APPENDIX.[ToC]
Personal conferences and correspondence with young men regarding the solution of their problems have brought out several questions that are so frequently repeated as to make it evident that the answering of them would serve the purpose of clearing up certain questions or doubts, more or less important in the minds of many young men. It has been decided to group these answers in an appendix rather than to incorporate them in the body of the book, as many of them seem not quite relevant to the topics outlined under the several chapters.
1. How do we know that during the nocturnal emission the products of the testes are not present?
The spermatozoa found in the nocturnal emission, if present at all, are found to be very much less active than the spermatozoa of semen secreted during sexual excitement. The seminal vesicles are not receptacles for the testicular secretion. The ampullæ seem to serve that purpose in a limited degree.
Considering all these facts, it seems to be a tenable conclusion that the few and sluggish spermatozoa seen in the product of the nocturnal emission are those that have, from time to time, collected in the ampullæ, and that during the time immediately preceding the nocturnal emission the testes are not actively releasing nascent spermatozoa. This function of the testes seems to be reserved for periods of conscious sexual stimulation.
2. How may one control too frequent emissions?
If emissions are too frequent for the individual case, they are followed by depletion and malaise. Even if they occur as infrequently as once in two weeks and are followed by the above symptoms, they must be considered as too frequent, or abnormal in that case. On the other hand, they may occur as frequently as twice a week in plethoric robust individuals, and especially in men who have had frequent sexual intercourse, and who have for some reason discontinued it. And even though they occur as frequently as twice a week, if they are followed by a feeling of relief and wellbeing, they must not be considered as too frequent for that individual under the conditions.
So the frequency limit of nocturnal emissions is more or less independent of the time and quite dependent upon the reaction of the individual to the emission. If, following the criterion above outlined, one finds that his emissions are too frequent, because of accompanying depletion and malaise, this frequency may be modified either by changes of the diet or by changes of hygiene.
For a more extended discussion, see text above on nocturnal emissions.
3. Do the organs of reproduction actually develop after the age of seventeen or nineteen or even to the twenty-fifth year as is the case with the physical and mental powers?