continuous activity get their
exercise. This activity develops them and keeps them physically
perfect after the onset of the period of puberty. Their activity
consists very largely in the formation of an internal secretion, the
office of which is to develop in the male the highest possible state
of virility. Nor must we lose sight of the fact that every procreative
act is performed at a sacrifice of some of this vital fluid on the
part of the male. A wanton sacrifice of vital fluid either in the act
of self abuse or in excessive venery is not justifiable under any
consideration; nor may these acts, under any circumstances, be looked
upon as sustaining to the gland a relation similar to that which
muscular exercise sustains to muscle tissue.

In the light of these facts every normal man would admit that
frequent masturbation or excessive sexual intercourse, in wedlock or
out, should certainly not be recommended as a method of developing the
sexual apparatus.

Most men, however, raise the question: "Is any indulgence or any
artificial means for satisfying the sexual inclination to be
discouraged?" This inclination comes to us in the course of nature.
Man in the primitive state would seek a mate as soon as he felt this
inclination; would fight for the possession of her as soon as he had
reached a sufficient stage of muscular development, and once in
possession of his mate, would take her to his perch in the trees or to
his cave. In his primitive home he would follow his sexual
inclination, impregnate his wife and protect her against all dangers.

Under our present social conditions the young man experiences all
these desires the same as his primitive ancestor, but he may not be
able to choose a mate and begin with her the building of a home for a
whole decade after he experiences the desire to do so. What is the
solution?

It must be evident that the solution lies in the acceptance of one or
another of three alternatives--either the young man may seek illicit
intercourse with women to satisfy his sexual desire, or he may adopt
some artificial measure, such as masturbation (self abuse) or,
finally, he may lead what is known as a continent life. By continence
we mean to adopt neither one of the first two alternatives mentioned,
but to leave the care of the sexual apparatus wholly with Nature.

We may now consider these three alternatives in turn.

1. ILLICIT INTERCOURSE WITH WOMEN.

By illicit intercourse with wom