188 PLAIN FACTS FOE OLD AND YOUNG 



CONTINENCE 



Continence differs from chastity in being entire re- 

 straint from sexual indulgence under all circumstances, 

 while chastity is only restraint from unlawful indul- 

 gence. Many of the observations on the subject of 

 ' ' Chastity ' ' apply with equal force to continence. The 

 causes of incontinence are the same as those of un- 

 chastity. The same relation also exists between mental 

 and physical continence as between mental and phys- 

 ical chastity. 



The subject of continence evidently has a somewhat 

 wider scope than that of chastity, as generally under- 

 stood; but as we have considered the latter subject so 

 fully, we shall devote less space to this, leaving the 

 reader to make the application of such preceding re- 

 marks as reason may suggest to him are equally appro- 

 priate here. 



Without stopping to consider the various circum- 

 stances under which absolute continence is expedient, 

 or desirable, or morally required, we will proceed at 

 once to examine the question, Is continence harmful! 



Continence Not Injurious.— It has been claimed 

 by many, even by physicians, and though with slight 

 show of reason, that absolute continence, after full 

 development of the organs of reproduction, could not be 

 maintained without great detriment to health. It is 

 needless to enumerate all the different arguments em- 

 ployed to support this position, since they are, with a 

 few exceptions, too frivolous to deserve attention. We 

 shall content ourselves chiefly with quotations from ac- 

 knowledged authorities, by which we shall show that 

 the popular notions upon this subject are wholly erro- 



