The Cause. 



6 in. In 1872 it was reduced to 5 ft. 5 in., in 

 1883 to 5 ft. 3 in., in 1897 to 5 ft. 2 in., and in 

 1901 "specials" were actually enlisted as low 

 as 5 ft. 



In 1845 the proportion of soldiers under 5 ft. 

 6 in. was about one-tenth ; in 1900 it was 565 

 per 1,000, or more than one half. 



In 1901, 11,896 men were examined, and 8,820, 

 or nearly three-fourths, were rejected. 



These figures were published in the Lancet of 

 May, 1902. 



There is nothing to show that this rapid de- 

 cline has ceased, so that we are truly in a serious 

 plight. 



I have already mentioned the name of Sir W. 

 C. Ellis in connection with the rapid increase 

 of lunacy. In his " Treatise on Insanity " (1838) 

 he devoted several notes to this habit as a 

 caution to the medical profession, as thus : 



" Masturbation is a fertile source of 



insanity. I have no hesitation in saying that 

 in a very large number of cases, in all public 

 asylums, the disease may be attributed to that 

 cause. The general debility which is caused by 

 this disgusting habit, is more severely felt in the 

 brain and nervous system in some constitutions 

 than in others, and whilst a pale face, general 

 lassitude, drowsiness, cold extremities, trembling 

 hands, and a voracious appetite, are the indica- 

 tions of its existence in one, the brain is the 

 first to give way in another, and insanity takes 

 place." 



In commenting on the prevalence of this vice 

 among young people, he said : " Would that I 



J i 85 



