cause him to start. Cowardice is a sure consequence of Self-Abuse and
involuntary emissions. The appetite is irregular, often poor, sometimes
voracious; the bowels are also variable in their action. The prostatic
portion of the urethra is frequently irritable and sometimes is very
much +inflamed+; oftentimes there is a +thickening, a sponginess or
puffiness+ of the parts immediately involving the ejaculatory ducts.
The mucous membrane of the vesiculæ seminales becomes inflamed and
thickened. The +testicles+ and the +spermatic cord+ are oftentimes
very tender and the seminal fluid is much thinner than natural. Such a
Patient has generally +dark spots under his eyes+, +a sharp nose+, and
often +flushes of hectic color+ in his cheeks, particularly when in the
presence of company, and there is more or less palpitation of the heart.
In the second stage, as in the first, the pollutions are diurnal and
nocturnal; the latter are copious and recur frequently. So insensible
is the passage of semen that the patient is usually astonished and
horrified on waking to find himself and +bedclothes saturated+ with this
fluid, which is easily absorbed by the clothes, and rapidly dries up,
because it has become thin, watery and effete. In addition to this
loss he is subject to one equally great on almost every occasion
of +urinating+ and +defecating+. This also takes place without any
consciousness on his part, and his only knowledge of the fact is from
the alarming weakness he experiences after passing water or going to
stool. Distraction or absence of mind renders the judgment unfit for any
extensive enterprise.

The sexual powers are greatly weakened; the overtaxed organs refuse to
fulfill their legitimate task; their susceptibility and irritability are
so great that the power of retention is lost, and the seminal fluid is
discharged prematurely.