THE DOG. 145 



deserves repeating : rabies does not arise spontaneously, it does not 

 originate from nothing. 



All sorts of theories have been adopted and found numerous de- 

 fenders, to sink again into oblivion. Among them may be men- 

 tioned the influences of extreme heat, extreme cold, want of water, 

 domestication, training, confinement, too much ease and petting, 

 but, most absurd of all, and consequently held to with religious re- 

 spect, non-satisfaction of the sexual desires. 



AVhat has not been laid to this last cause by an absurdly ignorant 

 and superstitious humanity ? 



Every form of mental or nervous excitement, superabundance 

 of spirits, depression of spirits, poor appetite, a good appetite, too 

 much desire for sleep, want of sleep, good spirits, evil spirits, ill 

 temper, and about every ill which could be hypothetically connected 

 with the sexual organs, has been attributed to abuse or non-exercise 

 of their functions. 



I by no means wish it to be understood that there is not a most 

 intimate connection between the sexual organs and many nervous 

 centres, but I must affirm that many of the things attributed to their 

 influence is most absurd nonsense. 



The medical profession seem not only too willing to support and 

 favor this unfounded superstition, which has been nourished by 

 man since history's beginning. 



Man's selfishness has been fostered at the cost of woman's happi- 

 ness and health, and the medical profession has done its part to sup- 

 port it. 



One would think the science of comparative physiology did not 

 exist, or that its teachings were a myth. 



Blind fools seeking to lead an equally blind humanity ! " Pluck 

 the mote out of thine own eye before thou seekest to remove the 

 beam from thy brother's eye." 



Some day, when what Haeckel calls " physiogenie^ or what I 

 woidd prefer to call functio-genesis, or the genesis of the physio- 

 logical functions, becomes a naked and cold-Hooded pa?'t of com- 

 parative physiology, and is taught in our medical and public 

 schools and described in our text-boohs, the world will learn and 

 know that no functions are given to contribute to man's pleasure 

 or selfishness ; but that, when pleasure is united with the exercise 

 of the physiological functions, it is for the proper action of those 

 functions, and not for the sensual gratification of a conceited mem- 

 ber of the animal creation. It may be axiomatically asserted, and 

 it is time that mankind should learn it, that man has no functions 

 10 



