Part 1

THE BOOK OF NATURE;

CONTAINING INFORMATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO THINK OF GETTING MARRIED, ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF PROCREATION AND SEXUAL INTERCOURSE; SHOWING HOW TO PREVENT CONCEPTION AND TO AVOID CHILD-BEARING.

ALSO, RULES FOR MANAGEMENT DURING LABOR AND CHILD-BIRTH.

BY JAMES ASHTON, M. D. Lecturer on Sexual Physiology, and Inventor of the “Reveil Nocturne.”

NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY WALLIS & ASHTON, 243 GRAND STREET. 1861.

INDEX TO CONTENTS.

Abortions and Miscarriages 61

Abortions, how produced 62-63

Aphrodisiacs 63

Child-getting, how to avoid 38

Clitoris, the 19

Conception, modes of preventing 38

Conception, signs of 55

Conception, how to avoid 25

Coverings for the Penis 41

Drugs to destroy the Semen 12-40

Ergot of Rye 62-64

Fallopian Tubes 15

Female Generative Organs 13-14

Female Private Parts 18

Fœtus, development of the 31

Fœtus, size and position of 33

Hymen, the 17

Impregnation 24

Impregnation, manner of 26

Intellect, how formed 48

Labor and Child-birth 55 to 60

Longevity, causes of 53

Love Powders 63

Male Generative Organs 5

Management at difficult Births 60

Marriage, natural laws of 50

Miscarriages 61

Nymphomania 27

Orgasms of a Female 35

Ovaries of a Female 13

Ova, expulsion of the 14

Ovum, or Egg 13

Penis, the 7

Penis, malformations of the 8

Pregnancy, how to detect 54

Semen, the 10

Semen, animalcules of the 11

Sexual Abuses 44

Sexual Desires 20

Sexual Enjoyment of Females 34

Sexual Feeling in Females 35

Sexual Indulgence 33

Sexual Indulgence, time for 36

Sexual Intercourse, too early 42

Sexual Intercourse, too frequent 22

Sexual Intercourse, enjoyment of 36

Sexual Intercourse, position at 46

Sexual Organs, Food to stimulate 37

Sexual Union 21-22

Sex of a Child, how determined 28

Testes, the 6

Temperaments, laws of the 50

Unborn Child, growth of the 32

Unborn Child, intellect of 48

Uterus, or Womb 16

Vagina, the 16

Vital Force, influence of 52

Wife, choice of a 48

Why Children look like Parents 30

Zoospermes 10

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS in the year 1859 by BENJAMIN H. DAY, in the Clerk’s Office of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

PREFACE.

Within the past few years, numerous physiological books have been compiled and printed, ostensibly for popular reading and to impart certain information which could not be obtained except from very expensive medical works. On examination, nearly the whole of them prove to be the productions of persons calling themselves physicians, and issued as a medium of advertising their medicines, or their peculiar practice. In most of these books, facts in physiology are so mixed up with empirical self-laudations, absurd reasonings, useless repetitions, and fabulous cases in point, as to become not only intensely tedious, but in a measure disgusting to the reader.

The Prevention of Conception appears to be one of the main features of these publications, and each author professes to have a secret plan of his own for that purpose, which he offers to impart for a professional fee of five dollars. An offer like this to intelligent people is understood as arrant quackery; but there are such a vast number of married persons who desire to limit the number of their offspring, that many will send their money in sheer desperation, and with little or no hope of success.

As the writer of this treatise does not propose to offer his professional services to his readers, and as even the copy-right of it is disposed of in advance, he will endeavor to present, briefly and impartially, the prominent facts which modern science has demonstrated in the phenomena of procreation, the conception and production of offspring, and the various safe and harmless methods that may be resorted to by married people to prevent child-bearing. All that is known on these interesting and important subjects is given in plain language, and with but few medical terms. In collecting this information, the writer has examined all the different modes ever recommended, discovered or invented, for the prevention of conception, whether alleged to be secret or otherwise. Some of them were found to be utterly worthless; others may, in most cases, be employed successfully by extreme caution and pains-taking, while not more than two or three are perfectly reliable. These last are subject to failure, only from prejudice or want of energy; and if adopted with moderate caution, will be successful. In these discoveries the French physicians appear to be the most ingenious, and some of the plans given are consequently of French origin.

The Physiology of Generation, which comprises all medical knowledge relative to the reproduction of offspring, is a subject of intense interest to the adult portion of mankind. It has been zealously investigated by learned men of all ages—physicians, philosophers and theologians—and numerous conflicting theories have been advanced, books written, and ideas inculcated, which have presented the subject in various phases for popular reading. One class denounces all attempts to prevent conception and child-bearing as immoral, unnatural, and hurtful to health, while others hold more liberal views, and consider that married people have a perfect right to decide for themselves whether they shall breed a family or not. The writer takes no part in these arguments. He is content to impart to his readers, in a brief and matter-of-fact form, reliable physiological information which could only be obtained by long study from other sources. With this explanation, he trusts that the object of his little treatise will be appreciated by the public.

THE BOOK OF NATURE.

MALE GENERATIVE ORGANS.

The Generative Organs of man consists of two distinct outward members, called the Penis and the Testes, or Testicles—both together being frequently called the Genitals. The Testes are inclosed in a sac or bag hanging from the pubic bone called the Scrotum, and their functions are to produce the male principle or Semen, as the Ovaries in the female ripen the Ovum or Egg. The Testes are a curious work of Nature. On dissection they are found to be composed of fine blood vessels intermingled with small tubes called the Seminal Tubes, in which the Semen is generated. Some very knowing physicians say that there are sixty thousand of these Seminal Tubes; but we doubt if anybody ever counted them. These tubes, as they leave the Testes, gradually join together until finally a single tube only goes from each Testicle. These are called the Vas Deferens, and they ascend to the abdomen through a larger tube, (which also contains arteries, nerves, lymphatics, &c.,) where they connect with two small organs called Seminal Vesicles. From these vesicles the Semen passes downwards through a tube called the Ejaculatory Canal, which is connected with the Prostate Gland, and from whence it is forced to the Urethra or urinal passage, and so out of the body. This is a brief outline of all the organs connected with the generative system of man: the Testes have the peculiar property of making the Semen—the Vas Deferens and the Ejaculatory Canal carry it into the abdomen to the Prostate Gland, from whence it is conveyed, by a peculiar but spasmodic effort, through the urinal passage in the Penis into the body of the female. It is supposed that the Seminal Vesicles and Prostate Gland impart a vital principle to the Semen, and that the peculiar pleasurable feeling experienced during connection with the female springs from these organs.

The Scrotum, in a healthy state, is contracted so as to draw its skin into folds and keep the Testes close to the body. But when a person is in ill health, or greatly fatigued, the skin relaxes and the two Testes hang low, the Scrotum being then supported in the middle by a membrane or cord called the Septum Scroti, which acts as a sort of partition. The Scrotum of old men is permanently relaxed in this manner; but in children it is a sure indication of ill health.

The size of the Testes vary in different persons. The average of mankind have them each about the bigness of a pigeon’s egg; but sometimes they are larger. It seldom makes any difference in the actual power of procreation whether these organs are large or small, though persons with large Testes can generally perform the act of copulation oftener, and with less exhaustion. A man with large Testes generally has a large Penis, as the size of the one usually governs the growth of the other; but it is by no means certain that sexual connection thereby affords him any more pleasure. Such men should marry with great caution. Many females are incapable of affording them pleasure from the comparative smallness of their private parts; and they suffer much pain and ill health from such intercourse. On the contrary, men whose genital organs are not fully developed, though they may impregnate, yet they cannot always give full satisfaction to the female. If it could so be that people about to marry were properly matched in their private parts, it would prevent a great deal of unhappiness in the world.

Some curious cases are reported in the books of ill-matched couples in this respect. One of the Princes of the Royal Family of England (a son of George III.) died without legitimate issue because he could not have connection with his wife—she being too small, or he being too large for the purpose. It is true, he was entitled to a divorce by law, but it was said he respected his wife too much to resort to such a measure. Another curious case was that of Baron Brunner, whose wife claimed a divorce on the ground that her husband was a sort of eunuch, who could afford her no pleasure during connection. But in this case, as Madame was the mother of a daughter, to whom she dared not deny the paternity of the Baron, her petition was rejected.

The Penis is the principal generative organ of man. It is usually from five to seven inches in length, hanging pendant, and extending from the Pelvic Bones to the glans at the end, and is divided into two parts called the Cavernosum and the Spongiosum. There is a groove underneath and between these two parts, through which runs the Urethra, or urinal passage. The head of the Penis is called the Bulb, and is of a spongy nature, being filled with little cells or cavities communicating with each other, and which extend into blood vessels which run the whole length of the organ, and are finally connected with an artery and a vein in the body. When no excitement of the part exists, these cells and blood vessels are nearly empty; but when excited by sexual desires, they rapidly fill with blood, when the Penis stands erect and enlarges to one-third greater size. The erection is also assisted by a number of muscles which only act when the blood rushes into the part. These are called the Cavernosus Muscles. In some persons the erection is very sudden, while in others it is the reverse—all depending upon the temperament and construction of the parts. The time for the erection to subside is also different in different persons. The causes of this difference depend upon certain vital actions of the blood vessels not fully understood. In old age this organ will often become hard and erect, though it requires more time, and the erection subsides almost instantly after connection with a female. The Penis is often destroyed by accident or by disease, and sometimes it is naturally deformed. A case is stated by Dr. Hollick of a young man 19 years old, whose Penis was only a quarter of an inch long! By a protracted and careful course of treatment, however, it was made to grow several inches. Some male children have been born with no Penis at all—a slight swelling, like the top of a small tumor, being the only mark of the spot where it ought to have grown. In some cases of deformity like this, men have been known to beget children, the flow of Semen being ample; and it only requiring, for the purpose of impregnation, that the Semen shall be placed within the external lips of the private parts of the female, as will be shown hereafter.

There are frequent malformations of the Penis. Sometimes it will grow in such a way that, when erect, it turns one side or the other, so that association is painful and very difficult. This is generally caused by contraction of the skin or muscles, and is very easily remedied by carefully cutting them in the proper place. Sometimes a one-sided Penis is the result of aneurism, swelling of the veins, or unnatural erections. These causes generally form tumors, which must first be reduced before a proper action can be restored. Cold astringent lotions, used constantly, will generally cure these tumors, though it is sometimes necessary to bind some smooth, hard substance firmly on to them—a piece of horn or ivory being the most suitable. Frequently the cord at the end of the Penis, which binds the prepuce, will be so short as to pull down the end of the Glans and thus prevent a proper connection with the female. This cord, when too short, will often break; but the best way is to cut it carefully either with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. A Penis with a head too large is a malformation caused by boyish pranks in handling the organ during its growth.

The causes of a non-development of the Penis are various. Sometimes a general torpor of the Testes retards its growth. Disease or excess will frequently make it wither and decrease in size; and many a youth by early masturbation prevents the full development of the organ. Injuries to the Testes, during early childhood, will often stop the growth of the Penis. The Mumps, Scarlet Fever, Measles, Rickets, and Scrofula—each of these diseases will also more or less affect its perfect development. It is nearly impossible to prescribe a remedy for this evil, as much depends upon the temperament of the person affected. In persons of little sexual feeling, I would recommend a rational and moderate use of the organ as Nature intended. The healthy excitement thus produced will tend to its growth. In some men, however, this plan would rather do harm than good—a frequent tepid bath, with brisk rubbing of the muscles, being the proper treatment. A stimulating ointment of some kind might be used to advantage with this latter treatment. A tube to fit over the Penis, with an air-pump, is frequently used by physicians in connection with a shampooing of the muscles, and in some cases this acts beautifully.

The lascivious practices of boys, who learn of one another the habit of onanism—their too early connection with females—these and other habits affect the growth and full development of the Penis.

The Penis should be fully developed in a boy fourteen or fifteen years old. At that age the seminal fluid, destined for the perpetuation of the species, begins to be secreted by the Testicles, and not only excites the sexual organs, but affects every part of the body. The power of the mind, too, is improved; the digestion becomes more vigorous; the circulation of the blood is more rapid; indeed, every organ is abundantly nourished by it, and they perform their functions with much more energy than before this period of life. But the sexual organs, notwithstanding they may be of full size, have not yet matured, as will be shown hereafter.

THE SEMEN.

The Semen is a yellowish-white liquid substance secreted in the Testes of the Male, and which contains the animalculæ that grow to be future human beings. A microscopic examination shows it to consist of two substances, one fluid and the other little white globules. These globules soon dissolve when exposed to the air. The composition of the Semen is nine-tenths water—the remaining tenth being 10 soda, 30 phosphate of lime, and 60 animal mucilage containing a peculiar principle which is unknown. The living animalculæ of the Semen can be plainly seen with a microscope. They look like little eels with large heads, or pollywogs, and are supposed to be the germ of the brain and spine. They are called Zoospermes, and the microscope enables us to study their habits, and describe them with correctness. These animalculæ first grow in the little globules or eggs. Their extreme smallness may be imagined when we state that one of these globules, which are not visible to the naked eye, but can be seen only with a microscope, contains thirty of them. After the globules break open, the Zoospermes grow and become developed before they are in a fit state to enter the female Ovum. Attached to their head is a sort of sucker which fastens itself on to anything it can take hold of. By the aid of the microscope we are enabled to study the habits of these animalculæ so closely that it is known they cast their skins as they grow larger, like some insects. A French physiologist writes that he easily distinguishes their sex, male and female, but we doubt the truth of his assertion. They are apparently very playful and active, but it appears to be their nature to move only in one direction, and that straight forward—which movement has a connection with impregnation that is explained elsewhere in these pages. In watching the motions of these curious little creatures, we find that combats frequently occur among them. They fight very fiercely, and sometimes the fight lasts until only one or two out of a dozen or more are left alive, showing a pugnacity of disposition peculiar to mankind in the primitive or half-civilized state. They will live for several hours in warm water, and it is thus that their manœuvres are more easily seen. The Semen of a boy, before puberty, contains no Zoospermes; and hence females of amorous propensities have indulged with them without becoming impregnated. Diseases of a certain character, and also some kinds of drugs, will destroy the vitality of the Semen.

The animalculæ of the Semen are not developed in the Testes. While there, it contains only the granules, which ripen as they proceed, and it is not until they reach the Prostate Gland that they burst open. It is therefore necessary to a healthy connection, that some time should elapse between the acts of coition. It frequently happens, when people first marry, that months will pass before impregnation takes place. This is because of too frequent connection. The Semen does not have time to be fully developed on its passage from the Testes.

We have stated that it is a habit of the Zoospermes to move only in one direction, and that straight forward. It is this peculiarity which enables them to make their way up into the Womb, even from the Labia or external lips of the female. It is found, also, that Zoospermes will live twenty-four hours in the private parts of the female, during which time she may become impregnated by them. It seems to be of little consequence _how_ Semen is deposited in the female organ. Conception may take place, even without sexual connection, if the Semen is fresh from the male, and healthy. The sexual feeling of the female, though it may conduce certain favorable conditions of the part, and thus promote the result, is not, in most cases, necessary.

The celebrated John Hunter reported the case of a patient of his who had entirely lost his penis by syphilis. It was sloughed off half an inch into his body. Yet this man could eject his semen from the orifice; and he married after his misfortune, and became the father of a child. His wife was impregnated by means of a small glass syringe, with which the semen was injected into the proper place.

The Parisian doctors make preparations of various drugs to destroy the animalculæ of the Semen, and thus prevent conception. This plan, if thoroughly adopted, produces the desired effect, as will be shown hereafter. Iodine, Strychnine, Prussic Acid, or even Opium, will instantly kill the Zoospermes. Alcohol will likewise generally destroy them, or render them powerless until they die. An electric shock kills them instantly, and so will cold water, in very many cases, though not always.