The Silent Friend; A Medical Work, on the Disorders Produced by the Dangerous Effects of Onanism [&C.] a Medical Work, on the Disorders Produced by th

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847. Excerpt: ... ONANISM AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. The practice of the solitary vice, onanism, manustupration or masturbation has been condemned by all writers, whether medical men, philosophers, or divines, from the earliest ages of mankind. One of its names, onanism, is derived from the saddening example of Onan the second son of Judah, who was struck dead by his Creator for the commission of this heinous sin. In other places in Scripture, allusions are made to this dangerous practice, and fearful denunciations are announced against those who are guilty--denunciations which are fully carried out in the wretchedness of health both of body and mind, which follow its commission. Man cannot err against the dictates of nature, without paying a severe penalty for his lapse sooner or later. The penalty exacted for onanism is one of the most serious and awful nature. It involves a gradual exhaustion of the powers of mind and body, and an early death, attended with every suffering that man can endure. Every function of the system becomes disordered and diseased; and at last the wretched victim of error perishes in a state of misery too fearful to contemplate. The exhaustion of the system, caused by excessive evacuations of any kind, is constantly shewn by the results of many of the diseases to which flesh is heir. Of all these there is not one which exerts so malificent an influence on the frame, as excessive discharge of the seminal fluid, whether it be poured forth in a healthy condition, or whether it be diseased, thin and watery, in consequence of the habitual practice of one of the most dangerous habits man can acquire. Sexual intercourse if carried to excess, is markedly injurious; daily experience is confirmatory of the assertion, but the injury resulting from self-pollution ...