22 #CULPEPER’s ENGLISH PHYSICIAN, 
nor witnefs. And this, above all other motives, feems to bave been the mot 
dangerous to women in particular, who are naturally more bafhful. than men,; 
and whom cuftom has precluded from making any advances towards a mutual 
commerce with the other fex. Thirdly, there is no fpecific punifhment. to deter 
from this practice; but every one, who will, commits it with impunity. -Adul. - 
tery,in many countries, is punifhed with death: and with us, it fubjeéts.aman to 
pecuniary fines, and inflicts eternal infamy on.the woman who is known to be guilty 
_ofic. Even fornication, though regarded with lefs feverity, is yet moft fcandalous. — 
to the fair fex in particular ; efpecially when they bring into the world, as the fruit of 
it, a living witnefs of their crime. But for felf-abufe there is no infliction, no other 
punifhment, but felf-confcioufnels, And indeed, how can there beany other? The 
very nature of it, which renders it fecure againft deteétion, would fruftrate any pro+ 
| vifion that could be made in this cafe by the legiflature. And, befides this fecurity 
from legal animadverfion, it is fafe from the confequence which fingle women mutt 
-fear in their commerce with men, that of becoming pregnant. I might add, that. 
fome give into this way out of caution, They are loth to truft.their. fortunes -and 
. Prerogatives in the hands of a man, and therefore will not Marry; and, as to un- 
lawful embraces; they dare not venture on them for many reafons. But: I-proceed 
to fhew, that there can be no excufe for a practice, which, befides its wickednels is 
the moft prejudicial that can be to the human conftitution, Its bad effects on the 
body are many and great. If practifed often, it relaxes and fpoils the retentive fae. 
culty. It occafions the whites in women, and gleets in men. It ruins the. com- 
plexion, and makes them pale, fwarthy, and hagged. It produces a long train of 
hyfteric diforders. ; and fometimes, by draining away the radical moifture, induces 
 confumptions. It brings on heats in the privities, belly, thighs, with fhooting pains 
in the head, and all over the body. It fometimes brings on that fatal malady, afuror 
uterinus, or, infatiable appetite to venery. But what it is moft liable to produce is 
_ barrennefs, by caufing an indifference to the pleafures of Venus, and in time, a total 
inability. or inaptitude to the aét of generatiomitfelf. Virgins, who indulge them- 
felves over-eagerly in this abufe of their bodies, deflower themfelves, and deftroy the 
~ valuable badge of their chaftity, which it is expected they fhould.not part with be~ 
; but which, when loft, can never be retrieved. With regard to 
maids, who have hereby. deprived themfelves of that facred badge, the lofs of. which. 
: marriage, was fo feverely punifhed.among the Jews, under what apprehenfions 
ey continual ¥ lie }.--with what terrors muft they approachthe marriage-bed, 
ow has defigned for the feat of the higheft fenfible. enjoyment! when. 
sey reflee that their virtue, on the firft amorous encounter, is liable to fuch fuf-, 
_ Picions as may never be worn off, but which may render uncomfortable the whole 
life, both of her and her otherwife affectionate hufband !. But, befides this difgrace, 
fuppofe women have actually entered with reputation in all other refpects. on the 
“ ay ee | conjugal 
