A Solemn Appeal - James White

apply without the knowledge of its subjects, and
thereby detect many who little suspect me of
knowing their secret practices. Called to prescribe
for as young woman, and knowing from this sign
what caused her complaint, I sought an interview
with her mother, to whom I disclosed my
suspicions. She said she thought her daughter
innocent, but knew she had slept much with an
elder girl who was addicted to it. I asked her what
she knew concerning its prevalence. She said a girl
in her neighborhood had just died from its effects,
and that the female operatives in a neighboring
factory practiced it almost universally; as she
learned from one of them. She named other
factories in which it was hardly less prevalent. I
know little girls below their teens, who thus abuse
themselves, and, from my application of the test
named above, am constrained to believe the
practice alarmingly extensive among the fairest
portion of creation! I sicken at the thought. Oh!
woman, 'who hath thus bewitched you that ye
should' thus depart from the paths of delicacy, and
health, and happiness?
240