202 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



be enabled to maintain self-mastery. Plato calls atten- 

 tion to the fact that the man who reaches a high degree 

 of physical vigor as the result of severe training, finds 

 the control of the sexual appetite a much less severe 

 task than does the man who neglects muscular activity. 



The value of a simple diet and active muscular exer- 

 cise in subduing abnormal animal propensities, the 

 writer has proved in hundreds of cases in which his 

 prescription has been carried out by young men seek- 

 ing relief from the thraldom of clamorous desires. 



The purpose in this chapter has been to show from 

 purely physiological considerations that unchastity can 

 be, under no circumstances, either necessary or justi- 

 fiable ; that science and religion, the teaching of nature 

 and of the decalogue, are in accord; tliat chastity, not 

 incontinence, is the law of nature. The considerations 

 which have been brought forward amply justify the 

 assertion that continence is not only consistent with 

 the highest health under all circumstances, but that it 

 is one of the conditions essential to the attainment and 

 maintenance of the highest degree of physical and 

 mental vigor. 



Helps to Continence.— As already indicated, and 

 as every individual with strong passions, knows, the 

 warfare with passion is a serious one if a person deter- 

 mines to lead a continent life. He needs the help of 

 every aid that he can gain. Some of these may be 

 named as follows : 



The Will.— A. firm determination must be formed to 

 lead a life of purity; to quickly quench the first sug- 

 gestions of impurity ; to harbor no unchaste desire ; to 

 purge the mind of carnal thoughts ; in short, to cleave 

 fast to mental continence. Each triumph over vicious 

 thoughts will strengthen virtue; each victory won will 



