When a desire can be satisfied, and is not, it is because the will is enchained, or this is distracted by circumstances more powerful than desire. Thus then it is possible to inspire an individual with certain fears, or by distracting his thoughts to make his will resist his desires. The fear of God and his ministers may have great influence over the minds of many, and preserve strict continence. The fear of confession has often, to our knowledge, produced a denial of desire in young persons. At the present day, however, this latter influence cannot be depended on much, and confessors, by their imprudent questions, have often excited curiosity in hearts yet innocent. The fear of transgressing the rules of modesty taught in youth, restrains some individuals. Others abstain because they fear the correction and reproaches of a father, and think on the shame with which they would be covered were their secret known. Chastisement has sometimes had the effect of rendering the guilty ones very circumspect. But of all fears, that which has produced the most effect on onanists, is the fear of disease and death. Onanists rarely believe what is told them by parents and others, as to the dangers of their course, but place more credit on what they read in books; and of these, Tissot is the only one which possesses much reputation. It has been much read, and although attended with great good effects, it has not always been useful. Many think its statements exaggerated, and therefore injurious. We have known it to fail entirely of its desired purpose, and to cause deplorable effects. On the whole, however, it has done much good, which it would be unjust not to acknowledge. At the same time, we must say, that a knowledge of the reproaches against Tissot, and the desire to avoid them, have had no influence over a word of the present treatise. In composing it we have been actuated by a desire to tell the truth, and have more than once remarked that we must not judge of the common effects of onanism by the cases which have been published, as those only which are very severe, appear in print. We have also said that the most common effects of onanism consist rather in certain vitiations of temperament, than in diseases having a precise form, and a distinct place in the systems of nosology. We have also shown how rapidly the health is generally restored when indulgence in onanism ceases. But this was done not to exercise any influence over the minds of those who might read the book, but simply to do justice to the truth.