A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution, and Other Excesses. ebook

A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution, and Other Excesses is a comprehensive 19th-century medical text authored by Dr. Samuel-Auguste Tissot, originally published in French and later translated into English. The book delves into the then-prevalent medical and moral concerns surrounding the practice of onanism—an archaic term for masturbation—and its supposed detrimental effects on physical and mental health. Drawing from case studies, clinical observations, and the medical literature of his time, Tissot presents a detailed account of the symptoms, progression, and consequences of what he terms self-pollution, including nervous disorders, impotence, memory loss, melancholy, and even premature death. The treatise is structured to guide both medical professionals and lay readers through the identification, prevention, and treatment of these conditions. Tissot discusses the physiological mechanisms he believed were responsible for the decline in health, emphasizing the loss of vital fluids and the weakening of the nervous system. He also explores the social and psychological ramifications, warning of the moral decay and societal dangers posed by unchecked sexual excesses. Throughout the book, Tissot advocates for a regimen of self-control, proper education, and, in severe cases, medical intervention. He offers practical advice for parents, educators, and physicians on how to recognize the signs of onanism and how to counsel or treat those afflicted. While the treatise reflects the medical understanding and cultural attitudes of its era—many of which have since been discredited—it remains a significant historical document, illustrating the evolution of medical thought regarding sexuality, health, and morality. Today, A Treatise on the Diseases Produced By Onanism, Masturbation, Self-Pollution, and Other Excesses is of interest to historians, medical professionals, and general readers seeking insight into the intersection of medicine, sexuality, and social norms in the 18th and 19th centuries. The book stands as a testament to the ways in which scientific knowledge and cultural beliefs can shape—and sometimes distort—our understanding of human behavior and health.