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
This case shows us paralysis confined at first to the abdominal limbs,
but extending afterward to the upper part of the body. We find a
similar case of this progression, in a case related by Olivier, of
Angers:--
“M--, of a sanguine temperament, of a strong constitution, and of
a lively and gay character, had always enjoyed good health until
seventeen years old, when he unfortunately became addicted to
masturbation. He soon languished, and grew debilitated. Having,
however, conquered this fatal habit, his strength gradually returned,
and a proper regimen soon restored him to his former vigor. When
twenty years old, he perceived a marked debility in the motions of
the articulation of the right foot; but this disappeared: he was then
affected twice with blenorrhagia, the last attack of which continued
for several months.
“When twenty-five years old, he again indulged in masturbation, and
similar symptoms to those first presented soon appeared: the lower
extremities, also, became weakened; at times, also, the sensibility of
the skin was obtuse, and even lost; but it soon reappeared. Under the
influence of remedies, the weakness in the limbs diminished slightly.
M-- could walk three quarters of an hour without resting, but he could
not stand longer; his legs, which were evidently wasted, refusing to
sustain him. He was extremely costive; and since the last attack of
blenorrhagia, the excretion of urine was painful.
“This affection remained stationary for several years, and then
became more serious: the patient was now twenty-nine years old. At
this period, the paraplegia became complete. He could not walk, nor
even support himself on crutches; his lower limbs were often stiff;
both arms, also, were at times insensible; and sometimes the sense of
touch was blunted. The wasting away had increased; the excretion of
urine was often involuntary, and the constipation was habitual. He was
somewhat benefited by Hallé’s prescriptions, consisting in frictions
with cantharides, and douches to the spine; but the next year the evil
increased, the sensibility in the hands diminished, and there was
difficulty in moving the right hand.
“Eighteen months afterward, the lower extremities became perfectly
paralyzed: they were less warm than the rest of the body; yet, when
cold water was applied to them, it produced a burning sensation. The
right arm, forearm, and hand, often felt fatigue: its motions were
less free, and the patient sometimes found it difficult to write. The
limb of the opposite side was not affected. The disease of the bladder,
which had existed for several years, was also increased.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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