The Book of Nature / Containing information for young people who think of getting married, on the philosophy of procreation and sexual intercourse, showing how to prevent conception and to avoid child-bearing: also, rules for management during labor and child-birth

by active 1875-1876 James Ashton

11. Vas Deferens—detached views.

12. Right Seminal Vesicle—interior cells.

13. Left Seminal Vesicle—detached outside view.

14. Ejaculatory Canal through which the Semen passes to the Penis—detached view.

15. The Bladder comes in here, the Seminal Vesicles and Vas Deferens being each side of it.

Some curious cases are reported in the books of ill-matched couples in this respect. One of the Princes of the Royal Family of England (a son of George III.) died without legitimate issue because he could not have connection with his wife—she being too small, or he being too large for the purpose. It is true, he was entitled to a divorce by law, but it was said he respected his wife too much to resort to such a measure. Another curious case was that of Baron Brunner, whose wife claimed a divorce on the ground that her husband was a sort of eunuch, who could afford her no pleasure during connection. But in this case, as Madame was the mother of a daughter, to whom she dared not deny the paternity of the Baron, her petition was rejected.

The Penis is the principal generative organ of man. It is usually from five to seven inches in length, hanging pendant, and extending from the Pelvic Bones to the glans at the end, and is divided into two parts called the Cavernosum and the Spongiosum. There is a groove underneath and between these two parts, through which runs the Urethra, or urinal passage. The head of the Penis is called the Bulb, and is of a spongy nature, being filled with little cells or cavities communicating with each other, and which extend into blood vessels which run the whole length of the organ, and are finally connected with an artery and a vein in the body. When no excitement of the part exists, these cells and blood vessels are nearly empty; but when excited by sexual desires, they rapidly fill with blood, when the Penis stands erect and enlarges to one-third greater size. The erection is also assisted by a number of muscles which only act when the blood rushes into the part. These are called the Cavernosus Muscles. In some persons the erection is very sudden, while in others it is the reverse—all depending upon the temperament and construction of the parts. The time for the erection to subside is also different in different persons. The causes of this difference depend upon certain vital actions of the blood vessels not fully understood. In old age this organ will often become hard and erect, though it requires more time, and the erection subsides almost instantly after connection with a female. The Penis is often destroyed by accident or by disease, and sometimes it is naturally deformed. A case is stated by Dr. Hollick of a young man 19 years old, whose Penis was only a quarter of an inch long! By a protracted and careful course of treatment, however, it was made to grow several inches. Some male children have been born with no Penis at all—a slight swelling, like the top of a small tumor, being the only mark of the spot where it ought to have grown. In some cases of deformity like this, men have been known to beget children, the flow of Semen being ample; and it only requiring, for the purpose of impregnation, that the Semen shall be placed within the external lips of the private parts of the female, as will be shown hereafter.

There are frequent malformations of the Penis. Sometimes it will grow in such a way that, when erect, it turns one side or the other, so that association is painful and very difficult. This is generally caused by contraction of the skin or muscles, and is very easily remedied by carefully cutting them in the proper place. Sometimes a one-sided Penis is the result of aneurism, swelling of the veins, or unnatural erections. These causes generally form tumors, which must first be reduced before a proper action can be restored. Cold astringent lotions, used constantly, will generally cure these tumors, though it is sometimes necessary to bind some smooth, hard substance firmly on to them—a piece of horn or ivory being the most suitable. Frequently the cord at the end of the Penis, which binds the prepuce, will be so short as to pull down the end of the Glans and thus prevent a proper connection with the female. This cord, when too short, will often break; but the best way is to cut it carefully either with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. A Penis with a head too large is a malformation caused by boyish pranks in handling the organ during its growth.

The causes of a non-development of the Penis are various. Sometimes a general torpor of the Testes retards its growth. Disease or excess will frequently make it wither and decrease in size; and many a youth by early masturbation prevents the full development of the organ. Injuries to the Testes, during early childhood, will often stop the growth of the Penis. The Mumps, Scarlet Fever, Measles, Rickets, and Scrofula—each of these diseases will also more or less affect its perfect development. It is nearly impossible to prescribe a remedy for this evil, as much depends upon the temperament of the person affected. In persons of little sexual feeling, I would recommend a rational and moderate use of the organ as Nature intended. The healthy excitement thus produced will tend to its growth. In some men, however, this plan would rather do harm than good—a frequent tepid bath, with brisk rubbing of the muscles, being the proper treatment. A stimulating ointment of some kind might be used to advantage with this latter treatment. A tube to fit over the Penis, with an air-pump, is frequently used by physicians in connection with a shampooing of the muscles, and in some cases this acts beautifully.