324 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



voluntary pollutions. In cases of longer standing in 

 males, the task is more difficult, but still the prospect 

 of recovery is very favorable, provided the co-opera- 

 tion of the patient can be secured; without this, little 

 can be done. But in these cases, the patient may as 

 well be told at the outset that the task of undoing the 

 evil work of years of sin is no easy matter. It can 

 only be accomplished by determined effort, by steady 

 perseverance in right doing, and in the application of 

 necessary remedies. Those who have long practiced 

 the vice, or long suffered severely from its effects, 

 have received an injury which will inevitably be life- 

 long to a greater or less extent in spite of all that can 

 be done for them. Yet such need not despair, for they 

 may receive inestimable benefit by the prevention of 

 greater damage, which they are sure to suffer if the 

 disease is allowed to go unchecked. 



Cure of the Habit. —The preliminary step in 

 treatment is always to cure the vice itself if it still ex- 

 ists. The methods adopted for this purpose must differ 

 according to the age of the individual patient. 



In children, especially those who have recently ac- 

 quired the habit, it can be broken up by admonishing 

 them of its sinfulness, and portraying in vivid colors 

 its terrible results, if the child is old enough to com- 

 prehend such admonitions. In addition to faithful 

 warnings, the attention of the child should be fully 

 occupied by work, study, or pleasant recreation. He 

 should not be left alone at any time lest he yield to 

 temptation. Work is an excellent remedy; work that 

 will really make him very tired, so that when he goes 

 to bed he will have no disposition to defile himself. It 

 is best to place such a child under the care of a faithful 

 person of older years, whose special duty it shall be 



