UNCHASTITr 291 



some powerful cause, and wliich may often be found 

 to be the vice in question. 



35. Hysteria in females may be regarded as a sus- 

 picious circumstance when frequently occurring on 

 very slight occasions, and especially if there is no 

 hereditary tendency to the disease. 



36. Chlorosis, or green sickness, is very often caused 

 by the unholy practice under consideration. It is very 

 commonly attributed, when occurring in young women, 

 to menstrual derangements ; but it is only necessary to 

 remember that these menstrual irregularities are in 

 many cases the result of the same habit, as has been 

 already pointed out. 



37. Epileptic fits in children are not infrequently 

 the result of vicious habits. 



38. Wetting the bed is an evidence of irritation 

 which may be connected with the practice ; it should be 

 looked after. 



39. Unchastity of speech and fondness for obscene 

 stories betray a condition of mind which does not often 

 exist in youth who are not addicted to this vice. 



As previously remarked, no single one of the above 

 signs should be considered as conclusive evidence of 

 the habit in any individual ; but any one of them may 

 and should arouse suspicion and watchfulness. If the 

 habit really exists, but a short time will elapse before 

 other signs will be noticed ; and when several point in 

 the same direction, the evidence may be considered 

 nearly, if not quite, conclusive. But persistent watch- 

 ing will enable the positive signs to be detected sooner 

 or later, and then there can no longer be doubt. It 

 is, of course, necessary to give the individual no sus- 

 picion that he is being watched, as that would put 



