>>16375Even before the recent scientific discoveries of the effects resulting from the transplantation of the sex‐glands into the bodies of the lower animals (and in a few instances into the bodies of human beings), there have been modern thinkers and writers upon the subject who have held that the sex‐glands are capable of such secretion of a “regenerative element,” and that in every individual the processes of Regeneration are operative to at least some extent; and that by the proper methods of application the secretion of these regenerative elements will be increased, and may be deliberately directed to the mental and physical processes of the individual. Such a conception is usually found to lie at the base of the teaching of certain modern schools of thought which advocate chastity, continence and sexual temperance on the part of their followers.
Thus, you see, these modern thinkers are really marching abreast with the ancient thinkers along the same lines—so far as the facts of the case are concerned. Though the ancients explained these facts by the theory of “occult forces,” or supernatural powers operative in the natural world, while the modern thinkers explain the same facts by the accepted laws of physiological process, there is a common agreement upon the facts of the case so far as the effects and phenomena are concerned. The effects are agreed upon as true, valid and existing, in both cases—though the “causes” assumed to account for the effects are quite different, at least on the surface of thought.
The following quotations from writers on this subject during the past twenty‐five years, or thereabouts, will serve to illustrate how the current of modern thought has been running in this direction—even before the recent discoveries concerning the internal secretions of the other glands of the body, and of the transplantation of the sex‐glands, to both of which we have just referred. In each of the following quotations the writer is either a recognized medical authority upon the subject, or else a layman who has given careful attention to, made careful observations, and conducted careful experiments along these lines. There are many others of equal authority who might have also been quoted in this connection—the following are merely a few selected from the great number of intelligent and competent authorities available.
Dr. Kellogg, advocating the continent life, says: “The sexual function is double in its purpose. First, the sexual organs are always active, even when not excited to such a degree as to obtrude their activity upon the consciousness, as they supply the body with a needed vital stimulus and regulator. Secondly, they furnish the only means by which the physical life of the individual and the perpetuation of the race may be accomplished. In neither of these important functions is the personal gratification of the individual the primary consideration. The exercise of the sexual function with a purely selfish purpose would seem to be a debasement of the sacred function in which man approaches most nearly to the creative power of which he is the image.”
Dr. Nicholas says: “It is a medical and physiological fact that the best blood of the body goes to form the elements of reproduction in both sexes. In a pure and orderly life this matter is reabsorbed. It goes back into the circulation ready to form the finest brain, nerve and muscular tissue. This life of man, carried back and diffused through his system, makes him manly, strong, brave, heroic. The suspension of the use of the generative organs is attended with a notable increase of bodily and mental vigor and spiritual life. Nature finds another use for the unexpended sexual energy in employing it for the building up of a keener brain, and more vital and enduring nerves and muscles.”
Dr. Kellogg, says again: “Recent investigations have shown that the sexual glands are useful, not only as a means of race‐perpetuation, but for the physical well‐being of the individual, through the vital stimulus exercised by them through the influence of their peculiar secretion upon the processes of development and nutrition. In view of this fact, it is evident that, so far as the individual is concerned, physical benefit is to be looked for, not in the loss of the secretion of the sexual glands, but in its retention and appropriation. In other words, reproduction is accomplished at the sacrifice of individual interests, a law which prevails throughout the whole organic world, being, in some instances, so pronounced that the development of progeny is accomplished only through the death of one or more parents. These discoveries afford thoroughly satisfactory and scientific explanations of two facts which heretofore have rested solely upon a basis of observation and experience, viz.: (1) That continence is favorable to physical vigor; (2) that sexual intemperance is productive of exhaustion and debility to a most extraordinary degree.”
Professor Acton says: “Physiologically considered, it is not a fact that the power of secretion is annihilated in well‐formed adults leading a healthy life, and yet remaining continent. No continent man need be deterred by the apocryphal fear of atrophy from leading a chaste life. It is a device of the unchaste, a lame excuse for their own incontinence, unfounded on any physiological law. I may state that, after many years’ experience, I have never seen an instance of atrophy of the generative organs from this cause. I have, it is true, met the complaint; but in what classes of cases does it occur? It arises, in all instances, from the exactly opposite cause, abuse!”
Professor Newton says: “It is important to know that there are other uses for the procreative element than the generation of physical offspring; and far better uses than its waste in momentary pleasure. It may, indeed, be better wasted than employed in imposing unwelcome burdens upon toiling and outraged women. But there should be no waste. This element when retained in the system may be coined into new thoughts, perhaps new inventions, grand conceptions of the true, the beautiful, the useful; or into fresh emotions of joy, and impulses of kindness and blessing to all around. This is, in fact, but another department of procreation. It is the procreation of thoughts, ideas, feelings of good‐will, intuitions of truth— that is, it is the procreation on the mental and spiritual planes, instead of on the physical plane. It is really just as really a part of the generative function as is the begetting of physical offspring. It is by far the greater part, for physical procreation can ordinarily be participated in but seldom, while mental and spiritual procreation may and should go on through all our earthly lives—yea, through all our immortal existence.”
Dr. Stockham says: “Physicists have demonstrated with incontrovertible facts that it is eminently healthy to conserve the vital principle. The seminal secretion has a wonderfully immanent value; and, if retained, is absorbed into the system and adds enormously to man’s magnetic, mental, and spiritual force. In ordinary married life this force is constantly being wasted. Other things being equal, the man who wisely conserves is improved in concentrated mental and physical power and effectiveness, like a Daniel amid his companions. He builds, and constructs, he is the organizer and executive head of industries, he is the orator and the inventor. He is the leader of great movements, because his power is drawn from an inexhaustible storage battery. Although woman has not the sperm to conserve, yet equally with man she has the thrilling potency of sex, that, when well directed, heals sensitive nerves, vitalizes the blood, and restores tissue.”
Dr. Talmey says: “Continence, if long continued, has been claimed to be the cause of impotence. But there is no valid reason for this belief. To prove the harmfulness of continence, an analogue is brought forward between the atrophy of a muscle in enforced idleness and the injury to the sex organs in enforced abstinence. But the proof is somewhat feeble. The essential organs of generation are not muscles, but glands; and who has ever heard of a tear gland atrophying for want of crying. * * * The instinct of generation has been compared with the instinct of hunger and thirst, and as the latter must be satisfied, so it is held the former must be gratified. But there is no proper parallelism between these two instincts. Food and drink are vital necessities of the organism from the first day of conception, to replace the stuffs consumed in the metabolism of the vital functions. The generative instinct appears a number of years after birth, hence does not serve any vital necessity.”
Dr. Stockham says: “The testes may be considered analogous to the salivary and lachrymal glands, in which there is no fluid secreted except at the demand of their respective functions. The thought of food makes the mouth water for a short time only, while the presence of food causes abundant yield of saliva. It is customary for physiologists to assume that the spermatic secretion is analogous to bile, which, when once formed, must be expelled. But substitute the word ‘tears’ for bile, and you put before the mind an idea entirely different. Tears, as falling drops, are not essential to life and health. A man may be in perfect health and not cry once in five or fifty years. The lachrymal fluid is ever present, but in such small quantities that it is unnoticed. Where are the tears while they remain unshed? They are ever ready, waiting to spring forth when there is an adequate cause, but they do not accumulate and distress the man because they are not shed daily, weekly or monthly.
“The component elements of the tears are prepared in the system, they are on hand, passing through the circulation, ready to mix and flow whenever they are needed; but if they mix, accumulate, and flow without adequate cause, there is a disease of the lachrymal glands. While there are no exact analogies in the body, yet the tears and the spermatic fluids are much more closely analogous in their normal manner of secretion and use than are the bile and the semen. Neither flow of tears nor of semen is essential to life or health. Both are largely under the control of the imagination, the emotions, the will; and the flow of either is liable to be arrested in a moment of sudden mental action. * * *
“The mammary gland is an apt illustration of the law of supply and demand. In its anatomical construction and physiological function is it not analogous to the seed‐producing gland of the male? No one has ever hinted that it is essential for health that the natural lacteal fluid of the mammary gland must be continually or frequently secreted or expelled. It is not considered ‘a physical necessity’ or a demand of nature. Indeed, the contrary opinion prevails—that a too abundant flow of milk is derogative to healthful conditions. Milk flows in answer to the demand of a new‐born infant, and, should it come at any other time than when thus demanded, it is considered a perversion of nature and an unnecessary drain upon the system. May it not prove that the unnecessary secretion and expulsion of the semen is as great a perversion of nature? May it not also prove that erectile tissue in action is not a positive evidence of secretion in the gland?”
Parkhurst, writing along the same general lines, says: “The prostatic fluid, according to Robin, is secreted at the moment of ejaculation. The remaining element of the spermatic ‘Secretion is produced, under normal circumstances, only as required, either for impregnation or for the maintenance of the affectional function. The theory that the sperm is naturally secreted only as it is required, brings it into harmony with other secretions. The tears, the saliva, and the perspiration, are always required in small quantities, and the secretion is continuous; but if required in large quantities, the secretion becomes great almost instantly. The mother’s milk is chiefly secreted just as it is required for the infant, and when not required the secretion entirely ceases; yet it recommences the moment the birth of another child makes it necessary. * * *
“A man accustomed to abstinence will not suffer from any accumulation of secretions, while a man whose absorbing glands have never had trouble to take up the secretions, will be in trouble; just as a dairy cow which has not been milked will be in trouble, though if running wild she would never have any necessity for milking. …… The objection that man needs physical relief from a continuous secretion, is answered by the admitted fact that men, not deficient in sexual vigor, live for months, and probably for years, in strict abstinence, without the physical inconvenience such as is often complained of by men who happen to be deprived of their accustomed indulgence for a week or two at a time.”
