o, and strong condiments have an
exciting effect. However, there is plenty of scientific authority,
based on other hygienic grounds, for avoiding these at least during the
years of growth.

[Sidenote: Constipation.]

Constipation is likely to cause sexual irritation, and hence this is an
additional reason for submitting children to competent doctors for
treatment of this disturbance which so seriously affects general
health, especially by auto-intoxication.

[Sidenote: Bathing.]

Cool bathing in the morning, especially of the sexual organs, is
hygienic, except for girls during the monthly periods (including two
days before the expected menstrual onset). For various reasons, bathing
in very warm water should be very limited, and then only for cleansing.

[Sidenote: Form of instruction.]

In hygienic instructions to children, avoid giving them any ideas
concerning the supposed prevalence of the habit of masturbation. There
is a dangerous tendency to follow the crowd. Also, the habit should
never be described to children except as "unnecessary handling of the
sex organs." It is dangerous to suggest to children, as certain books
do, that there is any pleasurable sensation resulting from manual
manipulation of the organs, for the force of suggestion or curiosity
has led some children to experiment with themselves until they formed
the habit.

[Sidenote: Symptoms.]

There are no absolutely certain signs or symptoms, and those suggested
by certain authors, especially by quack doctors, make young people and
even parents and teachers judge some individuals in an unfortunate way.
Especially should parents and teachers remember that there is
absolutely no scientific basis for supposing that great diffidence,
indigestion, pimples on the face, boys' lack of interest in girls, and
numerous other popular "signs," are indications of the masturbation
habit. Like the symptoms in patent-medicine advertising, the above
"signs" are so general that they are sure to fit some cases.

[Sidenote: Insanity.]

Do not tell children the ancient falsehood that insanity will surely
result from handling the sexual organs. It is true that masturbation is
a common habit of certain types of insane people and of some neurotics;
but it is probable that the habit is more often one of several factors
rather than the direct cause of the nervous breakdown. However, it is
scientific to say that the habit may weaken the nervous system and
indirectly