The full title of this next book is Excessive Venery, Masturbation and Continence: the etiology, pathology, and treatment of the diseases resulting from venereal excesses, masturbation and continence. Gee, do you think this book is going to deal with venery in excess, not to mention masturbation and continence? The author is one Joseph W. Howe, M.D., and a brief bio follows. He is author of three other books, namely “Emergencies,” “The Breath,” and “Winter Homes for Invalids.” Um, okay. In addition, he is a professor of surgery, a practicing surgeon, and so on, so I suppose he feels he’s qualified to talk about sexual matters. This book was published in 1887, so he came before Mary Wood-Allen and her slew of books. Also, for the curious, this book’s price is listed as $2.75.
The preface (note there are no commendations in this one from others, as he’s a man, and a doctor, so he’s automatically taken seriously) tells the reader that this book was originally formulated as a series of lectures, as well as the good doctor’s own personal experiences. This book was meant for a medical student, I presume. This might be a serious undertaking, folks. Lots of medical words!
Chapter I – General Considerations. No one is teaching young people about sexual matters, and this is a problem. The health and happiness of the human race depends on teaching such things prior to puberty. Physicians are the only professional people who can SEE the importance of such a matter, especially teaching against the “ignorant assaults on the genital organs.” Very few can see the difference between the false side of life, or the real suffering due to bad habits, and while a little advice from a well-meaning parent, or a teacher, can be all the help one needs to avoid such situations, the doctor is the BEST suited for this task, solely because he’s a doctor. Already this guy is a prick.
