A short treatise on onanism: or, the detestable vice of self-pollution. Describing the variety of nervous and other disorders, that are occasioned by that shameful practice, or too early and excessive venery, and directing the best method for their cure. By a physician in the country. Farrer, W. (William), d. 1775. 40 600dpi bitonal TIFF page images and SGML/XML encoded text University of Michigan Library Ann Arbor, Michigan 2012 January 004778409 N23046 CW108065916 K013381.000 CW3308065916 ECMS 0425900900

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A short treatise on onanism: or, the detestable vice of self-pollution. Describing the variety of nervous and other disorders, that are occasioned by that shameful practice, or too early and excessive venery, and directing the best method for their cure. By a physician in the country. Farrer, W. (William), d. 1775. The second edition. 39,[7]p. ; 8⁰. printed and sold by Fletcher and Co., London : 1767. Preface signed: W. Farrer. With a half-title and three final advertisement leaves. Reproduction of original from the Countway Library of Medicine. English Short Title Catalog, ESTCN23046. Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).

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eng

A SHORT TREATISE ON ONANISM; OR, The DETESTABLE VICE of SELF-POLLUTION.

Deſcribing the Variety of nervous and other Diſorders, that are occaſioned by that ſhameful Practice, or too early and exceſſive VENERY, and directing the beſt Method for their Cure.

Quippe nec ira dûem tantum, nee tela, nec hoſtes, Quantum ſola noces, animis illapſa voluptas. SILIUS ITALICUS.

By a PHYSICIAN in the COUNTRY.

The SECOND EDITION,

LONDON: Printed and ſold by FLETCHER and Co. Bookſellers, at the Oxford-Theatre, the North-Side of St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1767.

A SHORT TREATISE ON ONANISM. Phyſicians are agreed that Copulation, When age adult, and high-brac'd nerves invite, Shou'd neither be immoderately deſired, Nor dreaded to exceſs. The good old man Is by his tame frigidity admoniſhed, Not to engage in the dull drudgery, Miſtaken for enchanting ſcenes of pleaſure; Leſt thus he ſnap his feeble thread of life. But what more baſe, more noxious to the body, Than by the power of fancy to excite Such lewd ideas of an abſent object; As rouſe the organs form'd for nobler ends, To ruſh into th' embraces of a phantom, And do the deed of perſonal enjoyment!
THE PREFACE.

THIS little Treatiſe was at firſt not intended to be publiſhed ſeparate, but only to be annexed to another work of the author's, printed at the ſame time, entitled, Obſervations on Specific Medicines, &c. But as many may have an occaſion to peruſe this part without the other, who would not care to be at the expence of purchaſing both together, a few copies were printed off ſeparate for this reaſon.

All the merit which the author pretends to in this, as well as in the other Treatiſe, is, his having offered to mankind the means for relief, eſtabliſhed upon reiterated experience, (the moſt infallible foundation for the ſcience of phyſic) which will ſcarce ever fail of giving ſatisfaction to the miſerable patient; eſpecially if the rules and directions preſcribed, and given with the medicines herein recommended, are ſtrictly adhered to.

In long protracted and obſtinate caſes, which will not eaſily yield to the general method of cure, herein mentioned, the author deſires to be conſulted either in perſon or by letter. He requeſts thoſe who ſend their caſes, to be very particular with reſpect to the ſymptoms of their indiſpoſition, length of time they have been afflicted, what means they have already uſed, and likewiſe their age, preſent degree of ſtrength, conſtitution, habit of body, &c. and all letters, (poſt-paid) directed to him, to be left at Mr Fletcher's and Co. bookſellers, at the Oxford-Theatre, on the North-Side of St. Paul's Church Yard, ſhall have due attention paid them, and be anſwered with all the ſpeed that the diſtance of place will admit of.

LONDON, Nov. 1766. W. FARRER.
A SHORT TREATISE ON ONANISM.

MASTUPRATIO, or Manuſtupratio; Manual Stupration, or Self-Pollution, is a vice hardly to be named, much leſs to be practiſed in a country, where virtue, decency, or politeneſs, have the leaſt regard paid to them; and this abominable and unmanly practice is productive of the moſt deplorable, and generally incurable diſorders.

Providence has implanted in human nature what is by ſome called, the Paſſion of Love, and by others, the Appetite of Luſt, for very wiſe purpoſes; but has given us reaſon to reſtrain this neceſſary inclination, and keep it within due limits. Every day, however, furniſhes us with caſes which evince, that reaſon is not always a ballance againſt the appetites; for boys regardleſs, or perhaps ignorant of the conſequences, too frequently indulge themſelves in this prepoſterous method of venery; and it is beyond a doubt, that many, more advanced in years, who are long immured in colleges and cloiſters, and at laſt elope from their cells, utterly deſtitute of ſcience, and equally unacquainted with the world and books, are not leſs guilty of this enormous vice.

Theſe by a moſt deteſtable kind of magic, conjure up at pleaſure an ideal Venus, and thus never want an opportunity of enjoying an imaginary miſtreſs. The frequent repetition of theſe execrable pleaſures induce an infinitude of the worſt diſorders; ſuch as Lethargies, Vertigo's, Atrophys, Apoplexies, Palſies, Lowneſs of Spirits, Hypochondriacal Diſorders, Amauroſes, a Tabes Dorſalis, and the worſt ſpecies of a Gonorrhaea, moſt commonly attended with an utter impotence as to real enjoyments; beſides an innumerable train of various nervous complaints, ſuch as are the frequent attendants upon a declining age, when the vigour of youth begins to wear off.

Theſe diſorders chiefly derive their origin from thoſe univerſal convulſions, that always attend the emiſſion of the Semen; and if we conſider the human body, as made up of flexible pipes, and yielding fluids, we ſhall readily underſtand how Convulſions wear out the conſtitution, and produce theſe effects, viz. by deſtroying the ſtrength and elaſticity of the ſolid parts. And that the extacy which accompanies venereal enjoyments is of the nature of a convulſion, is not hard to be conceived. Quincy, in his explanation of Sanctorius's Aphoriſms expreſſly ſays, that "At the time of coition, the fibres are intenſely drawn up; that too frequent uſe of this exerciſe, cannot but be very prejudicial to health by overſtraining and deſtroying the force of the fibres"Sect iv. Aphoriſm i. ; the natural conſequence of which muſt be a ſpringyneſs and action upon their contents. Hence perſpiration is leſſened,Mala a nimio Coitu orta mediate a Perſpiratione. Sanctor. Sect. vi. Aphoriſm iii. the fluids run into preternatural coheſions, and obſtructions are generated. And this morbid condition is ſtill augmented by an exceſſive loſs of the Semen itſelf, ſince the blood is thereby robbed of its moſt pure, balſamic, and invigorating particles.

Beſides, it is worthy of remark, that people who are accuſtomed to ſuch filthineſs, are not ſo eaſily cured of any chronical diſtemper as thoſe who are free from it; for as Celſus, ſpeaking about venereal intercourſes, prudently remarks, Cavendumne in ſecunda valetudine adverſae preſidia conſumantur: that is, "We ſhould take care of conſuming wantonly in a ſtate of health, what would be our ſupport during ſickneſs."

The Semen verile, is a fluid of the moſt elaborate and noble production in the whole body, except that of the nerves, if ſuch there be; and it is this vital feed which makes men hot, robuſt, hairy, of a ſtrong and deep voice, bold and courageous, and fit to contrive, or execute any enterprize. Men are a proof of this; whereas they who are deſtitute of vital Seed, are wrinkled, pale, weak, of a ſhrill voice, without hair, beardleſs and effeminate; ſuch are eunuchs. For we know from experience, when the ſecretory organs of this juice are deſtroyed by caſtration before the time of puberty, as is frequently done in Italy to preſerve the voice; or if by any accident a man is deprived of his teſticles after this age, the deſtruction of theſe marks of verility alſo follow, in confirmation of this Boerhaave has given us an inſtance of fact. "There was, ſays he, an intrepid ſoldier, who, aſpiring after the reward propoſed by the general, to him who would firſt fix the ſtandard in the enemies fort, climbed through the thick battery of the enemy, but unfortunately the fire of a cannon took off both his teſticles; yet he recovered, and became at length effeminate, not in mind but in body. The ſtrength of the ſeveral muſcles of the genital parts ſtill continued, and nothing towards his virility but his teſticles, and yet his voice ſoon altered, and beard fell off, &c." But the man who is retentive of the ſeminal juices, becomes bold, hardy and ſtrong, like the beaſts of the foreſt; witneſs the Athletae of old, who led chaſte lives.

Therefore as the Semen is, as it were, the flower and choiceſt part of the blood and nervous fluid, ſo venery ought to be only moderately uſed; leſt too great an evacuation of this ſubſtance prove prejudicial to health. A frequent ejection of the Semen requires a ſound and vigorous habit of body, becauſe it exhauſts the ſtrength, and weakens the perſon; hence Pythagoras when aſked, when coition was to be uſed, wiſely anſwered, "When you have an inclination to render yourſelf weaker."

As venery then only agrees with perſons of robuſt and vigorous conſtitutions, ſo the uſe of it is principally beneficial to health, after the ſtomach is empty, and perſpiration duly performed, eſpecially if the perſon has ſlept well, and taken aliments of a nutritive quality, and eaſy digeſtion. All theſe things are of ſuch a nature, as to increaſe the ſtrength and vigour of the body, and conſequently to favour venery, or at leaſt prevent the bad effects it would otherwiſe have. It is alſo to be obſerved, that it is more ſalutary in Spring than at any other ſeaſon of the year.

The perſon who would often engage in venery, ought to guard againſt all ſurfeits, hunger, labours, exceſſive ſtudies, veneſections, watchings, purges, and every thing which can in the leaſt impair and deſtroy the ſtrength.

Celſus obſerves,

"That we ought not too eagerly to purſue, or too ſollicitouſly to avoid, intercourſes with the tender ſex. Pleaſures of this kind, rarely indulged, render the body alert and active, but if too frequently repeated, weak, languid, and inactive. And as the proper degree of theſe pleaſures is not to be eſtimated by the number of repetitions, but by the conſtitution, the age, and the ſtrength of the perſon; ſo we may take it for granted, with reſpect to this particular, that the enjoyment which is neither followed by weakneſs, nor ſucceeded by pain, is not prejudicial.

The day is the worſt ſeaſon for pleaſures of this kind, eſpecially if they are ſucceeded by a full meal; the night is leſs hazardous, but even then ſubſequent fatigue, with long watching, render it improper. It is alſo to be abſtained from in ſummer, becauſe at that time, it is ſubject to throw the humours into preternatural commotions."

But as moderation in every thing contributes to health, ſo likewiſe does temperate venery, and every one ought carefully to conſider what his conſtitution can bear. For a very robuſt perſon may ſafely indulge himſelf in a degree of venery, which would remarkably weaken one of a worſe conſtitution.

Perſons of a tender and delicate habit of body, and weak Craſis of blood and ſpirits, ſhould by no means indulge themſelves in venereal engagements, without great moderation and caution; thoſe who are either too young, or too old, and thoſe who are lately recovered from a diſeaſe, ought alſo to abſtain from venery, leſt they bring on too great a relaxation of the nerves, and by overſtraining the fibres that compoſe all the parts of their bodies, injure and weaken their ſeveral functions in the animal ſyſtem, and become liable to all thoſe diſorders that have been already mentioned.

Thus they, who by nature were ſtronger than others, have, by intemperance, rendered themſelves much weaker than thoſe who were naturally weak; and thoſe who were much weaker by nature, have, by their temperance, become ſuperior in ſtrength, to thoſe who were ſtronger; for nothing renders an animal robuſt, but the ſeminal juice, which is therefore of great efficacy and importance towards health, ſtrength and magnanimity, as well as procreation.

But as there are too many, who do not attend to the rules here laid down, ſo much as would be convenient for them, perhaps the following caſe may be of ſome importance, to ſuch as have not yet utterly deſtroyed their conſtitutions, by an immoderate purſuit after pleaſures.

"A young man of twenty-five years of age, of a phlegmatico-ſanguine habit, and who from his very infancy, had a tender conſtitution, when about fifteen years of age, learnt of a wicked ſchool-fellow, the execrable trick of Maſtupration. He indulged himſelf in this vile and unmanly practice, very frequently, even almoſt daily, from the fifteenth to the twenty-third year of his age, and applied himſelf at the ſame time to writing in a very ſmall character; by which means he contracted ſuch an exceſſive weakneſs of his head and eyes, that theſe latter were frequently convulſed, during his prepoſterous entertainment.

Some time ago, while he was wickedly employed in this manner, and his deſign upon the very point of being executed, ſome perſon or other unexpectedly knocked at his chamber door, which accident put him into ſuch confuſion, that the ultimate ſcene of his diverſion was left unaccompliſhed. Upon this he immediately felt ſo exquiſite a pain, and ſo vehement a tenſion in his teſticles, and ſpermatic veſſels, that he could not walk without the utmoſt difficulty. The force of his genius, and the ſight of his eyes, ſeemed at the ſame time to be diminiſhed and impaired.

Though he had the danger, with which this execrable practice threataned him, in full view, yet after the pain of his teſticles was removed, he was ſo much infatuated as to repeat his crime, and begin afreſh his former courſe; but he was ſoon after ſeized with the like pain in his genitals, and eſpecially in his teſticles, where the pain was accompanied with a very conſiderable tenſion. By the uſe of external and internal medicines for about half a year, he alſo got this diſorder removed, but with ſome difficulty.

Soon after he was ſeized with a ſwelling in thoſe veſſels, which go to the left teſticle. The ſwelling appeared larger than ordinary after his meals, but was not accompanied with pain, unleſs, when by his folly he brought a ſtimulus on the parts; but though it was void of pain, it was attended with another very unlucky circumſtance, for it remains with him to this very day. To this was joined ſo great a weakin his head and eyes, that when he was about to read any thing, he ſeemed to be drunk, and fluſhed with wine; the pupils of his eyes were extremely dilated, and his eyes themſelves racked with darting pains, accompanied with ſome degree of tenſion; his eye-lids ſeemed, as it were, oppreſſed with a kind of weight; in the morning they were conglutinated together, and watered very much; but this was not all, for both corners of his eyes, beſides the violent pains with which they were racked, were alſo clogged and ſtuffed with a whitiſh kind of matter.

In this deplorable ſtate he was obliged to give over reading, and interrupt the courſe of his ſtudies, for the ſpace of ſix months, during which time he only employed himſelf in exerciſe and recreation, and in taking the medicines, which were judged proper for one in his condition; by which means he recovered ſo far, as to be able to apply himſelf to his ſtudies for two or three hours a day, which he can ſtill do; but if at any time he ſhould chance to protract his application, and lengthen out his ſtudies beyond their ſtated time, he is immediately ſeized with the above ſymptoms; beſides, he was become ſo lean that his body was little more than a ſkeleton; and though his appetite was good, yet he was indiſpoſed after his meals, and was affected with a kind of drunkenneſs.

But when he got a juſter ſenſe of things, and had for almoſt the ſpace of two years abſtained from his former practices, and from all commerce with women, he began to be troubled with very frequent nocturnal pollutions, by which he found his body gradually more and more weakened, and his ſtrength impaired; ſo that now what ſeemed principally to be regarded was the removal of this imbecility, which was after ſome time entirely cured, by the uſe of my STRENGTHENING ELECTUARY, of which more will be ſaid hereafter."

From this account, we learn, that Venery uſed either too ſoon or too often, not only impairs the ſtrength of the body in general, but alſo debilitates the noble functions of the brain and eyes, to ſuch a degree, that the loſs becomes almoſt irreparable.

I have had an opportunity of ſeeing a great many caſes, where perſons well advanced in years, have by immoderate venery, not only brought upon their eyes redneſs, darting pains, accompanied with tenſion, a heavy ſenſation, as if a weight was laid upon them, and a frequent ſhedding of tears, but likewiſe ſuch a weakneſs of ſight, that they were rendered incapable either to read or write; and I have found that in theſe very caſes, the pupils were always dilated, as they are in a Gutta Serena, by reaſon of the weakened, or loſt tone of the muſcular and nervous ſibres which ſurround them. But why need I ſtop here? ſince I myſelf knew two caſes, in which a Gutta Serena itſelf was brought on by exceſſive venery, and a long ſeries of grief.

Hence it appears how great and ſurprizing a conſent there is between the ſeminal parts, or rather the ſpirituous ſeminal fluid itſelf, and the fabric of the eye, which is compoſed of the fineſt membranes, nerves and muſcular fibres, as well as the moſt clear and tranſparent fluids.

The lymphatic ſeminal fluid is almoſt of the ſame nature and quality with that fluid which is ſecreted in the brain, and diſtributed through all the nerves of the body; for which reaſon, the more plentiful the evacuation of the former is, the more ſcanty and defective the ſecretion of the other in the brain muſt of courſe be. Hence alſo a reaſon may be aſſigned why thoſe youths, who begin too early to taſte the forbidden joys of Venus, ſuſtain a conſiderable loſs of memory, and are rendered unfit for ſtudy; and likewiſe why perſons farther advanced in years, who are exceſſively addicted to venereal pleaſure, loſe their ſtrength, and bring on a premature death.

The reaſon of the nocturnal pollutions in the caſe juſt recited, is very plain; for the more copious and frequent the afflux of the humours, eſpecially of the ſeminal matter, has been to the organs deſtined for generation, either by the force of imagination or otherwiſe; I ſay the more frequent and copious ſuch an afflux has been, the more the ſpermatic veſſels are dilated and relaxed, and the ſeminal juice for that very reaſon, flows into them in a greater quantity, and lays a foundation for thoſe wanton ideas, and ſeminal excretions, which even during ſleep affect people of a warm imagination.

But the moſt formidable ſpecies of this diſeaſe, is when the retaining veſſels are ſo extremely relaxed, as to permit the ſeminal juices to paſs off upon the ſlighteſt ſtimulus, as a luſcious idea, or converſation with a woman, after ſtraining at the diſcharge of the excrements, or after riding on horſeback in conſequence of a relaxation. In the night time the ſame accident happens from venereal dreams, with a ſenſation of enjoyment; and this is frequently attended with a continual weeping, or gleet, which exhauſts the ſtrength of the patient.

The matter of this flux is an humid, thin, cold, colourleſs ſubſtance, called by Hippocrates, a Liquid Semen Burnet. Hippocrat. Contract. p. 114. which is void of foecundity: for how is it poſſible that nature thus refrigerated, ſhould emit a prolific juice? Thoſe afflicted with this diſorder muſt of neceſſity become old in habit of body, ſlow, languid, dull, ſpiritleſs, ſilent, feeble, wrinkled, unactive, pale, effeminate, of a weak appetite, cold, with a heavineſs of the limbs, and a numbneſs of the legs, weak, lazy, and indiſpoſed for all manner of action; in many ſubjects this diſorder is the forerunner of a Palſy; but it oftener terminates in that ſpecies of a Conſumption, called by phyſicians Tabes Dorſalis.

A Tabes Dorſalis is a violent diſorder, little treated of by phyſicians, though fully deſcribed by Hippocrates Tabes Dorſalis ex ſpinali medulla oritur, praecipue vero recentes ſponſos & libidinoſos corripit, febris ſunt expertes, bene comedunt, & colliquantur. Quod ſit ita affectum perconteris, aſſeret ſibi videri, ex ſuperioribus partibus a capite velut formicas in ſpinam demitti, cumque urinam & ſtercus reddit, ſemen genitale copioſum & liquidum ei prodit, neque generatio fit, & inter dormiandum, cum uxore dormiat necne veneris Iudibria patitur. Cumque alias, tum praecipue per locum arduum, iter facerit, aut cucurrerit, anheloſus, & imbecilis evadit. Caput gravatur, & aures ſonant. Hic temporis progreſſu vehementibus febribus correptus, perit ex lipyria febre. Burnet. Hippocrat. Contract. p. 114.. The ſymptoms which preſage this Conſumption, I have for the moſt part obſerved to be theſe, an hypochondriacal oppreſſion, melancholy, and too much thoughtfulneſs, pain in the back, and often in the head, an aching pain, rolling and hanging down of the teſticles, a weakneſs of memory and ſight, and a decay of ſtrenght; there is a ſenſe of weight and giddineſs of the head, and a ringing in the ears, and as the diſorder proceeds, all the ſymptoms are increaſed, the legs ſwell, as in dropical caſes; in ſome, Ulcers ariſe on the loins, ſome of which are healed, whilſt others riſe in their ſtead. At laſt, a violent Cataract ariſing, the patient is rendered totally blind; theſe are followed by ſome others; as a thirſt, an hectical diſpoſition, an Atrophy, a waſting of the fleſh, &c. &c. till at laſt the body is brought to the higheſt degree of a Conſumption; and that very often without any cough, or any other remarkable ſign of a Conſumption of the Lungs.

Theſe are the moſt common diſorders that enſue from the exceſſive uſe of Venery, and the prepoſterous practice of Self-Pollution, for the cure of which I have two medicines which I ſhall recommend; the firſt, which anſwers the firſt intention of cure, viz. the ſtopping of the Gonorrhaea, is my STRENGTHENING ELECTUARY, which braces up and ſtrengthens the weakened and relaxed ſolids, warms and invigorates the habit, promotes digeſtion, and thereby furniſhes the diſpirited and impoveriſhed blood, with laudable and benign chyle.

The other medicine is my RESTORATIVE NERVOUS ELIXIR, which is perhaps the moſt ſtimulating Reſtorative that medicine can produce, and in the laſt decays of life, will ſtill ſupply the vital lamp with ſome recruits; it is good in all Languors, Weakneſs, and Decays of the conſtitution, for it ſtrengthens all parts of the body, eſpecially the ſtomach, when relaxed and diſordered with frequent debauches, and by reſtoring the oſcillation of the fibres, quickens the various motions, and gives freſh vigor to the animal functions. It is an admirable remedy for thoſe who have been in a manner wore out with venereal engagements, eſpecially if their pleaſures have been purchaſed at the expence of a few ſalivations, or a frequent uſe of mercurial medicines, and it will revive any conſtitution that it not quite mouldered into rottenneſs. But they beſt deſerve ſuch a Reſtorative, who by acute diſeaſes, ſuch as malignant Fevers, the Small-Pox, and the like, have been ſo broke and ſhattered in their conſtitutions, as hardly to be within a poſſibility of recovery. For in ſuch it will to admiration repair the impoveriſhed juices, and fill again the veins with a warm, generous, nutritive blood.

It is excellent in diſeaſes of the head, ariſing from a conſent with the ſtomach, ſuch as the Vertigo, Head-ach, Sleepy Diſeaſes, dread of an Apoplexy, Weakneſs of the memory and ſight, and a noiſe or ringing in the ears. In Scrophulous habits alſo, which are leaning towards Conſumptions, it will be of the utmoſt ſervice. And when young perſons are not ſo early happy in their conjugal embraces as many wiſh to be, and it be ſuſpected from a coldneſs, and inſufficiency upon that account on either ſide, the uſe of this medicine cannot fail to render their intercourſe prolific, as it actually romoves the cauſes of impotency in one ſex, and of ſterility, or barrenneſs, in the other. But the uſe of it is varily to be indulged, leſt with it be kindled a heat that reaſonable coition cannot aſſuage. And let ſuch as indulge themſelves too laviſhly in theſe enjoyments, be careful how they ſpur nature, and prompt with ſuch helps, leſt they run off their life and ſtrength too precipitately, for the beſt conſtitutions in the world, wear out and ſink under the frequent repetition of ſuch profuſion, as the frequent ſtraining any elaſtic body whatſoever, will weaken more and more it's ſpring, till it is quite loſt, notwithſtanding all the helps of art to preſerve it.

To conclude. The omnipotent Creator has given us Paſſions for very wiſe and good ends; which ſeem to be, that thereby we may be urged with a kind of impetuoſity to ſhun evil, and embrace good; wherefore the paſſions are not bad in themſelves, it is by their exceſs that they become vicious, when they riſe to ſo extravagant a pitch, as not to be governed by the dictates of reaſon. But we ought to uſe our beſt endeavours to keep them within proper bounds, and the more difficult the conflict, the more glorious will be the victory.

We have all a natural propenſity to pleaſures; but theſe are of two very different ſorts, the ſenſual and the mental. Senſual pleaſures engroſs the greateſt part of mankind, while theſe few only, quos equus amavit Jupiter, are taken with the beauties of the mental. And the reaſon why ſo many run after pleaſures of the firſt ſort, ſeems to be, becauſe they hardly ever allow themſelves an opportunity of taſting the ſweets of an upright conſcience, or of feeling that joy, which ariſes to a good man, from the moderation of his irregular deſires; and being entirely devoted to the gratification of their ſenſual appetites, they never give attention to the real charms of virtue. Wherefore whoſoever deſires to enjoy this ſolid happineſs, ought to enure himſelf by degrees to the love of virtue, and ever carefully to avoid adding fuel to the fire of his paſſions.

Appoſite to theſe ſentiments is that ſaying which Cicero puts into the mouth of Cato, as by him received from the great Archytas of Terentum; that nature never afflicted mankind with a more capital plague, than bodily pleaſure; the eager deſires of which ſpur on to enjoyment with ungovernable raſhneſs. De Senectute. Cap. xii.

And the reſt of what that great philoſopher has written on this ſubject, muſt delight the mind of every wiſe man in the peruſal. Wherefore, Virtue's exclamation in Silius Italicus, is very juſt: Quippe nec ira Deum tantum, nec tela, nec hoſtes, Quantum ſola noces, animis illapſa voluptasPunicorum. Lib. xv. Ver. 94. . Pleaſure by gliding on the minds of men, More miſchiefs haſt thou wrought than hoſtile arms, Than wrath of Gods.

But as the due government of the paſſions ſtrengthens the mind, ſo temperance in diet renders the body leſs expoſed to theſe turbulent motions. And this rule holds good, not only in thoſe, who are naturally of a hot conſtitution, but even in thoſe who curb their appetites; becauſe it keeps them in a ſtate of tranquility. And this is the way in general to reſiſt theſe evils, or at leaſt to diminiſh their effects.

As for thoſe who would have us to be entirely devoid of paſſions, and to ſuppreſs all the affections of the mind, as if they were ſo many evils; they certainly have a wrong notion of the wiſdom, and goodneſs of the Almighty Creator, who has inſerted, and, as it were, interwoven them into our frame for excellent purpoſes; for they are not only beneficial to individuals upon many occaſions, but even neceſſary for keeping up ſociety and connexions between mankind.

FINIS.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The MEDICINES recommended in this Treatiſe, with full directions for their uſe, may be had by the author's particular order, of Mr. Fletcher and Co. bookſellers, at the Oxford-Theatre, the North-Side of St. Paul's Church-Yard; and by their appointment in moſt of the principal Towns in England. 1. THE Reſtorative Nervous Elixir, for the recovery of decayed and broken conſtitutions. For thoſe who have been in a manner wore out with venereal engagements, by long courſes of mercurial medicines, or by ſalivations; for all thoſe nervous and other diſorders, that ariſe from the ſhameful practice of Self-Pollution; for Venereal Impotency; and for all diſorders of the head and nerves which proceed from a weakneſs and debility of the nervous ſyſtem. In bottles at 10s. 6d. 2. A Strengthening Electuary, for the cure of that ſpecies of Gonorrhoea, which is owing to a weakneſs of the ſeminal veſſels. It cures all kinds of Agues, and all diſorders of the ſtomach and primae viae, which proceed from a relaxation and decay of their tone (the common conſequence of hard drinking) an overflowing of the Menſes and Lochia, and prevents Abortion. In pots at 5s. 3d.
Where alſo may be had the following Specific Medicines, recommended by the author in his Obſervations on Specific Medicines, &c. viz. 1. A Pectoral Elixir, for the cure of all diſeaſes of the breaſt; ſuch as Coughs, Catarrhs, Fluxions, Difficulty of Breathing, Aſthmas, Empyemas, Conſumptions, (if curable) and Vomica of the Lungs. — It cures the Tooth-Ach if applied with a bit of cotton, and all kinds of Wounds and Bruiſes. In bottles at 4s. 2. A Specific Tincture, &c. for the cure of every kind of Dropſy. In parcels at 7s. 6d. 3. A Cephalic Electuary, for the certain cure of the Epilepſy (if it is not hereditary) and Palſy; for Virtigo's and all kinds of Convulſions, and particularly for that odd diſorder called St. Vitus's Dance. In pots at 10s. 6d. and 5s. 3d. 4. Anodyne Mineral Balſam, for the cure of the Jaundice, for Fits of the Stone and Gravel; for the Heart-burn and Cholic; and outwardly, for all contractions of the limbs, and fixed pains of the Gout and Rheumatiſm. In bottles at 3s. 6d. 5. Catholic Pills, for the Diſeaſes peculiar to Women; ſuch as a Chloroſis, or Green Sickneſs, and a Suppreſſion of the Menſes; and particularly for all the various hyſteric and nervous Diſorders incident to the female Sex, in the decline of life, when the Menſes ceaſe. As alſo for the cure of all hyſteric and hypochondriac diſorders. In boxes at 3s. 6d. 6. An Eſſence, for the cure of every ſpecies and degree of the Venereal Diſeaſe, Flying Pains and Head-Achs, the relicks of ill cures. A few drops of this medicine in a glaſs of water is a doſe, and in ſlight caſes, in eight or ten days, the cure is effected, without any inconveniency to the patient. It is alſo excellent in the Leproſy and Scurvy, and all diſorders that proceed from an impurity of the blood and humours. In bottles at 3s. 7. A Chymical Fluid, for the certain cure of the Itch, and all defadations of the ſkin, and for healing old and inveterate Ulcers. In bottles at 1s. 6d. 8. Worm Powders, for the cure of all kinds of Worms, whether in infants or adults. In parcels at 2s.

For a more particular account of theſe Remedies, and the diſeaſes in which they are proper, ſee the author's OBSERVATIONS, &c. above-mentioned; price 2s. 6d. which may be had at each place where the medicines are ſold.

N. B. All theſe Specific Remedies are ſigned by the author in his own hand writing, and ſealed with his coat of arms, to prevent impoſitions. They will keep any length of time after they have been opened, provided they are again well ſtopped, or tied over, and will be equally efficacious ſeven years after, as when they were firſt purchaſed.