n of; and the remedy of indulgence, if effective,
requires repetition as often as the inconvenience returns. No! When thus
consulted, let the physician prescribe the proper medicament, if one be
necessary; and let him direct a plain, nourishing, non-stimulating diet,
physical exertion of any kind carried to exhaustion, and SELF CONTROL.

Would any young man in his senses listen to a physician, who, for
lowness of spirits, mental despondency, &c., should tell him to drink
plentifully of brandy or eat hasheesh? On the same principle then let a
youth shun the physician, who, for sexual excitement, prescribes sexual
indulgence.

Again, such complaints coming from young men are very often specious,
and are mere subterfuges--overdrawn pictures of their sufferings--which
are presented as an excuse for indulging the sensual emotions, instead
of manfully and righteously struggling to overcome them. And further,
"if anyone wishes to really experience the acutest sexual suffering, he
can adopt no more certain method than to be incontinent with the
intention of becoming continent again, when he has 'sown his wild oats.'
The agony of breaking off a habit which so rapidly entwines itself with
every fibre of the human frame (as sexual indulgence) is such that it
would not be too much to say in the Wise Man's words, '_None_ that go to
her return again, neither take they hold on the paths of life.'"

"The sin, of all, most sure to blight--
The sin, of all, that the soul's light
Is soonest lost, extinguished in."

Remember then that sexual suffering comes to the _incontinent_ man, and
that it is far easier, even for the fully developed vigorous adult, to
continue in control of these feelings, than when they have been once
excited and indulged.

One single impure connection may entail a whole life of syphilitic
suffering on the unhappy transgressor. Would this "pay?"

No inducement could persuade me to assume the awful responsibilities of
advising illicit intercourse. Apart from Christian principle, I know
that there is no necessity, physiological, pathological or any other,
that can excuse any physician for saying that the Seventh Commandment
may ever be broken. My sentiments on the physiological side of the
question are so admirably expressed by Acton,[F] that I will here quote
from him.

[F] Fourth American Edition, P. 97.

"One argument in favor of incontinence deserves special notice, as it
purports to be