The Influence of the Mind on the Sexual Instinct.
Practical experience shows that no other function of the body is so absolutely controlled by the nervous system and more dependent on the state of the mind than the function of sex. All other instincts and functions of the body, like hunger, sleep, digestion, breathing, etc., are controlled to some extent by mind influences. Different feelings and emotions, like fright, worry, sorrow, etc., check and retard all functions for a while, but they cannot retard them for a long time, and surely cannot stop them altogether. How different it is with the sexual impulse. Different mental states can not only subdue the sexual impulse for many, many months, but they can completely check it for an indefinite period of time. The every-day experience of any man will show that when a man’s mind is occupied by any healthy and normal interest, when he is absorbed by mental or physical work, when his energy and attention are used up in a purposeful and productive occupation, no lascivious thought enters his mind, no sexual impulse disturbs his repose. It is only when the mind is idle, and the body did not work off its surplus of energy, that the fancy runs riot and a man is bent on mischief. Take one hundred cases, when a man or boy breaks loose and takes a plunge into the quagmire of prostitution, analyze the circumstances and influences that bring about this misstep, and you will find that in ninety-nine of these hundred cases the hero of this adventure is more of a victim than an active, deliberate perpetrator. Usually it is first a case of overeating rich, stimulating food that heats the blood and clouds clear judgment, the imbibing of sweet wine or alcoholic liquors still more excites and intoxicates our hero; heavy smoking adds its effects to ever-increasing dulling of intellect and checks the normal feeling of self-control and discrimination; vulgar jokes and smutty stories still more stir up sensuality; add to it vicious and stupefying influence of low-grade dancing halls, and as a last and finishing touch, the powerful effect of “gang-spirit”—the hue and cry of the crowd of “boys,” and you will easily see how our hero is swept away like a frail vessel by a mighty tide into the abyss of prostitution. This picture of every-day life plainly shows that under ordinary circumstances boys and men do not get into mischief unless their minds are idle and their judgment is clouded, unless their nerves are high-strung and their senses are inflamed by intoxicating and stimulating influences. This fact carries in itself a very valuable and encouraging lesson to those clean-minded and refined boys who make sincere and earnest efforts to overcome all possible temptations and to carry securely the treasure of their untainted manhood thru the trying and stormy period for a happy family life in the future.
In a nutshell, this lesson reads: Keep your mind busy and your body working; do not overeat; avoid alcoholic and stimulating liquors; be a moderate smoker; avoid vulgar and vicious company; keep away from degrading and low temptations that you know will drag you down into the abyss of vice and shame, and you will find that it is not so hard to keep in the straight path, if only you do not take any chances from the very start. There is no better antidote for a young man against the annoyance of sexual excitement than athletic work and an athletic mode of life. Any and all physical sports and games, particularly outdoor in the fresh air, moderate eating and sleeping in a hard bed in a cool room, active and busy life and avoidance of narcotic, stimulating or body-weakening habits and drinks will make you physically strong and will render the problem of sexual continence an easy and natural task for a long period of time.
Such is in brief words the structure and function of the sexual system of a man, and such are the practical conclusions and advices based on these theoretical facts. It is the writer’s hope that his words of enlightenment and counsel may keep some of the boys away from the “danger zone.” Yet it is natural to expect that in spite of the best warnings and the best intentions of the boys themselves, there will always be such, who, thru lack of will power, light-mindedness, or vicious influences of the older companions, will succumb to the impulse of the moment and will trespass the forbidden territory of “sowing wild oats.”
Mainly for these victims of their own indiscretions the writer devotes the second part of this book—“The Pathology of the Sexual System.” Let them know the dangers they are courting, let them know the possible influence it may have on their own health and the health and happiness of their future family. Should they be unfortunate enough to contract a venereal disease, it is to their own interest to know all the possible complications and developments of these diseases; to prevent, thru intelligent handling of their cases, all the evil consequences and to protect themselves from a damage that so often follows ignorance, neglect, and indifference to the sickness.