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
The remarks of many authors on the salacity of individuals afflicted
with herpetic eruptions must apply particularly to those who are
afflicted with pruriginous diseases of the skin around or near the
genital organs. The excitement then extends to these organs, and awakes
in them the sense of venery; a similar result may attend irritation of
the inner surface of the rectum. Wichmann thinks, and a case published
by St. Marie confirms the opinion, that simply the presence of
ascarides in this instance may cause discharges of semen. Hemorrhoidal
irritation has sometimes produced them. Thus Wichmann relates the case
of an individual, in whom hemorrhoids caused an obstinate diarrhœa
during the day, and frequent pollutions at night. Nymphomania has been
produced by drastic enemata, and particularly by those made of gratiola.
It is not uncommon to see symptoms of inflammation appear at the same
time or successively in different mucous membranes. The membrane lining
the genital organs is not more exempt from this, than others. The heat
which patients feel in the genital parts, the redness and swelling
which are there developed, are generally the only symptoms which then
become known to the physician. But there is another, the excitement
of the venereal sense, which often escapes him; either because the
patients are too young to explain it, or because a natural feeling
prompts them to conceal it. Hence this symptom is frequently unnoticed,
except in rare cases, where it exists to a great degree, and presents
characters analogous to those of satyriasis and nymphomania. Dr.
Desportes was we believe the first one to point out a certain relation
between venereal excitement and different catarrhal affections among
which he has particularly mentioned the aphthous inflammation of the
pharynx termed by Guersent _angina pultacea_. M. Desportes has known
attacks of at least eight cases of this angina to be preceded by a
vivid excitement of the reproductive system, an excitement which is
sometimes manifested by an irritation, which although not exactly
the venereal appetite, is analogous to it, and causes in the patient
an evident feeling of distrust, inquietude, and chagrin. As this
phenomenon has presented itself as a precursory symptom in at least one
half of the cases of angina pultacea observed by him, he regards it
as an index of the imminent invasion of this disease. He also thinks
and with reason, that this phenomenon may, in young patients, become a
cause of masturbation, and even in some cases, may pervert momentarily
the ideas and sentiments, so as to impel individuals to the commission
of acts reputed criminal or culpable. This opinion of Desportes is
supported by eight facts. The most remarkable is that of a lady seventy
years old, in whom the angina pultacea, was preceded for about a month
with vivid and frequent venereal desires: they became so irresistible,
that notwithstanding her religious opinions, she forgot herself so far
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