and hence they have to be married early to prevent excesses. (_Travels in Siberia, Vol. 1._) If accidental observations in the most moral families may be attended with the results just mentioned, what must be the consequence of constant depraved manners; their empire is so great at this age when the mind is unexperienced, and is always ready to adopt the impressions of the moment. In pity then to youth, let every magistrate prevent the publicity of immodesty and vice; do not let prostitution be sanctioned by the law: for when our sons and daughters are liable to find out in an instant what we have so carefully concealed from them, the responsibility should rest not simply on those unfortunate beings who follow such a course of life, but also on the part of those who having the power to prevent it, close their eyes, and permit, or even authorize it. _Rules relating to the direct and special causes of onanism._ The habit of onanism may have three origins: it may be, 1st, that the individual discovers it spontaneously; 2d, that the vice may be taught him; 3d, that being unable to satisfy his desires for coition, he seeks a resource in onanism. We have already seen that an unusual irritation of the genito-urinary mucous membrane may develop venereal excitement capable of causing satyriasis and nymphomania. This irritation may also act in another manner. The itching it occasions may cause the hands to be carried to the genital organs; unknown sensations are produced, and masturbation is accidentally discovered. We see by this how necessary it is in young patients to protect these parts from all sources of itching. Sometimes, too, a knowledge of this vice comes from accident. Hence children at an early age should be taught habits of modesty; all handling of the genital organs should be prohibited. Children should not be allowed to keep their hands in their pockets. Neither should they be left alone long: the necessity of observing, which is so vivid at their age, is exercised on themselves, when they find nothing else to interest them, and they sometimes make dangerous observations. It is in bed particularly that this evil is most liable to happen; hence they should be taken from their beds as soon as they awake, and the hour of rest should not long precede that of sleep. Many children have been led to onanism by their efforts to resist the wish to urinate. The pressure exercised on the penis by pressing the thighs firmly against each other, has excited sensations which they have attempted to re-produce. We mention this cause of onanism as being much more common than is generally supposed.