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 sensuality attributed to the cryptorchides has been explained
by the greater degree of heat experienced in the testicles, when
they remain in the abdomen. Be this as it may, the excitement of
these organs probably exalts the sense of venery. When the state of
excitement is very marked, they swell and become more sensible: these
symptoms however are much more marked in animals during the period of
rutting, than in our species. Accidental irritations of the testicles
have sometimes also caused an unusual excitement of the sense of
venery. Moreau attended for a long time a man advanced in age, who
consulted him particularly for pollutions attended with amatory dreams.
These symptoms which were very distressing constantly occurred,
whenever the fibrous membrane of the testicles was affected with
chronic rheumatism.
From our remarks, we can conceive that extirpation of the testicles
would be a powerful remedy, in fact the most efficient of all remedies,
to quell lascivious desires, and to put an end to venereal excesses.
Hence individuals have been known to sacrifice these organs, and thus
to rid them«elves of a salacity which rendered them unhappy. Baldassar
relates the history of a man on whom he tried every remedy, and
finally found nothing better than fasting and prayers. “Not recovering
under these remedies,” says this author, “he wished the operation of
castration to be performed, but I thought it inexpedient. The patient
however pressed me very earnestly, and sought to win over to his
views by presents those who opposed his wishes. He even promised me an
ambling poney of remarkable beauty, if I would consent to perform it.”
Reduced to despair some individuals have even castrated themselves.
Origen, it is well known, mutilated himself, in order to extinguish
the warmth of his temperament. This operation has been performed by
surgeons and with happy results. A surgeon of Bernstadt was less
fortunate: he removed the testes of a man 73 years old, in consequence
of the unusual desires he experienced. The operation was not attended
with the expected result. (Sprengel, _Hist. de la med._, _vol. ix_.)
Hence this remedy is not infallible. We will add that it is far from
being without danger, particularly in those individuals who are already
exhausted by excesses. Farther, the operation is not confined, as in
amputation of the clitoris, to the extinction of the venereal sense: it
takes away the procreating power, and causes that moral and physical
deterioration which is seen in eunuchs, even when they have lost their
testicles after puberty. These therefore are reasons why this operation
should not be performed; an operation which is disapproved of by most
authors. We will except however Simon, who advises as a last resource
in those affected with onanism to press upon or tie the vas deferens
or the spermatic artery; for it is better, said he, that the patient
should live a eunuch, than that he should inevitably perish. (_Hygiene
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