Page:A Treatise on the Diseases produced by Onanism, Masturbation, Self-pollution, and other excesses.djvu/14

Rh Some even consider this cause of disease, as one o the most fatal and active. "In my opinion," says Réveillé-Parise, "neither the plague, nor war, no small-pox, nor similar diseases, have produced results so disastrous to humanity as the pernicious habit of onanism: it is the destroying element of civilized societies, which is constantly in action, and gradually undermines the health of a nation." (Revue Medicale, April, 1828, p. 93.) No one has disputed the dangers of this kind of excess. Many authors, how ever, have thought, that writers had exaggerated on this subject. Thus Montègre says that "the bad consequences (although they do exist) attending premature indulgences have sometimes been exaggerated (Dict. des sc. med. vol. vi. p. 100.) Georget's opinion is similar. According to him, (Physiologie du système nerveux vol. i.) most authors and Tissot among others have much exaggerated the effects of masturbation.

It will be seen, with how much reserve these authors speak. The injury arising from this habit, say they, is very great, but it has been overrated. Let us now examine upon what grounds they and others have been, led to consider these fears as too great we shall see by what reasoning they have been governed, and if they are correct.

Montègre was struck by the instances of individuals who were addicted to onanism from early childhood and who, however, in the prime of vigour and health had attained an age to which men do not generally arrive, or to whom advanced age comes loaded with troubles. But do we not see old soldiers who have always escaped bullets? Now what do these facts prove except that such individuals exist? It has also been stated, that influenced with what they have read in books, which contain the most formidable cases, as those only are printed, many physicians have attributed too much importance to the diseases caused by onanism. But admitting this, may we not conclude also, that many severe affections which it produces are not referred to it? That in attending cases of