UNCHASTITY 297 



as Dr. Acton says, to which the human body is subject. 

 The horrid desperation of patients suffering under this 

 condition is ahnost inconceivable. It is fortunately 

 rare in its most severe forms ; but hundreds suffer from 

 it to a most painful degree as one of the punishments 

 of the transgression of nature's laws; and a most ter- 

 rible punishment it is. 



Piles, Prolapsus of Rectum, Etc.— As the result 

 of the straining caused by stricture, piles, prolapsus 

 of the rectum and fissure of the anus are not infre- 

 quently induced, as the following case observed at 

 Charity Hospital, New York, illustrates: 



The patient had a peculiar deformity of the genital 

 organs, hypospadias, which prevented sexual inter- 

 course, in consequence of which he gave himself up to 

 the practice of self-abuse. He had become reduced to 

 the most deplorable condition of both mind and body, 

 and presented a most woe-begone countenance. In 

 addition to his general ailments, he suffered from ex- 

 treme prolapsus of the rectum and a most painful anal 

 fissure. His condition was somewhat bettered by skil- 

 ful surgical treatment. 



Extension of Irritation.— Serious and painful as 

 are the affections already noticed, those which arise 

 from the extension of the congestion and irritation of 

 the urethra to those other organs most intimately con- 

 nected with the function of generation, are still more 

 dreadful to themselves, and far more serious in their 

 consequences. The irritation extends into the ejacu- 

 latory ducts, thence backward into the seminal vesicles 

 and downward through the vasa deferentia to the tes- 

 tes. These organs become unnaturally excited, and 

 their activity is increased. The testicles form an ab- 

 normal amount of spermatozoa; the seminal vesicles 



