stood in the past, but we are beginning to
appreciate the reason for this evolutionary process. We have discovered
that the cause depends upon certain active changes which take place in
the sex organs. About this time the testicles begin to be active. For
years these glands have been preparing themselves for this work, so they
first grow rapidly, increasing in size until they are about eight times
bigger than they were before this time, then they begin to pour into the
circulation a secretion which stimulates changes in all other parts of
the body and is directly responsible for the wonderful change that is
evident in the stature of the boy's body.

This substance or "internal secretion" must not be confused with the
semen. The internal secretion is simply the substance which nature
employs in the developing process and is responsible for the degree of
growth and quality of manhood which the boy manifests. The semen, on the
other hand, is the procreative or fertilizing fluid which enables a man
to beget offspring. When a boy understands this process it aids him in
appreciating the importance of his sex organs and a little thought
enables him to understand that if he abuses these organs he will
seriously interfere with his own development. This process goes on for a
number of years, until the boy reaches maturity. Any act or habit which
weakens the quality of this secretion will deplete his powers and render
him physically and mentally inefficient. To make a man, nature must be
permitted to work in her own way. You cannot improve on her methods nor
can you break her laws with impunity.

CHAPTER XIII

THE PARENTS AND THE BOY

Abuse of the Procreative Function--The Continent Life--Provide
the Environment Necessary to the Clean Life--The Period of
Procreative Power--Self-abuse--Masturbation--Treatment of
Masturbation--Night Losses or Wet Dreams--Causes of Night
Emissions--Sexual Excesses--Treatment of Sexual Excesses--What
Parents Should Know About the So-called "Social Evil," Before
Speaking with Authority to the Boy--The Need of Enlightenment
in Sexual Matters--"No One Told Me, I Did Not Know"--Fake
Medical Treatment of Venereal Diseases--Sowing Wild
Oats--Should Circumcision be Advised?

ABUSE OF THE PROCREATIVE FUNCTION.--Breeders of animals have discovered
that to breed from very young stock is not good. The quality and stamina
of the progeny is lowered an