IMPOTENCE AND STERILITY.
1. Actual impotence during the period of manhood is a very rare
complaint, and nature very unwillingly, and only after the absolute
neglect of sanitary laws, gives up the power of reproduction.
2. Not only sensual women, but all without exception, feel deeply
hurt, and are repelled by the husband whom they may previously have
loved dearly, when, after entering the married state, they find that
he is impotent. The more inexperienced and innocent they were at
the time of marriage, the longer it often is before they find that
something is lacking in the husband; but, once knowing this, the wife
infallibly has a feeling of contempt and aversion for him though there
are many happy families where this defect exists. It is often very
uncertain who is the weak one, and no cause for separation should be
sought.
3. Unhappy marriages, barrenness, divorces, and perchance an
occasional suicide, may be prevented by the experienced physician, who
can generally give correct information, comfort, and consolation, when
consulted on these delicate matters.
4. When a single man fears that he is unable to fulfill the duties
of marriage, he should not marry until his fear is dispelled. The
suspicion of such a fear strongly tends to bring about the very
weakness which he dreads. Go to a good physician (not to one of those
quacks whose advertisements you see in the papers; they are invariably
unreliable), and state the case fully and freely.
5. Diseases, malformation, etc., may cause impotence. In case of
malformation there is usually no remedy, but in case of disease it is
usually within the reach of a skillful physician.
6. Self-abuse and spermatorrhoea produce usually only temporary
impotence and can generally be relieved by carrying out the
instructions given elsewhere in this book.
7. Excessive indulgences often enfeeble the powers and often result in
impotence. Dissipated single men, professional libertines, and married
men who are immoderate, often pay the penalty of their violations
of the laws of nature, by losing their vital power. In such cases of
excess there may be some temporary relief, but as age advances the
effects of such indiscretion will become more and more manifest.
8. The condition of sterility in man may arise either from a condition
of the secretion which deprives it of its fecundating powers or it may
spring from a malformation which prevents it reaching the point where
fecundation takes place. The former condition is most common in old
age, and is a sequence of venereal disease, or from a change in the
structure or functions of the glands. The latter has its origin in a
stricture, or in an injury, or in that condition technically known as
hypospadias, or in debility.
9. It can be safely said that neither self-indulgence nor
spermatorrhoea often leads to permanent sterility.
10. It is sometimes, however, possible, even where there is sterility
in the male, providing the secretion is not entirely devoid of life
properties on part of the husband, to have children, but these are
exceptions.
11. No man need hesitate about matrimony on account of sterility, unless that condition arises from a permanent and absolute degeneration of his functions.
12. Impotence from mental and moral causes often takes place. Persons
of highly nervous organization may suffer incapacity in their sexual
organs. The remedy for these difficulties is rest and change of
occupation.
13. REMEDIES IN CASE OF IMPOTENCE ON ACCOUNT OF FORMER PRIVATE
DISEASES, OR MASTURBATION, OR OTHER CAUSES.—First build up the body
by taking some good stimulating tonics. The general health is the most
essential feature to be considered, in order to secure restoration
of the sexual powers. Constipation must be carefully avoided. If the
kidneys do not work in good order, some remedy for their restoration
must be taken. Take plenty of out-door excercise avoid horseback
riding or heavy exhaustive work.