190 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



least, are suffering under a debility and morbid irri- 

 tability utterly incompatible with the general welfare 

 of the system." 



Continence Does Not Produce Impotence. — It 

 has been declared that strict continence would result 

 in impotence. The falsity of this argument is clearly 

 shown by the following observations: 



''There exists no greater error than this, nor one 

 more opposed to physiological truth. In the first place, 

 I may state that I have, after many years' experience, 

 never seen a single instance of atrophy of the gener- 

 ative organs from this cause. I have, it is true, met 

 the complaint; but in what class of cases does it occur'? 

 —It arises, in all instances, from the exactly opposite 

 cause, abuse; the organs become worn out, and hence 

 arises atrophy. Physiologically considered, it is not 

 a fact that the power of secreting semen is annihilated 

 in well-formed adults leading a healthy life, and yet 

 remaining continent. No continent man need be de- 

 terred by this apocryphal fear of atrophy of the testes, 

 from living a chaste life. It is a device of the unchaste, 

 a lame excuse for their own incontinence, unfounded 

 on any physiological law." * 



The eminent Dr. Joseph Hutchinson, of London, 

 states emphatically that impotence is never the result 

 of continence. It is unquestionably true, however, that 

 serious injury may result from prolonged and un- 

 gratified sexual excitement, often greater than from 

 frequent gratification in a normal way; nevertheless, 

 this is no apology for incontinence, as the troublesome 

 excitement is not a physiological condition, but is the 

 result of a bad mental state, the mind being allowed 

 to run upon sensual subjects, which is, beyond ques- 

 tion, mentally and morally, as well as physically, 



* Acton. 



