Plain Facts for Old and Young by John Harvey Kellogg
3. _Premature and defective development_ is a symptom closely allied
to the two preceding. When it cannot be traced to such natural causes
as overstudy, overwork, lack of exercise, and other influences of a
similar nature, it should be charged to self-abuse. The early exercise
of the genital organs hastens the attainment of puberty, in many cases,
especially when the habit is acquired early, but at the same time saps
the vital energies so that the system is unable to manifest that
increased energy in growth and development which usually occurs at this
period. In consequence, the body remains small, or does not attain that
development which it otherwise would. The mind is dwarfed as well as
the body. Sometimes the mind suffers more than the body in lack of
development, and sometimes the reverse is true. This defective
development is shown, in the physical organization of males, in the
failure of the voice to increase in volume and depth of tone as it
should; in deficient growth of the beard; in failure of the chest to
become full and the shoulders broad. The mind and character show the
dwarfing influence by failure to develop those qualities which
especially distinguish a noble manhood. In the female, defective
development is shown by menstrual derangements, by defective growth
either in stature, or as shown in unnatural slimness, and in a failure
to develop the graces and pleasing character which should distinguish
early womanhood. Such signs deserve careful investigation, for they
can only result from some powerfully blighting influence.
Chapters
- Chapter 1 Ch.1
- INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ch.2
- INTRODUCTION. Ch.3
- 1. In childhood, and until about the age of puberty, respiration in Ch.4
- 2. Although there is a change in the mode of respiration in most females, Ch.5
- 3. We believe the cause of this modification of respiration is the Ch.6
- 4. We have met a number of ladies whose good fortune and good sense Ch.7
- 1. Do not allow the boy or girl to be overworked, either mentally or Ch.8
- 2. Keep the mind occupied. While excessive labor should be avoided, Ch.9
- 3. Abundant exercise out-of-doors is essential for both sexes. Sunshine Ch.10
- 4. Watch carefully the associations of the youth. This should be done Ch.11
- 5. None too much care can be exercised at this important epoch of human Ch.12
- 2. Intense mental excitement, as well as severe physical labor, is to Ch.13
- 3. A third hint, which is applicable to both sexes and at all times, Ch.14
- 4. Take daily exercise, as much as possible short of fatigue; if Ch.15
- 4. Perhaps nothing tends more directly to the production of menstrual Ch.16
- 1. If a child is begotten in lust, its lower passions will as certainly Ch.17
- 2. The same remarks apply with equal force to the transmission of other Ch.18
- 3. The influence of the father is, at the outset, as great as that of Ch.19
- 4. If during gestation the mother is fretful, complaining, and Ch.20
- 1. For the beginning of a new life, select the most favorable time, Ch.21
- 2. If a child has been properly conceived, the duty then devolves upon Ch.22
- 3. After birth, the mother still possesses a molding influence upon Ch.23
- 1. During the development of the body, all its energies are required Ch.24
- 2. The reproductive act is the most exhaustive of all vital acts. Its Ch.25
- 3. The effects upon the female are even worse than those upon the male; Ch.26
- 2. That a robust man requires more than one woman to satisfy his sexual Ch.27
- 3. That there are more women than men; and since every woman has a right Ch.28
- 4. That the great men of all ages have been polygamists in fact, if Ch.29
- 5. That monogamy is a relic of the paganism of the ancient Greeks and Ch.30
- 6. That it is the only proper and effective cure for the "social evil," Ch.31
- 1. We deny most emphatically the assertion that polygamy is either Ch.32
- 2. The second argument is based upon the asserted fact that man Ch.33
- 3. While it is true that there are a few more adult women than men, Ch.34
- 4. In proof of the propriety of polygamy, as well as of its necessity, Ch.35
- 5. The fact that monogamy was practiced among the ancient Greeks and Ch.36
- 6. The argument that polygamy will cure the "social evil" is exactly Ch.37
- 1. They are useful as well as healthful. While they call into action Ch.38
- 1. The sexual function is for the purpose of producing new individuals Ch.39
- 2. In the animal kingdom generally, the reproductive function is Ch.40
- 3. In those exceptional cases in which the organs of the male are in Ch.41
- 4. Fecundation of the female element can only take place about the time Ch.42
- 5. The desire for sexual congress naturally exists in the female only Ch.43
- 6. The constant development of the sexual organs in human males is a Ch.44
- 7. The time of sexual congress is always determined by the condition Ch.45
- 1. The fact that in all animals but the human species the act can be Ch.46
- 2. The fact that the males of other animals besides man in which the Ch.47
- 3. The general law that the reproductive act is performed only when Ch.48
- 1. The moment that prostitution is placed under the protection of law Ch.49
- 2. Why should so vile a crime as fornication be taken under legal Ch.50
- 3. By the use of certain precautionary measures the fears of many will Ch.51
- 1. Those which may arouse suspicion, but any one of which, taken singly, Ch.52
- 2. Those which may be regarded as positive. Several suspicious signs Ch.53
- 1. _General debility_, coming upon a previously healthy child, marked Ch.54
- 2. _Early symptoms of consumption_--or what are supposed to be such--as Ch.55
- 3. _Premature and defective development_ is a symptom closely allied Ch.56
- 4. _Sudden change in disposition_ is a sign which may well arouse Ch.57
- 5. _Lassitude_ is as unnatural for a child as for a young kitten. A Ch.58
- 6. In connection with the preceding symptom will generally be found, Ch.59
- 7. _Sleeplessness_ is another symptom of significance. Sound sleep is Ch.60
- 8. _Failure of mental capacity_ without apparent cause should occasion Ch.61
- 9. _Fickleness_ is another evidence of the working of some Ch.62
- 10. _Untrustworthiness_ appearing in a child should attract attention Ch.63
- 11. _Love of solitude_ is a very suspicious sign. Children are naturally Ch.64
- 12. _Bashfulness_ is not infrequently dependent upon this cause. It Ch.65
- 13. _Unnatural boldness_, in marked contrast with the preceding sign, Ch.66
- 14. _Mock piety_--or perhaps we should more properly designate it as Ch.67
- 15. _Easily frightened_ children are abundant among young masturbators, Ch.68
- 16. _Confusion of ideas_ is another characteristic of the devotee of Ch.69
- 17. Boys in whom the habit has become well developed sometimes manifest Ch.70
- 18. _Round shoulders_ and a stooping posture in sitting are Ch.71
- 19. _Weak backs, pains in the limbs, and stiffness of the joints_, in Ch.72
- 20. _Paralysis_ of the lower extremities, coming on without apparent Ch.73
- 21. The _gait_ of a person addicted to this vice will usually betray Ch.74
- 22. _Bad positions_ in bed are evidences which should be noticed. If Ch.75
- 23. _Lack of development of the breasts_ in females, after puberty, Ch.76
- 24. _Capricious appetite_ particularly characterizes children Ch.77
- 25. One very constant peculiarity of such children is their extreme Ch.78
- 26. _Eating clay, slate-pencils, plaster, chalk,_ and other Ch.79
- 27. Disgust for simple food is one of the traits which a victim of this Ch.80
- 28. _The use of tobacco_ is good presumptive evidence that a boy is Ch.81
- 29. _Unnatural paleness_ and colorless lips, unless they can be Ch.82
- 30. _Acne_, or _pimples_, on the face are also among the suspicious Ch.83
- 31. _Biting the finger nails_ is a practice very common in girls Ch.84
- 32. The eyes often betray much. If, in addition to want of luster and Ch.85
- 33. An habitually moist, cold hand, is a suspicious circumstance in Ch.86
- 34. _Palpitation of the heart_, frequently occurring, denotes a Ch.87
- 35. _Hysteria_ in females may be regarded as a suspicious circumstance Ch.88
- 36. _Chlorosis_, or _green sickness_, is very often caused by the unholy Ch.89
- 37. _Epileptic fits_ in children are not infrequently the result of Ch.90
- 38. _Wetting the bed_ is an evidence of irritation which may be Ch.91
- 39. _Unchastity of speech_ and fondness for obscene stories betray a Ch.92
- 2. Loss of the seminal fluid. Ch.93
- 1. The composition of the nerves and that of spermatozoa is nearly Ch.94
- 2. Men from whom the testes have been removed before puberty, as in Ch.95
- 1. Begin by a resolution to reform, strengthened by the most solemn Ch.96
- 2. Resolve to reform _now_; not to-morrow or next week, but this very Ch.97
- 3. Begin the work of reform by purging the mind. If a lewd thought enters Ch.98
- 4. As a help to purity of mind, whenever impure thoughts enter, Ch.99
- 5. Avoid solitude, for then it is that temptation comes, and you are Ch.100
- 6. Strictly comply with all the rules laid down for the cultivation Ch.101
- 7. Above all, seek for grace and help from the Source of all spiritual Ch.102
- 1. _Never overeat_. If too much food is taken at one meal, fast the Ch.103
- 2. _Eat but twice a day_, or, if supper is eaten, let it be very light, Ch.104
- 3. _Discard all stimulating food_. Under this head must be included, Ch.105
- 4. _Stimulating drinks_ should be abstained from with still greater Ch.106
- 5. In place of such articles as have been condemned, eat fruits, grains, Ch.107
- 1. From seven to nine hours' sleep are required by all persons. The Ch.108
- 2. Arise immediately upon waking in the morning if it is after four Ch.109
- 3. If insufficient sleep is taken at night, sleep a few minutes just Ch.110
- 4. Never go to bed with the bowels or bladder loaded. The bladder should Ch.111
- 5. The position in sleeping is of some importance. Sleeping upon the Ch.112
- 6. Soft beds and pillows must be carefully avoided. Feather-beds should Ch.113
- 7. Too many covers should be avoided with equal care. The thinnest Ch.114
- 8. Thorough ventilation of the sleeping-room, both while occupied and Ch.115
- 9. If wakeful at night, instead of lying in bed trying to go to sleep, Ch.116
- 10. One of the most effectual panaceas for certain varieties of Ch.117
- 1. It is not a remedy, since, as in the case of illicit intercourse, Ch.118
- 2. If it were a remedy, it would not be a justifiable one, for its use Ch.119
- 3. As another reason why the remedy would not be a _proper_, even if Ch.120
- 1. Give the matter prompt attention. Do not delay to adopt curative Ch.121
- 2. Set about the work of getting well with a fixed determination to Ch.122
- 3. Avoid watching for symptoms. Ills are greatly exaggerated by Ch.123
- 4. Never consult a quack. The newspapers abound with lying Ch.124
- 5. Do not despair of ever recovering from the effects of past Ch.125
- 6. Every sufferer from sexual disease must make up his mind to live, Ch.126
- 2. The production of similar individuals which shall also have the power Ch.127