advanced in years, who push their failing powers too far. As a just
retribution for the abuse of so important a function, the Almighty
deprives some of desire, some of power, some of both.

2. ONANISM.--By many this is confused with Masturbation or Self-Abuse.
While like it in some respects and in many of its consequences, it is
still different. It is as hurtful to an adult as abuse is to a young
person. God punished Onan for this sin, hence its name. Yet, despite
this terrible example so plainly set forth in the Old Testament,
probably one-half of the married men of the present day are pursuing it,
and hence so many Impotent and Powerless persons, seeking vainly amongst
the many cheap, quack remedies for something to re-invigorate and
re-vitalize them.

This is a terrible vice, terrible in its consequences, and however hardy
and robust the man, sooner or later his sexual powers must and will
succumb to the strain. Many men write us, saying that they never
masturbated, and yet are totally impotent and cannot understand why
it is. And yet they have been thus injuring themselves for years!

Sexual power and desire were given us for one purpose--the perpetuation
of our species, and whoso endeavors to avoid this, must suffer. Many
married couples do not want more children, from care, poverty or other
causes, and hence the extent to which this terrible practice is
indulged. It _must_ be from ignorance, for were it commonly known how
injurious this practice is, _but few would dare take the terrible risk_.

And yet the resulting weakness can be speedily cured if properly
treated. In no class of cases have the Civiale Remedies achieved greater
success than in these.