Part 12 (1/2)
Does not Produce Impotence.--It has been declared that strict continence would result in impotency. The falsity of this argument is clearly shown by the following observations:--
”There exists no _greater error_ than this, nor one more opposed to physiological truth. In the first place, I may state that I have, after many years' experience, never seen a single instance of atrophy of the generative organs from this cause. I have, it is true, met the complaint, but in what cla.s.s of cases does it occur? It arises, in all instances, from the exactly opposite cause, abuse; the organs become worn out, and hence arises atrophy. Physiologically considered, it is not a fact that the power of secreting s.e.m.e.n is annihilated in well-formed adults leading a healthy life and yet remaining continent. No continent man need be deterred by this apocryphal fear of atrophy of the testes, from living a chaste life. It is a device of the unchaste--a lame excuse for their own incontinence, unfounded on any physiological law.”[7]
[Footnote 7: Acton.]
The truth of this statement has been amply confirmed by experiments upon animals.
The complaint is made by those whose lives have been far otherwise than continent, that abstinence occasions suffering, from which indulgence gives relief. The same writer further says that when such a patient consults a medical man, ”he should be told--and the result would soon prove the correctness of the advice--that attention to diet, gymnastic exercise, and self-control, will, most effectually relieve the symptoms.”
Difficulty of Continence.--Some there are who urge that self-denial is difficult; that the natural promptings are imperious. From this they argue that it cannot but be right to gratify so strong a pa.s.sion. ”The admitted fact that continence, even at the very beginning of manhood, is frequently productive of distress, is often a struggle hard to be borne--still harder to be completely victorious in--is not to be at all regarded as an argument that it is an _evil_.”[8]
[Footnote 8: Ibid.]
But if rigid continence is maintained from the first, the struggle with the pa.s.sions will not be nearly so severe as after they have once been allowed to gain the ascendency. On this point, the following remarks are very just:--
”At the outset, the s.e.xual necessities are not so uncontrollable as is generally supposed, and they can be put down by the exercise of a little energetic will. There is, therefore, as it appears to us, as much injustice in accusing nature of disorders which are dependent upon the genital senses, badly directed, as there would be in attributing to it a sprain or a fracture accidentally produced.”[9]
[Footnote 9: Mayer.]
Helps to Continence.--As already indicated, and as every individual with strong pa.s.sions knows, the warfare with pa.s.sion is a serious one if one determines to lead a continent life. He needs the help of every aid that he can gain. Some of these may be named as follows:--
_The Will_.--A firm determination must be formed to lead a life of purity; to quickly quench the first suggestions of impurity; to harbor no unchaste desire; to purge the mind of carnal thoughts; in short, to cleave fast to mental continence. Each triumph over vicious thoughts will strengthen virtue; each victory won will make the next the easier.
So strong a habit of continence may be formed that this alone will be a bulwark against vice.
_Diet_.--He who would keep in subjection his animal nature must carefully guard the portal to his stomach. The blood is made of what is eaten. Irritating food will produce irritating blood. Stimulating foods or drinks will surely produce a corresponding quality of blood.
Irritating, stimulating blood will irritate and stimulate the nervous system, and especially the delicate nerves of the reproductive system, as previously explained. Only the most simple and wholesome food should be eaten, and that only in such moderate quant.i.ties as are required to replenish the tissues. The custom of making the food pungent and stimulating with condiments is the great, almost the sole, cause of gluttony. It is one of the greatest hindrances to virtue. Indeed, it may with truth be said that the devices of modern cookery are most powerful allies of unchast.i.ty and licentiousness. This subject is particularly deserving of careful, candid, and studious attention, and only needs such investigation to demonstrate its soundness.
_Exercise_.--Next to diet as an aid to continence, perhaps of equal importance with it, is exercise, both physical and mental. It is a trite proverb, the truth of which every one acknowledges, that ”Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do,” and it is equally true that he always has an evil thought in readiness--speaking figuratively--to instill into an unoccupied mind. A person who desires to be pure and continent in body and mind must flee idleness as he would the devil himself; for the latter is always ready to improve upon the advantages afforded by an idle moment, an hour given to reverie.
We have the strongest testimony from the most eminent physicians in regard to the efficacy of exercise in overcoming abnormal s.e.xual desires. Mr. Acton relates the following statement made to him by a gentleman who has become distinguished in his profession:--
”'You may be surprised, Mr. Acton,' said he, 'by the statement I am about to make to you, that before my marriage I lived a perfectly continent life. During my university career, my pa.s.sions were very strong, sometimes almost uncontrollable, but I have the satisfaction to think that I mastered them; it was, however, by great efforts. I obliged myself to take violent physical exertion; I was the best oar of my year, and when I felt particularly strong s.e.xual desire, I sallied out to take my exercise. I was victorious always, and I never committed fornication. You see in what vigorous health I am; it was exercise alone that saved me.'”
Says Carpenter, on the same subject, in a textbook for medical students, ”'Try the effect of close mental application to some of those enn.o.bling pursuits to which your profession introduces you, in combination with vigorous bodily exercise, before you a.s.sert that the appet.i.te is unrestrainable, and act upon that a.s.sertion.'”
Walking, riding, rowing, and gymnastics are among the best modes of physical exercise for sedentary persons; but there is no better form of exercise than working in the garden. The cultivation of small fruits, flowers, and other occupations of like character, really excel all other modes of physical exercise for one who can engage in them with real pleasure. Even though distasteful at first, they may become very attractive and interesting if there is an honest, persevering desire to make them so. The advantages of exercises of this kind are evident.
1. They are useful as well as healthful. While they call into action a very large number of muscles by the varied movements required, the expenditure of vital force is remunerated by the actual value of the products of the labor; so that no force is wasted. 2. The tillage of the soil and the dressing of vines and plants bring one in constant contact with nature in a manner that is elevating and refining, or at least affords the most favorable opportunities for the cultivation of n.o.bility and purity of mind, and elevated principles.
Exercise carried to such excess as to produce exhaustion is always injurious. The same is true of mental labor as of physical exercise.
Plenty of sleep, and regular habits of retiring and rising, are important. Dozing is bad at any time; for it is a condition in which the will is nearly dormant, though consciousness still lingers, and the imagination is allowed to run wild, and often enough it will run where it ought not. Late study, or late hours spent in any manner, is a sure means of producing general nervous irritability and s.e.xual excitement through reflex influence.
_Bathing_.--A daily bath with cool or tepid water, followed by vigorous rubbing of the skin with a coa.r.s.e towel and then with the dry hand, is a most valuable aid. The hour of first rising is generally the most convenient time. How to take different kinds of baths is explained in other works devoted to the subject.[10] General and local cleanliness are indispensable to general and local health.
[Footnote 10: See ”Uses of Water” and ”The Household Manual.”]
_Religion_.--After availing himself of all other aids to continence, if he wishes to maintain purity of mind as well as physical chast.i.ty--and one cannot exist long without the other--the individual must seek that most powerful and helpful of all aids, divine grace.
If, in the conflict with his animal nature, man had only to contend with the degrading influences of his own propensities, the battle would be a serious one, and it is doubtful whether human nature alone--at least in any but rare cases,--would be able to gain the victory; but, in addition to his own inherent tendencies to evil, man is a.s.sailed at every point by unseen agencies that seek to drag him down and spoil his soul with l.u.s.t. These fiendish influences are only felt, not seen, from which some argue that they do not exist. Such casuists must find enormous depths for human depravity. But who has not felt the cruel power of these unseen foes? Against them, there is but one safe, successful weapon, ”the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin.”