I am by no means of the Author’s Opinion, that Self-pollution is entirely occasion’d by Ignorance, Secrecy, Shame, or other particular Causes mention’d in his Treatise, as I have already observ’d, with my Reasons confuting the same; to which I may add, this farther, that few, or no Persons can be ignorant, that Self-pollution is a Sin. I look upon it to be more a natural Distemper occasion’d by a vicious ferment of the Blood, than to proceed from any of the Causes set forth by the Author of Self-pollution, and that this may be agitated by lewd Company, Obscene Pictures, _&c._ It is impossible, that ignorance can increase this Crime, when it is esteem’d the Mother of Devotion, and in my Opinion, the firmest limits to Chastity. Without some experience, no considerable progress can be made, and ’tis the highest inconsistency to call an experienc’d Person ignorant. Other Causes of Self-pollution, I take it may be justly attributed to the very great hazards Young Gentlemen are constantly expos’d to with Women of the Town (not that I allow any unlawful desires) for tho’ the Crime of Self-pollution be in its nature heinous, and the Consequences are to be fear’d by all considerate Persons, yet the Sin doth not in any respect seem so dreadful to vigorous Youth, as that of Whoredom, and the Calamities attending, are generally more remote in prospect. A Clap or a Pox will immediately ensue in the most terrible manner (the Beauty of the Front, and the most valuable parts of the Body, being particularly in danger) in the case of Copulation with an unsound Woman, when the consequences of Self-pollution only steal on you by degrees, and will be a considerable space before the direful Effects shall be visible. This I take to be a principal Cause of Self-pollution, especially where Persons have suffer’d in their Intrigues with lewd Women; and what encreases it in this case, is the pernicious Salt of a transmissive Nature, oftentimes remaining in the center of the Blood, upon taking unbounded quantities of Mercurial Preparations; some Young Gentlemen have confess’d to me, that after the cure of the secret Disease by Quack-physicians, their Inclinations have encreas’d, with the number of their venerial Maladies, which can proceed from no other cause than a pollution of the Blood occasion’d by the Dregs of ill prepar’d Medicines.