The word of a physician may frequently however produce a change in the patient; more frequently than the reading of a book. He should not hesitate to speak boldly, for if it be requisite he can afterward modify his opinion. The effect of an opinion as follows, “In three months you will be a dead man” is often very great. The onanist trembles and becomes pale: his heart beats quickly, his strength fails. Do not regret it, it is not by encouragement that you will save him from himself. Add however that in a few months he will be a well man, provided he will renounce his bad habits. These words of hope will console him and encourage him to resist his evil desires. Frequently however the impression caused by this language is soon effaced. In this case another remedy must be sought for. The language and tone of the physician too should vary according to the person addressed; but he should always present the certainty of death if the vice is continued, and that of relief if it be arrested. Sometimes the onanist leaves his old habit very gradually, a course which is recommended by Swediaur. This course may be pursued for two reasons: the first is that it is more easy to quit this habit by degrees than to break it off violently: the second that it is not always prudent to leave off habits suddenly even if they are bad. Persons have sometimes been blinded by being taken from their dungeons too suddenly. When a young man however finds himself unable to resist the force of his desires notwithstanding the perusal of books and the advice of his physician, there is still one resource, which is the sight of an onanist dying. Approach and look at him: he was recently healthy and his prospects bright. He indulged in onanism: see what he is now; friends and physicians remonstrated with him but in vain; he would listen to nothing, he believed nothing. Now however he believes, but it is too late, for in a few days his earthly career will be closed. If terror does not affect him who witnesses this doleful picture you cannot produce it. A surgeon named Bertrand aware of the power of this mode of instruction constructed in wax two figures which represented onanists of both sexes. These figures were exhibited to those suspected of indulging in onanism and produced it is said very beneficient effects. The ancients and we will cite Avicenna, and Paul of Egina, recommend that we should attempt to excite in the minds of those addicted to this vice an interest about external objects. _Distraction_ is then a mode which may be usefully recommended to those onanists over whom their desires have not much power. Travelling, study, recreation, in fact every thing which can give the mind a strong and new direction, should be recommended, and may have the effect of distracting the onanist from his bad habit. § 3. THIRD INDICATION. REMOVE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE THE WISH TO MASTURBATE THE POWER OF DOING SO.