IMPUISSANCE, OR IMPOTENCE.
Upon pursuing the consideration of the following infirmities of the Reproductive System, a few prefatory observations are requisite. Perhaps of all the physical powers possessed by man, few are subject to so much abuse as the procreative organs—certainly none are more required to be, in a hygiænic point of view, held in a sounder condition of health, for upon their tone and perfect structure hinge the happiness and perpetuation of the human race. In this age of luxury and sensuality, however, the world seems untiringly hunting after, and more or less obtaining, sexual gratification. There can be no doubt, that a greater amount of this species of sensual enjoyment is indulged in before manhood arrives, than can be obtained when man should be in his vigor. The writer is not insensible to the many alluring publications upon this topic, the end and aim of which are not, honestly, to afford relief to the diffident sufferer, but to add to his misery, by draining his pocket. Of legitimate publications, alas! there are but few, for it appears that qualified medical men have, from some prudish or other such notions, kept aloof from entering the lists. Were it otherwise, many an unfortunate victim might be spared from the avaricious clutch of the empiric; but invalids, from such a knowledge of the absence of fair and honorable references, are obliged to seek (or despair of) relief from the unworthy class in question. How far the tendency of the present work may lead to a reformation, is left for the reader to decide. The novelty of the present compendium may subject it to invidious suspicion; the author but invites comparison, feeling convinced that the contents best bespeak its legitimacy and usefulness.
“Increase and multiply,” is the scriptural text. “Plant trees and beget offspring,” is the apothegm of the Magi. The perpetuation of the species being, with the great Designer of the universe, an object of the first interest, all living beings are mentally and physically formed with a view to this great end.
In the human species, procreation is effected by a congress of the two sexes, and a variety of organs are provided, upon whose condition the due performance of coition mainly depends. The male is destined to furnish a peculiar fecundating secretion, and is accordingly provided with glands to prepare such fluid, and a conduit to convey the same to its proper destination; while the female, being the recipient, possesses an organ capable of effecting a mysterious yet specific change upon the fluid so deposited: a failure, therefore, in any of the structures alluded to, is followed by impotence or sterility.
Impotence implies the incapability of sexual intercourse; sterility, the inability of procreation; the causes of either of which may be deemed organic, functional, or moral. The following section will be devoted, firstly, to its consideration in its relation to the male.