Part 2 — CHAPTER I. PRESERVATIVE MEANS RELATIVE TO VENEREAL EXCESSES.

The preservative rules which relate to venereal excesses present fundamental differences, as to the success and facility of their application, according as reference is made to the act of masturbation or coition. Let us point out these differences.

Coition is an act, the mode and purport of which, considered in a scientific point of view, are legitimate; and which, consequently, is lawful, so long as the constitution and health are unimpaired. Hence, it should not be prohibited, except when abused—that is, when indulged in too often, or under circumstances which render it injurious. Except in these cases, it may be permitted, or even advised. When it is forbidden, the advice is generally understood, as it is commonly addressed to adults, children having neither the power nor the opportunity to indulge in coition. This advice may be easily followed, as the individual who indulges in coition to excess, may find it absolutely impossible to indulge: in fact, means to satisfy his taste can only be found by the concurrence of another. Hence, it is only necessary to shun this concurrence, to render this kind of excess impossible. To address one’s self to the reason of an adult—or, rather, of a young man—and to create for him, if he cannot create for himself, obstacles to sexual relations, these are the only two preservative indications which abuses of coition require. We have discharged the first, or have stated the mode of fulfilling it, by mentioning the bad consequences attending these abuses, and by making known the circumstances which render the act of venery injurious to those addicted to it. Hence, we shall not return to the subject. The second indication can find no place in a book, and consequently will not detain us. Our remedies, then, as to preservation, will apply exclusively to onanism. In a subsequent page, when we are treating of the restorative remedies, the distinction here laid down between this habit and coition will disappear; and we can then treat of all venereal excesses conjointly.

Although coition, if confined within certain limits, and under certain circumstances, may not be forbidden, this is not the case with masturbation. This latter indulgence has nothing legitimate in it; and nothing respectable—nothing which can palliate the veto of the physician. We are aware that onanism is not always necessarily followed by any inconvenience or danger; but, practically, this distinction disappears. But onanism, without regard to the mode, its frequence, or the individuals or circumstances under which it occurs, may always be considered an abuse, and, consequently, be earnestly proscribed.

This view of the subject rests on two facts: one is fundamental, and applies to all individuals, without distinction of age, sex, or constitution; the other relates only to those who are addicted to onanism, before they are perfectly formed and constituted. The first of these motives is founded on this, that when this practice is not actually bad, it may constantly be suspected of becoming so. When onanism once commences, it is difficult to say how far it will extend. The taste for it, and the facility of indulging in it at night, and often in the day, cause this habit to be in a measure indulged in without limits. It becomes so soon imperious, and the despotism it exercises is so absolute, that we ought always to attempt its prevention. It should be regarded as a scourge, and be treated as such, without waiting for the bad effects which may result from it. This course is still more necessary, when children, young patients, and individuals who have not attained their growth, are interested. When maturity arrives, the evil is possible; before it happens, it is probable, and often certain. Farther: our remarks on precocious enjoyments prevent our recurring to the subject.

Before speaking of the preservative means, a question presents itself. How can it be told when these means may be used? or, in other words, what are the signs which indicate that an individual is an onanist, or may become so? The suspicion may extend very far: in fact, every age is exposed to it, as onanism is possible from early life to old age: it, however, belongs to the age before puberty. A great many young girls and boys masturbate: hence, this maybe suspected of every one. This habit is less frequent, but it is far from being rare. The precautions to prevent onanism, and constant vigilance, should then be exercised constantly towards children and young people—in fact, towards all who are not of mature age. This rule is an important one; and cannot be neglected, without exposing one to danger and to deep regrets.

It would be desirable to ascertain the existence of onanism before its effects appear; but this is seldom the case. There is in children a kind of instinct which leads them to conceal this manœuvre, although they have not learned that it is an illicit act. The art with which they elude vigilance is often inconceivable. Watch where the child goes. Have an eye to him who seeks solitude—who remains a long time alone, and who cannot give a good account of himself. Be watchful about the periods of lying down and of rising. At this time, the onanist may be detected in the act. His hands are never out of bed, and his face is often hidden under the bed-clothes. Soon after lying down, he appears sound asleep: this circumstance, which always causes distrust in the experienced man, is one of those which contribute the most to inspire the parents with a feeling of security. The affectation of sleep in the young person may serve to detect him. When approached, he is frequently found red, and covered with sweat, although neither the temperature of the chamber, the weight of bed-clothes, nor any other cause, can explain this state: at the same time, the respiration is more hurried, the pulse is fuller, harder, and more frequent; the veins are larger, and the heat is greater, than usual; in fine, there is that kind of fever, of general turgescence, which usually attends the act of venery.

When the young person is disturbed suddenly, his hands, if he has not had time to remove them, will be found on or near the genital organs. The penis, also, may be found in a state of erection; or you may even find marks of recent pollution, which might be known by the peculiar odor arising from the semen, and which comes from the soiled fingers. Have an eye to those young persons, whose hands, when in bed, or during sleep, are in the position described: they are onanists, or will become so. The same is true in those who frequently have erections of the penis. This erection, and this attitude, are certainly not positive signs of onanism; but they are the probable, or precursory signs of it: they should not, then, be neglected. The stains of semen, on the bed-clothes or dress, may also increase suspicion. When the patients are very young, they are not very evident, the fluid which they emit not having the characters of real semen: the traces which it leaves, however, are too remarkable, not to cause suspicion as to their origin. In those who have attained the age of puberty, there would be nothing equivocal: the only question then would be, that they might be produced by involuntary pollution. On this topic, we would remark, that this pollution seldom occurs before the age of fifteen or sixteen years, and is seldom frequent before twenty. When involuntary discharges of semen are frequent in young persons, you may be assured that they are the indirect results of onanism: hence, there is reason to regard stains of semen as positive proofs of onanism, when the patients have not attained the age of puberty; and as more probable signs of this habit, when older, if these stains be frequent.

A loss of color, or an earthy tint of the countenance—a violet appearance of the eyelids—a languid expression of face—an air of fatigue and nonchalance, when the patient rises from bed—a difficulty in getting up—are all signs which may lead to the discovery of this pernicious habit. Here we might trace the physical state produced by onanism, if this had not already been done. Unfortunately, it is consumption which sounds the alarm; and this disease must be advanced, too, before the parents seek the cause. Sometimes, the true cause is overlooked, and all remedies are directed to an imaginary one. We will admit, however, that it is not always easy to refer the wasting caused by masturbation to its real origin. A young man, although not addicted to onanism, may lose his strength, grow thin, and present, both morally and physically, the characters belonging to this habit: this effect is often produced by intestinal worms, by dentition, puberty, by a too rapid growth of the body, &c.; and likewise by some chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, lungs, heart, &c. Hence, we should not be too quick to attribute to masturbation a state which may be produced by other causes. The practitioner who would pronounce too precipitately that a patient indulged in onanism, would commit an error which might be serious in more than one respect.

When a young patient presents signs of consumption, there is cause to suspect that onanism is the cause of it; and modes may be used to ascertain whether this be the case. Sometimes, the patient is watched, as has already been stated. Sometimes, we attempt to discover if any other cause has produced consumption; and when this cause is not found, the existence of onanism is supposed. The patient, for instance, presents all the symptoms of exhaustion, and these increase. We inquire if this state may not result from a want of nourishment, or from improper food—from hard work—from long watching—from melancholy, &c.; if it may not be caused by a disease about which the patient is silent, or by one of those maladies which produce effects similar to those of masturbation. Now, if the gradual sinkings of the patient cannot be explained by any of these causes; if he is weak, pale, thin, &c.; if, notwithstanding abundant and nutritious diet, a moderate degree of labor, the absence of all chagrin, &c.; if he presents no sign of disease—or, rather, if the first symptoms of diseases which he would present are not manifested until after the appearance of those of consumption; farther, if these diseases are too slight to have caused this state; if they cannot explain the numerous and varied symptoms observed, and particularly the countenance, the character of which is so significant, that it alone often reveals onanism: then we may consider, if not as certain, at least as very probable, that the patient is a victim to this habit, and we must act accordingly.

But, of all the proofs, it is most important to obtain an avowal of the habit from the patient. First, it removes all doubt; then it renders the action of the physician more frank, and consequently more efficacious. He is no longer fearful of wounding his feelings—of compromising his character, by showing a wrongly founded suspicion; of awaking the attention of the young patient to a subject of which he was ignorant, or of teaching it to him. Advice, remonstrances, punishments, and all the moral remedies, are now easily applicable; and if therapeutic or coercive measures are called for, the patient can no longer deny their utility, and reject their use. Finally, an avowal places the physician, parents, instructors—in short, all who have authority over the patient—in a position to proceed directly to their aim, and thereby attain it.

An avowal never takes place spontaneously: to obtain it is difficult. With males, one need not be so particular; but we must be careful with females. On this topic, no positive advice can be given: much must be left to the tact of the practitioner. We will only add, that we have more than once simply given advice; and we could see, from the manner in which it was received, that our conjectures were right. The physician, however, should always attempt to acquire the confidence of the onanist, to place him at his ease. They have no frankness when a person is stern, or when a moral lecture is expected. The physician should confine himself to his profession. In his eye, onanism should be regarded as a cause of disease—as a cause similar to an excess of labor, bad regimen—in fact, like any influence which might prove injurious to the health. If he should moralize, he would probably be debarred from that confidence which would enable him to give advice, and prescribe the resources of the art.

Masturbation is often overlooked, because it is thought that the hand is a necessary agent in producing it: this is far from being the case; as it may be indulged in, by both sexes, without the aid of the hands. When this is suspected, it is soon discovered, by the manners, face, and silence of the onanist: there is something unusual in the appearance of the patient, which is readily observed; and generally, also, the thighs are crossed, or, at least, are pressed closely together.

To prevent the development of the habit, and, when it is developed, to arrest it, are the two indications prescribed by hygeia. These two indications may be embraced in one—that of preventing the occurrence of onanism. If, for instance, you have before you the case of two individuals, one of whom is not addicted to onanism, while the other may be, you should prevent one from continuing, and the other from commencing it. In the two cases, the means used have the same tendency; only when you wish to prevent the habit commenced, you have need of more efforts than in the first case, where it does not exist. These means are, then, preventive—essentially preventive; for, whatever may be their mode of action, they all tend to prevent the act. Although the prevention of onanism, and the arrest of the habit, are apparently different, yet we shall state the mode of attaining this double result, to avoid repetitions.

In masturbation, we must consider three things—the desire, the will, and the power. Onanism is not possible, where these three conditions do not exist: there is no wish without desire; and the latter is often completely mastered by the former, and both present no result, if there be no possibility of indulging. Hence, to prevent masturbation, and to arrest it, the desire, the wish, the power to indulge, must not exist. These are, as it has been seen, three distinct indications. It is sufficient to attain one of them. It is easily seen, that by appeasing the desire, the will is aided; and the obstacles opposed would be more efficacious, the less vivid the desire, and the weaker the will. It is, therefore, sufficiently understood, that the three indications we have mentioned, although very distinct, require each of them special means, the attainment of one of which renders that of the others useless, while they all can and may be pursued conjointly.

§ 1. FIRST INDICATION. TO PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF THE DESIRE TO MASTURBATE, TO PREVENT ITS RETURN, AND TO ABRIDGE ITS POWER.

The desire of masturbation is very distinct from venereal desires, which may be felt without experiencing the other. This desire is special: it is that of onanism, and no other. The influences, also—the result of which is more or less proximate, and which is to excite the genital sense—are only the indirect and predisposing causes of onanism. The direct and efficient causes are those which lead to the indulgence of it, and the preferring of it to coition. Consequently, two indications relate to the desire of masturbation: one consists in preventing the exaltation of the venereal sense, or in appeasing it; and the second, in preventing or destroying the special causes of the desire of onanism. We proceed to study these two indications in succession.

1. Rules relative to the general or indirect causes of onanism.—The genital sense, and, consequently, the venereal desires, may be felt too vividly and too early, in consequence of different circumstances, which may be divided into two groups. Some belong to the human body, and consist in certain innate acquired arrangements of the organization, in consequence of which the venereal sense presents more or less susceptibility. Others consist in different influences, as education, food, climate, kind of life, &c.; which may act on the sensibility in general, and particularly on that of the genital system. We will begin with the rules connected with the former.

Of the innate or acquired causes of venereal excitement, and of the rules of preservation connected with them.—Some individuals seem, as it were, marked by their organization, to become victims of venereal excesses. In them, the genital sense is excited, and exercises great power, long before the usual period of its manifestation. In others, on the contrary, this sense is not excited until late: in fact, it is so slight, that even this excitement may be doubted. In the present state of the science, these differences can by no means be accounted for. In many cases, however the great development of certain organs, the increase of their vitality or their diseased state exercise considerable influence on the strength and precocity of the venereal sense.

Gall, and the phrenologists of his school, place amativeness in the cerebellum. They consider this organ as the legislator of the sexual parts, the seat of physical love; and assert that the differences in the mass and vitality of this portion of the brain, correspond exactly to the differences of the intensity of the genital desires. We will proceed to mention the different facts on which these physiologists formed their opinion.

Comparative anatomy furnishes them with no argument worthy of mention: in fine, facts contradictory to Gall’s opinion may be derived from numerous classes of animals who have been deprived of their cerebellum, and yet have exercised the act of reproduction. This opinion applies only to man, and the mammalia resembling him. The relation between the development of the cerebellum and that of the genital organs, has furnished a more plausible reason: it has been adduced as an argument, that, in the encephalon, the fibres of the cerebellum are the last to appear distinctly; and this organ is not perfect, till from the age of eighteen to twenty-six years. A remark of Sœmmering, also, has been adduced, to show that the cerebellum, at the period of puberty, is to the cerebrum as one to five, while in infancy it is only as one to seven.

We have already seen that the genital sense is more powerful in males than in females. But it is said positively, that the cerebellum is commonly smaller in females than in males.

Phrenologists have also sought to establish a reciprocity of action between the genital organs and the cerebellum, by means of the results of castration, and also the influence which the development of the cerebellum may have on the testicles. Castration, (say they,) while it opposes the development of the sense of venery, prevents the cerebellum from gaining the size it would otherwise have attained. Observe, too, how much broader the neck in the bull is, than in the ox. They have also advanced, that if castration occurs only at a period when the cerebellum acquires its development, the genital sense may survive this operation; that, in some cases, it may reduce this organ to a state approximating atrophy; that the removal of one testicle from an animal, whatever may be its species, may produce atrophy, or some alteration in the lobe of the cerebellum, on the side opposite to the testicle removed. They have added, that the alteration of the cerebellum had caused a wasting of the testicles; and that, in the cases where one of the lobes only was disorganized, the testicle of the opposite side was alone affected. According to Gall and his disciples, the size of the cerebellum is discerned externally by the size and breadth of the nucha. They remark, that this part of the skull is generally more convex in males than in females—in entire animals, than in those who have been castrated—in early life, and in those individuals who are distinguished for their salacity, more than in those who are not susceptible to the pleasures of love. Larrey pointed out to Gall a soldier, whose antipathy to females amounted to mania: the sight of a female caused in him violent convulsions, and almost fury. Spurzheim saw a similar instance in England. Now, in both of these individuals, the cerebellum was but slightly developed. The portraits of Newton, Charles XII., and Kant, according to Gall, by the narrowness of the neck, show that the organ of which we were speaking was but slightly developed in these great men, who history states had but little relish for venereal pleasures. Dispositions diametrically opposite, on the contrary, co-exist with an enlarged volume of the brain. The following is related by Gall:—

“A highly intellectual lady was affected from infancy with very passionate desires; and her careful education alone saved her from those excesses to which she was exposed by her violent temperament. When arrived at a more advanced age, she was left to herself. She attempted every mode to satisfy her burning passions; but enjoyment seemed only to irritate her. She was frequently almost in a state of mania. In despair, she left her house, quitted the city, and took refuge with her mother, in a desolate country, where the want of exciting objects, and the utmost severity, and the cares of gardening, prevented the evil. After a time, she returned again to a large city, was again threatened with relapse, and took refuge a second time with her mother. On returning, she came to see me at Paris, and complained to me in great despair. ‘On every side, I see images of luxury—in every place—at table, and even in my sleep, the demon pursues me. I shall either be mad, or die.’

“I told her briefly the natural history of the instinct of propagation. I called her attention to the form of her neck. Although her head was very large, yet the diameter of the nucha exceeded the distance from ear to ear. She formed an idea of the cause of her state. I advised her to visit her mother again; to vary her occupations, so as to diminish the activity of her cerebellum; to apply leeches to the nucha, to diminish the irritation of this organ; to avoid all stimulating meats and drinks, &c. &c.

“I have seen at Paris,” says the same author, “a boy, five years old, who seemed sixteen, in respect to his corporeal strength. His genital organs were perfectly developed; his beard was strong; his voice was rough and hoarse: in short, he presented all the signs of virility.”

Dr. Gall was struck, also, with the development of the cerebellum in a boy ten years old, who had been detained in a house of correction at Leipzick, for having violated a young girl. He had also seen at Paris a young mulatto, less than three years old, who was remarkable in the same respect. He made advances, not only to young girls, but to women, and urged them to consent to his desires. His sexual organs, with the exception of long-continued erections, exhibited nothing remarkable. As he was surrounded by girls who indulged him, he died of consumption before he was five years old. His cerebellum was unusually developed; the rest of the head was of the common size. Gall has related other instances of the kind.

A case published by Dr. Chauffard, of Avignon, deserves to be stated here. This physician accompanied the prefect in 1823, in his tour to the departments, to examine those young men who wished to be discharged from military service. A stout farmer, with coarse beard and hair, and disagreeable odor, was undressed, being, as it was said, affected with a disease which he dared not name. It was at the close of December; the season was cold, and the room very chilly. No sooner was he undressed, than the penis began to swell. He was confused—he blushed—he turned his back to the assistants. He could not avoid the priapism; nor, finally, an emission of semen, which took place without a sensible diminution in the size of this organ. This man was ignorant and stupid, but he answered questions correctly. He said he was always tormented by continual erections, often followed by seminal emissions. He even admitted that he was accustomed to solicit them. His neck was short; broad, and thick; the posterior portion of the occipital bone presented a very marked slope: finally, the cerebellar portion of the cranium was very prominent, and much developed. This man was reformed. (Jour. univ. des Sc. Med., December, 1828.) We have also observed a very remarkable development of the posterior part of the skull, in a boy eight years old, who was addicted to masturbation for several years, and whose penis was almost constantly in a state of erection. This prominence so elongated the antero posterior diameter of the cranium, that the mother found it difficult to fit caps to his head.

One of Gall’s most distinguished pupils, Dr. Voisin, has tested phrenology, in a visit recently made to the convict galley, at Toulon. Renaud, the Director, informed of the scientific purpose of the visit of this physician, allowed him to examine the cerebral organs of 350 thieves, forgers, or homicides; among whom he had designedly distributed 22 other convicts, condemned for rape, requesting M. Voisin to discover them from this number, by examining the posterior part of the head. This gentleman picked out 22, 13 of whom only were condemned for violence. Thus, then, he had selected nine who were not guilty of this crime; and, on the contrary, had allowed to escape him nine who had been committed. Now, the nine wrongly selected were libertines, whom the Director admitted required to be constantly watched; and the nine, on the contrary, whom he had not detected, were guilty by accident, or when intoxicated: with them, libertinism was only accidental, and not organic.

A few experimental proofs have been invoked, in support of Gall’s opinions of the cerebellum. We will cite a remark made by Serres, as to those bulls killed by striking them on the back of the neck. “The penis, in those where the cerebellum was injured, oscillated very evidently during the experiment.” The same gentleman observed a very marked erection in a young horse, who was killed by plunging a knife into the cerebellum. Segalas has produced the same effect in Guinea pigs, by pushing a stylet into this organ.

The principal proofs, however, have been drawn from the action of the diseased cerebellum on the genital apparatus. Thus, the erection of the penis in those who die by hanging, has been attributed, by Gall, to the affection of the cerebellum in this kind of death. Cruvelhier has contested this explanation. He thinks it may be explained by the stasis of the venous blood. “Respiration,” says he, “is retarded, in consequence of the medulla oblongata; and hence results a semi-asphyxic state, favorable to erection. In hanging, there may be an affection of the cervical part of the medulla; and priapism has been observed more than once in lesions of this part.” Phrenologists have also shown, that this symptom often follows the application of a blister or seton to the neck. Another fact, to show the connection of the cerebellum with the genital apparatus, is that of a soldier, whose generative powers had disappeared, after the fleshy scalp of the occiput had been removed by the blow of a sabre. We doubt whether similar cases to this, which was observed by Larry, have often occurred; although Dr. Bischoff has advanced, that wounds of the back of the head, and blows on this part, have often been followed by inflammation of the genitals.

Peculiar excitement of these organs has more than once attended a disease of the cerebellum. We have already mentioned this fact; and the cases stated were selected as those where the affection of the cerebellum might be considered as produced by venereal excesses. In those now to be mentioned, the genital excitement is, or seems to be, the consequence of this affection.

Erection of the penis, with or without pollutions, has several times been noticed as a symptom of apoplexy of the cerebellum. This phenomenon may have been observed in some cases of this affection which we have cited. Serres was the first one to call attention to this phenomenon, in his Memoir on Apoplexy of the Cerebellum, inserted in the Journal of Experimental Physiology; the principal facts of which have been adduced in his work on the comparative anatomy of the brain. One fact is, that of a man, forty-six years old, who died with violent apoplexy of the cerebellum, during which satyriasis and ejaculation appeared, with swelling of all the genital organs. Similar cases, which it is unnecessary to state here, might be added. One of them was observed by Falret. “The priapism was presented to my observation with a very remarkable circumstance. The patient had been affected with apoplexy, and presented a complete paralysis of the left side of the body. Different nervous symptoms indicated that there was also great irritation of the encephalon or its membranes. This man, although half frantic, made amorous proposals to the female who attended him, and presented a semi-erection of the penis: this part, instead of being straight, presented a concavity, which looked towards the side not paralyzed. I regret that I could not examine the cadaver of this individual. The affection of the genital organs, in apoplexies of the cerebellum, might probably have been noticed in many cases, if it had been sought after.” It has not been noted, in any of the cases analyzed by Andral. Cruvelhier, also, has never noticed priapism, in a case of apoplexy of the cerebellum which he has seen; but he adds, that he would not dare to say that it has never existed—at least, temporarily. In fact, it may easily escape observation.

Hydrocephalic patients often show a great passion for venereal indulgences. Gall, in noticing this remark, observes, that of all the parts of the encephalon, this is the least changed in these individuals. Chauffard has seen a hydrocephalic patient, fourteen to fifteen years old, with an enormous head, who was addicted to masturbation, and spoke of the pleasures he derived from it.

An acute or chronic irritation of the cerebellum, or of its envelopes, may cause venereal symptoms more than the alterations just mentioned. In a cadaver, brought from the hospital Bicetre to the amphitheatre, where the penis and testes were considerably swelled, the whole of the cerebellum was inflamed. One of the most interesting facts of this kind was reported by Chauffard. It was that of a man, fifty-three years old, of pleasant manners and mild character, who, in falling, struck his head against the bed-post. The inferior occipital region became inflamed; and subsequently, the habits of the patient were much changed: he became affected with satyriasis, and was so salacious, that he persecuted his wife and daughter, and all the females around him. This man, hitherto pious and modest, gradually became affected with the most violent erotic delirium, and finally committed the most indecent acts. During the next three months, this state increased; but, at the same time, his strength and intelligence failed. Finally, one day, after a violent fit of anger, occasioned by the refusal of his wife to listen to him, he became convulsed. The pain left the back part of the head, and affected the top of it. The left side of the body now began to be paralyzed; and the satyriasis was replaced by religious delirium, with constant mumbling of prayers. The patient died eight days afterward. According to Chauffard, at first, there was an affection of the cerebellum. When the state of the patient was changed, the organ of veneration was affected: this organ corresponds to the central posterior and superior part of the frontal bone, where the patient finally felt severe pain.

Was not the cerebellum, also, affected, in the following case reported by Sainte Marie:—“A merchant of Lyons, an educated and honorable man, seemed to be cured of an inveterate venereal affection, for which he had undergone a course of treatment with mercury. He, however, complained of restlessness, heat in the throat, pains in the occiput and nucha, and frequent erections. In 1812, after domestic troubles, he became affected with furious delirium. This state lasted three days, and terminated in priapism; during which, the patient had fourteen emissions in a few hours. This singular crisis resulted in a perfect calm: extreme debility, however, remained, which soon yielded to tonics and analeptics. Two years and a half afterward, this disease reappeared, under the influence of these same causes, and with similar symptoms. The termination was the same. There was a slight return of it after two years; but, this time, the patient escaped with slight erections, without much loss of semen.”

Facts of a similar character have induced several authors to attribute satyriasis and nymphomania exclusively to an innate or accidental state of the cerebellum. “The material condition of satyriasis,” says Voisin, “resides in the encephalon; and in all cases, the deranged manifestation of it depends on the nature and preponderating power of the cerebellum, or on those moral and intellectual causes which have favored the development of this organ—or, rather, on the external circumstances which at the moment of disease have brought it violently into action.” On the other hand, the localization of physical love in the cerebellum has been violently contested by excellent observers, particularly by Flourens and Bouillaud, who consider as the special function of this organ its presidence over locomotion. Bouillaud, particularly, has attempted to establish, by analyzing the observations of Gall and Serres, that they are not so conclusive as these authors asserted, and that they may be interpreted differently. Chauffard thinks that Gall has gone too far, and that his remark, that physical love and erections should not be attributed to the presence of the semen and the irritation which it causes, should be qualified by using the term exclusively. We also think, that, thus altered, Gall’s remark would be more just. The cerebellum has certainly a powerful action on salacity; but we shall see that each part of the genital apparatus exercises one equally great; and that, consequently, the organic principle of the state of rutting, and of venereal excesses, cannot be sought for solely in the encephalon.

In consequence of Gall’s opinions, many authors, among whom we will mention Chauffard, Voisin, and Londe, have thought it necessary, in order to subdue too great a degree of amativeness, to make applications directly to the cerebellum. Some attempts have seemed to justify this view of the subject. Sainte Marie says, that a physician of Lyons has cured inveterate nocturnal pollutions, by applying ice to the occiput and nucha before going to bed. A man, thirty years old, had three or four seminal emissions every night, which Lallemand had tried in vain to cure, by cauterizing the ejaculatory canals. Gensoult applied leeches and ice to the nucha: the pollutions were arrested, as if by magic. Serres, who reports this case, adds, that, since the publication of his memoir on cerebellar apoplexy, he has seen two cases of apoplexy, where erections appeared during the paroxysms. Both were cured by applying leeches and emollient cataplasms to the nucha. Might not narcotics be applied, endermically, near the cerebellum, to subdue the onanistic satyriasis? Might not belladonna, opium, &c., introduced in this manner, be used with advantage? Might not, also, the hair of the head be kept short, especially behind, and rest on a pillow of hair, instead of feathers? Setons and blisters, also, should be applied to the neck, in onanists, only with the utmost care; and they should be removed as soon as they are considered indispensable. Besides the irritation caused near the cerebellum, the influence of the cantharides is to be guarded against.

We have already stated, that there is a reciprocity of action between different organs: if there be one which exercises a marked influence on the other, the latter will in turn affect the former. This may be proved by the cerebellum, which sometimes becomes diseased after abuses of the genital organs, and sometimes communicates to these organs the over-excitement which is accidentally seated in it: the spinal marrow, also, confirms the fact.

Willis, who, before Gall, had sought to localize in the nervous centres the faculty of reproduction, had designated the spinal marrow as the organ of this faculty. Numerous observations, and many experiments, have lately given some credit to this opinion. Segalas, who produced erections of the penis in Guinea pigs, by introducing a stylet into the cerebellum, caused ejaculations by pushing this instrument into the spinal column, near the lumbar region. Serres repeated this last experiment, and the result was similar: he therefore concluded that the lower part of the spinal marrow acts on the secretory and excreting seminal apparatus, as the cerebellum acts on the genital sense. We shall see, also, that this opinion is too positive, as the lesions of the medulla exert a marked action on erection of the penis and the venereal sense, besides the influence on the ejaculation attributed to it by Serres.

A case, reported by Lenhossek, seems to establish, that compression and atrophy of the spinal marrow may oppose the development of the genital organs. This patient was twenty-four years old: he was thin, wasted, and his height was that of an individual twelve years of age. Neither his face nor genital system presented the characters of puberty. This individual died suddenly; and it was found, that in consequence of a malformation of the first and second cervical vertebræ, the diameter of the occipital foramen was contracted one half. The medulla oblongata had been compressed in this part, and its development was impeded. Might not the singular disease, observed by Larrey in Egypt, and afterward in Paris, be referred to an affection of the spinal marrow? Here the testicles gradually wasted; the patient lost the power of feeling venereal sensations, and also that of erections; the lower extremities shrunk away, and tottered; the face was discolored; the digestive powers and intellectual faculties were deranged. Does not this coincidence, of a considerable weakening of the lower extremities and the wasting of the testicles, indicate that this latter has been the consequence of an affection of the spinal marrow?

Dupuytren long since established the fact, that priapism was caused by a lesion of this organ. Numerous instances of this are found in Olivier’s work on the spinal marrow: they prove, that every part of the medulla, but particularly the cervical portion, when injured, may cause an erection of the penis. Potain, Renauldin, and Hedelhofer, have stated similar facts. This last author saw a man who fell upon his sacrum, and instantly had an emission. Professor Fages was in the habit of mentioning the following case in his lectures:—“An aid-de-camp of General Dumourier was affected with complete paralysis of the lower extremities, in consequence of a fall from his horse. This paralysis was attended with a great degree of priapism, which encumbered him very much, and caused retentions of urine, which were treated by the most active refrigerants. Going through Montpelier, on his way to Balaruc, he rested several days at the military hospital, where it became expedient to sound him. In order to do this, it was necessary to uncover the whole body, to expose it for some time to the cold air, and to apply to it cold water; and, even then, the sound had to be used promptly, otherwise erections would soon have supervened, merely by touching the penis, and by the presence of the sound in the urethra. The baths of Balaruc almost cured the paralysis; and as motion returned to the lower extremities, the priapism disappeared.”

Do not these facts show that the spinal marrow has a marked influence on the genital organs. We have already mentioned the opinion of Sainte Marie, who regards involuntary pollutions as sometimes the cause and sometimes the result of affections of the spinal marrow. May not an original or accidental state of this organ be, in some subjects, the indirect cause of venereal excesses? Remark the influence of a recumbent position, in producing voluptuous dreams and emissions of semen. Does not this singular effect depend on the heat of the spinal marrow caused by this position? This is possible, particularly if you consider the advantages derived in involuntary pollution, priapism, and satyriasis, from douches of cold water along the vertebral column, particularly on the lumbar and sacral regions, and also from the application of ice to these parts. Sainte Marie has sometimes arrested the spasm of the genital organs by frictions on the sacrum with bladders full of ice. We think, then, there are cases where these remedies may be used successfully to combat the habit of masturbation. Narcotic frictions and endermic applications may be made along the vertebral column, as we have said, when speaking of the cerebellum. In vigorous patients, leeches and cups may be applied to the loins. We will not allude here to the remedy recommended by many old authors, of a sheet of lead to the kidneys, for this cannot produce the refrigerant effect expected from it.

The organic conditions of venereal desire are confined neither to the cerebellum nor spinal marrow: they may exist, also, in all parts of the genital system, as we shall demonstrate.

A considerable part of this system is formed of a tissue termed the erectile, on account of its power of swelling, hardening, and becoming erected. It constitutes the whole of the cavernous bodies—the glans, which is the loose extremity of these bodies—the spongy part of the urethra—the clitoris—and a considerable portion of the vulva and vagina. The part taken by this tissue in the work of generation, would indicate that it is affected in amatory desires, and that its state must exercise some influence upon them; which is demonstrated by the facts we shall mention.

There is no vice in the human species without its representative in some class of animals. Thus, the inclination to theft, to destroy, &c., are found in some species existing to a great degree. So, too, with luxuriousness. There is a class of apes—the dog-faced—which represent it. It is impossible to form an idea of the lasciviousness of these animals, which is manifested at sight not only of a female of their own class, but at that of a woman: they show by their looks, gesture, and voice, that they are excited. They are extremely jealous at sight of a man. They indulge in coition to great excess; and if this be impossible, they abuse themselves. How does their organization differ from that of other animals?—in the cerebellum?—in the spinal marrow? No: but according to Desmoulins, by the enormous mass of erectile tissue which they have. This tissue abounds not only around the sexual organs, but is found in the haunches and pubis. In the face, it is not confined as in us to the lips, but it covers the face, and there presents a brilliancy of color which exceeds that of the vulva and glans in our species. It should be remembered that the kunocephali do not exhibit this lasciviousness until puberty, when this tissue is developed, and assumes its brilliant colors.

Here, then, are animals, in whom the erectile tissue evidently performs the part attributed by phrenologists exclusively to the cerebellum. Why may not the same thing exist in our species? Are not the penis and clitoris, generally speaking, much larger in those who have a marked propensity for the pleasures of love? Is not their erection the most constant sign of the activity of the venereal sense? Is not the erectile tissue developed at puberty, at the same time with this sense, and does it not collapse in old age? Finally, does not the genital sense exist at its highest degree in the glans—the clitoris—that is, in the organs formed entirely of this tissue?

There is, then, reason to seek the principle of masturbation in this tissue, and to this remedies should be applied. This is done in a vigorous and healthy patient by blood-letting, and by applying leeches or cups around the sexual parts. Lotions and cold applications to these parts, and cold hip-baths, act in the same manner; and as they do not contribute to the exhaustion, they are employed more frequently. Sainte Marie recommends that the genital organs of individuals affected with spermatorrhœa should be covered with bladders of pounded ice, which should be removed as often as it melts. This remedy seems more efficacious and convenient than the application of wet sponges or linens to the parts. It might also be used in those onanists who will consent to it. The same indication is fulfilled by forbidding children to be washed in warm water, and by causing them to use hard cushions to sit on; and likewise, by keeping the pelvis lightly covered, and the clothes large enough to allow the air to circulate freely around the genital organs. The cold injections, in girls, may also be somewhat useful. There is also another remedy which is applicable to parts formed of erectile tissue, and which we shall mention—viz., their removal.

Some nations are accustomed to practise upon their female children a kind of circumcision, which consists in cutting off several parts of the vulva. This custom is very ancient, and exists particularly in Egypt, Ethiopia, around the Persian Gulf, and in several parts of central Africa. What portions of the vulva are cut off? Many authors think that these are the nympbæ, clitoris, and even the hymen. In fact, Niebuhr has given a colored plate of the sexual organs of an Egyptian girl, eighteen years old, drawn by the painter Baurenfiend, the original of which is in the library at Gottingen, in which the parts just named seem to have been extirpated. Sonnini, who has examined two young Egyptian girls, one of whom had been circumcised for two years, while the operation was performed on the other in his presence, states, contrary to Niebuhr’s opinion, that this operation has reference to the interior of the vulva, and is confined to the excision of a thick, flabby, and fleshy excrescence, covered with skin, which in several African races rises above the commissure of the external labia; the length of this was only six lines, in the two girls observed by him, but it may be four inches long, at the age of twenty-five years. As the opinion of Niebuhr agrees with that of all authors who have lived in these countries, the facts observed by Sonnini are exceptions, rather than the rule. Hence, it appears, that in many nations it is the custom to remove from the females a considerable portion of the erectile tissue, which is found around their sexual organs.

What is the origin of this singular custom? Is it to remove in infancy, from the vulva of the girls, certain prominences which, at a later period, might prove inconvenient? Has this custom been established with a view to cleanliness? May it not be, to take away the power of self-abuse? Whatever may be the reason of its existence, its effect is to deaden the venereal sense, by removing a portion of the surfaces in which it is situated. This seems positively established, by the testimony of Niebuhr, and many others.

If this be so, may not the removal of the internal labia and of the preputial portion of the clitoris—especially if these parts are large—be attempted, in order to avoid a more extreme thing, which we shall mention directly. Might not this removal blunt, if it did not deaden, the propensity to solitary enjoyments, and render the other remedies employed more efficient? Although we have but little confidence in this operation, yet, when we consider that a superficial cauterization of the nymphæ and clitoris has cured nymphomania, as will be stated hereafter, we can conceive that the excision of the internal labia may in some ca«es present a chance of success. Farther: this operation is not very painful—is easily performed—and cannot, even under the least favorable circumstances, be attended with any inconvenience, except that of being useless. It certainly would not be practised generally if it caused severe pains, or was followed by bad consequences. In Africa, it is performed by the females of Said, who use a razor. And it should be remembered, too, that it is not children who submit to this operation; but girls eight or ten years old, as may be seen in the travels of Niebuhr and Sonnini.

The exquisite sensibility of the clitoris, and the size it commonly presents in lascivious females—that which it acquires in those who masturbate, or who are affected with nymphomania—have led to the opinion, that voluptuous desires are situated exclusively in this organ, and that its removal will extinguish them. Levret was, we believe, the first who conceived the idea of curing nymphomania by this operation. Dubois performed it on a young girl, who was so addicted to onanism, that she was almost in the last stages of marasmus. Aware of the danger of her situation, and yet too weak, or too much under the control of voluptuousness, she could not resist. In vain were her hands and limbs tied: she rubbed herself against the bed, and thus procured excessive discharges. Her parents applied to Dubois, who proposed amputation of the clitoris. This was assented to. The organ was removed by one stroke of the knife: the hemorrhage was arrested by the actual cautery, and the girl recovered her health and strength. Richerand, who has reported this case, considers the operation performed on this young girl as the most efficient remedy in such a case. If the idea of cauterizing the vessels is disagreeable to the patients, the vessels of the clitoris might be tied, as are those of the penis after amputation. (Nosog. Chirurg., second edition, 1808; vol. iv., p. 326.)

The following, which is similar to the preceding, but more remarkable in some respects, was published in the Journal of Surgery, by Graefe:—

“The subject of this case was born in 1807, and grew very well, till the age of fourteen months, when she became ill: for eight days, she was affected alternately with constipation, diarrhœa, and vomiting. She remained sick till she was two years old, and did not walk till she was four. She, however, never learned to talk, and exhibited symptoms of idiocy. This idiocy resisted the most varied treatment, progressively increased, and the patient was finally reduced to a state below the brute. She swallowed her feces, and passed hour after hour in a corner, her tongue lolling from her mouth.

“The most experienced physicians considered her case as hopeless. A physician at Berlin undertook to cure her. She was now fourteen years old. He remarked first in her a strong inclination to onanism: she indulged in this practice night and day. In this, there was a curative indication, which the physician embraced immediately. It seemed evident to him that masturbation prevented the development of the intellectual faculties. Hence, she was prevented from sitting down; and the head was cauterized, to obtain revulsion by the pain. The wound from this operation did not suppurate till after six weeks. Cold effusions were applied to the wound, and a solution of antimony was injected into it. These remedies were followed by a slight degree of amendment. Douches and emetics were then used, but in vain. Finally, when the patient was fifteen years old, her physician resolved to extirpate the clitoris. The operation was performed June 20, 1822, by Professor Graefe, of Berlin. The wound soon cicatrized; and the good effects of the process exceeded all expectations. The disposition to onanism was removed; the mind became expanded; and the education of the patient commenced. In three years, she could talk, read, write, and even play a few tunes on the piano—to be sure, rather imperfectly; but still she might be regarded as being in the way of recovering from her long and cruel disease.”

The details of this case are not sufficient to establish whether idiocy was the cause or effect of onanism. We may conclude, however, from the result, that it was at least in great part the consequence of this habit. It, however, was necessary to put a stop to the onanism before the idiocy disappeared. Farther, this case shows the extent of the restorative power of nature, when it is no longer impeded by masturbation. It also shows, by the good effects arising from removing the clitoris, that it would be wrong to think, as several authors, and particularly Voisin, have asserted, that nymphomania always depended on an affection of the cerebellum. Powerful and the most energetic revulsives had been applied to this latter organ, but unsuccessfully. It was not the first time the remedies had been used. Villeneuve long since recommended the application of caustics to the legs, and of cups around the genital organs, with extensive scarifications, to appease venereal desires.

The two following facts were communicated by Biett. The first is that of a lady, thirty-five years old, who became affected with nymphomania, after long absence from her husband. After many unsuccessful efforts to cure this disease, extirpation of the clitoris was decided upon. The operation was not easy, and there was considerable hemorrhage, requiring the application of ligatures. In a few weeks, the patient recovered.

The success of this operation induced Biett to advise a similar one in the following case:—

“Mademoiselle C***, ten years old, of strong constitution and good muscular developments, had been addicted to onanism since she was two years old. She was taught it by her nurse, who remarked that she was quieted, when crying, by titillating the clitoris, in which she was soon imitated by the patient. The habit finally caused great moral and physical degeneration. At first, the cause of her wasting away was unknown; but when it was discovered, the parents tried every mode to break her of it. Their vigilance was in vain—she still continued it. Her mind remained unaffected, but not so with her physical constitution. Mechanical means were now employed: the apparatus of Lafont was applied, but without success; and there was danger of her becoming idiotic. Her parents, after long hesitation, decided to have the clitoris removed. The operation was performed June 26, 1831, with perfect success. The patient became restored, and her voluptuous feelings disappeared.”

Many have scruples in regard to this operation. They ask whether it is right to nip the enjoyments of love in the bud, &c. These considerations seem to me only to impose circumspection in respect to the operation, and to show that the operation never should be employed until all other remedies have been tried. But when life is to be saved, or the mind is to be preserved, then we ought not to hesitate. We then do, as in amputating a limb—we sacrifice a part for the whole. Nor is it demonstrated, that the venereal sense is for ever extinguished, by removing the clitoris. This organ is not the exclusive seat of venereal sensations, as we have already seen, and shall see again. Hence, it may be feared, for this reason, that the operation may not be successful. In fact, only the prominent part of the clitoris is cut off: a large portion of the cavernous bodies remains. If the operation is performed before puberty, perhaps by developing their tissue, this feeling may extend at this period of life: but, even then, if these chances of reparation did not exist—if it were certain to destroy all sexual desires—still this operation ought to be performed; as, without these feelings of love, a female may become a good mother, and a devoted wife.

Our remarks on the cerebellum, spinal marrow, and erectile tissue, may apply to all parts of the genital apparatus; as each part may be a direct cause of venereal excitement, and consequently an indirect cause of venereal excesses. This is certainly true of the mucous membrane, which lines the genito-urinary passages. Every one knows that acute inflammation of the interior of the urethra often causes painful erections, and which may attend a deformity of the penis; and hence the term chordee is applied to these blenorrhœas. We have seen, when speaking of diurnal pollution, that chronic inflammations of this canal may be followed by losses of semen. The presence of a stone in the bladder usually causes an itching and tickling at the end of the penis, which has sometimes been the beginning of bad habits. If, after excesses of the table, coition is indulged in to excess, it is because the abuse of wine and liquors stimulates the mucous membranes, and particularly those of which we are speaking—excites their action, and new desires arise. Is it not on the special character possessed by cantharides, of inflaming the urinary passages, that the violent satyriasis caused by this remedy depends?

The phenomena we have mentioned are seen much more frequently in females than in males, as the mucous membrane of the genital organs is much more extensive and more exposed to the action of external agents in the former. We have known several cases of nymphomania to be caused by herpetic affections, which were seated within the vulva. Biett knew a case of it in a female, sixty years old, affected with prurigo of this part. Trousseau has known similar cases. Hence, the irritations of the vulva, attended with itching, have been considered by many authors among the causes of onanism. Eczema, when it has extended to the vulvo-vaginal mucous membrane, has been known to induce this habit violently in females. Ascarides, which have escaped from the anus, have often caused violent itching, and afterward a venereal excitement, which was followed by the same result. Beck has known these worms to produce nymphomania in a female seventy years old. Bitter injections into the vagina were followed by the evacuation of a great number of these animals, and by the cessation of the symptoms.

The remarks of many authors on the salacity of individuals afflicted with herpetic eruptions must apply particularly to those who are afflicted with pruriginous diseases of the skin around or near the genital organs. The excitement then extends to these organs, and awakes in them the sense of venery; a similar result may attend irritation of the inner surface of the rectum. Wichmann thinks, and a case published by St. Marie confirms the opinion, that simply the presence of ascarides in this instance may cause discharges of semen. Hemorrhoidal irritation has sometimes produced them. Thus Wichmann relates the case of an individual, in whom hemorrhoids caused an obstinate diarrhœa during the day, and frequent pollutions at night. Nymphomania has been produced by drastic enemata, and particularly by those made of gratiola.

It is not uncommon to see symptoms of inflammation appear at the same time or successively in different mucous membranes. The membrane lining the genital organs is not more exempt from this, than others. The heat which patients feel in the genital parts, the redness and swelling which are there developed, are generally the only symptoms which then become known to the physician. But there is another, the excitement of the venereal sense, which often escapes him; either because the patients are too young to explain it, or because a natural feeling prompts them to conceal it. Hence this symptom is frequently unnoticed, except in rare cases, where it exists to a great degree, and presents characters analogous to those of satyriasis and nymphomania. Dr. Desportes was we believe the first one to point out a certain relation between venereal excitement and different catarrhal affections among which he has particularly mentioned the aphthous inflammation of the pharynx termed by Guersent angina pultacea. M. Desportes has known attacks of at least eight cases of this angina to be preceded by a vivid excitement of the reproductive system, an excitement which is sometimes manifested by an irritation, which although not exactly the venereal appetite, is analogous to it, and causes in the patient an evident feeling of distrust, inquietude, and chagrin. As this phenomenon has presented itself as a precursory symptom in at least one half of the cases of angina pultacea observed by him, he regards it as an index of the imminent invasion of this disease. He also thinks and with reason, that this phenomenon may, in young patients, become a cause of masturbation, and even in some cases, may pervert momentarily the ideas and sentiments, so as to impel individuals to the commission of acts reputed criminal or culpable. This opinion of Desportes is supported by eight facts. The most remarkable is that of a lady seventy years old, in whom the angina pultacea, was preceded for about a month with vivid and frequent venereal desires: they became so irresistible, that notwithstanding her religious opinions, she forgot herself so far as to relieve her ardor by onanism.

Desportes has attempted to explain this singular feeling, by the connexion of the nerves of the neck with certain parts of the encephalon, the commencement of the spinal marrow. He might, we think, have explained this more naturally, by observing that the genital excitement, instead of appearing simultaneously with the affection of the pharynx, disappeared simply from the appearance of the latter. Thus, in one of these patients, a man of fifty years old, whose habits were chaste, and who was suddenly affected with unusual venereal desires and priapism, these symptoms ceased, when after twenty days, an angina appeared; which was followed by an eczema which affected the hairy scalp, and the parts behind the ears. In another of the cases reported by Desportes, the genital excitement which appeared during convalescence from pleuro pneumonia, was suddenly replaced by an inflammatory irritation of the digestive passages, and particularly of the inner membrane of the mouth. Is it not evident that the irritation was transmitted in these cases from one membrane to another. If, however, Desportes has erred in the manner in which the genital excitement is produced, he deserves credit for pointing out a symptom which merits the attention of practitioners.

The irritation of the internal integuments of the genital parts, is not only, as this physician has thought, a precursory sign of that of the pharynx. It may show itself during the continuance of an inflammation of any other portion of the mucous membranes, or it may even follow this inflammation. Dr. Mirambeau has communicated to me two cases which confirm this fact. The first is that of a boy who was affected after a chill, with a very obstinate gastroenteritis. This disease was nearly terminated, when the mucous surface of the penis became the seat of a very severe irritation, which was soon attended with satyriasis. Things came to such a pass that his hands were obliged to be tied to keep him from those manipulations which he had never indulged in before. The subject of the second case was a girl nine years old, who presented the same circumstances as in the preceding case. She also was obliged to be tied. This fit continued in these two cases, from ten to twelve days.

Hence irritation of the mucous membrane which lines the genito urinary passages may alone cause venereal excitement, and consequently onanism, independent of any affection of the nervous centres. This fact is highly essential on account of the important indications which may be deduced from it. Aware of the possibility of its existence, the physician will be more attentive to discover this irritation; he will find it more frequently and may in a degree prevent a fatal habit: he will also carefully remove every cause of irritation from the mucous integument of the genital parts and discuss as promptly as possible the inflammations which may be developed there. The mode of doing this is by attending to the following rules. To keep the sexual parts perfectly clean by repeated ablutions: to forbid all excesses of the table, and the use of such food and drinks as tend to render the urine more irritating, and the genito urinary mucous surface more irritable; hence to discard the use of wine, liquors, coffee, tea, spices, beer, particularly that made strong with hops: to allay irritations of the interior of the rectum, around the anus or those affecting the integuments around the genital organs. When children complain of itching around the anus, you must ascertain whether this be not caused by ascarides which is easily done by inspecting the parts and the feces: no means should be spared to get rid of these worms when they exist:1 and finally the most efficient remedies should be used to cure the itching of the genitals as soon as this affection commences. Ozanam communicated to the academy of medicine August 12, 1828, a very acute case of nymphomania which had resisted antispasmodics, narcotics, cold baths, &c.; and which was finally cured by applying to the internal labia and clitoris a solution of four grains of nitrate of silver in an ounce of water. There was a marked inflammation of the parts to which this was applied. (Rev. Med., Sept. 1828.) In 1833, we employed successfully another remedy, for a lady thirty-four years old and subject to nervous affections. She experienced a feeling of heat and irritation in the vulva and vagina which caused her excessive trouble. Solutions and injections of an infusion of the wild cherry-tree, produced no relief. The introduction into the vagina of a pledget of lint moistened with a solution of the extract of belladonna, (one grain to the ounce,) had a better effect. Different symptoms indicated the absorption of this drug into the system and the irritation disappeared. But it returned a few days after, and we then advised the application of ice within the vagina which relieved her, and finally brought about a permanent cure.

The irritation of the uterus in this lady might have had more or less influence in producing these distressing symptoms. Venereal desires, and nymphomania may in fact also depend upon the state of this organ. The excitement preceding and attending the period of menstruation, renders females much more lascivious. This phenomenon is much more marked in the small number of animals who menstruate: it always coexists in them with the period of rutting. This remarkable fact, which has long been known, of asses and monkeys, has lately been ascertained to exist in the roussettes by Carnot and Lesson, and in the genette by Cuvier. Farther inflammations and diseases of the uterus have often been observed in those affected with nymphomania. Helwiel relates the history of a lady, who, after being for a long time indifferent to conjugal pleasures, became extremely salacious. She died some time afterward, and on opening the dead body, fibrous tumours were found in the tissue of the uterus, and hydaleds in the ovaries. Calmeil found in a monomaniac, who was most furiously addicted to onanism, and who had a perfect hymen, that the os tincæ and a part of the neck of the uterus were of a violet colour, and were softened and ulcerated. This author observes that generally, when deranged females imagine themselves pregnant, or that they have been violated, are finally known to think of their genital organs, there is commonly some lesion of the uterus. (Dict. des Sc. Med., art. Alienes.) In the cases which have been mentioned, the affection of the uterus was not so much the cause as the result of the excesses which had been committed, but this cannot be said of those cases where Lisfranc has seen cauterization of the neck of the uterus to be followed in the genital organs with a kind of erethism which is attended with void desires. Is not this an experimental proof, that an irritation of the uterus may produce an exaltation of the venereal sense.

This excitement from congenital or accidental dispositions, may affect the ovaries; to prove this we have only to consider that their development exactly follows that of the venereal sense: that at forty-five years they begin to diminish in size, and finally they disappear: their removal or destruction too is always attended with the extinction of venereal desires. The respective size of the veins and arteries of the ovaries has been mentioned by some authors as a cause of salacity: the amorous ardor of animals, say they, is much greater, when the veins of the ovaries are smaller and fewer than the arteries. Haller found that the last-named vessels were very much developed in a female whose temperament was extremely amorous. Different alterations in the ovaries have been found in those affected with nymphomania. Bosset, Blancard, Vesalius, Riolan, Mangel, Dimmerbroede, Riviere, Lieutaud &c. have observed cases of this. De Blegnay states that one of the girls confined at the Salpetrière, and who had been affected several times with furor uterinus, was once seized so violently that it was necessary to tie her. This unfortunate girl perished by suffocation, while struggling to extricate herself. On opening the dead body the left ovary and Fallopian tube were found much diseased.

The removal of the ovaries has been performed successfully to appease excessive uterine ardor; a swineherd, irritated by the conduct of his daughter, extirpated these organs and thus extinguished her passions. The ovaries however have been extirpated several times on account of disease. The operation has been performed on several women and with success by Dr. Sacchi of Italy, and Dr. D. L. Rogers of New York. The usual effects in those who are fortunate enough to survive, are a wasting of the mammæ and a perfect indifference to the act of venery (Bulletin therapeutique, vol. iv., p. 313.)

We need not make many remarks on the effects of castration in the male to show the influence of the testes on the development and vivacity of lascivious desires. We know that it has been asserted that these desires may remain after the loss of these organs. In support of this opinion have been quoted Galen, Juvenal, Brantome and many other authors, particularly Franck, who states that four eunuchs in a city had so many intrigues with females, that the police were obliged to interfere. (Dict. des Sc. Med., vol. iv. p. 269.) But these facts only prove that eunuchs may indulge in pretended coition and that they preserve some sparks of the fire which is generally seated in the testicles. Most authors have attributed the action of these organs in the sense of venery, to the fluid secreted by them, to the semen. They say that this fluid awakes this sense either by the qualities it assumes, when accumulating in the testicles or seminal vesicles, or because it is carried by absorption to all parts of the body. This opinion is certainly much too positive: but in the present state of science, can we, as do many authors, assert that it has no foundation? The qualities of the semen may certainly vary much, as may be proved by the presence or absence of the spermatic animalculæ. It is entertained for instance, that these animalculæ do not appear before puberty, and that they are not to be found in old age, that they disappear during sickness, and that in many animals, in most birds for instance, they occur only during the season of mating (Dumas, Dict. class. d’hist. nat., art. generation.) The venereal sense becomes imperious, when the individual secretes real semen, and this sense may be felt in old men, after semen is no longer formed. The fulness of the seminal vesicles cannot be absolutely necessary for venereal desires, because these organs do not exist in birds, in many cold-blooded animals and in some of the mammalia. Are these persons in whom the testicles, instead of descending into the bursæ as usual about the seventh mouth of fetal life, remain in the abdomen, are these persons, who are termed cryptorchides more addicted than others to sensual pleasures? This has been asserted by many authors, and particularly by Monro and Hunter. They certainly are not less so. Poliniere has related a case of a person of this character 17 years old whom he saw at Brest in 1812, and who indulged most immoderately in venereal pleasures contrary to the advice of his physicians. Death soon put an end to his career.

The sensuality attributed to the cryptorchides has been explained by the greater degree of heat experienced in the testicles, when they remain in the abdomen. Be this as it may, the excitement of these organs probably exalts the sense of venery. When the state of excitement is very marked, they swell and become more sensible: these symptoms however are much more marked in animals during the period of rutting, than in our species. Accidental irritations of the testicles have sometimes also caused an unusual excitement of the sense of venery. Moreau attended for a long time a man advanced in age, who consulted him particularly for pollutions attended with amatory dreams. These symptoms which were very distressing constantly occurred, whenever the fibrous membrane of the testicles was affected with chronic rheumatism.

From our remarks, we can conceive that extirpation of the testicles would be a powerful remedy, in fact the most efficient of all remedies, to quell lascivious desires, and to put an end to venereal excesses. Hence individuals have been known to sacrifice these organs, and thus to rid them«elves of a salacity which rendered them unhappy. Baldassar relates the history of a man on whom he tried every remedy, and finally found nothing better than fasting and prayers. “Not recovering under these remedies,” says this author, “he wished the operation of castration to be performed, but I thought it inexpedient. The patient however pressed me very earnestly, and sought to win over to his views by presents those who opposed his wishes. He even promised me an ambling poney of remarkable beauty, if I would consent to perform it.” Reduced to despair some individuals have even castrated themselves. Origen, it is well known, mutilated himself, in order to extinguish the warmth of his temperament. This operation has been performed by surgeons and with happy results. A surgeon of Bernstadt was less fortunate: he removed the testes of a man 73 years old, in consequence of the unusual desires he experienced. The operation was not attended with the expected result. (Sprengel, Hist. de la med., vol. ix.) Hence this remedy is not infallible. We will add that it is far from being without danger, particularly in those individuals who are already exhausted by excesses. Farther, the operation is not confined, as in amputation of the clitoris, to the extinction of the venereal sense: it takes away the procreating power, and causes that moral and physical deterioration which is seen in eunuchs, even when they have lost their testicles after puberty. These therefore are reasons why this operation should not be performed; an operation which is disapproved of by most authors. We will except however Simon, who advises as a last resource in those affected with onanism to press upon or tie the vas deferens or the spermatic artery; for it is better, said he, that the patient should live a eunuch, than that he should inevitably perish. (Hygiene de la jeunesse, p. 174.) Some practical conclusions may be drawn from the facts we have mentioned. Thus in some patients, cold lotions or applications of ice to the scrotum, and of leeches around it, may be used with advantage. Young patients also should have these parts clothed lightly.

Diseases affecting various parts by their action on the organs mentioned, that is on the cerebellum, spinal marrow and the genital system, may cause a kind of a state of rutting and thus become the occasion of venereal excesses. For instance an unusual venereal excitement is sometimes a forerunner of an attack of gout, which may be explained by considering that the invasion of the local symptoms of this disease, is usually preceded by the irritation of several mucous membranes. Does not the salacity which all authors have mentioned as being peculiar to phthisical persons depend on the part which the genito-urinary membrane takes in the general excitement of the mucous membranes which is so common in the tuberculous affection of the lungs? Pathological anatomy has thrown no light on the subject. Of forty patients affected with phthisis, where the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and vasa deferentia were carefully examined by Louis, three only presented an alteration of these parts; this consisted in the deposition of a quantity of tuberculous matter in the prostate gland: in one of them this matter was found in the seminal vesicles and vasa deferentia. (Recherches anatopath. sur la phthisie, 1825, p. 132.) Louis says nothing in regard to the amatory passions of these individuals.

The affection of the genito-urinary mucous membrane, accounts also for the venereal sensations which many authors have mentioned as a symptom of the elephantiasis of the Greeks, otherwise termed lepra tubercularis. The frequency of this symptom was so remarkable, that the ancients confounded elephantiasis with satyriasis. Sonnini saw at Cana, in the island of Candia, a great many individuals of both sexes, affected with this kind of leprosy. They were confined according to custom, in barracks without the walls of the city, and there they indulged in the most unbridled licentiousness. Even the old men were very lascivious. He gives an instance of a leper who, on the night of his death, indulged his desires. Niebuhr speaks of another leper who carried away by his ardor, imparted his disease to a woman of Bagdad, who was admitted with him into the lazaretto of that city. Vidal and Joannis assert that they have seen this libido in those Greek sailors affected with elephantiasis. After these proofs, it required some boldness to deny the possibility of this symptom, which to us seems easily explained. Consider the nature of elephantiasis: while it affects the skin, it extends to the mucous membranes, where we find tubercles, ulcerations, softenings, &c. Why should the membrane, lining the genito-urinary passages, be exempt from these alterations? Is it not then probable that this membrane was diseased in some way or other, in those individuals affected with libido? We can easily imagine, too, that as these alterations cannot be constant in lepra tubercularis, the symptom of which we are speaking must often be deficient, which explains why different authors who have observed cases of elephantiasis, particularly Alibert, Rayer and Cazenave, have not met with it. An affection of the genital organs may produce results completely opposite to libido: it may arrest the development of the genital organs when it appears before puberty. The individuals then present the marked characters of eunuchs, which has been observed by Adams, (Obs. on morbid poisons.) and probably Pallas, who asserts that the Tartans affected with elephantiasis, are averse to the pleasures of love. Farther, in lepra tubercularis, the sexual parts are often, and according to Alibert, most generally affected; this would necessarily extinguish all venereal desires. This probably was the case in the patient mentioned by Cazenave, in whom the testicles, glands and prepuce were found converted into a lardaceous tissue; and where, too, the corpora cavernosa were destitute of blood, and presented an evident hypertrophy of their septa.

It often happens that the genital sense is exalted, because it is the only one, or nearly so, which continues. This is frequently seen in idiots, and in those affected with dementia. The imbeciles, if left to themselves, “says Esquirol,” sometimes at the period of puberty become affected with onanism, nymphomania, or hysteria. Idiots also often indulge in the most unrestrained masturbation. This can readily be imagined: these individuals are in a measure isolated by the debility or weakness of their senses and intelligence. As they receive no external impressions, those which are inherent, exercise unlimited power. The internal senses are then much more regarded, because they speak alone. That which is in others only a desire, becomes in idiots a want: hence there are many who seem to live, merely to eat, drink, and indulge in licentiousness. When speaking of the effects of onanism on the mental faculties, we have shown that the venereal sense becomes heightened, as these other faculties are weakened. This fact may be remarked, whatever may have been the cause of derangement: for many individuals become affected with onanistic satyriasis, because they are imbecile or idiotic. Finally, idiocy may be the effect and cause of onanism. Sometimes the disease appears first, sometimes the habit—but as soon as they exist they strive continually to increase, and we are unable to say which of the two exercises the stronger influence on the other.

Our remarks on idiocy are equally applicable to cretinism, which is a variety of this affection. The cretins, though small, goitrous, hideous and imbecile, are extremely salacious, and this feeling is allayed by intercourse between them, or by onanism. A remarkable fact which has been observed twice, once in a cretin and once in an idiot, may throw some light on the organic causes of the inverse progress followed by the external and internal senses in this kind of patients: it is the hypertrophy of the ganglionnary nervous system. One of these cases is recorded by M. Schiffner. He found, on the cadaver of a cretin, that the ganglions of the great sympathetic nerve, situated along the vertebral column, were unusually large. The sympathetic nerve of the left side, on a level with the 6th vertebra presented a ganglion the size of a hen’s egg. Before this case of Schiffner, in 1819, Cayre also, in a thesis on idiotism, had mentioned the excessive development of the ganglionnary system, in one born an idiot. The cervical ganglions were three times their usual size; those of the thorax were larger than in the healthy state, and this was the case also with the semilunar ganglions.

We have seen that individuals appear much more lascivious, as they become more stupid and insensible; venereal sensuality often developes itself under very different circumstances. It may be only an episode, and sometimes it is an effect of the general susceptibility. A person is lascivious, because he is alive to vivid impressions; because the genital organs, like the rest of the economy, are easily excited, and their excitement is vividly felt. This disposition occurs often in hypochondriac and hysterical people; that is, in individuals who are so susceptible as to be habitually sick. They are easily excited, and have nocturnal pollutions from the slightest cause. The genital organs, also like the others, may become affected by an irritation which is seated at a greater or less distance from them; for instance, in the stomach, lungs, skin, &c. Those persons who are affected with cutaneous diseases, which cause itching, are generally extremely lascivious. Symptoms similar to priapism and satyriasis, appear in numerous diseases. Nervous or flatulent colics have often been known to produce a similar effect. A woman observed in 1833, at Hotel Dieu, in the ward of Bouillaud, and whose case is reported by Donne, (Revue Med., June, 1833,) presented a phenomena, which, notwithstanding its strangeness, is explained by what we have said. She was thirty years old, of a strong constitution, and hysterical. After an attack of acute rheumatism affecting the wrist, her hand became exquisitely sensible, and the slightest friction upon it, procured for the patient all the sensations arising from coition. This aberration of the sensibility disappeared with the last traces of the rheumatic inflammation, and the part regained its natural state. A highly respectable man, Dr. Mirambeau, communicated to us the case of a child who procured similar sensations by pulling his umbilicus. His health suffered so much in consequence of this singular habit, that coercive measures were employed to check it. We must remark, however, that notwithstanding the sensations mentioned, this patient presented no erection nor any other phenomena in the genital organs, similar to those of the act of venery.

Of the things which may produce venereal excitement, and of the modes of preservation which are connected with them. These things are all those which are capable of increasing the sensibility in general and particularly that of the organs of venery: the means are, the influences which may be used to act in a contrary direction.

The venereal desire may develope itself at all seasons. The most favorable to its appearance, however, is spring. This fact was well known to the ancients: but it did not rest on a scientific foundation till recently. The confirmation of this fact is owing to the statistical labors of Villermé in France and of Quetelet and Smits in Belgium.

Villermé proposed to establish, from the register of births, the periods of the year when conceptions occur most frequently. He arranged the months in the following order. May, June, April, July, February, March, December, January, August, November, September, October.

Hence the three months when there are the most conceptions are April May and June, and those in which there are the fewest are September, October, and November. Hence it is in spring, at that period of the year when vegetation sprouts forth and when the trees are covered with foliage, when most animals seek their mates, that pregnancy is most common: while in autumn, that season in which vegetable life is as it were extinguished, is also the period when the human race labors least at reproduction. The results obtained by Quetelet and Smits, conform entirely with the above. It now remains to know whether the difference between spring and autumn arises from there being less procreative exertion or whether conception or impregnation at that time are more easy.

To resolve this question Villermé consulted the criminal calendar to ascertain at what period of the year there were the most attempts at rape: and he found that it was the same as that when the most conceptions occur, that is in the spring. The same result was obtained by Quetelet and Smits. May not these crimes be more common in the spring because then men have more opportunity of being guilty, as at that time females may be found alone and loosely clothed, in the woods and distant places? But these same circumstances exist in the months of August and September, and yet the respective number of these crimes diminishes in these two months. Nor can this greater number of pregnancies be attributed to the fact that more marriages are contracted at one period of the year than at another, for the maximum and minimum of births can be referred in every country and at all times, with but few limitations to the same periods, while the maximum and minimum of marriages in different countries present great and numerous differences. We may then consider it as determined that man is subject to a certain extent to a kind of periodical heat, which returns every year in the spring.

It is not the heat of weather which produces this phenomenon, for if this were the case, it would appear in July and August rather than in April and May: but it is the return of early warmth. Perhaps this phenomenon also arises from influences now unknown, which would contribute in early spring to the vernal resurrection of organized beings. The slight variations in the period of heat in men, in different climates, confirms what has been said as to the action of spring. Villermé having compared the different parts of France, of Europe and even of the two hemispheres, found that the maximum of conceptions is, like this season, more precocious in warm than in cold climates. There is then a period of the year when man is more disposed to indulge in these excesses and when his desires should be more carefully controlled. We have already seen that Wichmann regards the spring as a cause why diurnal pollutions are more active and frequent; the same may be said of nymphomania. In a female whose history has already been given and who was affected with this disease, the period of the greatest degree of salacity extended from the beginning to the end of this season.

There is another observation which at first seems only of a moderate degree of importance but which may present practical deductions of great interest. Villermé has found that the maximum and minimum of conceptions are much less marked in the cities than in the country, and still less so in the large cities. This fact confirms our remarks on the influence of seasons, for it shows that this influence is less, the more individuals are exposed to it. It shows too how far the salacity of men may be influenced by his mode of living. This remark has long been made in regard to animals: the period of rutting ceases to be marked periodically when they pass from a savage to a domestic state. We have now to learn in what manner a retired life acts on the venereal sense. Another observation of M. Villermé seems to us to throw light on this topic.

The law of maximum and minimum, which has just been treated of, presents a remarkable exception which is seen in cold countries as Sweden, Finland, St. Petersburgh, &c. In these countries, exceptions occur most frequently in the months of December and January, in short in winter. Different causes have been supposed to account for this exception: there is but one however, which will explain it well—that is the manner in which the inhabitants of these countries are clothed during the cold season. By means of dress and warmth they then create an artificial climate by which they are enabled to resist the rigor of that in which they dwell. The whole body is enveloped in numerous thick and warm garments, which fit accurately, envelope it exactly and preserve for the body its natural temperature: placing these individuals in a position analogous to that of vegetables which are hastened in their growth by manure. Farther they preserve in their dwellings a degree of temperature which would be insupportable in a temperate climate. In fact if the inhabitants of the polar regions should keep civil registers of births, their examination would doubtless demonstrate that in these rude climates, the fine season is not that of amours. It is well known that puberty in these countries is more precocious, as is the case under the tropics. Thus the Samoid women menstruate at the age of 11 years and are often mothers at 12. (Klingstadt, Memoire sur les Samoides, pp. 41. & 43.) This is not to be wondered at when we consider that they live in subterranean caves, where there is a stifling heat produced by throwing water on redhot stones. Dwellings then in cold countries may be considered as hot houses which act on man as they do on vegetables.

These facts established, let us consider their consequences; do they not prove, that an artificial climate may develope the venereal sense prematurely or too vividly? That on the coming of winter a young man ought not to be clothed too warm? That too many quilts should not be put on the bed at night? That the cold should be braved? That we should forbid too long a continuance in warm rooms? These principles are deduced naturally from observations on the seasons. It is unnecessary to say, that these rules, good as they are, are more particularly applicable to those who are suspected or convicted of masturbation. In our preceding remarks we have paid regard only to the temperate zones of the two hemispheres, that is, to those countries where there are four distinct seasons nearly equal in length. But if we approach the equinoctial line, those regions of the globe where the year is divided into a very long summer and a very short winter, the influence of seasons is effaced by that of climate. We shall not repeat in this place all that has been said in regard to the precocity of the inhabitants of warm countries, their ardor in love, the excesses to which they are addicted, the rapidity with which they grow old; all these facts are well known. But we will make a remark which seems to us important: if the habitual and long continued action of solar heat, hastens the appearances of the venereal sense, and gives it so much power, why will not the continued action of any other heat, for instance of clothing, dwellings, baths, &c., produce a similar result? It seems to us that the admission of the first fact necessarily implies the other. Thus whether we regard the influence of seasons exerted around us, or that of climates which are far distant, we always arrive at the conclusion that by a delicate education, and by taking care to preserve children from the slightest cold, we hasten the excitement of their sensual feelings, to which they are more liable to become victims. Hence in prescribing a change of scene for a young man addicted to onanism, we should be careful not to expose him to hot climates.

Are there any emanations which have the power of deadening the venereal sense? From a case already mentioned, and which we owe to M. Villermé, we might suspect that emanations from stagnant waters have this effect: but it is probable that if procreation is less active in marshy countries during the most unhealthy seasons, it is because the number of sick is greater. It is well known that notwithstanding all emanations, the venereal sense may be very precocious, and may lead whole communities to indulge in excesses: we might cite as instances the inhabitants of the marshy parts of the Landes of Bordeaux, and the Solognese.

The power which certain odors have of exciting to desire is by no means doubtful, at least so far as animals are concerned. Most of the mammalia at the period of rutting, exhale certain emanations which serve to inform the male at a distance of the presence of a female and to excite in him the desire of copulation. Even in the insect kingdom some facts exist which cannot be accounted for except on the principle of odorous effluvia. Thus if we shut up in a perfectly close box a female bombyx, we shall soon see males flying around it, who cannot be guided there by the sense of sight. Does any thing similar occur in the human family? Many authors assert the affirmative. “Odors,” says Cabanis, “act powerfully on the nervous system: they incite it to all pleasurable sensations: they communicate to it this slight disturbance which seems to be inseparable from it, and this because they exercise a special influence on the organs which are the seat of the most vivid pleasure granted us by nature. In infancy, the influence of smell is but slight: in old age, it is feeble: it is most active at the period of youth which is that of love.” (Rapports du phys. an morale de l’homme, vol. I, p. 222.) Among many nations even in remote antiquity, voluptuous females excited their visitors to desire by the cosmetic use of different perfumes, particularly by musk. This substance has been said to be capable of producing even nocturnal pollutions. (Luc. Lebrœchus, Hist. Moschi, ch. 24, p. 153.) On the other hand, we read that Henry IV. thought that the natural odor of the sexual parts was more powerful than any cosmetics. Notwithstanding these testimonials and many others of a similar character, which might be adduced, we believe that in our species, where the sense of smell has so little influence compared to what it has in animals, that odors have but a slight effect in exciting to sexual pleasures. We think it prudent however to forbid the abuse of cosmetics in young people.