Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-11-23
SOLITARY VICE:
Az ADpREss TO PARENTS AND THOSE WHO HAVE The
GAZE OF CHILDREN.
DxAR FsIEsDs:

v
children and youth. presen, few thoughts to you
on subject which has OF late claimed much attention
from the Medical Profession, and from those who are
DESTROYS Of doing their duty in the fear Of God for
hose committed to their care Perhaps many of you
nre not aware that there is sin amongst our children
and youth. which is hid like carkcr worm in many
fair bud Of promise; sin which does its work Of
death FIR soul and body when eye but that of On
nscience beholds it. sin which is called solitary
vice. because is the sin Of darkness and secrecy for
many child has become the victim of selfpollution,
who was carefully guarded from social Nervousness
II would awaken the attention Of Parents and teachers.
ond all those who have the of children. but espec
|ias Of mothers to this subject have abundant evil
dcnce that the sin very prevalent and that i is pro-
ducliye ofthe most fearful consequences 10 soul and
body. 10 these pages shall lay before you facts that
nbundunlIy prove lha. these things areso Those who
doubt have but 10 investigate, 10 open their eyes 10
wha; is around them, and they will be constrained TO
believe and irembIe for children and youth. We
beseech you. o mothers by the love you bear your
offspring by your desires for their temporal and eler
nal well being not 10 turn away from this subject ill
you know facts respecting It, and ill you have ascer
,ained what is your duty in the matter. II you find
ness of the work before you. Remember you have
only 10 do what your hands find 10 do and help is laid
on One who is mighty There is One who will as
sisi US 10 bear all our burdens and fulfil all our duties
About eight years since my mind was awakened TO
examine this subject by the perusa Of medical work
that described the effects Of the vice. when practiced
BY females. This was the first intimation had that
the vice prevailed amongst females. Since that time
have had much evidence that il is fearfully common
amongst females.
have from good authority, that among the insane
admitted into The Lunaic Hospalo, from this cause,
The proportion Of females is nearly large that Of
males. The reports Of our Lunalic Asylums furnish
melancholy evidence of the prevalence and increase of
this vice. 1nthe 5h Annual Report ofthe State Lun-
olic Hospital, at Worcester, Mass we find the follow
ing" The number Of cases Of insanity from mas,ur-
baton [self polluon has been greater than usual
The past year. and our i'll success in its treatment the
same No good whatever arises in such cases.rom re
medal treatment unless impression can be made
npon the mind and moral feelings Of the individual as
10 induce him to abandon the hlbit In this attempt,
en- with the rational mind, have to encounter mis-
aiken views well as active propensiries No effect
nal means can be adopted prevent the devastation
mind ard body and the debasement Of moral principle
nom this cause, ill the whole subject is we'll under
sood and properly appreciated BY parents and instruc
tors. as well as by The young themselves"
In the 9th Report of the sumo Institution, we fine
ihc f,Ilowing =" The Of insanity, which ranks
rs the third in point Of power deprive its victims
reason, is perfectly within human control, and tina
Immediately. This form Of insanity is suffered by The
young. Ii differs from other forms in two maeria
"A e 81 h. ~
Is perfectly certain Afterwards its cure is almost i'm
possible. No one need suffer it, unless ne ST
wills II is not only most certain in its activity. Blu,
obove all other kinds of insanity. stamps its victim
with every abhorrent and loa,hsome stigma OF degra
aon. Such is the nature Of this dreadful form of in
ranity and the singleness and certainty Of the caus
RON which il proceeds that we feel perfectly author
led 10 say il medical men. parents. and teachers G
youth. would do their duty this subject TO III
rising generation, this frghiful and prolific cause
which ssnds the third upon the list in point destruc
live efficiency. would substantially cease in a singl
year. Il is the vice Of ignorance, not Of depravily
The sufferers are personally less offenders than viz
Inns but the welfare Ofthe Hospital. and the Interest
of humanity, imperaliyely demand that some.hin
shoud be done 70 rescue the most moral, conscenou
nod sometimes the most promising youth Of the State
rom the mind wasting ravages Of an indulgence.
whose terrible consequences they have beee fore
xarued."
shall continue to bring before you evidence thi
his sin is exceedingly common that il often produce
insanity and idocy, and that when these do not resu
variety Of dseasrs produced by indulgence in II
bee, and the general condition Of the individual is
ways more OF less wrelched in proportion to the d.
free Of indulgence. There is hardly an end to Il
:seases produced by this vice. Dyspepsia spinal di
.sse, headache. epilepsy. and various kinds Of fl
which dHsr in their character according to the degr
The abuse and consequent disease ef.he nervous 81
en-. Impaired eye-sighl, papilaion Of the heartpa
Il he side and hleedno Of The lungs. snasm of Il