A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution, and Other Excesses.Deslandes, L. (Léopold)
Science
A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution, and Other Excesses.
Deslandes, L. (Léopold)
Masturbation
In fact, these pollutions fatigue more than those which are excited
voluntarily. On rising, the patient experiences a general and more
or less distinct feeling of feebleness and of suffering. His loins
and limbs seem as if he had taken a long walk, or as if they had been
bruised; the countenance is pale; the eyelids are swelled and bluish;
the patient is sad and stupid. Finally, he presents physically and
morally the consequences of an abuse of venery. It may readily be
imagined, that the periods of spermatorrhœa render the exhaustion more
rapid than the voluntary excesses already commenced. If, contrary to
custom, the onanist remains one night without pollution, the organs
which he permits to rest supply the unaccustomed activity. Happy is
he, when these symptoms do not seem to him an evidence that this flow
of semen is necessary. Every thing which specially excites the genital
organs, as lascivious thoughts, voluptuous sights, riding, a soft and
warm bed, &c., and also every thing which produces a more general
excitement, in which these organs participate, as wine, liquors,
coffee, spices, &c.; are so many causes which combine with the direct
provocations of the patient, to multiply the causes by which he is
excited.
The nocturnal pollutions, however, are not formidable to those onanists
who are reformed. Inspired by the sentiment of self-preservation,
warned by the sufferings, counsels, and by reading, they have resolved
to abandon for ever the manœuvres which they know to be dangerous.
This resolution they will be able to keep: they, however, anxiously
demand if they are not too late. The genital organs rebel against the
decision. How melancholy must be the state of the patient! He sees, in
perspective, sufferings, even a death, which seems to be inevitable.
To avoid it, he had made a sacrifice; he has abandoned those tastes
which exercised such absolute control over him: but his organs, which
have been irritated, continue the work which he wished to interrupt.
He is irritated--he despairs. Let him be of good cheer; when the will
perseveres, it generally triumphs. I attended an onanist, who was
suddenly converted by reading the work of Tissot, and who experienced
all the troubles to which we have alluded. He was constantly tormented
by the remembrance of the past night, and the fear of that which was
to come. He slept on a coarse bed; and always enveloped the privy
parts with linen, wet with vinegar and water, before going to sleep;
promising himself to awake, as soon as he was assailed by dreams.
By his will, however, he finally succeeded; and he had the power of
watching himself during sleep. His pollutions gradually became less
frequent, and finally disappeared entirely. This is generally the case
where all bad habits cease.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account