The fear of transgressing the rules of modesty taught in youth, restrains some individuals. Others abstain because they fear the correction and reproaches of a father, and think on the shame with which they would be covered were their secret known. Chastisement has sometimes had the effect of rendering the guilty ones very circumspect. But of all fears, that which has produced the most effect on onanists, is the fear of disease and death.
Onanists rarely believe what is told them by parents and others, as to the dangers of their course, but place more credit on what they read in books; and of these, Tissot is the only one which possesses much reputation. It has been much read, and although attended with great good effects, it has not always been useful. Many think its statements exaggerated, and therefore injurious. We have known it to fail entirely of its desired purpose, and to cause deplorable effects. On the whole, however, it has done much good, which it would be unjust not to acknowledge. At the same time, we must say, that a knowledge of the reproaches against Tissot, and the desire to avoid them, have had no influence over a word of the present treatise. In composing it we have been actuated by a desire to tell the truth, and have more than once remarked that we must not judge of the common effects of onanism by the cases which have been published, as those only which are very severe, appear in print. We have also said that the most common effects of onanism consist rather in certain vitiations of temperament, than in diseases having a precise form, and a distinct place in the systems of nosology. We have also shown how rapidly the health is generally restored when indulgence in onanism ceases. But this was done not to exercise any influence over the minds of those who might read the book, but simply to do justice to the truth.
The word of a physician may frequently however produce a change in the patient; more frequently than the reading of a book. He should not hesitate to speak boldly, for if it be requisite he can afterward modify his opinion. The effect of an opinion as follows, “In three months you will be a dead man” is often very great. The onanist trembles and becomes pale: his heart beats quickly, his strength fails. Do not regret it, it is not by encouragement that you will save him from himself. Add however that in a few months he will be a well man, provided he will renounce his bad habits. These words of hope will console him and encourage him to resist his evil desires. Frequently however the impression caused by this language is soon effaced. In this case another remedy must be sought for. The language and tone of the physician too should vary according to the person addressed; but he should always present the certainty of death if the vice is continued, and that of relief if it be arrested.
Sometimes the onanist leaves his old habit very gradually, a course which is recommended by Swediaur. This course may be pursued for two reasons: the first is that it is more easy to quit this habit by degrees than to break it off violently: the second that it is not always prudent to leave off habits suddenly even if they are bad. Persons have sometimes been blinded by being taken from their dungeons too suddenly.
When a young man however finds himself unable to resist the force of his desires notwithstanding the perusal of books and the advice of his physician, there is still one resource, which is the sight of an onanist dying. Approach and look at him: he was recently healthy and his prospects bright. He indulged in onanism: see what he is now; friends and physicians remonstrated with him but in vain; he would listen to nothing, he believed nothing. Now however he believes, but it is too late, for in a few days his earthly career will be closed. If terror does not affect him who witnesses this doleful picture you cannot produce it. A surgeon named Bertrand aware of the power of this mode of instruction constructed in wax two figures which represented onanists of both sexes. These figures were exhibited to those suspected of indulging in onanism and produced it is said very beneficient effects.
The ancients and we will cite Avicenna, and Paul of Egina, recommend that we should attempt to excite in the minds of those addicted to this vice an interest about external objects. Distraction is then a mode which may be usefully recommended to those onanists over whom their desires have not much power. Travelling, study, recreation, in fact every thing which can give the mind a strong and new direction, should be recommended, and may have the effect of distracting the onanist from his bad habit.
§ 3. THIRD INDICATION. REMOVE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE THE WISH TO MASTURBATE THE POWER OF DOING SO.
Masturbation is possible only under the two following conditions: first there must be an opportunity to indulge in secret; next there must be a possibility of indulging. Hence by frustrating these conditions we can prevent onanism, the wishes of the onanist to the contrary notwithstanding.
The opportunities for onanism are all embraced under one term, isolation. It is necessary for the onanist to be alone. Hence watchfulness, that precaution which makes the young man constantly observes, which exposes him every moment to detection and consequently to shame, to reproaches and to punishment for his fault, is a powerful means of preventing it.
Watchfulness should be particularly practised over young people, when they are undressed, in bed, in the bath or in the privy. Hence the young patient should undress, go to bed and rise under your inspection. If this be not sufficient, he should share your bed. This measure is frequently the only way to prevent onanism. In large boarding schools there should be no private rooms: the sleeping chambers should be extensive, and a lamp, which would give sufficient light to assist your watchfulness, but not enough to prevent sleep, should burn in it all night. The masters and those who have charge of the pupils ought to examine in silence at different hours and the most perfect quiet should exist in the apartment. Here too the hours of retirement and of rising should be calculated according to the ages, so that the suspected or guilty might never go to bed except to sleep. Be watchful of those who stay long in privies: those however with ample accommodations are not so dangerous as those which are single. In some schools the doors of the privies are open at the top, so that an adult can look into them. Need we add that persons who are suspected should be watched in the bath.