INTRODUCTION 35 



pretext for entertaining or promulgating it. It has 

 been the source of much evil, however; and wherever 

 such an opinion is met, it must be energetically de- 

 nounced. 



"There is an aspect of the question which cannot 

 be overlooked, especially as recent revelations have 

 thrown a lurid light upon it. It has been abundantly 

 proved that young girls are often entrapped to their 

 ruin in the most utter ignorance of sexual questions, 

 and of the physical significance of the act to which 

 they are enticed. This is surely a lamentable instance 

 of proj)riety overreaching itself. Innocent ignorance 

 is always attractive ; but if the means of luring the in- 

 nocent victim to her doom, it is surely more dangerous. 

 How, then, is the girl, approaching sexual maturity, 

 10 be made acquainted with the solemn facts of the 

 creative act, and guarded against associating them 

 with the base impulses of passion? We commend this 

 difficult question to the thoughtful consideration of our 

 readers. In this respect, also, the mothers and the 

 teachers have a very solemn duty; and it is opportune 

 to ask how, when, where, and by whom it is best per- 

 formed. ' ' 



The experience of hundreds in the circulation of the 

 present work has proved beyond all chance for question 

 the truth of the foregoing remarks, and often in a most 

 striking manner. Scores of persons have written us, 

 ''I would give all I possess in this world could I have 

 had a copy of ^ Plain Facts' placed in my hands when 

 I was a lad," or, ''Words cannot express the gratitude 

 I would now feel had some kind friend imparted to 

 me the valuable information which this book contains; 

 it would have saved me a life of wretchedness." 



3 



