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
From our remarks on the influence exercised by the genital organs
on the nervous system, even when simply in a state of excitement
or repose, it will not surprise, if we should state, that in this
system are seen the affections resulting most frequently from the
abuse of these organs. In fact the diseases of motion, sensation
or of intelligence, that is of the faculties which are situated in
the nervous system, are in fact the most common consequences of
masturbation, and of venereal excesses generally. We have already
spoken of the gradual diminution in the locomotive powers of the
onanist. That of sensation presents very different phenomena, it is
exalted as much as the first is diminished. Farther it is admitted
that these two faculties are in an inverse ratio to one another. This
increase of the susceptibility may take place at any age in consequence
of venereal excesses; but it occurs much more readily in young
persons, that is at that period of life when the mode of sensation
assumes those characters which at a later period more than all the
others constitute the temperament. Thus the excessive susceptibility
generally presented by onanists, does not belong to those transient
symptoms which disappear when the habit ceases: but, on the contrary,
it continues, long after the habit has ceased, and its influence is
long felt. How many persons of every age complain of being extremely
nervous. Some know that this depends upon their own conduct, which they
deeply regret. Interrogate them, and many will admit the excesses of
their youth. We have rarely neglected to verify this remark and the
responses have generally confirmed my suspicions. These individuals are
seldom free from disagreeable feelings, from pain and inconvenience of
some kind: their symptoms may vary extremely, and change very suddenly,
but they are generally or always indisposed one way or another.
This can be readily imagined: every thing affects them: cold, heat,
dryness, moisture, rain, snow, food, drink, exercise, rest, in fact
all these modifying circumstances find in them an organization ready
to be acted on. The act of venery, the first source of their nervous
susceptibility, subjects them to constant privations. A young man,
twenty-two years old, whom we attended a few months since, told me in
a depressed manner the constant inconveniences which he experienced
from onanism. The following is his narrative, which we shall give
here because it presents a faithful picture of the state in which the
nervous system exists in most persons who have indulged in onanism.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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