A Solemn Appeal - James White

of general debility, and of other ostensible
complaints innumerable, and some of insanity,
caused solely by this practice. On this point, Dr.
Woodward again thus speaks out:
" 'About two years ago, a young woman, aged
twenty-two years, came under my care, in a state of
the worst form of insanity. She was furious, noisy,
filthy, and, apparently, nearly reduced to idiocy.
She had been in this condition many months, and
continued so for some time while with me. She was
pale and bloodless, had but little appetite,
frequently rejected her food, and was reduced in
flesh and strength. Finding her one day more calm
than usual, I hinted to her the subject of
masturbation, and informed her that, if she
practiced it, she could not get well--if she
abandoned it, she might. She did not deny the
charge, and promised to follow my advice strictly.
In two or three weeks from that time, she was
preceptibly better; her mind improved as her health
gained; and both were much better in the course of
a few weeks. The recovery was very rapid in this
case. At the end of six months she had excellent
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