PART I

WHAT HE OUGHT TO KNOW CONCERNING HIMSELF

Prevalent ignorance concerning physical changes in men of middle-life--Sad results of such ignorance--Reasons for change--Evidences of these changes--Husband and wife constitute a reproductive unit--The two natures responsive in activity and repose--Somewhat similar changes in both--The age at which climacteric or "change of life" occurs in men--Climacteric and adolescence contrasted--The testimony of medical men to the fact--Only young men need the testimonials of authorities--Old men know it--Compensations which follow the sexual hush--Physical and mental effects--Changes more gradual than in women--Many men intellectually at their best after sexual hush--To them time and experience open their richest treasures--Moderation in all things enjoined--Sexual moderation emphasized--Virility, how destroyed, how preserved--Effects of exercise, food, stimulants, sleep, employment, etc.--Functional disorders--Benefit of intelligence--Enlargement of the prostate gland--Manifestations, cause and precautionary measures--The marriage of men of middle life--Physical unfitness and effects--Rights of the unborn--The years beyond--The man at forty determines what the man at eighty shall be--Value of purpose to keep strong and bright--Examples.