N-- O-- was addicted to onanism, from twelve to eighteen years of age; but could not renounce this fatal habit, although reminded of its danger by a curve in the spine, and by other symptoms. When received at la Charité Hospital, in 1806, beside a well marked gibbosity, he presented a congested abscess at the upper and inner part of the thigh. Two cauteries were applied to the sides of the vertebral prominences: these suppurated freely, but did no good. The abscess was punctured in several places. This young man, who could not survive, left the hospital; so that the organic changes produced by his disease could not be verified. (_Jour. de Med., Chir. and Phar._; vol. xvii., p. 261.) The same author has related another case, which terminated more fortunately:--A child, seven or eight years old, addicted to masturbation, entered at la Charité, affected with gibbosity and paralysis of the lower limbs. During the month he stayed in the hospital, several cauteries were applied around the tumor, which suppurated; tonics and strengthening medicines were administered internally. He left, perfectly cured of the paralysis, and of the other symptoms caused by the affection of the medulla; but the deformity resulting from the prominence formed by the spinous processes of the vertebræ continued. Three years after, this child, who had abstained from this bad habit, had experienced no relapse. We have seen, in several of the preceding cases, that permanent contractions of the lower limbs resulted, in onanists, from affections of the spinal marrow. Guersent, also, admits the possibility of essential contractions--that is, those which do not result from a disease of the nervous centres. According to this practitioner, these kinds of contractions are seen most frequently in those nervous children who indulge in bad habits, like that of masturbation. The following case has been considered by him as an instance of this affection:--