That certain medicaments, aliments, and so forth, do possess an _aphrodisiac_ power, is not to be denied; but when adopted by those weak beings, whose bodies are either worn out by age or excess, and who pin their faith to such restoratives, the little remaining sensibility in their frames, the source of life and energy, can not sustain the shock of reaction; and the result is, total annihilation or death. From what has already been stated, it will be perceived, that the mind exercises no inconsiderable influence over the functions of the organs of generation: and as the state of the mind depends upon the particular circumstances under which it may be placed, any attempt to establish a code of instructions, applicable to every instance in which a sportive fancy, or disturbed imagination, constituted the prevailing cause, would be abortive, and might be considered as pandering to a vicious and depraved appetite, whereas the object of this treatise is only to encourage the diffident, to assist the afflicted, and render a service to those legitimately deserving it. As excess in sexual indulgence impairs the generative power, no less injurious may entire abstinence be considered. The due exercise of an organ tends to its perfection, as the neglect or misuse of it, to its impairment. Besides, there is not any wonderful virtue in abstaining from the proper use of the sexes. Why, in the name of morality, were such powerful impulses and desires bestowed upon us? Why were such wonderful organizations given to us, if they were not originally designed to be used by every one who is possessed of them? Society, in its present form, is not perhaps constructed with a philosophical regard to our own natural instincts, and our own original rights. Among the causes that induce _impuissance_, or that distressing condition known under the cognomen of _nervous debility_, there is not one more reprehensive than the unworthy and pernicious practice of self-abuse. It is much to be regretted, that some medical writer, of talent and estimation in society, has not turned his attention to the subject, and given the influence of his name in denouncing to the world the misery and devastation which are the unerring consequences of this sordid and solitary vice. It is indeed an unpleasant and thankless task; and there probably exists in most minds, an unwillingness to enter upon a subject in which there is so much difficulty in selecting language sufficiently appropriate to exhibit the folly in its true colors, without offending the ears of the chaste and virtuous.