above 
* To digress sufficiently to give directions for bathing, would 
be inconsistent. The rules and directions for bathing most bene- 
ficial in other cases, are best in this case. The Author has never 
seen this subject presented to his liking, but will present it fully 
in the American Phrenological Journal, for 1846. AVOID ALL STIMULANTS AND IRRITANTS. 
59 
partly cover the shaved portion, and then frequently washing 
it in cold water. He adds, that the cool air on the organ thus 
allowed, is most agreeable. Binding a wet cloth upon the nape 
of the neck will also both relieve and cure. The reason of 
this has already been given. 
Galvanism, and magnetism, and Sherwood’s magnetic pills, 
have effected some surprising cures of this disease, and espe- 
cially of female complaints ; yet the former, being a powerful 
tonic, must not be used too freely. Still, except in some cases, 
physiological prescriptions and preventives will generally be 
found to work a more effectual cure than those medicines (of 
which I unequivocally disapprove) commonly used by the 
faculty. 
Inflammation being the chief cause of your difficulty, every 
thing calculated to increase it, is unequivocally bad. Hence, 
abandon wholly and at once, tea, coffee, tobacco, and all stimu- 
lating meats and drinks. Otherwise, your struggle will be 
much more doubtful, tedious, and desperate. Any other fire 
burning in the system will augment this. Tea, coffee, and to- 
bacco, the last two in particular, are powerful narcotics, and. 
like opium, though soothing at first, ultimately only re-injlame: 
and are of themselves sufficient to keep up both the disease, 
the desire, and the inflammation you would conquer. They 
even often induce them, by causing an irritated, craving state 
of the nervous system, which aggravates desire from the first, 
by inflaming the nervous system, and of course the base 
of the brain. It is a settled physiological fact, that whatever 
stimulates the body, thereby proportionally irritates the base 
of the brain, Amativeness in particular, and thus causes lust, 
as well as sinful propensity in general. By this means it is 
that all intoxicating drinks cause both lust and depravity. It 
is their stimulating property which does this, and whatever 
stimulates the body thereby stimulates the whole base of the 
brain, in consequence of that most intimate relation existing be 
AVOID ALL STIMULANTS AND IRRITANTS. 60 
remedies, 
tween the two, and therefore excites this passion, and more, 
probably, than any other. Now, tea, coffee, and tobacco, all 
stimulate, and of course excite both sinful propensity in gene- 
ral, and lustful desire in particular. The quid and the cigar 
have made sensualists and onans by the legion. Nor is coffee 
free from a like charge, and tea is also injurious. 
This is not all theory. It is sustained by facts. An ac- 
quaintance of the Author, whose passion, professor though he 
is, is yet so rampant that he can govern himself only with the 
utmost difficulty, says, that after he has restrained himself for 
months, and got desire under subjection, a few cups of strong 
coffee will set him literally crazy after the sex, so that slight 
temptation will induce indulgence, and then, the helm carried 
away, self-control is out of the question till this passion has 
run him through and out, and brought him up debilitated and 
all on fire by excess, and penniless, after having squandered 
the savings of months of industry, perhaps years. He also re- 
commends cathartics, yet their effect can be only temporary. 
Ultimately, they must debilitate the system. He says nothing 
saves him but “ total abstinence,” from both indulgence and 
from all stimulants. 
Besides: why make “ flesh of one” passion “ and fowd of 
another”? Why not sweep the hoard ? Break away from all 
bad habits. Conquer every lust, and be the man, for in no- 
thing consist the true dignity and glory of our nature more 
than in self-government. “Even if thy right eye offend thee, 
pluck it out, and cast it from thee.” Much more may you 
abandon that filthy and confessedly injurious habit of tobacco- 
eating and burning ; else it may yet shipwreck your hopes. 
Come, arise in the might of manhood, and conquer this, as a 
means of over-coming that. 
And ye daughters of loveliness! whom this feeling has in- 
jured, but who would return again to purity, health, and hap- 
piness, sip no more of the beverage of China; no more of the 
drinks of Java ; for both will only add fuel to those polluting 
fires you vish to quench, as well as perpetuate the disease you AVOID ALL STIMULANTS AND IRRITANTS. 
61 
would subdue. Try the experiment, if you doubt this logic. 
Compare a month of abstinence with one of tea and coffee 
drinking. Already your system is all alive with feverish ex- 
citement, which these drinks enhance, and this deepens your 
gloom and your misery. If you would be yourself again, cut 
off this right-hand gratification, as a means of overcoming that. 
And if you ask what you shall drink at your meals, I say, no- 
thing is best; yet cocoa, chocolate, or warm water seasoned, or 
bread coffee, rice coffee, pea coffee, corn coffee, &c., &c., will 
be good substitutes, as they do not inflame, and are palatable. 
For a similar reason, meats, mustards, condiments, peppers, 
spices, rich food, gravies—every thing heating and irritating— 
will only add to existing inflammation, and increase both de- 
sire and disease. Do not keepers of horses, who wish to fire 
up this passion in them, do it by feeding high? Farmers do 
the like by the female, in order to create the required desire. 
Do not men and women, by the licentious thousand, live luxu- 
riously for the express purpose of kindling this disease? Go 
and do the opposite, ye who would produce opposite results! 
Some kinds of food, as already specified, excite amorous de- 
sires ; while others, as rice, bread, fruit, vegetables, &c., do not; 
and may therefore be eaten, yet sparingly, because you are 
yet weak, and because over-eating, even of the plainest food, is 
injurious. We have also seen that sensuality is apt to excite 
appetite and derange digestion. Coarse or Graham bread, 
with fruit, or rice, or sago, or tapioca, or potato starch pudding, 
&c., will tend to obviate inflammation, and allow the system to 
rally. In regard to regimen, Dr. Woodward remarks thus: 
“ The regimen must be strict, the diet should be simple and 
nutritious, and sufficient in quantity ; it should be rather plain than 
light and abstemious ; no stimulating condiments should be used; 
the suppers should be particularly light, and late suppers should be 
wholly avoided. All stimulating drinks, even strong tea and coffee, 
should be discarded ; cider and wine are very pernicious ; tobacco, 
in all its forms, not less so.” 
As to suppers, I recommend none at all. A full stomach 
induces dreams, or the exercise, in sleep, of those organs 62 
REMEDIES. 
most liable to spontaneous action, which in this case is Ama- 
tiveness, which produces libidinous dreams, with accompanying 
night emissions, which weaken and disease equally with indul- 
gence. No supper at all, also allows the dinner to become 
fully digested, which facilitates sound sleep—nature’s great 
restorative. Never fear starvation. We all eat twice too 
much. The gluttony of our nation is one great cause of its 
sensuality, which fasting will of course tend to obviate. Try 
the experiment. A friend thus afflicted has found great relief 
therefrom. Above all things 
KEEP DOING. 
“ Idleness is Satan’s workshop,” in this respect pre-eminently. 
Keep your mind employed, and lewd feelings can find no en- 
trance ; but, unoccupied, they rush in unbidden, and renew 
former associations and habits. 
But be very careful not to over-do—especially, over-lift. 
As you recover, you are in great danger of considering your- 
self stronger than you really are, and thus strain your back 
and bring on a relapse of your night difficulty. Mark this 
caution. 
Graham’s recommendation to touch these organs as little 
as possible, and to bring up children thus, I cordially endorse, 
because contact necessarily promotes both desire and inflam- 
mation. 
WEDLOCK. 
u Love and Parentage” showed that this function depended 
on a primitive faculty, and was therefore spontaneous, and no 
more to be suppressed by force of will than appetite. Its excess 
can be restrained, but its promptings are constitutional, and in- 
dispensable to perfection of character. Nor should they be 
wholly eradicated, only rightly directed. The marriage state 
constitutes their ultimate terminus, and only virtuous direction 
and exercise. Nor will, probably, any thing equally with this 
ordinance of nature recall this passion from its wanderings, and PREVENTION. 
63 
sanctify it to virtue. Pure spiritual love furnishes a substitute 
for its obscene gratification, which both satisfies this faculty 
and prevents perversion. But this position is too self-evident to 
require comment. 
CHAPTER YI. 
PREVENTION. 
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—here pre- 
eminently. Not to begin is the only safety. Nor is this pre- 
vention difficult. Nature has taken effectual means to secure 
this end. That wall of native modesty which she has thrown 
around every well-constituted youth, is ample protection. They 
only require to be put upon their guard. They would not fall 
into these habits unless coaxed into them, nor then if they once 
suspected them of being either wrong or injurious. Such 
knowledge would furnish an all-powerful stimulant to modesty, 
and render it effectual. They now suspect no harm, and 
intend no more wrong than in eating. To know that it is 
virtually on a par with sexual intercourse in its corrupting 
influence on the mind, and in its injury of the health, would 
awaken Conscientiousness to joint effort with modesty, and 
save nearly all. But ignorance lulls conscience, and persua- 
sion and imitation overcome shame, and they enter the broad 
road, and soon find that death is in the practice. The simple 
knowledge of the fact thaUhese practices sap their capabilities 
of enjoying this same pleasure in wedlock, would also prevent 
personal indulgence, as in ‘‘Love and Parentage,” it was 
shown to be a preventive of licentiousness. Diffusing appro- 
priate knowledge, and circulating appropriate books, on this 
subject, will work an effectual cure. And I anticipate great 
good from the means and efforts now in progress touching this 
matter. 
is, however, the great hot-house of sensuality in all its forms. 
Nature has taken special pains to postpone, the development 
THE FREMATURE DEVELOPMENT OF AMATXVENESS, 64 
REMEDIES. 
of this instinct till intellect has attained sufficient strength tc 
guide it, the moral sentiments power enough to sanctify and 
restrain it, and the body sufficient maturity to sustain its 
drain with impunity. Is not this postponement a most 
beautiful provision ? If it had made its appearance as early 
as the others, it would have withdrawn those energies from 
the system required for growth, yet have done no good. As it 
is, however, nature postpones the matrimonial desires till the 
subject is prepared to regulate this instinct, and convert it into 
a means of incalculable enjoyment. At precisely what age it 
should develop itself, it may be difficult to say, but certainly 
not till from the eighteenth to the twentieth year ; and then it 
is held in effectual check by native modesty for a considerable 
time before it acquires sufficient impetus to make love outright; 
and finally takes years to ripen into a state prepared for mar- 
riage—at least for its ultimate rights. 
Would to God and humanity that nature were allowed to 
have her perfect work in this respect. But, alas! our youth 
are reared in a hot-bed of Amativeness. This impulse is de- 
veloped several years before its time, and hence, mainly, its 
perversion. Ye who labor and pray for the banishment of 
lust and the moral purity of man, mark well the cause of 
causes of man’s carnality in all its forms. It is the artificial 
stimulation, and the premature development of the sexual 
instinct. Mark the following incentives of premature love, 
and its morbid, sensual direction, from Fowler on Matrimony. 
u The conduct and conversation of adults before children and youth. 
How often have I blushed with shame and kindled with indigna- 
tion at the conversation of parents, and especially of mothers, to their 
children! “John, go and kiss Harriet, for she is your sweetheart.” 
Well may shame make him hesitate and hang his head. “ Why, 
John, I did not think you so great a coward. Afraid of the girls, 
are you! That will never do. Come, go along, and hug and kiss 
her. There, that’s a man. I guess you will love the girls yet.” 
“ Continually is he teased about the girls, and being in love, 
till be really selects a sweetheart. I will not lift the veil, nor ex- 
pose the conduct of children among themselves. And all this, be- 
cause adults have filled their heads with those impurities which 
surfeit their own. What could more effectually wear off that natu- BEADING NOVELS, ETC. INJUKIOUS. 
65 
ral delicacy, that maiden purity and bashfulness, which form the 
main barrier against the influx of vitiated Amativeness 1 How of- 
ten do those whose modesty has been worn smooth, even take plea- 
sure in thus saying and doing things to raise the blush on the cheek 
of youth and innocence, merely to witness the effect of these im- 
proper allusions upon them ; little realizing that they are thereby 
breaking down the barriers of thei virtue, and prematurely kindling 
the fires of animal passion ! 
“As puberty approaches, the evil magnifies. The prematurely 
kindled embers of love now burst forth into the unextinguishable 
flames of unbridled licentiousness or self-pollution. Most of the 
conversation of young people is upon love matters, or used in throw- 
ing or pretending to parry the shafts of love ; and nearly all their 
plays abound in kissing, mock-marriages, &c. &c. The entire ma- 
chinery of balls and parties, of dances and the other amusements 
of young people, tend to excite and inflame this passion. Thinking 
it a fine thing to get in love, they court and form attachments long 
before either their mental or physical powers are matured. Of 
course, these young loves, these green-house exotics, must be bro- 
ken off, and their miserable subjects left burning up with the fierce 
fires of a flaming passion, which, if let alone, would have slumbered 
on for years, till they were prepared for its proper management and 
exercise. 
“Nor is it merely the conversation of adults, that does all this mis- 
chief : their manners also increase it. Young men take the hands 
of girls from six to thirteen years old, kiss them, press them, and 
play with them, so as, in a variety of ways, to excite this organ, com- 
bined, I grant, with Friendship and Refinement—for all this is gen- 
teelly done. They intend no harm, and parents dream of none; 
and yet their embryo love is awakened, to be again still more easily 
excited. Maiden ladies, and even married women, often express 
similar feelings towards lads, not perhaps positively improper ip 
themselves, yet injurious in their ultimate effects.” 
BEADING NOVELS, LOVE TALES, ETC. INJOEIOUS. 
“The fashionable reading of the day is still more objectionable 
As to its amount, let publishers, and the editors of family news 
papers, testify. Whose sales are the greatest 1 Whose patronage 
is the most extensive 1 Those who publish the most novels, and 
the best (! worst) love-tales. Let those weeklies that boast rf theii 
“130,000 subscribers,” and claim “the largest circulation in the 
world,” have a red line drawn across every column containing a 
story the substance and seasoning of which is love, and more than 
half their entire contents will be crimsoned with this sign of Ama- 
tiveness ! Try this experiment, and it will astonish you. Country 
newspapers also must have a part or the whole of some love-tale 
every week, or else run down. These stories, girls are allowed 
and encouraged to read. How often have I seen girls not twelve 66 
REMEDIES. 
years old, as hungry for a story or novel as they should be for their 
dinners ! A sickly sentimentalism is thus formed, and their minds 
are sullied with impure desires. Every fashionable young lady must 
of course read every new novel, though nearly all of them contain 
exceptionable allusions, perhaps delicately covered over with a thin 
gauze of fashionable refinement; yet, on that very account, the 
more objectionable. If this worl- contained one improper allusion 
to their ten, many of those fastir ous ladies who now eagerly devour 
the vulgarities of Marryatt, ar i the double-entendres of Bulwer, 
and even converse with gentlemen about their contents, would dis- 
countenance or condemn it as improper. Shame on novel-read- 
ing women ! for they cannot have pure minds or unsullied feelings, 
but Cupid, and the beaux, and waking dreams of love, are fast con- 
suming their health and virtue. 
Not that I impute the least blame to those respectable editors 
and publishers, who fill their coffers by feasting this diseased pub- 
lic appetite, especially of the ladies, even though they pander to, 
and increase this worst vice of this our vicious age and nation ; 
any more than I blame grog-sellers for making money out of another 
diseased public taste; because both are aiming mainly at dollars 
and cents, yet stabbing public virtue to the heart. But their money 
will be a curse to them, and their trash is a curse to its readers. 
A heating, stimulating diet still more prematurely develops 
this passion. By heating up and fevering the body, it of course 
fevers the propensities, but none more than this. We have 
already seen, that meats, teas, coffee, mustards, spices, &c.j 
stimulate it in adults. Hence, they of course induce precocious 
sexuality in children. On this account, if on no other, these 
things, coffee in particular, are utterly unfit for the young. 
Rather feed them on what will allay this impulse, instead of 
prematurely exciting it. Nor can we expect the world to be- 
come pure morally till a correct system of dietetics is generally 
practised. A heating diet, after all, is the most prolific cause 
of “ excessive and perverted sexuality.” Parents, mind what you 
feed your children. Youth, observe a correct regimen. Mar- 
ried and single, who would reduce this feeling, eat and drink 
cooling, calming articles only. 67 
CHAPTER VII. 
ABORTIONS, MADAME RESTELL ; TREATMENT OP THE ERRING J 
GENERAL CONCLUDING ADVICE. 
The one ultimate end designed to be secured by this propen- 
sity, is offspring. Hence, it should be exercised only by way 
of carrying out this its legitimate destiny. To exercise it 
merely for its own sake—to trifle with it as a means of sensual 
gratification, and then to destroy its products—is a violation of 
its laws, and must necessarily subject the offender to suffering. 
Nature has taken the utmost pains to place the seeds of life 
as far as possible from the reach of destruction, and has also 
planted them in such intimate proximity to the very life of the 
mother, that their destruction cannot be effected without se- 
riously impairing her health and shortening her life. No way 
has ever yet been invented, no way probably ever will be dis- 
covered, of artificially producing miscarriages without seriously 
impairing the mother’s constitution. Infanticide is revolting 
and wicked ; but since it cannot be effected without committing 
suicide, more or less, according as it impairs and shortens the 
mother’s life, it becomes one of the greatest crimes man can 
possibly commit. We shudder at the infanticides committed 
by the eastern world; but this crime is scarcely less prevalent 
in our own country. It is committed there after birth, but be- 
fore it here ; yet the end attained is precisely the same, namely, 
the destruction of human life. If abortion is effected by drink- 
ing any poisonous drug, that poison which is great enough to 
destroy the life of the unborn infant, is great enough to effect- 
ually debilitate the mother, from whom alone the child receives 
the poison. Indeed, a lower degree of poison is requisite to 
arrest the life of the child than of the mother simply because 
the former is more delicate; but so intimately are they inter- 
related, that neither can be destroyed without thereby impair- 
ing the life of the other. 
Nor can this destruction be effected by reaching the embryo 
through that apparatus in which it is formed, without injuring 68 
ABORTIONS, ETC. 
and diseasing this apparatus, the consequences of which have 
already been portrayed. This is too clear to require comment. 
“ Better ruin my health than suffer the deadly shame to 
which exposure will subject me,” says one whom some strong 
gust of passion has caused to fall. This odium is indeed with- 
ering and unrelenting, but the destruction of health is worse. 
The dilemma is indeed terrible, but life is sweeter than thi3 
odium is bitter, and health will give more happiness than ex- 
posure will occasion misery, while the latter will in part be 
offset by the joys of maternal love. 
But the wife has no such excuse. She may have others— 
the pains of maternity, the unwelcome increase of family, ina- 
bility to support them, injury of health, &c. &c. These 
excuses are mere trifles compared with that injury of her con- 
stitution which abortion will cause. No excuse can justify 
infanticide and partial suicide combined. Besides: most of 
these objections can be obviated. The pains of maternity we 
shall show how to obviate in our work on this subject an- 
nounced in “ Love and Parentage.” That founded on inability 
to support children can be obviated by living more simply. 
But, be the objection what it may, nothing can justify the 
destruction of human life; and whoever perpetrates this viola 
tion of nature’s laws, must suffer its terrible consequences. 
MADAME RESTELL. 
In view of these truths, what shall we say of Madame Res- 
tell’s life-destroying and therefore murdering business ? She is 
destroying the lives of both mothers and embryo human beings 
to an incredible extent. Few pass through her hands without 
having their constitutions broken up, and many die in conse- 
quence of the moral wounds she inflicts. If human life should 
be protected by law—if murderers should be punished by law’s 
most severe penalties—she surely should be punished, and her 
deathly practice be at once arrested. And yet behold her pa- 
tronage, her riches, and her utter contempt of law in her ability 
.o bribe its administrators. TREATMENT OF THE ERRING. 
69 
Major Noah, having met her promenading Broadway, gor- 
geously arrayed in silks and satins, thus moralizes: 
“ I was very near sentencing that woman once to the penitentiary. 
I had prepared an address, so true, so painful, so impressive, that it 
would have melted the heart of even a slayer of innocents ; but her 
lawyer stayed proceedings by a bill of exceptions, and now she rides 
over one of her judges, tosses up her beautiful head, and says in 
effect, “ behold the triumph of virtue !” Instead of a linsey wool- 
sey petticoat, a boddice of the same cloth, fitted closely to her 
beautiful form, her lap filled with oakum, and her tapering fingers 
tipped with tar; she is gloriously attired in rich silks and laces, 
towers above her sex in a splendid carriage, snaps her fingers at the 
law and all its pains and penalties, and cries out for more victims 
and more gold. Can that woman sleep 1 The day of retribution 
must arrive, and fearful must be its reckoning.” 
She proffers a passport to lust, and in effect says, to our 
youth and to all: Indulge your carnal passions, and if its 
natural consequences follow, come to me, and I will hide your 
sin and shame, and make you as if it had not been.” But be- 
ware ! A lie is on her tongue and a dagger in her hand. A 
certain beautiful and healthy young woman, who had been 
seduced, was taken to Restell, to be delivered of the fruits of her 
sin. She almost died during the operation—and many do die 
in ancl by the treatment itself-—but returned home, her bloom 
departed, her flesh wasted, her constitution destroyed, a vital ar- 
tery tapped and bleeding, and after lingering thus a few months, 
died. This is but a sample case. Oh, daughter of passion! 
beware how her flattering promises of deliverance encourage 
you to sin ! In virtue alone is there safety and happiness. 
TREATMENT OF THE ERRING. 
Far be it from us to pander, in any form, to this sin. If vve 
regard one form of virtue as more holy than any other, it is 
moral purity. If we regard one sin as more black and hideous 
than any other, it is this, because so prolific a cause of crime, 
and so terrible in its consequences. If we have one “ desire 
and prayer to God,” it is that we may be instrumental in staying 
the current of lust, as well as in sanctifying that function of our 
nature to which this work, in common with “ Love and Pa* 70 
ABORTIONS, ETC. 
rentage,” is devoted, by promoting connubial love—its legiti- 
mate terminus. We reason, we beseech, and show “ a more 
excellent way.” 
But when our fellow beings have fallen, we would not crush 
them in consequence. “ A broken reed shall he not break.” 
We would rather apologize. We would say to beholders: 
“ These unfortunate manifestations of carnality doubtless had a 
physical origin. Ignorant of the laws of Physiology, these 
erring sons of passion, and these daughters of frailty, had lashed 
up this feeling by heating meats and drinks, by novel reading, 
by blasted affection, by giving their minds to this class of sub- 
jects, till this propensity became uncontrollable, and in a mo- 
ment of its preternatural action, they sinned. They were, in all 
practical respects, deranged. A fevered state of their bodies 
had wrought up this passion to an insupportable pitch of ten- 
sion, and they sinned in consequence. They were more sick 
physically, than depraved in motive. “ They knew not what 
they did.” And the licentious of our land require to be cured 
in body as the means of restoring them to virtue. We have 
demonstrated that this passion is induced by a disordered phy- 
siology, quite as much as by depravity of intention. There is a 
certain epidemic disease, the subjects of which, when recover- 
ing, are tormented with a fury of lustful desires which will cause 
the most virtuous in the world to stray. Now suppose a simi- 
lar physical disarrangement had caused them to say and do in 
anger many hard things against us, which we knew they would 
not have said and done if they had been well; should we lay 
up against them these wrathful ebullitions—the offspring of dis- 
ease ? No; but should attiibute all to sickness—to temporary 
derangement or alienation of mind, and pity, not blame relent- 
lessly . Precisely thus should we regard most of the sensuality 
of mankind. It is the legitimate and necessary offspring, to 
alt practical intents and purposes, of mental derangement 
induced by physical disorder. Its subjects are sinful, but they 
are also sick, and their physical derangement occasions their 
moral dereliction. CONCLUDING ADVICE. 
71 
This doctrine will find opponents, but no refuters. The fact 
is indisputable, that certain meats, and drinks, and regimen create 
passion. Ignorantly, they have thus kindled up the fires of 
lust till they are goaded on to indulgence by a power of passion 
well nigh irresistible. As the lustful feelings of those recover- 
ing from the fever above mentioned had a physical cause, not a 
moral origin, so of most of the sons arid daughters of lust. In 
the case of the fever, nothing but the strait-jacket, or the absence 
of the other sex, could prevent indulgence. Goaded on by its 
fury, nothing but force will stop those before pure minded, and 
even the aged—who before were past the natural period of 
these impulses, from committing rapes ; or if females, from 
proffering the most wanton solicitations. So in kind, though 
less in degree, of the dissolute of both sexes. They are not 
irresponsible for their conduct, but are principally guilty for 
having thus inflamed their bodies, and thereby this passion. 
But this they did ignorantly. As he who murders while intoxi- 
cated, is more guilty for getting drunk than for the murder, so 
these sinners sin ignorantly. Shall they then be cast out of 
society and crushed in consequence of their ignorance of what 
few understand % Inform them, and you save them. And this 
is mainly what is required to stay licentiousness. Enlighten 
beforehand, not rebuke afterwards. Circulate suitable works, 
and encourage properly conducted lectures, and you achieve 
the most glorious results attainable by man. 
ITS PROMOTION. 
Yet there are some in whom this element is too feeble ei- 
ther to beautify their persons or adorn their manners, and a 
few who do not become parents in consequence of its deficien- 
cy. Such require to cultivate this faculty. This can be done 
by pursuing the converse of the course pointed out for its re- 
straint. Yet, such cases are rare, and generally occasioned 
by a torpor of the. corresponding organs, caused by their dis- 
ease. The great direction for such is, obviate the disease, and 72 
CONCLUDING ADVICE. 
promote general health. Health and affectionate caresses 
from a companion will secure its due action. 
One other requisition for its cultivation exists—that for 
which it was created. Other things being equal, the more 
powerful this function and intense its action at the time it 
stamps the impress of life and character on its products, the 
more highly endowed such products. Hence, at these occa- 
sions every means consistent with its healthy action should be 
employed to augment its intensity. Indeed, those who incur 
the liability of becoming parents except when this function is 
wrought up to its highest pitch of intensity, are bad citizens, 
and deserve the curses of their progeny. 
CONCLUDING ADVICE. 
In conclusion, let every son and daughter of humanity inr>es‘ 
tigate the laws, and study the science,oi this department of our 
nature, and then obey them. Let every youth keep this pro- 
pensity under subjection till it can be lawfully and happily 
exercised in wedlock. Let the affections never be trifled with, 
and let that wall of native modesty kindly thrown by nature 
around this propensity, never suffer a breach, but be built up 
till it is supplanted by the still more effectual preventive and en- 
closure of spiritual love. Let no one ever indulge this passion 
with the opposite sex for the first time, till married, because 
this throws wide open the flood-gates of lust otherwise easily 
kept closed, and most difficult to re-shut—nothing equally 
firing up this passion. And let us all preserve and regain our 
health, and keep our bodies in a cool and vigorous state, and 
then cherish that holy, sanctifying aspect of love which raises 
us above lustful propensity, purifies and elevates the soul, and 
stamps a high intellectual and moral impress on posterity.