Onania, or, The heinous sin of self-pollution : and all its frightful consequences (in both sexes) considered with spiritual and physical advice to those who have already injured themselves by this abominable practice.

Date:
1776
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Onania, or, The heinous sin of self-pollution : and all its frightful consequences (in both sexes) considered with spiritual and physical advice to those who have already injured themselves by this abominable practice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    40/352 (page 26)
    ' [ 2b ] day, and then two or three times a week, and if I tar¬ ried a month it was the outfide, then to this evil prac¬ tice again, two or three times in a fortnight, which made me fo weak, that fometimes I was fo faint I could hardly go, which caufed violent pains in my head and back, but head efpecially, and great heat in my tefticles. I prayed to Almighty God that he would be pleafed to forgive me my fins, and efpecially that heinous fin for which I am fo dejedled. I have not left off this wicked pra£fice above three months. I ufed to have no£hirnal pollutions almoft every night before I left it off, and now fince I have them two or three times a week. I have, at this time, violent pains in my head, and my nofe is full of red fpots, and fometimes it is very fore, I have likewife a knob of flefh rifen in my forehead, and now, at this prefent writing, I have felt pains in my breaft and arms, which fo dejects and cafts me down, that I am almoft unfit for any bufinefs. When I am told about the breaking-out of my face, which fome¬ times I am, it forces me to fay it is the heat of the fire, though fome will fain a laughter, and fay I have the foul diftemper, as if they faid it out of game; but God knows whether they did or no, for I do folemnly de¬ clare, I never had carnally to do with any women, and am twenty-two years old this month. Sir, it is impoffible for me to exprefs or write the forrow and trouble I am in, 1 humbly hope your great goodnefs will take com- paftion on my fad misfortune, and that you will have an eye of pity on me, and not let me perifh under this violent difeafe, which furely will be my fate, if not fpeedily redrefled by fome charitable chriftian. Sir, pray be not deaf to what I now write. Pray, dear Sir, take into confideration my difeafe, and let me not pe¬ rifh for want of help. Sir, if you pleafe I will call at the bookfeller’s a Tuefday, and if you will condefcend to leave an anfwer, I fhall with joy and thankfulnefs receive it, and ever, as in duty bound, pray for your eternal happineis. Sir, Your humble fervant.’* T@