SEXUAL HYGIENE 191 



wrong. Sexual excitement arising from constipation 

 of the bowels, or from any form of local disease, is a 

 morbid condition which is aggravated rather than re- 

 lieved by gratification. Hence a morbid desire for 

 sexual gratification is under no circumstances an apol- 

 ogy for indulgence. 



A Hint from Lower Animals.— The truth of 

 these statements has been amply confirmed by experi- 

 ments upon animals, as well as by the experience of 

 some of the most distinguished men, who have ever 

 lived, among whom may be mentioned Sir Isaac New- 

 ton, Kant, Paschal, Fontenaille and Michael Angelo. 

 These men never married, and lived continent lives. 

 Some of them lived to a very great age, retaining to 

 the last their wonderful abilities. In view of this fact, 

 there is certainly no danger that any young man will 

 suffer injury by the restraining of his passions within 

 the limits of divine and natural law. 



The complaint is made by those whose lives have 

 been far otherwise than continent, that abstinence oc- 

 casions suffering from which indulgence gives relief. 

 The writer just referred to (Acton) further says that 

 when such a patient consults a medical man, ' ' he should 

 be told— and the result would soon prove the correct- 

 ness of the advice— that attention to diet, gymnastic 

 exercise, and self-control will most effectually relieve 

 the symptoms." 



Difficulty of Continence. — Some there are who 

 urge that self-denial is difficult; that the natural 

 promptings are imperious. From this they argue that 

 it cannot but be right to gratify so strong a passion. 



If rigid continence is maintained from the first, the 

 struggle with the passions will not be nearly so severe 

 as after they have once been allowed to gain the as- 



