TJNCHASTITY 325 



to watch him night and day until the habit is thor- 

 oughly overcome. 



In younger children, with whom moral considera- 

 tions will have no particular weight, other devices may 

 be used. Bandaging the parts has been practiced with 

 success. Tying the hands is also successful in some 

 cases; but this will not always succeed, for they will 

 often contrive to continue the habit in other ways, as 

 by working the limbs, or lying upon the abdomen. 

 Covering the organs with a cage has been practiced 

 with entire success. A remedy which is almost always 

 successful in small boys is circumcision, especially when 

 there is any degree of phimosis. The operation should 

 be performed by a surgeon without administering an 

 anesthetic, as the brief pain attending the operation 

 will have a salutary effect upon the mind, especially if 

 it be connected with the idea of punishment, as it may 

 well be in some cases. The soreness which continues 

 for several weeks interrupts the practice, and if it had 

 not previously become too firmly fijsed, it may be for- 

 gotten and not resumed. If any attempt is made to 

 watch the child, he should be so carefully surrounded 

 by vigilance that he cannot possibly transgress without 

 detection. If he is only partially watched, he soon 

 learns to elude observation, and thus the effect is only 

 to make him cunning in his vice. 



In adults or youth a different plan must be pur- 

 sued. In these cases, moral considerations, and the 

 inevitable consequences to health of body and mind, 

 are the chief infiuences by which a reform is to be 

 effected, if at all. These considerations may be urged 

 with all possible eloquence and earnestness, but should 

 not be exaggerated. The truth is terrible enough. If 

 there are any special influences which may be brought 

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