A Solemn Appeal - James White

"But, when it does not go so far as to induce
complete idiocy or insanity, it so far vitiates the
nervous system as to leave its subjects completely
miserable--self-abuse particularly so. Facts, almost
without number, completely demonstrate the
physiological law that disordered nerves produce
mental misery; and as this passion deranges the
nervous system, we see why its subjects are
nervous, fidgety, easily agitated, fearful, afflicted
with terrible dreams, melancholic, depressed in
spirits, and most wretched, as well as partly beside
themselves. In describing its effects, Dr. Adam
Clarke writes thus:
" 'The sin of self-pollution is one of the most
destructive evils ever practised by fallen man. In
many respects it is several degrees worse than
common whoredom, and has in its train more awful
consequences. It excites the powers of nature to
undue action, and produces violent secretions,
which necessarily and speedily exhaust the vital
principle and energy; hence the muscles become
flaccid and feeble, the tone and natural action of
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