THE reader will allow that it can not be for want of materials to produce a book, that this subject is introduced, as the multifarious nature of this work’s contents will readily testify; but it is briefly to explain certain probabilities and conjectures which the afflicted curious are generally desirous of being satisfied upon. Who ever suffered under syphilis but was solicitous to know how such a plague came into the world? Many moralists believe and insist that it is a specific punishment, sent for our physical transgressions. Philosophically speaking, such it is; because the infringement of any natural law always incurs a penalty. However, if it be a manifestation of divine displeasure, it certainly is most unequally apportioned; for it generally happens to the least licentious, instead of the most depraved—the timid, scrupulous, and nervous man, contracting it on the first loose intercourse, whereas the man of the town revels almost with impunity; and, lastly, he who exercises the greatest caution and cleanliness escapes it altogether, although he may be the most deserving of the infliction. In a state of timorous excitement, we are more apt to catch the latent mischief. The careless, thoughtless libertine, hardened against infection by indifference, free living, and probably strong health, often escapes scot-free; and the cool and calculating pleasure-hunter, who exercises those useful antagonists to disease, namely, ablution and selection, comes off triumphant with still greater certainty.