UNCHASTITY 339 



Carpenter, in whicli a certain amount of control by 

 the will is possible. This is the usual condition of the 

 mind during morning naps ; and if a person resolutely 

 determines to combat unchaste thoughts whenever they 

 come to him, whether asleep or awake, he will find it 

 possible to control himself, not only during this semi- 

 conscious state, but even during more profound sleep. 



The following case related by an eminent London 

 surgeon,* illustrates what may be done by strong reso- 

 lution; the patient was an Italian gentleman of very 

 great respectability. 



''He had been inconvenienced five years before 

 with frequent emissions, which totally unnerved him. 

 He determined resolutely that the very instant the 

 image of a woman or any libidinous idea presented 

 itself to his imagination, he ivould wake; and to insure 

 his doing so, dwelt in his thoughts on his resolution 

 for a long time before going to sleep. The remedy, 

 applied by a vigorous will, had the most happy results. 

 The idea, the remembrance of its being a danger, and 

 the determination to wake, closely united the evening 

 before, were never dissociated, even in sleep, and he 

 awoke in time ; and this reiterated precaution, repeated 

 during some evenings, absolutely cured the complaint. ' ' 



Several other cases of the same kind have been re- 

 corded. Doubtless the plan would be found successful 

 in many cases when coupled with a proper regimen. 



A still greater control is exerted over the thoughts 

 during sleep by their character during hours of wake- 

 fulness. By controlling the mind during entire con- 

 sciousness, it will also be controlled during unconscious- 

 ness or semi-consciousness. 



Dro Acton makes the following very appropriate re- 

 marks upon this subject: 



* Acton, 



