The Cause. 



that it might be practised by a child for some 

 considerable time before the effects were 

 sufficiently apparent to be noticed by a casual 

 observer, and by that time irreparable damage 

 may be done. The nervous system of a child is 

 of such a delicate and complex nature, that if 

 once disorganised, it is doubtful if it ever regains 

 its perfect condition. Thus a child once given 

 to this vice adopts a neurotic condition, which 

 prevents it from ever attaining the perfect adult 

 stage of development. 



" Babies and young children are sometimes 

 abused by their nurses." Many would, no doubt, 

 be sceptical as to the possibility of young babies 

 being contaminated with this evil, yet it is on 

 record that babies of a very tender age have 

 practised it themselves. 



" Dr. Beevor showed a case of masturbation 

 in an infant aged eleven months." (Lancet, 

 December 6th, 1890). 



" En Novembre, 1873, un de nos distingue's 

 confreres d'Epernay, M. le docteur Palle, 

 m'adressait une petite fille de 17 mois, qui avait 

 contracte longtemps des habitudes d'onanisme." 

 (M. Pouillet : " Etude Medico- Philosophique.") 



The cause of this condition, in these particular 

 cases, it is unnecessary to discuss here ; it is 

 sufficient to note, that such a condition is 

 possible. 



Before bringing this chapter to a close, I 

 should like to refer briefly to another important 

 feature of the result of " Tabus des plaisirs 

 sexuels," its influence in the production of 

 alcoholism. 



105 



