326 PLAIN FACTS FOE OLD AND YOUNG 



to bear upon a particular individual,— and there al- 

 ways will be something of this sort, owing to peculiar- 

 ities of temperament or circumstances,— these should 

 be promptly employed, and applied in such a manner 

 as to secure for them their full bearing. 



Through the courtesy of Dr. Archibald, Superin- 

 tendent of the Iowa Asylum for Feeble-Minded Chil- 

 dren, we have become acquainted with a method of 

 treatment of this disorder which is applicable in re- 

 fractory cases, and we have employed it with entire 

 satisfaction. It consists in the application of one or 

 more silver sutures in such a way as to prevent erec- 

 tion. The prepuce, or foreskin, is drawn forward over 

 the glans, and the needle to which the wire is attached 

 is passed through from one side to the other. After 

 drawing the wire through, the ends are twisted to- 

 gether, and cut off close. It is now impossible for an 

 erection to occur, and the slight irritation thus pro- 

 duced acts as a most powerful means of overcoming 

 the disposition to resort to the practice. 



In females, the author has found the application of 

 pure carbolic acid to the clitoris an excellent means of 

 allaying the abnormal excitement, and preventing the 

 recurrence of the practice in those whose will-power 

 has become so weakened that the patient is unable to 

 exercise entire self-control. 



The worse cases among young women are those 

 in which the disease has advanced so far that erotic 

 thoughts are attended by the same voluptuous sensa- 

 tions which accompany the practice. The author has 

 met many cases of this sort in young women, who ac- 

 knowledged that the sexual orgasm was thus produced, 

 often several times daily. The application of carbolic 

 acid in the manner described is also useful in these 



