A Solemn Appeal - James White

health, was quite fleshy, and became perfectly
sane; and has continued so, so far as we have
known, to this time.
" 'Not long since, a case of periodical insanity
came under my observation, the subject of which
was a young lady. The disease had existed ten
years without any material change. Suspecting that
masturbation was the cause, I directed her mother
to ascertain, if possible, and inform me. Some
months after, I received intelligence that my patient
was better, and that my suspicions of her habit
were confirmed by the observation of her friends.
The case is not without hope, although of so long
standing, if the cause be removed.
" 'Three or four similar cases have been under
my care recently, in which individuals of the same
sex have been reduced to the same degraded state.
They are now, and will continue to be while life
remains, a melancholy spectacle of human misery,
without mind, without delicacy or modesty,
constantly harassed by the most ungovernable
passion, and under the influence of propensities
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