An essay on spermatorrhoea : being a microscopic investigation into its physiological and physical relations ; with observations on the nature, causes, and treatment of the various disorders of the procreative system in men. Illustrated by cases / by R. Dawson.

  • Dawson, Richard, active 1845-1852.
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on spermatorrhoea : being a microscopic investigation into its physiological and physical relations ; with observations on the nature, causes, and treatment of the various disorders of the procreative system in men. Illustrated by cases / by R. Dawson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    be imagined than actually mention. It is variously designated as onanism, masturbation, solitary vice, self- pollution, &e. Perhaps, too, few are aware of the ex- tent to which this abominable practice prevails; and if the severity of these strictures should have the effect of, in any degree, suppressing so degrading a practice, I shall not consider my time misspent. ‘This practice pre- vails amongst persons of all ages. I have seen patients who have admitted that, in youth, when at school, they had indulged in it to an inordinate degree. Others admitted that they had commenced in youth, and con- tinued it even in their riper years; while some have confessed that even at the most advanced period of their life—in fact, in ripe old age—they had been unable to abandon a vice, which had attained such an ascendancy that they could not leave it off. I have, in a previous part of this essay, detailed some cases in which the parties, when taxed with this practice, obstinately denied it; nor would they confess, till such strong facts were brought against them, that they could no longer resist the evidence. All who indulge in this habit will undoubtedly at first deny it; but by a little perseverance and management we shall soon obtain the necessary information. And this is a matter of some moment; because we cannot inculcate nor insist upon removing or suspending the operation of a cause, the