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�__ J. A. BROOK & CO., 282, STRAND, LONDON.
The following books intended for the prj
motion of domestic happiness and househoi]
economy are strongly recommended.
SOCIAL MEANS OF PROMOTING TE$
PERANCE. By G. j t Holyoake. • • |
J.
-------- — —
vajSuCTHOMAS COOPER’S LECTURES TO WORKING Ml
is a most valuable book,
A few only on hand.
.
. i
MORAL PHY SIOLOGY. bv R. T). Owr.v
TURES DEMONSTRATED.
Trevelyan.....................................
Bv Ari
best ana most useful book ever published.
BROOK’S CYCLOPAEDIA OF BOTANl
AND COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS. li
great success of “ Brook’s Culpepper Improve!
and the very flattering manner in which tl
public have received it, encouraged the autif
to commence a much larger work on the subjfj
of botany. The Cyclopaedia of Botany wl
contain all that is useful, and all that is beau: ’
ful, on the subject of plants, British and ForeigH
It will be a book for the Farmer, Garden|
Florist, and Medical Botanist. The Cyclopmdfe
of Botany will be complete in one hundrt
numbers, each number containing eight pag|
of letter-press, with six engravings of plant
coloured to nature. The whole done up in|
neat wrapper. Price Twopence.
This will be the most complete book on popull
Botany ever published. It will form two hanb
some volumes, with upwards of SIX HUNDRifi
COLOURED ENGRAVINGS of plants, forming h.
completeBotanical Library.
�A CATALOGUE
OF
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PUBLICATIONS,
BEING
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OF
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uAAll books of the Value of One Shilling aild upwards
sent Post free.
at®
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Authors o£ Freetho tight or other Works will he ti'eafed with, and
v^may have their Books printed and publiehed on the most Modeaerate terms.
i
�PREETHOUGIIT LITERATURE
Published by F. FABHAH, 282, Strand, London;
1
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——V
A LETTER to the Present EMPEROR of FRANCE. By JOSEPH Mazzini A»
most important document. Price 6d.
The People’s Edition of Ditto, Id.
LETTERS, CONVERSATIONS, and RECOLLECTIONS of 3. T. COLERIDGE.il1
With a Preface by the Editor, Thomas Allsop. Third Edition. Price 2s 6d. >
As Boswell was to Dr. Johnson, so was Mr. Allsop to Coleridge. There was thiSr
difference: that whereas Boswell was in some sort the fool or “ butt ” of the Greats
Moralist, and contrived to pick up a fund of anecdotes and reminiscences of hiSH
patron—in the same way as a favourite dog might have picked up the crumbs front
his table—in Mr. Allsop the case is altered. He associated with Coleridge on equast
terms, and as a friend or la-other, we are entertained with a rich fund of entertain i
ment and information respecting one of the most wonderful men of the nincteentl In
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THE SECULAR MISCELLANY of Theological and Political tracts.
Contents:
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1. The Clergy and the Nation. By William MaccalL (With portrait of the author, tn
2. Scripture Idolatry. By T. Wentworth Higginson, Minister of the Worceste is
Free Church, America.
3. The Creed of a Secularist, and the Social Ethics of Secularism. By Lionel B <J
Holdrcth
The Secularists have been charged with having no positive creed—that the®.:
whole system consists of Negation. They are said to pull down only the ol®
building of popular belief, without substituting anything in its place. If th®
reader will purchase ” The Creed of a Secularist” he will see that these chargap
are false.
4. The Secular Preacher. By G. J. Holyoake. (With Portrait of the Rev. Thoma|p.
Binney.)
I
5. Are Women Fit for Politics? Part I.
"
6. Are Politics Fit for Women? Part II.
[The last Two Tracts treat historically and exhaustively on:—1. The Enfranchis] fell
ment of Women contrary to Custom. 2. The Aristocracy of Sex; the last of It 11
lent
t#
Tyrannies. 3. The Equality of Women indispensable of the Manliness of Men M
Price Sixpence.
PICTURES OF CONTROVERSY, or the conflicts of Faith and Scepticism—b< Iing a comprehensive and impartial statement of the evidences on both sides of tin
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know it, you arc not in a fit state to argue against it. If you dare not state your oA'
ponent'a case in its greatest force, you feel it to be stronger than your own, and yer
ought not to argue against it.”—Holyoake, on Public Speaking and Debate.
|
“It is not so mueh the difficulty of finding as the trouble of seeking the tnrlu
from which most men shrink ; a necessity, however, from which, as it is an essentijt
Instrument of their moral education and discipline, they can never be released,”- .
^
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Rogers, on Reason and Faith.
THEOLOGY DISPLAYED, being a review of the origin, excellence, and validijf
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? PEOPLE'S EDITION OF THE POETICAL WORKS OF VICTOR HUGO
IND GARIBALDI.-A Poetical Epistle addressed to Garibaldi by Victor Hugo,
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"E These two poems are the most remarkable productions of the present century
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ignited to the withering scorn and contempt of Voltaire, against Sacerdotal stupidity
ilr.d Imperial villany. The following extract from Garibaldi’s portion will give but a
Iint idea of the transcendental beauty and patriotism of the whole
“ Is yon her master? that man ? that false thing,
Fuddled with blood—that Nephew of a King?
Is he the Lord to whom—Hugo—thy Land
Yields up the place she held ? is his the hand
Which—using France for smithy—forges chains
And plots to bind whatever free remains?
Oh, France 1 that thou should’stbe to this fate sunk!
TheQueen of Kings to mount guard for a Monk 1 ’’
It shows decisively that Garibaldi has no common command of poetical rhetoric,
some of which (as translated by the Oxford Graduate at least) is exceedingly
keen and brilliant. The Poem is long, full of not so much the enthusiasm as
the fanaticism of humanity, and entirely in Garibaldi's finest Shelleyan strain.
There is one of his noble magnanimous touches in it.—Spectator, Jan. 18,1868.
Every patriot will invest Twopence in these two truly Splendid Poems.
FREETHINKING AT THE ANTIPODES.—Truth, Love, Joy, or the Garden of
den and its Fruits. By E. M. King.
The talented authoress of this book has written a separate chapter on each of
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Spirit; the Lord’s Supper; Doubt; the Temptation; the Jews; Joy; Imagi
nation ; Superstition ; Conclusion; more Last Words.
I
9 o
1 9
9 6
a 9
12
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tew Religious Thoughts. By JJ. Gampneu.
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personal Narrative in Letters, principally from Turkey. By Professor Newnan. 1 9
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The sensation created on the first appearance of this work on the other «side of
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the globe was as great as if a bombshell had been thrown amongst the various
0 8
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0 3
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Price Is. 64.
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Above 400 pages post 8vo, published in Melbourne at 8s. 6d. Mr. F. Farrah has
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him to offer them at half-price. Sent post free to any part on receipt of 4s. 3d.
either in stamps or Post-office order.
lmer’s Principles of Nature, 1 vol., cloth...
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Ditto
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�jPwathought Literature published by F. Farrah, 282, Strand, London.
SPEECH OF ROBERT EMMETT, Esq., as delivered at the Sessions House, Dublin,
before Lor I Norbury, one of the Chief J ustices, on being found guilty of High Treason,
as i euder of the Insurrection of 1803, in Thomas Street, Dublin, in the 22nd year Of
hl8 age, Just published, price One Penny, Post Free Two Pence.
11 011 breathe not his name, let it sleep in the shade,
Where cold and unhonoured his relics are laid,
Sad, Silent, and dark, be the tears that we shed,
As the night dew that falls on the grass o’er his head. —Moore.
AMERICA C MPARED WITH ENGLAND: the respective Social Effects of the
American and English Systems of Government and Legislature. By R. W. RusselL
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in politics you have the genuine inspiration of the spirit of wisdom and benevolence.
And it is fitted for people of various ages and of all stations; young and old, rich ana
poor, rulers and subjects, may read it with equal pleasure and equal profit.
TEN SERMONS ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:—
By Rev. Theodore Parker, Minister of the Congregational Church, Boston, United
States.
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1. A Sermon on the Moral Condition of Boston.
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2. The Relation of Jesus to his Age and the Ages.
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3. The True Idea of a Christian Church,
4. Some Thoughts on the most Christian use of Sunday.
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5. A Sermon on Poverty.
6. A Sermon on the Perishing Classes of Boston.
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7. A Sermon on Merchants.
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8. A Discourse on the Function of a Teacher of Religion in these Times.
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�FREETHOUGHT LITERATURE
I Published by F. FARRAH, 282, Strand, London;
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Works by G. J- Holyoake.
Partnerships of Industry. A statement of the Co-operative Case, divested of
0 1
Sentimentality
iWi' Help by the People. The History of Co-operation In Rochdale (the
9
Society ot Equitable Pioneers)
..
..
... ...
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■'The History of Co-operation in Halifax : and some other Institutions around it
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ALogic of Facts ; or Every-day Reasoning
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4
‘■Social Means of promoting Temperance, with remarks on Errors in its dvocacy
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(The Art of Public Speaking and Debate ..
..
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..Life of Lord Brougham, with a Life like Portrait ..
..
8
''(The Child’s Ladder of Knowledge
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(Paley’s Natural Theology refuted in his own Words
..
6
^Rationalism, an Individualization of Mr. Owen’s Views
..
6
(Mathematics no Mystery, or the Beauties and Uses of Euclid
2
(Oration over the Grave of Henry Hetherington ....
»•
2
’{Literary Institutions, their Relation to Public Opinion
..
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‘.The Last Trial by Jury for Atheism in England
..
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IWhe Liberal Situation ; Necessity for a Qualified Franchise
Id. and
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■((Logic of Death. Fifty-seventh Thousand
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• (Logic of Life ..
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(The Suppressed Lecture at Cheltenham ..
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‘Public Lessons of the Hangman ..
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1
99
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/Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau, with Preface
6
(Cumming Wrong, Colenso Right Letters by a London Zulu
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'Value of Biography
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(‘Trial for Theism ..
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jnost able men on the Theistic side of the question are stated with the utmost
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Of all the men that ever lived there are none to which the lovers of freedom and freethinking are more indebted than the “ Rebellious Stay-maker.” Let any one picture
(to himself the state of society in his times: a rampant tyrannous government; the great
uinass of the population thoroughly brutalized under the teaching of a Parochial
I (Clergy—a Clergy addicted to cock-fighting, bull-baiting, prize-fighting, hunting, and
rtlrinking with the squires. These were about the only teachers of the people, and the
.majority of them evinced the effects of such teaching by burning in effigy the only man
1/who had endeavoured to better their condition. Patriots of our times little know what
-those had to suffer who broke ground in the good old times of George III. Foremost
isamong this gallant band was Thomas Paine ; his works are suited to all times and all
(feountries. Every Englishman ought to make himself thoroughly acquainted with his
cpolitical works. The “ Rights of Man,” “ Common-sense,” &c., are amongst the most
imperishable monuments of his genius.
-..’Paine's Theological Works, in 1 vol. paper covers, Is.; cloth
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(^Letter to the Abbe Raynal, ditto
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•Address to the People of France on the Abolition of Royalty
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To which is added ROBIN HOOD’S GARLAND: being all the ancient Songs which
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�■
�PREFACE.
BY THE PUBLISHER.
It is a notorious fact that the families of the married often
increase beyond what a regard for the young beings coming
into existence, or the happiness of those who gave them
birth would dictate, and philanthropists, of first rate moral
character, in different parts of the world, have for years been
endeavouring to obtain and disseminate a knowledge of
means whereby men and women may refrain at will from be
coming parents, without even a partial sacrifice of the plea
sure which attends the gratification of their productive in
stinct. But no satisfactory means of fulfilling the object
were discovered until the subject received the attention of a
physician, who had devoted years to the investigation of the
most recondite phenomena of the human system as well as
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This work, besides conveying a knowledge of these and
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&c. It is written in a plain, yet' chaste style. The great
utility of such a work as this, especially to the poor, is ample
apology, if apology be needed, for its publication.
��PHILOSOPHICAL PROEM.
Consciousness is not a “principle” or substance of any kind; noris it
strictly speaking, a property of any substance or being. It is a peculiar
action of the nervous system; and the nervous system is said to be sensible,
01 to possess the property of sensibility, because those sentient actions
which constitute our different consciousnesses, may be excited in it'. The
nervous system includes not only the brain and spinal marrow, but numerous
soft white cords, called nerves, which extend from the brain and spinal
marrow to every part of the body in which a sensation can be excited.
. A sensation is a sentient action of a nerve and the brain; a thought or
idea, (both the same thing), is a sentient action of that brain alone. A
sensation, or a thought, is consciousness, and there is no consciousness but
what consists either in a sensation or a thought.
Agreeable consciousness constitutes what we call happiness and disagreeable consciousness constitutes misery. As sensations are’ a higher
degree of consciousness than mere thoughts, it follows, that agreeable,
sensations constitute a more exquisite happiness than agreeable thoughts
this portion of happiness which consists in agreeable sensations is commonly
called pleasure. No thoughts are agreeable except those which were
originally excited by, or have been associated with, agreeable sensations,
lienee if a person never had experienced any agreeable sensations, he could
have no agreeable thoughts; and would of course be an entire stranger to
happiness.
&
There are five species of sensation, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and
±eT™r Jhere ^re many varieties of feeling—as the feeling of hunger, thirst
cold, hardness,_&c. Many of these feelings are excited by agents that act
upon the exterior of the body, such as solid substances of every kind, heat
?V
chemical irritants. Other feelings owe their existence to states’
01 conditions of internal organs. These latter feelings are called passions.
lhose passions which .owe their existence chiefly to the state of the brain
or to causes acting directly upon the brain, are called the moral passions’
They are gnef anger, love, &c. They consist of sentient actions which
’V
®
*
b.™11 and extend to the nerves in the region of the stomach,
heart, &c. But when the cause of the internal feeling or passions is seated
ui some organ remote from the brain,.as in the stomach, the genital organs
&c., the sentient action which constitutes the passion, commences in the
°f S°ch °rga“’ and e5tellds to the brain ; and the passion is called an
appetite instinct, or desire.. Some of these passions are natural, as hunger
ttiust, the reproductive instinct, the desire to urinate, &c. Others are
gradually acquired by habit. A hankering for stimulants, as spirits, opium
and tobacco, is one of these.
cannot1
tha\our most
and agreeable sensations
t * d under all circumstances, nor beyond a certain extent under
of
MnCeS’ 'Vlthout ^Vlng Pse- bi one way or another, to an amount
d1Sagreeable consciousness, or misery, exceeding the amount of agreeable
exX
i
C1
tend SUCh iU-timed or excessive gratification. To
excite agieeable sensations to a degree not exceeding this certain extent is
�6
PHILOSOPHICAL POEM.
temperance; to excite them beyond this extent, is intemperance, not to excite
them at all is mortification or abstinence. This certain extent varies with
different individuals, according to their several circumstances, so that what
would be temperance in one person may be intemperance in another..
To be free from disagreeable consciousness, is to be in a state which com
pared with a state of misery, is a happy state; yet absolute happiness does
not consist in the absence of misery—if it do, rocks, are happy. It consists,
as aforesaid, in agreeable consciousness. That which. enables a person to
excite or maintain agreeable consciousness, is uot happiness; but the idea of
having such in one’s possession is agreeable, and of course is a portion of
happiness. Health and wealth go far in enabling a person to excite and
maintain agreeable consciousness.
That which gives rise to agreeable consciousness is good, and we desire it.
If we use it intemperately, such use is bad, but the thing itself is. still good.
Those acts (and intentions are acts of that pai-t of man which intends) of
human beings which tend to the promotion of happiness are good; but they
are also called virtuous, to distinguish them from other things of the same
tendency. There is nothing for the word virtue to signify but virtuous
actions. Sin signifies nothing but sinful actions; and sinful, wicked, vicious,
or bad actions, are those which are productive of more misery than liappine^’hen an individual gratifies any of his instincts in a temperate degree, he
adds an item to the sum total of human happiness, and causes the amount
of human happiness to exceed the amount of misery, farther than if he had
not enjoyed himself, therefore it is virtuous, or, to say the least, it is not
vicious or sinful for him so to do. But it must ever be remembered, that
this temperate degree depends on circumstances—that one person’s health,
pecuniary circumstances, or social relations may be such that it would cause
more misery than happiness for him to do an act which, being done by a
person under different circumstances, would cause more happiness than
misery. Therefore it would be right for the latter to perform such act, bnt
not for the former.
Again. Owing to one’s ignorance, he may not be able to gratify a desire
without causing misery (wherefore it would be wrong for him to do it), but
which, with knowledge of means to prevent this misery, he may so gratify it
that more pleasure than pain will be the result of the act, in which case ths
act to say the least is justifiable. Now, therefore, it is virtuous, nay, it is
the duty for him who has a knowledge of such means, to convey it to those
who have it not; for, by so doing, he furthers the cause of human happiness.
Man by natnre is endowed with the talent of devising means to remedy or
prevent the evils that are liable to arise from gratifying our appetites ; and
it is as much the duty of the physician to inform mankind of the means, of
preventing the evils that are liable to arise from gratifying the reproductive
instinct, as it is to inform them how to keep clear of the gout or the dys
pepsia. Let not the cold ascetic say we ought not to gratify our appetites
any farther than is necessary to maintain health, and to perpetuate the
species, Mankind will not so abstain, and if means to prevent the evils that
may arise from a farther gratification can be devised, they need not. Heaven,
has not only given us the"capacity of greater enjoyment, but the taleut of
devising means to prevent the evils that are liable to arise therefrom; audit
becomes us, “with thanksgiving,” to make the most of them.
�CHAPTER I.
Showing how desirable it is, both in a political and a social
point of view, for mankind to be able to limit, at will, the
■ number of their offspr ing, without sacrificing the pleasure
that attends the gratification of the reproductwe instinct.
First.—In a political point of view.—If population be not
restrained by some great physical calamity, such as we have
reason to hope will not hereafter be visited upon the children
of men, or by some moral restraint, the time will come when
the earth cannot support its inhabitants. Population, unre
strained, will double three times in a century. Hence, com
puting the present population of the earth at 1,000 millions,
there would be at the end of 100 years from the present time
8,000 millions.
At the end of 200
„
61,000
. „
„
300
„
512,000
And so on, multiplying by eight for every additional hundred
years. So that in 500 years from the present time, there would
be thirty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight times as
many inhabitants as at present. If the natural increase
■should go on without check for 1,500 years, one single pair
would increase to more than thirty-five thousand one hundred
and eighty-four times as many as the present population of
the whole earth I
Some check, then, there must be, or the time will come when
millions will be born but to suffer and to perish for the neces
saries of life. To what an inconceivable amount of human
misery would such a state of things give rise ! And must we
say that vice, war, pestilence, and famine are desirable to pre
vent it ? Must the friends of temperance and domestic happi
ness stay their efforts ? Must peace societies excite to war and
bloodshed ? Must the physician cease to investigate the nature
of contagion, and to search for the means of destroying its
baneful influence ? Must he that becomes diseased be marked
•as a victim to die for the public good, without the privilege of
making an effort to restore him to health ? And in case of a
failure of crops in one part of the world, must the other parts
withhold the means of supporting life, that the far greater
evil of excessive population throughout the globe may be pre
vented ? Can there be no effectual moral restraint, attended
�8
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
with far less human misery than such physical calamities as
these ? Most surely there can. But what is it 1 Malthus, an
English writer on the subject of population, gives us none but
celibacy to a late age. But how foolish it is to suppose that
men and women will become as monks and nuns during the
very holiday of their existence, and abjure during the fairest
years of life the nearest and dearest of social relations, to
avert a catastrophe, which they, and perhaps their children,
will not live to witness. Bnt, besides being ineffectual, or if
effectual, requiring a great sacrifice of enjoyment, this restraint
is highly objectionable on the score of its demoralising
tendency. It would give rise to a frightful increase of prostitu
tion, of intemperance and onanism, and prove destructive to
health and moral feelings. In spite of preaching, hnman
nature ■will ever remain the same ; and that restraint which
forbids the gratification of the reproductive instinct, will avail
but little with the mass of mankind. The checks to be here
after mentioned, are the only moral restraints to population
known to the writer, that are unattended with serious objec
tions.
Besides starvation with all its accompanying evils, over
population is attended with other public evils, of which may
be mentioned ignoronce and slavery. Where the mass of the
people must toil incessantly to obtain support, they must re
main ignorant; and where ignorance prevails tyranny reigns.
Second.— In a social paint of view.—“Is it not notorious
that the families of the married often increase beyond a regard
for the young beings coming into the world, or the happiness
of those who give them birth, would dictate ? In how many
instances does the hard-working father, and more especially'
the mother, of a poor family remain slaves throughout their
lives, tugging at the oar of incessant labour, toiling to live,
and living but to toil; when if their offspring had been
limited to two or three only, they might have enjoyed com
fort and comparative affluence ? How often is the health of
the mother, giving birth every year to an infant—happy if it
be not twins- and compelled -to toil on, even at those times,
when nature imperiously calls for some relief from daily
drudgery. How often is the mother’s comfort, health, nav,
even her life thus sacrified ? Or if care and toil have weighed
down the spirit, and at length broken the health of the father,
how often is the widow left, unable, with the most virtuous
intentions, to save her fatherless offspring from becoming de
graded objects of charity, or profligate votaries of vice I
‘ Nor is this all. Many women are so constituted that they
cannot give birth to healthy—sometimes nrt to living children.
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
&
Is it desirable—is it moral, that such women should become
pregnant? Yet this is continually the case. Others there are,
who ought never to become parents ; because, if they do, it is
only to transmit to their offspring grievous hereditary diseases,
which render such offspring mere subjects of misery throughout
their existence. Yet such women will not lead a live of celi
bacy. They marry. They become parents, and the sum of nnman
misery is increased by their doing so. But it is folly to expect
we can induce such persons to live the lives of Shakers. Nor is
it necessary ;—all that duty requires of them is to refrain from
becoming parents. Who can estimate the beneficial effect which
a rational moral restraint may thus have on the health and
beauty, and physical improvement of our race throughout
future generations.”
Let us now turn our attention to the case of unmarried youth.
‘ Almost all young persons, on reaching the age of maturity
desire to marry. That heart must be very cold, or very isolated
that does not find some object on which to bestow its af
fections. Thus, early marriages would be almost universal did
not prudential considerations interfere. The young man thinks
‘ I cannot marry yet. I cannot support a family. I must make
money first and think of a matrimonial settlement afterwards.’
‘ And so he goes to making money, fully and sincerely resol
ved, in a few years to share it with her he now loves. But
passions are strong and temptations great. Curiosity perhaps
induces him into the company of those poor creatures whom
society first reduces to a dependence on the most miserable of
mercenary trades, and then curses for being what she has made
them. There h:s health and moral feelings alike make ship
wreck. The affections he had thought to treasure up for their
first object are chilled by dissipation and blunted by excess.
He scarcely retains a passion but avarice. Years pass on—
years of profligacy and speculation—and his first wish is ac
complished, his fortune is made. Where now are the feelings
and resolves of his youth.
“ Like the dew on the mountain,
Like the foam on the river,
Like the bubble on the fountain.
They are gone—and for ever.”
He is a man of pleasure, a man of the world. He laughs at
the romance of his youth, and marries a fortune. If gaudy
equipage and gay parties confer happiness he is happy. But
if they be only the sunshine on the stormy sea below, he is a
victim to that system of morality which forbids a reputable
connection until the period when provision has been made for
�10
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
a large expected family. Had he married the first object of his
choice, and simply delayed becoming a father until his pros
pects seemed to warrant it, how different might have been his
lot. Until men and women are absolved from the fear of be
coming parents, except when they themselves desire it, they
ever will form mercenary and demoralizing connections, and
seek in dissipation the happiness they might have found in
•domestic life.
I know that this, however common, is not a universal case.
Sometimes the heavy responsibilities of a family are incurred
at all risks ; and who shall say how often a life of unremitting
toil and poverty is the consequence? Sometimes if even rarely
the young mind does bold to its first resolves. The youth
plods through years of cold celibacy and solitary anxiety,
happy, if before the best hours of his life are gone, and its
warmest feelings withered, he may return to claim the reward,
of his forbearance and his industry. But even in this com
paratively happy case, shall we count for nothing the years of
ascetic sacrifice at which after happiness is purchased ? The
•days of youth are not so many; nor its affections too lasting.
We may. indeed, if a great object require it, sacrifice the one
and mortify the other. But is this, in itself, desirable. Does
not wisdom tell us that such a sacrifice is a dead loss—to the
warm-hearted often a grievous one ? Does not wisdom bid us
temperately enjoy the spring-time of life, • while the evil day
come not. nor the years draw nigh, when we shall say we have
no pleasure in them.’
Let us say, then, if we will, that the youth who thus acritfices the present for the future, choses wisely between the two
evils, proflicacy and asceticism. This is true. But let us not
imagine the lesser evil to be a good one. It is not good for man
to be alone. It is for no man or woman’s happiness or benefit
that they should be condemned to Shakerism. It is a violence
done to the feelings and an injury to the character. A life of
rigid celibacv, though infinitely preferable to a life of dissi
pation. is yet fraught with many evils. Peevishness, restless
ness, vague longings, and instability of character, are amongst
the least of these. The mind is unsettled and the judgment
warped. Even the very instinct which is thus mortified as
sumes an undue importance, and occupies a portion of the
thoughts which does not of right or nature belong to it, and
which during a life of satisfied affection it would not obtain.
In many instances the genital organs are rendered so irritable
by the repletion to which unnatural continency gives rise, and
by the much thinking, caused by such repletion, as to induce
a disease known by medical men by the name of Gonnorhcea
�3 | ’
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
11
LI
e|
I1
!
[
<
Dormientwm. It consists in an emission or discharge of the
semen during sleep This discharge is immediately excited in
most instances by a lascivious dream, but such dream is
caused by the repletion and irritability of the genital organs.
It is truly astonishing to what a degree of mental anguish the
disease gives rise in young men. They do not understand the
nature, or rather, the cause of it. They think it depends on a
-weakness—indeed the disease is often called a ‘ seminal weak’ ness ’—and that the least gratification in a natural way would
but serve to increase it. Their anxiety about it weakens the
whole system. This weakness they erroneously attribute to
I the discharges, they think themselves totally disqualified for
entering into or enjoying the married state. Finally, the
genital and mental organs act and react upon each other so
perniciously, as to cause a degree of nervousness, debility,
emaciation, and melancholy—in a word a wreteheclness that
sets description at defiance. Nothing is so effectual in curing
this diseased state of body and mind in young men as marriage.
All restraint, fear, and solitude should be removed,
°
“ Inasmuch, then as the scruples of incurring heavy respon
sibilities deter from forming moral connections, and en
courages intemperance and prostitution, the knowledge which
enables man to limit the number of his offspring, would in the
present state of things save much unhappiness and prevent
many crimes. Young persons sincerely attached to each other
and who might wish to marry, would marry early; merely re
solving not to become parents until prudence permitted it.
The young man, instead of solitary toil and dissipation, would
enjoy the society and the assistance of her he had chosen as
his companion ; and the best years of life, whose pleasures
never return, would not be squandered in riot, nor lost through
mortification.”
CHAPTER II.
On Generation.
I hold the following to be important and undeniable truths:
That every man has a natural right both to receive and con
vey a knowledge of all the facts and discoveries of every art
and srience, excepting such only as may be secured to some
particular person or persons by copyright or patent. That a
physical truth in its general effect cannot be a moral evil.
That no fact in physics or in morals ought to be concealed
from the enquiring mind.
�12
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
Some may make a misuse of knowledge, but that is their
fault, andit is not right that one person should be deprived of
knowledge, of spirits, of razors, or of anything else which is
harmless in itself and may be useful to him, because another
may misuse it.
The subject of generation is not only interesting as a branch
of science, but it is so connected with the happiness of man
kind that it is highly important in a practical point of view.
Such, to be sure, is the custom of the age that it is not c onsidered a proper subject to investigate 'before a popular as
sembly, nor is it proper to attend the calls of nature in a like
place, yet they must and ought to be attended to, for the good
—the happiness of mankind requires it ; so to, for like reason
the subject of generation ought to be investigated until it be
rightly understood by all people, but at such opportunities as
the good sense of every individual will easily decide to be
proper. This I presume to say, not simply upon the abstract
principle that all knowledge of nature’s workings is useful,
and the want of it disadvantageous, but from the known moral
fact, that ignorance of this process has in many instances
proved the cause of a lamantable1 mishap.’ and more especially
as it is. essential to the attainment of the great advantages
which it is the due object of this work to bestow upon mankind.
People generally, as was the case with physicians until of
late years, entertain' a very erroneous idea of what takes place
in the process of conception. Agreeable to this idea, the
“ check ” which I consider far preferable to any other would
not be effectual, as would be obvious to all. Consequently,
entertaining this idea, people would not have confidence in it.
Hence it is necessary to correct a long held and widely ex
tended error. But this I cannot expect to do by simply saying
it is an error. Deep rooted and hitherto undisputed opinions
are not so easily eradicated. If I would convince any one
that the steps in one of the most recondite processes of nature
are not such as he has always believed, it will greatly serve
my purpose to show what these steps are. I must first pre
pate him to be reasoned with, and then reason the matter all
over.with him—I must point out the facts which disprove his
opinion, and show that my own is unattended with diffi
culties.
But what can be more obvious than that it is absolutely im
possible to explain any process or function of the animal
economy so as to be understood, before the names of the
organs which perform this function has been defined, that is,
before the organs themselves have been described. Now it is
well known to every anatomist, and indeed it must be obvious
to all, that in describing any organ or system of organs we
must always begin with some external and known part, and
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
13
■proceed regularly, step by step, to the internal and unknown.
As in arithmetic, ‘ everything must be understood as you go
along ’
Fully to eSect the objects of this work, it is, therefore, a
matter of necessity that I give an anatomical description of
certain parts—even external parts—which some, but for what
I nave just said, might think it useless to mention. It is not
to gratify the idle curio Tty of the light-minded that this book
is written, it is for utility in the broad and truly philosophical
sense of the term : nay, farther, it shall, with the exception of
here and there a little spicing, be confined to practical utility.
I shall therefore endeavour to treat of the subject in this
chapter so as to be understood, without giving any description
of the male organs of generation ; though I hold it an accom
plishment for one to be able to speak of those organs, as
diseases often put them under the necessity of doing, without
being compelled to use low and vulgar language. But I must
briefly describe the female organs ; in doing which, I must, of
course, speak as do other anatomists and physiologists ; and
whoever to this object will discover more affectation and
prudery than good sense and good will to mankind
The adipose, or fatty matter, immediately over the share
bone, forms a considerable prominence in females, which, at
the age of puberty, is covered with hair, as in males. This
prominence is called Mons Veneris.
The exterior orifice commences immediately below this. On
each side of this orifice is a prominence continued from the
mons veneris, which is largest above and gradually diminishes
as it descends, These two prominences are called the Labia
Externa or external lips. Near the latter end of pregnancy
they become somewhat enlarged and relaxed, so that they
sustain little or no injury during parturition. Just within the
upper or anterior commissure formed by the junction of these
lips, a little round oblong body is situated. This body is
called the Clitoris.
Most of its length is bound down, as it
were, pretty closely to the bone: and it is of very variable
size in different females. Instances have occurred where it was
so enlarged as to enable the female to have venereal commerce
with others; and in Paris this fact was once made a public
exhibition of to the medical faculty. Women thus formed
appear to partake in their general form of the male character,
and are termed hermaphrodites. The idea of human beings,
called hermaphrodites, which could be either father or mother
is, doubtless, erroneous. The clitoris is analogous in its struc
ture to the penis, and like it, is exquisitely sensible, being, as
�14
FBUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
it is supposed, the principal seat of pleasure. It is subject to
erection or distension, like the penis, from like causes.
The skin which lines the internal surface of the external lips
is folded in such a manner as to form two flat bodies, the
exterior edges of which are convex. They are called the
Nymphae. They extend downward, one on each side, from
the clitoris to near the middle of the external orifice, somewhat
diverging from each other. Their use is not very evident. The
orifice of the urethra (the eanal, short in females, which leads
to the bladder) is situated an inch or more farther inward
than the clitoris, and is a little protuberant.
Passing by the external lips, the clitoris, the nymphae, and
the orifice of the urethra, we come to the membrane called the
Hymen. It is situated just at or a trifle behind the orifice of
the urethra. It is stretched across ths passage, and were it a
complete septum, it would close up the anterior extremity of
that portion of the passage which is called the Vagina. But
the instances in which the septum or partition is complete, are
very rare ; there being, in almost all cases, an aperture either
in its centre, or, more frequently in its anterior edge, giving
the membrane the form of a crescent. '1 hrough this aperture
passes the menstrual fluid. Sometimes, however, this septum
is complete, and the menstrual fluid is retained month after
month, until appearances and symptoms much like those of
pregnancy are produced, giving rise perhaps to unjust sus
picions. Such cases require the simple operation of dividing
the hymen. In many instances the hymen is very imperfect,,
insomuch that some have douated whether it is to be found in
the generality of virgins. Where it exists, it is generally rup
tured in the first intercourse of the sexes, and the female is
said to lose her virginity. In some rare inst ances it is so very
strong as not to be ruptured by such intercourse, and the
nature of the difficulty not being understood, the husband has
sued for a divorce. But everything may be put to rights by a
slight surgical operation. The parts here described are among
those called the external parts of generation.
The Internal organs of generation, consist, in the female, of
the Vagina, the Uterus, the Ovaries and their appendages.
The Vagina is a membranous canal commencing at the hymen,
and extending to the uterus. It is a little curved, and extends
backwards and upwards between the bladder, which lies before
and above it, and that extreme portion of the bowels called the
rectum, which lies behind it. The coat or membrane which
lines the internal surface of the vagina forms a number of
transverse ridges. These ridges are to be found only in the
lower or anterior half of the vagina, and they do not extend
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
15
all round the vagina, but are situated on its anterior and
posterior sides, while their lateral sides are smooth. I mention
these ridges because a knowledge of them may lead to a more
effectual use of one of the checks to be made known here
after.
The Uterus, or womb, is also situated between the bladder
and the rectum, but above the vagina. Such is its shape
that it has been compared to a pear with a long neck. There
is, of course, considerable difference between the body and the
neck, the first being twice as broad as the last. Each of these
parts is somewhat flattened. In subjects of mature age, who
have never been pregnant, the whole of the uterus is about
two inches and a half in length and more than an inch and a
half in breadth at the broadest part of the body. It is near
an inch in thickness. The neck of the uterus is situated
downwards, and may be said to be inserted into the upper
extremity of the vagina. It extends down into the vagina the
better part of an inch. In the uterus is a caxity, which- ap
proaches the triangular form, and from which a canal passes
down through the neck of the uterus into the vagina. This
cavity is so. small that its sides are almost in contact. So that
the uterus is a thick firm organ for so small a one. Comparing
the cavity, of the uterus to a triangle, we say the upper side or
line of this triangle, is transverse with respect to the body,
and the other two lines pass downwards and inwards, so that
they would ±orrn an angle below, did they not before they
meet take a turn more directly downwards to form the canal
just- mentioned. Tn each of the upper angles there is an
orific e of such size as to admit of an hog’s bristle. These
little oiifices are the mouths of two tubes, called the Fallopian
tubes, of which more will be said presently. The canal which
passes through the neck of the uterus, connecting the cavity
of this organ with that of the vagina, is about a quarter of an
meh in diameter. It is different from other ducts, for it seems
to be a part of the cavity from which it extends, inasmuch as
when the cavity or the uterus is enlarged in the progress of
pregnancy, this canal is gradually converted into a part of
that cavity.
r
The lower extremity of the neck of the uterus is irregularly
convex and tumid. The orifice of the canal in it is oval, and
so situatated that it divides the convex surface of the lower
extremity of the neck in two portions, which are called the
“P8 °f lhS ?terus: The anterior is thicker than the posterior,
lhe orifice itself is called os tinea or os cteri, or, in English
the mouth of the womb. When the parts are in a weak re
laxed state the mouth or neck of the uterus is quite. low, and
�16
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
in almost all cases it may be reached by a finger introduced
into the virgina, especially by a second person who carries his
hand behind.
The Ovaries are two bodies of a flattened cr oval form, one
of which is situated on each side of the uterus at a little dis
tance from it, and about as high up as where the uterus be
comes narrow to form its neck. The longest diameter of the
ovarium is about an inch. Each ovarium has a firm coat of
membrane. In those who have not been pregnant, it contains
from ten to twenty visicles, which are little round bodies,
formed of a delicate membrane, and filled with a transparent
fluid. Some of these visicles are situated so near the surface
of the ovarium as to be prominent oil its surface. They are of
different sizes, the largest nearly a quarter of an inch in dia
meter
In those in whom conception has ever taken place, some of
these vesicles are removed, and in their place a cicatrix or scar
is formed which continues through life. However, the num
ber of cicatrices does not always correspond with the number
of concep.ions. They often exceed it, and are sometimes found
where conception has not been known to take place.
The Fallopian Tubes are two canals four or five inches in
length, proceeding from the up per angles of the cavity of the
uterus, in a transverse direction in respect to the body. Having
so proceeded for some distance, they turn downwards towards
the ovaries. At their commencement in the uterus they are
very small, but they enlarge as much as they progress. The
large.ends which hang loose, terminate in open mouths, the
margins of which consist of firmiated processes, and nearly
touch the ovaria.
We are now prepared to treat of conception. Yet as men
struation is closely connected with it, and as a knowledge of
many things concerning menstruation may contribute much
to the well being of females, for whom this work is at least as
much designed as for males, I shall first briefly treat of this
subject.
Menstruation. —When females arrive at the age of puberty
they begin to have a discharge once every month, by way of
the vagina, of the colour of blood. This discharge is termed
the menses. To have it is to menstruate. The age at which
menstruation commences varies with different individuals, and
.also in different climates. The warmer the climate the earlier
it commences and ceases. In temperate climates it generally
commences at the age of fourteen or fifteen, and ceases at fortyfour or a little later. Whenever itcommences the girl acquires
a more womanly appearance. It is a secretion of the uterus,
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
17
■or, in other words, the minute vessels distributed to the inner
coat of the uterus, select, as it were, from the blood, and pour
out in a gradual manner the materials of this fluid. It has
one of the properties, colour, of blood, but it does not coagu
late, or separate into different parts like blood, and cannot pro
perly be called blood. When this discharge is in all respects
regular, it amounts in most females to six or eight ounces, and
is from two to four days’ continuance. During its continuance
the woman is said to be unwell, or out of order. Various un
pleasant feelings are liable to attend it; but when it is attended
with severe pain, as it not unfrequently is, it becomes a disease,
and the woman is not likely to conceive until it be cured.
During the existence of the ‘ turns,’ or ‘ monthlies,’ as they are
■often called, indigestible food, dancing in warm rooms, sudden
exposure to cold or wet, and mental agitations should be
avoided as much as possible. The 1 turns ’ do not continue
■during pregnancy, nor nursing, unless nursing be continued too
long. The milk becomes bad if nursing be continued after
the turns recommence. Some women, it'is true, are subject to
a slight hermorrhage that sometimes occurs with considerable
regularity during pregnancy, and has led them to suppose theyhave their turns at such terms ; but it is not so ; the discharge
afsuch times is real blood.
The use of the menstrual discharge seems to be, to prepare
the uterine system for conception. For females do not become
pregnant before they commence, nor after they cease having
their turns ; nor while they are suppressed by some disease, by
cold or by nursing. Some credible women, however, have
said that they become pregnant while nursing, without having
had any turn since their last lying-in. It is believed that in
these cases they had some discharge, colourless perhaps, which
they did not notice, but which answered the purposes of the
common one. Women are not near so likely to conceive
during the week before a monthly, as during the week im
mediately after. But although the use of -this secretion seems
to be to prepare for conception, it is not to be inferred that the
reproductive instinct ceases at the ‘ turn of life,’ or when the
woman ceases to menstruate. On the contrary, it is said that
this passion often increases at this period, and continues in a
greater or less degree to an extreme age.
Conception — The part performed by the male in the repro
duction of the species consists in exciting the orgasm of the
female, and depositing the semen in the vagina. Before I
inquire what takes place in the females, I propose to speak of
the semen.
This fluid, which is secreted by the testicles, may be said to
�18
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
possess three kinds of properties, physical, chemical, physio
logical, Its physical properties are known to every one—it
is a thickish, nearly opake fluid, of a peculiar odour, saltish
taste, &c. As to its chemical properties, it is found by analysis
to consist of 900 parts of water, 60 of animal mucillage, 10 of
soda, 30 of phosphate of lime.
When the semen is examined by a microscope, there can be
distinguished a multitude of small animaculae, which appear
to have a rounded head and a long tail. These animalcules
move with a certain degree of rapidity. Leeuwenhoek, if not
the discoverer of the seminal animulculse, was the first who
brought the fact of their existence fully before the public.
With respect to their size, he remarked that ten thousand of
them might exist in a space not larger than a grain of sand.
They have a definite figure, and are obviously different from
the animacules found in any other fluid. Leeuwenhoek
believed them to be the beginnings of future animals—that
they are of different sexes, and even thought he could dis
cover a difference of sex, upon which depends the future sex
of the foetus. Be this as it may, it appears to be admitted on
all hands that the animalcules are present in the semen of the
various species of male animals, and that they cannot be
detected when either from age or disease the animals are
rendered sterile. 1 Hence,’ says Bostock, ‘ we can scarcely
refuse odr assent to the position, that these animalcules are in
some way or other instrumental to the production of the
foetus.’ The secretion of the semen commences at the age of
puberty. Before this period the testicles secret a viscid,
transparent fluid, which has never been analysed, but which
is doubtless essentially different from semen. The revolution
which the whole economy undergoes at this period, such as
the tone of the voice, the development of hairs, the beard,
the increase of the muscles and bones, &c., is intimately con
nected with the existence of the testicles and the secretion of j
this fluid. ‘ Eunuchs preserve the same form as in childhood ; j
their voice is effeminate, they have no beard, their disposition]
is generally timid ; and finally their physical and moral!
character very nearly resembles that of females. Neverthe-|
less, many of them take delight in veneral intercourse, and]
give themselves up with ardour to a connexion which musra
always be unfruitful.’*
i
The part performed by the female in the reproduction of thaj
species is far more complicated than that performed by tha
male. It consists, in the first instance, in providing a subl
* Magendie’s Physiology.
j
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
19
stance, which, in connection with the male secretion, is to con
stitute the foetus ; in furnishing a suitable situation in which
the foetus may be developed ; in affording due nourishment
for its growth ; in bringing it forth, and afterwards furnishing
it with food especially adapted to the digestive organs of the
young animal. Some parts of this process are not well under
stood, and such a variety of hypothesis have been proposed to
explain them that Drelincourt, who lived in the latter part of
the 17th century, is said to have collected 260 hypothesis of
generation.
It ought to be known that women have conceived when the
semen was merely applied to the parts anterior to the hymen,
as the internal surface of the external lips, the nymphse, &c.'
This is proved by the fact that several cases of pregnancy have
occurred when the hymen was entire. This fact need not sur
prise us ; for, agreeable to the theory of absortion, we have
to account for it only to suppose that some of the absorbent
vessels are situated anterior to the hymen—a supposition by
no means unreasonable.
There are two peculiarities of the human species respecting
conception, which I will notice. First, unlike other animals,
they are liable to conceive at all seasons of the year. Second
a woman rarely, if ever, conceives until after having had
several sexual connections ; nor does one connection in fifty
cause conception in the matrimonial state, where the husband
and wife live together uninterruptedly. Public women rarely
conceive, owing probably to a weakened state of the genital
system, induced by too frequent and promiscuous inter
course.
A woman is most likely to conceive, first, when she is in
health ; second, between the ages’of twenty-six and thirty ;
third, after she has for a season been deprived of those inter
courses she had previously enjoyed ; fourth, soon after a
monthly turn.
It is universally agreed, that sometime after a fruitful con
nection, a vesicle (two in case of twins) of one, or the other
ovary becomes so enlarged that it bursts forth from the ovary,
and takes the name of ovum; which is taken up, or rather
received, as it bursts forth, by the fimbriated extremity
of the fallopian tube, and is then slowly conducted
along the tube into the uterus. Here it becomes developed
into a full-grown foetus, and is brought forth about forty-two
weeks. from the time of conception by a process termed
parturition. But one grand question is how the semen
operates in causing the vesicle to enlarge, etc.; whether the
semen itself or any part thereof reaches the ovary, and if so,
�20
rRTJITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
in what way it is conveyed to them, It was long the opinion
that the semen was ejected into the uterus in the act of coition,
and that it afterwards by some unknown means finds its way
into and along the fallopian tubes to the ovary. But there are
several facts which weigh heavily against this opinion, and
some that entirely forbid it. In the first place, there are
several well attested instances in which impregnation took
place while the hymen remained entire : where the vagina
terminated in the rectum, and where it was so contracted by a
cicatrix as not to admit the penis. In all these cases the
semen could not have been lodged any where near the mouth
■of the uterus, much less ejected into it, Secondly, it has
■followed a connection where, from some defect in the male
■organs, as the urethra terminating some inches behind the end
of the penis, it is clear that the semen could not have been
injected into the uterus, nor even near its mouth. Third, the
neck of the unimpregnated uterus is so narrow as merely to
•admit a probe, and is filled with a thick tenacious fluid, which
seemingly could not be forced away by any force which the
male organ possesses of ejecting the semen, even if the mouth
of the male urethra were in apposition with that of the uterus.
But, fourth, the mouth of the uterus is by no means fixed. By
various causes it is made to assume various situations, and
probably the mouth of the urethra rarely comes in contact
•with it.
Fifth. ‘ The tenacity of the male semen is such as renders its
passage through the small aperture in the neck of the uterus
impossible.’
Sixth. ‘ Harvey and De Graaf dissected animals at almost
■every period after coition, for the express purpose of dis
covering the semen, but were never able to detect the smallest
vestige of it in the uterus in any one instance.’*
Aware of the insurmountable objections to this view of the
manner in which the semen reaches the ovary, it has been
supposed by some physiologists that the semen is absorbed
from the vagina into the great circulating system, where it is
mixed, of course, with the blood, and goes the whole round of
the circulation, subject to the influence of those causes which
produce great changes in the latter fluid.
To this hypothesis it may be objected, that of it. it is exceed
ingly unreasonable, inasmuch as we can'scarcely believe that the
semen can go the whole round of the circulation, and then
find its way to the ovary in such a pure unaltered state as the
experiments of Spallanzani prove it must be in, that it may
impregnate.
A third set of theorists have maintained that an impercep* Dewees essay on Superfoetation.
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
21
tible something, which they have called aura seminalis, passesfrom the semen lodged in the vagina to the ovary, and excites
those actions which are essential to the development of an
ovum. Others, again, have told us, that it is all done by sym
pathy. That neither the semen nor any volatile part of it
finds its way to the ovary ; but that the semen excites the
parts with which it is in contact in a peculiar manner, and by
a law of the animal economy, termed sympathy or consent of
parts, a peculiar action commences in the ovary, by which an
ovum is developed, &c.
To both these conjectures it may be objected, that they have
no other foundation but the supposed necessity of adopting
them, to account for the effect of impregnation ; and further,
they ‘ make no provision for the formation of mules ; for the
peculiarities of, and likeness to, parents, and for the propaga
tion of predisposition to disease, from parent to child ; for the
production of mulattoes. &c.’
A fifth is that advanced by our distinguished countryman,
Dr. Dewees, of Philadelphia. It appears to harmonise with
all known facts relating to the subject of conception ; and
something from analogy may also be drawn in its favour. It
is this : that there is a set of absorbent vessels leading directly
from the inner surface of the labia externa and the vagina to
the ovaries, the whole office of which vessels is, to absorb the
semen and convey it to the ovaries. 1 do not know that these
vessels have yet been fully discovered: but in a note on the
sixteenth page of his ‘ Essays on Various Subjects,’ the doctor
says : ‘ The existence of these vessels is now rendered almost
certain, as Dr. Gartner, of Copenhagen, has discovered a duct
leading from the ovary to the vagina.’
Another question of considerable moment relating to gene
ration is, from which parent are the first rudiments of the
foetus derived.
The earliest hypothesis, and which has received the support
of some of the most eminent of the moderns, ascribes the
original formation of the foetus to the combination of particles
of matter derived from each of the parents. This hypothesis
naturally presents itself to the piind as the obvious method of
explaining the necessity for the co-operation of the two sexes,
and the resemblance in external form, and even in mind and
character, which the offspring frequently bears to the male
parent. ‘ The principal objections,’ says Bostock, ‘ to this hy
pothesis, independent of the want of any direct proof of a
female seminal fluid, are of two descriptions, those which
depend upon the supposed impossibility of unorganised matter
forming an organised being, and those which are derived from
�22
FUUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
observations and experiments of Haller and Spallanzani,
which they brought forward in support of their theory of pre
existent germs.
In relation to these objections I remark, first, that those
whose experience has been with hale females, I suspect can
have no doubt but that the female orgasm increases like that
of the male, until an emission of fluid of some kind or other
takes place. But whether this secretion may properly be
Called semen, whether any part of it unites with the male
semen in forming the rudiments of the foetus, is another ques
tion. For my part I am inclined to the opinion that it does
not. I rather regard it as the result of exalted excitation,
analogous to the increased secretion of other organs from in
creased stimulation ; and if it be for any object or use, as it
probably is, it is that of affording nature a means of relieving
herself ; or, in other words, of quieting the veneral passion.
If this passion, being once roused, could not by some means
or other be calmed, it would command by far too great a pro
portion of our thoughts, and with many constitutions, the
individuals, whether male or female, could not conduct them
selves with due decorum. One fact which leads me to think
that the female secretion in the act of coition is not essent ial
to impregnation, is, that many females have conceived, if
their unbiassed testimony may be relied on, when they ex
perienced no pleasure.
As to the objection of the supposed impossibility of unor
ganised matter forming an organised being. Ido not conceive
that it Weighs at all against the hypothesis before us, for I do
not believe such a thing takes place, even if we admit that
‘the original formation of the foetus is a combination of par
ticles of matter derived from each of the parents..’ What do
or rather what ought we to mean by organised matter. Not
surely, that it exhibits some obvious physical structure, unlike,
what is to be found in inorganic matter, but that it exhibits
phenomena, and of course may be said to possess properties
unlike any kind of inorganic matter. Matter unites with
matter in three ways, mechanically, chemically and organically
and each mode of union gives rise to properties peculiar to
itself. When matter unites organically, the substance or being
so formed exhibits some phenomena essentially different from
what inorganic bodies exhibit. It is on this account that we
ascribe to organic bodies certain properties, which we call physological properties, such as contractility, sensibility, life, &c.
When, from any cause, these bodies have undergone such a
change that they no longer exhibit the phenomena peculiar
to them, they are said to have lost these properties, and to be
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
23
■dead. A substance need not possess all the physiological pro
perties of an animal of the higher orders, to entitle it to the
name of an organised or living substance, nor need it possess
the physical property of solidity. The blood, as well as many
of the secretions, does several things, exhibits several pheno
mena, which no mechanical or mere chemical combinations of
matter do exhibit. We must therefore ascribe to it certain
physiological properties, and regard it as an organised, a living
fluid, !as was contended by the celebrated John Hunter. So
with respect to the semen, it certainly possesses physiological
properties, one in particular, peculiar to itself, namely, the
property of impetrnating the female ; and upon no sound
principle can it be regarded in any other light than as as or
ganised, and of course a living fluid. And if the female secre
tion or any part of it unite with the male secretion in the
formation of the rudiments of the foetus in a different manner
than any other substance would, then it certainly has the
property of doing so, whether we give this property a name or
not : and a regard to the soundest principles of physiology
■compels us to class this property with the physiological or vital
arid of course to regard this secretion as an organised and
living fluid. So, then, unorganized matter does not form an
organised being, admitting the hypothesis before us as
correct.
That organised beings should give rise to other organised
beings under.favourable circumstances as to nourishment,
warmth, &c., is no more wonderful than that fire should
give rise to fire when air and fuel are present. To be sure,
there are some minute steps in the process which are not fully
known to us ; still, if they ever should be known, we should
unquestionably see that there is a natural cause for every one
of them ; and that they are all consonant with certain laws of
the animal economy. We should see no necesssity of attempt
ing to explain the process of generation by bringing to our aid,
or rather to the darkening of the subject, any imaginary prin
ciple, as the nisus formativus of Blumenbach.
As to the observations and experiments of Haller and
Spallanzani, ’ I think with Dr. Bostock that they weigh but
little, if any, against the theory before us. I shall not be to
the labour of bringing them forward, and shewing their futility
.as objections to this theory, for I am far from insisting on the
■correctness of it; that is, I do not insist that any part of the
female secretion, during coition, unites with the male semen
in the formation of the rudiments of the foetus.
The second hypothesis or theory I shall notice, as to the
rudiments of the foetus, is that of Leeuwenhoek, who regarded
�24
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
the seminal animalcules of the male semen as the proper
rudiments of the foetus ; and that the office of the female is toafford them a suitable receptacle, where they may be supported,
and nourished until they are able to exist by the exercise of.
their own fmnctions.
I know of no serious objections to this hypothesis, nothing-,
but the “ extreme improbability,” as its opponents say, “ that
these animalcules should be the rudiments of beings so totally
dissimilar to them.” But I wish to know if there is more
difference between a foetus and a seminal animalcule,
than there is between a foetus and a few material particles insome other form than that of such animalcule?
The third hypothesis, or that of pre-existing germs, pro
ceeds upon a precisely opposite view of the subject to that of
Leeuwenhoek, namely, that the foetus is properly the produc
tion of the female ; that it exists previous to sexual congress,
with all its organs, in some part of the uterine system ; and.
that it receives no proper addition from the male, but that theseminal fluid acts merely by exciting the powers of the foetus,
or endowing it with vitality.
It is not known who first proposed this hypothesis ; but,
strange as it may appear, it has had the support of such
names as Bonnet, Haller, and Spallanzani, and met with a
favourable reception, in the middle of the last century. Agree
able to this hypothesis, our common mother, Eve, contained a.
number ofghomuncules (little men) one within another, like a
nest of boxes, and all within her ovaries, equal to all the num
ber of births that have ever been, or ever will be, not to reckon,
abortions ! Were I to bring forward all the facts and argu
ments that have been advanced in support of this idea, it seems-,
to me I should fail to convince sound minds of its correctness.
I believe with Dr. Dewees that a set of absorbent vessels
extend from the innermost surface of the labia externa, and
from the vagina to the ovary, the whole office of which is to.
take up the semen or some part thereof, and convey it to theovary. I believe with Leeuwenhoek, that the seminal animal
cules are the proper rudiments of the foetus, and are perhaps,
of different sexes, that in case of impregnation one of them
is carried not only to, but into a vesicle of an ovary, which is
in a condition to receive, and be duly affected by it. It is here
surrounded by the albuminous fluid which the vesicle contains..
This fluid being somewhat changed in its qualities by its new
comer, stimulates the minute vessels of the parts which sur
round it, and thus causes more of this fluid to be formed, and
while it affords the animalcule material for its development, it
puts the delicate membrane of the ovary which retains it in
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
25-
its place, upon the stretch, and finally bursts forth surrounded
probably by an exceedingly delicate membrane of its own.
This membrane with the albuminous fluid it contains, and theanimalcule in the centre of it, constitutes the ovum or egg.
It is received by the fimbriated extremity of the fallopian
tube, which by this time has grasped the ovary and is by thistube, slowly conveyed into the uterus, to the inner surface of
which it attaches itself, through the medium of a membrane,.. ■
which is formed by the uterus itself in the interim, between,
impregnation and the arriving of the ovum in the way I havejust mentioned.
The idea that a seminal animalcule enters an ovum while it
it remains in the ovary, was never before advanced to my
knowledge ; hence I consider it incumbent upon me to advance some reasons for the opinion.
First, it is admitted on all hands, that the seminal animal
cule are essential to impregnation, since “ they cannot be de- tected when either from age or disease the animal is rendered
sterile.”
Second, the ovum is impregnated while it remains in the
ovary. True, those who hate never met with Dr. Dewees’
theory, and who, consequently have adopted the idea that the
semen is ejected into the uterus, as the most improbable of any
with which they were acquainted, have found it very difficult
to dispose of the fact that the ovum is impregnated in the
ovary, and have consequently presumed this is not generally
the case. They admit it is certainly so sometimes, and that it
is difficult to reject the conclusion that it is always so. Dr,.
Bostock, who doubtless had not met with Dewees’ theory at
the time he wrote, and who admits it impossible to conceive how the semen can find its way along the fallopian tubes—
how it can find its way towards the ovary farther, at most,
than into the uterus, and consequently cannot see how theovum can be impregnated in the ovary, says, “ Perhaps themost rational supposition may be that the ovum is transmitted
to the uterus m the unimpregnated state ; but there are certain
facts which seem almost incompatible with this idea, especially
the cases which not unfrequently occur of perfect foetuseshaving been found in the tubes, or where they escaped them
into the cavity of the abdomen. Hence it is demonstrated
that the ovum is occasionally impregnated in the tubes (why
did he not say ovaria ?), and we can scarcely resist the conclu- sion that it must always be the case. * * * “ Haller dis
cusses this hypothesis, (Bostock’s “ most natural supposition,
perhaps,”) and decides against it.” * * * “ The experiments
of Cruikshank, which were very numerous, and appear to havebeen made with the requisite degree of skill Sand correctness^.,
�.‘26
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
led to the conclusion that the rudiment of the young animal
is perfected in the ovarium.” * * * “Acase is detailed by
Dr. Granville of a foetus, which appears to have been lodged
in the body of the ovarium itself, and it is considered by its
author as a proof that conception always takes place in this
organ,
Now as the seminal animalcules are essential to impregna
tion, and as the ovum is impregnated in the ovarium, what
more probable conjecture can we form than an animalcule, as
the real proper rudiment of the foetus, enters the ovum, where
being surrounded with albuminous fluid with” which it is
nourished, it gradually becomes developed ? It may be noticed
that Leeuwenhoek estimates that ten thousand animalcules of
the human’semen may exist m a space not larger than a grain
of sand. There can, therefore be no difficulty in admitting
that they may find their way along exceedingly minute vessels
from the vagina, not only to, but into the ovum, while situated
in the ovarium.
I think no one can be disposed to maintain that the animalcule
- merely reaches the surface of the ovum, and thus impregnates
*
it. But possibly some may contend that its sole office is to
stimulate the ovum, and in this way set a going that train of
■actions which are essentials to impregnation. But there is no
•evidence in favour of this last idea, and certainly it does not
so well harmonise with the fact that the offspring generally
partakes more or less of the character of its male parent. As
Dr. Dewees says of the doctrine of sympathy, “ It makes no
provision for the formation of mules ; for the peculiarities of,
.and likeness to, parents ; and for the propagation of predis
position to disease from parent to child; for the production of
mullattoes, etc.
Considering it important to do away with the popular and
mischievous error, that the semen must enter the uterus to
-effect impregnation, I shall, in addition to what has been
. already advanced, here notice the experiments of Dr. Haighton.
He divided the fallopian tubes in numerous instances, and
found that after this operation a foetus is never produced, but
that corpora lutea were formed. The obvious conclusions
from these facts are, that the semen does not traverse the
fallopian tubes to reach the ovaria ; yet that the ovum becomes
impregnated while in the ovarium, and consequently that the
semen reaches the ovarium in some way, except by the uterus
* I say surface of the ovum, for it is probably not a mere
drop of fluid, but fluid surrounded with an exceedingly delicate
membrane.
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
27
^and fallopian tubes. I may remark, however, that a corpus
luteum is not positive proof that impregnation, at some time
or other, has taken place ; yet they are so rarely found in
virgins that they were regarded as such proof until the time of
Blumenbach, a writer of the present century.
‘ .Harvey and De Graaf dissected animals at almost every
period after coition, for the express purpose of discovering the
senen, but were never able to detect the smallest vestige of it
in the uterus in any one instance.’—‘ Dewees’ Essay on Super
foetation.’
A woman being impregnated while she is already impreg
nated constitutes superfoetation. It is established beyond a
doubt that such instances have occurred, yet those who have
•supposed that it is necessary for the semen to pass through the
mouth of the uterus to produce conception, have urged that
superfoetation could not take place, because, say they, and
they say correctly, “ so soon as impregnation shall have taken
place, the os uteri closes, and becomes impervious to the
semen, ejected in subsequent acts of coition.”
Dr. Dewees relates two cases, evidently cases of superfoeta
tion, that occurred to his own personal knowledge. The first
■shows, that agreeable to the old theory, the semen must have
met with other difficulties than a closed mouth of the uterus
—it must have passed through several membranes, as well as
the waters surrounding the foetus, to have reached even the
uterine extremity of a fallopian tube. The second case I will
give in his own words.
“ A white woman, servant to Mr. H. of Abington township.
Montgomery county, was delivered about five and twenty
.years since of twins; one of them was perfectly white, the
■other perfectly black. When I resided in that neighbourhood
I was in the habit of seeing them almost daily, and also had
.frequent conversations with Mrs. H. respecting them. She
was present at their birth, so that no possible deception could
have been practised respecting them. The white girl is
-delicate, fair skinned, light hair, and blue eyed, and it is said
very much to resemble the mother. The other has all the
characteristic marks of the African ; short of stature, flat,
broad-nosed, thick-lipped, woolly-headed, flat-footed, and pro
jecting heels; she is said to resemble a negro they had on the
farm, but with whom the woman never would acknowledge an
intimacy ; but of this there was no doubt, as both he and the
white man with whom her connexion was detected, ran from
the neighbourhood so soon as it was known the girl was with
.child.”
I am aware that some have thought they had actually dis
�28
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
covered semen in the uterus, while Ruysch, an anatomist of’
considerable eminence, who flourished at the close of the 17th
century, asserted in the most unequivocal manner, that he
found the semen in its gross white state in one of the fallopian,
tubes of a woman, who died very soon after, or doing the act
of coition ; but, says Dewees, “ the semen, after it has escaped,
from the penis, quickly loses its albuminous appearance, and.
becomes as thin and transparent as water. And we are certain
that Ruysch was mistaken. Some alteration in the natural
secretion of the parts wasmistaken for semen. It is not merely
speculative when we say that some change in the natural
secretion of the parts may be mistaken for semen ; for we
have the testimony of Morgagni on our side. He tells us he
has seen similar appearances in several instances in virgins and'
others, who had been subject during their lives to leucorrhcea,.
and that it has been mistaken by some for male semen.”
On the whole 1 would say, that in some instances, wherethe mouth of the uterus is uncommonly relaxed, the semen:
may, as it were, accidentally have found its way into it; but
that is not generally the case, nor is it essential to impregna
tion ; and further, that whatever of semen may at any time
be lodged in the uterus, has nothing to do with conception..
It is not consistent with analogy to suppose that the uterushas vessels for absorbing the semen and conveying it to the
ovaria.
The circumstances under which a female is most likely toconceive are, first, when she is in health ; second, between the ■
ages of twenty-six and thirty ; third, after she has a season.
been deprived of those intercourses she had previously en
joyed ; fourth, soon after menstruating. Respecting thislatter circumstance, Dr. Dewees remarks, “ Perhaps it is not
erring greatly to say, that the woman .is liable to conceive at
any part of the menstrual interval. It is generally supposed,
however, that the most favourable instant is, immediately
after the catamenia has ceased and he relates the following
case which occurred to his own notice :—
“ The husband of a lady who was obliged to absent himself
many months in consequence of the embarrassment of hisaffairs, returned one night clandestinely ; his visit being only
known to his wife, his mother, and myself. The consequence
of this visit was the impregnation of his wife. The lady was
at this time within a week of her menstrual period ; and as
this did not fail to take place, she was led to hope she had not
suffered by the visit of her husband. But her catamenia not
appearing at the next period, gave rise to a fear that she had
not escaped ; and the birth of a child nine months and thir-
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
29
"teen days from the night of this clandestine visit, proved her
.apprehensions too well grounded.”
I think this case is an exception to a general rule ; and,
furthermore, favours an idea which reason and a limited ob
servation, rather than positive knowledge, has led me to
advance above, namely, that a woman is more likely to con
ceive, other things being the same, after being deprived for
a season of those intercouses she had previously enjoyed. Had
this lady’s husband remained constantly at home, she would
probably either not have conceived at all, or have done so a
fortnight sooner than she did.
This case is also remarkable for two other other facts ; one
■“ that a woman in perfect health, and pregnant with a healthy
child, may exceed the period of nine months by several days ;
the other, that a check is not always immediately given to the
-catamenial flow, by an ovum being impregnated.”
The term of utero-gestation, or the length of time from con
ception, to the commencement of labour, is not precisely
•determined by physiologists. It seems, however,” says Dr.
Dewees, *’ from the best calculations that can be made, that
nine calendar months, or forty weeks, approaches the truth so
nearly, that we can scarcely need desire more accuracy, could
-it be obtained.” Unquestionably, however, some cases exceed
this period by many days, or even weeks, and it has been a
■question much agitated, how far this period is ever exceeded.
Cases are reported where the: usual period was exceeded
by five or six months: cases, too, where the circumstances
.attending them, and the respectibility of their reporters are
such as to command our belief. Dr. Dewees has paid much
.attention to this subject, and he declares himself entirely con
vinced, “ that the commonly fixed period may be extended
from thirteen days to six weeks, under the influence of certain
causes or peculiarities of constitution.
These occassional departures from the general rule, will,
perhaps be the more readily admitted when we consider that
■ they are not confined to the human species. From the experi
ments of Tessier' it appears that the term of utero-gestation
varies greatly with the cow, sheep, horse, swine, and other
animals to which his attention was directed.
_ Properly connected with the subject of generation, are the
signs sf pregnancy. Dr. Dewees remarks that “our experience
furnishes no certain mark by which the moment conception
takes place is to be distinguished. All appeals by the women
■to particular sensations experienced at the instant should be
very guardedly received, for we are certain they cannot be
"relied upon ; for enjoyment and indifference are alike falla
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cious. Nor are certain nervous tremblings, nausea, palpitation
of the heart, the sensation of something flowing from them
during coition, &c. more to be relied upon.” Buras, however,
says, “ some women feel, immediately after conception, a
peculiar sensation, which apprises them of their situation,
but such instances are not frequent, and generally the first
circumstances which lead a women to suppose herself pregnant.,
are the suppression of the menses a fickle appetite, some
sickness perhaps vomiting, especially in the morning; re
turning qualms, or languor in the afternoon ; she is liable to
heartburn, and to disturbed sleep. The breasts at first often
become smaller, sometimes tender ; but about the third month
they enlarge, and occasionally become painful. The nipple is
surrounded with an areola or circle of a brown colour, or at
least of a colour sensibly deeper than before. She loses her
looks, becomes paler, and the under part of the lower eye
lid is oftan somewhat of a leaden hue. The features become
sharper and sometimes the whole body begins to emaciate,
while the pulse quickens. In many instances particular sym
pathies take place, causing salivation, toothache, jaundice, &c.
In other cases very little disturbance is produced, and the
woman is not certain of her condition until the time of quick
ening, which is generally about four months from conception.
It is possible for women to mistake the effects of wind for the
motion of the child, especially if they have never borne
children, and be anxious for a family ; but the sensation pro
duced by wind in the bowels is not confined to one spot, but
is often felt at a part of. the abdomen where the motion of a
child could not possibly be felt. Quite as frequently, perhaps,
do fleshy women think themselves dropsical, and mistake
motions of the child for movements of water within the ab
dominal cavity. The motion of the child is not to be con
founded with the sensation sometimes produced by the uterus
rising ont of the pelvis, which produces the feeling of fluttering,
At the end of the fourth month the uterus becomes so large
that it is obliged to rise out of the pelvis, and if this elevation
takes place suddenly, the sensation accompanying it is pretty
strong, and the woman at the time feels sick or faint, and in
irritable habits, even a hysterical fit may accompany it. After
this the morning sickness and other sympathetic effects of
pregnancy generally abate, and the health improves.
Very soon after impregnation, if blood be drawn, and suf
fered to stand a short time undisturbed,it will become sizy, of
a yellowish or blueish colour, and somewhat of an oily ap
pearance. But we cannot from such appearances of the blood
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
31:
alone pronounce a woman pregnant, for a suppression of the
menses, accompanied with a febrile state, may give the blood
a like appearance as pregnancy, so also may some local
disease.
Six or eight weeks after conception, the most sure way of
ascertaining pregnancy is, to examine the mouth and neck of
the uterus, by way of the vagina. The uterus will be found
lower down than formerly, its mouth is not directed so much
forward as before impregnation, it is more completely closed,
and the neck is felt to be thicker, or increased in circumfer
ence. When raised on the finger it is found to be heavier ormore resisting. Whoever makes this examination must have
examined the same uterus in an unpregnated state, and retained
a tolerably correct idea of its feeling at that time, or he will
be liable to uncertainty, because the uterus of one woman is na
turally different in magnitude from that of another, and the
uterus is frequently lower down than natural, from other cause
than pregnancy.
It has not been fully ascertained how long it is after a fruitful
connection before any effect is’produced upon the ovaria, that .
is, before any alteration could be discovered, were the female
to be dissected. But Haighton’s experiments have established
the fact, that with rabbits, whose term of utero-gestation is
but thirty days, no effect is propagated to the ovaria until
nearly fifty hours after coition, we should judge, therefore,
that with the human species it must be several days, and it is
generally estimated by physiologists that the ovum does not
reach the uterus until the expiration of twenty days from the
time of connection.
CHAPTER HI.
Of Promoting and, Checking Conception,
Sterility depends either on imperfect organisation, or im
perfect action of the organs of generation. In the former
cases, which are rare, the menses do not generally appear, the
breasts are not developed, and the sexual desire is inconsider
able. There is no remedy in these cases.
The action may be imperfect in several respects. The menses
may be obstructed or sparing, or they may be too profuse or
frequent. It is extremely rare for a woman to conceive who
does not menstruate regularly. Hence where this is the case
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FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
the first step is to regulate this periodical discharge. For this
purpose the advice of a physician will generally be required,
for these irregularities depend upon such various causes and
require such variety of treatment, it would be inconsistent with
the plan of this work to attempt to give instructions for reme
dying them. A state of exhaustion or weakness of the uterine
system occasioned by too frequent intercourse, is a frequent
cause of sterility. The sterility of prostitutes is attributed to this
■cause, but I doubt it being the only one. With females who
are apparently healthy, the most frequent cause is a torpor,
rather than weakness of the genital organs.
For the removal of sterility from this cause, I shall give
some instructions, and this I do the more readily because the
requisite means are such as will also regulate the menses • in
many cases, where they do not appear so early in life, so freely,
••or so frequently as they ought.
In the first place it will generally be necessary to do some
thing towards invigorating the system by exercise in the open
• air, by nourishing food of easy digestion, by sufficient dress,
particularly flannel, and especially by strict temperance in all
things.
These measures having been regularly pursued until the
system be brought into a vigorous state, medicines which are
more particularly calculated to arouse the genital organs from
a state of torpor may be commenced, aud continued for months
if necessary. The cheapest, most simple, and I am not pre
pared to say it is not the most effectual in many cases is
■cayenne. All the virtues of this article are not generally
known even to physicians. I know it does not have the effect
upon the coats of the stomach that many have conjectured.
It may be taken in the quantity of from one to two rising
tea-spoonsful, or even more, every day, upon food or on any
liquid vehicle. Another medicine of much efficacy is Dewees’
Volatile Tincture of Guac. It is generally kept by apothcaries, and is prepared as follows:—
Take of Gum Guaicum, in powder, eight ounces ; carbonate
of Potash, or of Soda, or (what will answer) Salaeratus, three
drachms; Allspice, in powder, two ounces ; any common
spirits of good strength, two pounds, or what is about the
same, two pints and a gill. Put all into a bottle, which may
be shaken now and then, and the use of it may be commenced
in a few days. To every gill of this, at least a large tea
spoonful of Spirits of Ammonia is to be added. A tea-spoon
ful is to be taken for a dose, three times a day, in a glass of
milk, cider, or wine. It is usually given before eating ; but if
�FBTTITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
33
it should chance to offend the stomach when taken before
breakfast, it may in this case be taken an hour after.
Dr. Dewees found this tincture, taken perhaps for months,
the most effectual remedy for painful menstruation, which is
an obstinate complaint. If there be frequent strong pulse,
heat, thirst, florid countenance, &c., it is not to be taken until
these symptoms be removed by low diet, a few doses of salts,
and bleeding, if required.
A third medicine for arousing the genital organs is tincture
of Spanish Flies. But I doubt its being equal, in sterility, to
the above-mentioned medicines though it may exceed them in
some cases, and may be tried if these fail, a drachm of them
may be put to two gills of spirits. Dose, 25 drops, in water,
three times a day, increasing each one by two or three drops,
until some degrees of stranguary occurs, then omit until thia
pass off, as it will in a day or two. Should the stranguary be
severe, drink freely of milk and water, slippery elm, or flaxseed tea.
In many cases of sterility, where the general health is con
siderably in fault, and especially where the digestive organs
are torpid. I should have much confidence in a Thomsonian
Course. It is calculated to arouse the capillary vessels through
out the whole system, and thus to open the secretions, to re
move obstructions, and free the blood of those effete and
phlegmy materials which nature requires to be thrown off.
The views of the Thomsonians as to heat and cold, appear to
me, unphilosophical. But this has nothing to do with the
efficiency of their measures.
In relation to sterility, I would here bring to mind, what has
been before stated, that a woman is most likely to conceive
immediately after a menstrual turn. And now, also, let me
suggest the idea that nature’s delicate beginnings may be
frustrated by the same means that put her a-going. ’ This idea
is certainly important when the woman is known to have mis
carried a number of times. Sterility is sometimes to be attri
buted to the male, though he apparently be in perfect health.
It would be an interesting fact to ascertain if there .be no
seminal animalcules in these cases ; and whether medicines of
any kind are available.
It has been ascertained that a male and female may be
sterile in relation to each other, though neither of them be so
with others.
The foregoing measures for sterility are also suitable in
cases of impotency. This term, I believe, is generally con
fined to, and defined a want of desire or ability, or both, on
the part of the male ; but I see no good reason why it should
�34
FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
not comprehend the cases in which there is neither desire nor
pleasure with the female. Such females, it is true, may be
fruitful ; but so, on the other hand, the semen may not have
lost its fecundating property. Impotency, at a young or
middle age, and in some situations in life especially, is
certainly a serious misfortune, to say the least of it. The
whole evil by no means consists, in every case, in the loss of
a source of pleasure. All young people ought to be apprized
of the causes of it—causes which in many instances greatly
lessen one’s ability of giving and reoeiving that pleasure which
is the root of domestic happiness. I shall allude to one cause,
that of premature, and especially solitary gratification, in
another place. Intemperance in the use of spirits is another
powerful cause. Even a moderate use of spirits, and also of
tobacco, in any form, have some effect. It is a law of the
animal economy, that no one part of the system can be stimu
lated or excited, without an expense of vitality, as it is termed.
That part which is stimulated draws the energy from other
parts. And hence it is, that close and deep study, as well as
all the mental passions when excessive, impair the venereal
appetite. All excesses, all diseases and modes of life, which
impair the general health, impair this appetite, but some
things more directly and powerfully than others.
As to the remedies for impotency, they are much the same
as for sterility. It is of the first importance that the mind be
relieved from all care and anxiety. The general health is to be
improved by temperance, proper exercise in the open air,
cheerful company, change of scenery, or some occupation to
divert the mind without requiring much exercise of it;
nourishing food of easy digestion ; flannel worn next to the
skin. The cold bath may be tried, and if it be followed by
agreeable feelings, it will do good. The bowels may be gently
stimulated by the pills before mentioned ; and the preparation
of iron also, already mentioned should be taken.
To stimulate the genital organs more directly, cayenne,
Dewees tincture of guac, or tincture of flies may be taken. I
have given directions for making and taking the tincture of
flies, chiefly because it is esteemed one of the best remedies for
impotency caused by or connected with nocturnal emissions,
to which I have before alluded.
It is in cases where little or no pleasure nor erection attend
these emissions—cases brought on by debauchery, or in elderly
persons that JI would recommend tincture of flies, and the
other measures above mentioned. In some bad cases, enor
mous doses of this tincture are required, say two or three
hundred drops. Yet the best rule for taking it is that already
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
35
given, namely, begin with small doses, and gradually increase
until some stranguary be felt, or some benefit be received. In
this affection, as well as in all cases of impaired virility, the
means I have mentioned are to be pursued for a long time,
unless relief be obtained. These have cured after having been
taken for a year or more without this result.
Occasional nocturnal emissions, accompanied with erection,
and pleasure, are by no means jto be considered a disease ;
though they have given many a one much uneasiness. Even
if they be frequent, and the system considerably debilitated,
if not caused by debauch, and the person be young, marriage
is the proper measure.
There have been several means proposed and practised for
checking conception. I shall briefly notice them, though a
knowledge of the best is what most concerns us. That of
withdrawal immediately before emission is certainly effectual,
if practised with sufficient care. But if (as I believe), Dr.
Dewees’ theory of conception be correct; and as Spallanzani’s
experiments show that only a trifle of semen even largely
diluted with water, may impregnate by being injected into the
vagina, it is clear that nothing short of entire withdrawal is to
to be depended upon. But the old notion that the semen
must enter the uterus to cause conception, has led many to
believe that a partial withdrawal is sufficient, and it is on this
account that this error has proved mischievous, as all impor
tant errors generally do. It is said by those who speak from
experience, that the practice of withdrawal has an effect upon
the health similar to temperance in eating. As the subsequent
exhaustion is probably mainly owing to the shock the nervous
system sustains in the act of coition, this opinion may be
correct. It is further said that this practice serves to keep
alive those fine feelings with which married people first come
together. Still I leave it for every one to decide for himself
whether this check be so far satisfactory, as not to rendei1
some other very desirable.
As to the baudruche, which consists in a covering used by
the male, made of very delicate skin, it is by no means calcu
lated to come into general use. It has been used to secure
from syphillitic affections.
Another check which the old idea of conception has led some
to recommend with considerable confidence, consists in intro
ducing into the vagina, previous to connexion, a very delicate
piece of sponge, moistened with water, to be immediately
afterwards withdrawn by means of a very narrow ribbon
attached to it. But as our views would lead us to expect, this
check has not proved a sure preventative. As there are many
little ridges or folds in the vagina, we cannot suppose the with
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PETTITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
drawal of the sponge would dislodge all the semen in every
instance. If, however, it were well moistened with some
liquid which acts chemically upon the semen, it would be
pretty likely to destroy the fecundating property of what
might remain. But if this check were ever so sure, it would
in my opinion, fall short of being equal, all things considered’
to the one I am about to mention—one which not only dis
lodges the semen pretty effectually, but at the same time
destroys the fecundating property of the whole of it.
It consists in syringing the vagina immediately after con
nexion, with a solution of sulphate of zinc, of alum, pearlash
or any salt that acts chemically on the semen, and at the same’
time produpes no unfavourable effect on the female. In all
probability, a vegetable astringent would answer—as an infu
sion of white oak bark, of red rose leaves, of nutgalls, and the
like. A lump of either of the above-mentioned salts, of the
size of a chesnut, may be dissolved in pint of water, making
the solution weaker or stronger, as it may be borne without
producing any irritation of the parts to which it is applied.
These solutions will not lose their virtues by age. A female
syringe, which will be required in the use of the check, may be
had at the shop of an .apothecary, for shilling or less. If
preferred, the semen may be dislodged, as far as it can be, by
syringing with simple water, after which some of the solution
is to be injected, to destroy the fecundating property of what
may remain lodged between the ridges of the vagina, &c.
I know the use of this check requires the woman to leave
her bed for a few moments, but this is its only objection ; and
it would be unreasonable to suppose that any check can’ ever
be devised entirely free of objections, In its favour, it may be
said, it costs nearly nothing ; it is sure ; it requires no sacrifice
of pleasure ; it is in the hands of the female ; it is to be used
after, instead of before connexion,, a weighty consideration in
its favour, as a moments reflection will convince any one • and
last, but not least, it is conducive to cleanliness, and preserves
the parts from relaxation and disease. Those who have used
this check affirm they would be at the trouble of usin°- in
jections merely for the purposes of health and cleanliness0
By actual experiment it has been rendered highly probable
that {pregnancy may, in many instances, be prevented by in
jections of simple water, applied with a tolerable degree of
care. But simple water has failed and its occasional failure
is what we should expect.
Thus much did I say respecting this check in the first edition
of this work. That is what I call the chemical check. The
idea of destroying the fecundating property of the semen was
original if it did not originate with me. My attention was
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
37
drawn to the subject by the perusal of “ Moral Physiology’.”
Such was my confidence in the chemical idea, that I sat down
and wrote this work in July, 1831. But the reflection that I
did not know that this check would never fail, and that if it
should I might do some one an injury in recommending it,
caused the manuscript to lie on hand until the following De
cember. Sometime m November I fell in with an old acquain
tance, who agreeably surprised me by stating that to his own
personal knowledge this last check had been used as above
stated. I have since conversed with a gentleman with whom I
was acquainted, who stated that, being in Baltimore some few
years ago, he was there informed of this check by those who
have no doubt of its efficacy, From what has as yet fell under
my own observation, I am not warranted in drawing any con
clusion. I can only say I have not known it to fail. Such
are my views on the whole subject that it would require many
instances of its reputed failure to satisfy me that such failures,
were not owing to an insufficient use of it. I even bleieve
that quite cold water alone, if thoroughly used would be suffi
cient. In Spallanzani’s experiments warm water was unques
tionably used. As the seminal animalcules are essential to im
pregnation, all we have to do is change the condition of, or, if
you will, to kill them, end as they are so exceedingly small and
delicate this is doubtless easily done, and hence cold water
may be sufficient.
What has now been advanced in this work will enable the
reader to judge for himself or herself, of the efficacy of the
chemical or syringe check.
A great part of the time no check is neccassary, and women
of experience and observation with the information conveyed
by this work, will be able to judge pretty correctly when it is
and when it is not. They may rest assured that none of the
salts mentioned will have any deleterious effect. The sulphate
of zinc commonly known by the name of white vitrol. This,
as well as alum, have been much used for leucorrhoeea.
r I hope that no failures will be charged to inefficacy of this
check which ought to be attributed [to negligence or insuffi
cient use of it. I will therefore recommend at least two ap
plications of the syringe, the sooner the surer, yet it is my
opinion that five minutes delay would not prove mischievous,
perhaps not ten.
CHAPTER IV.
Remarks on the Reproductive Instincts.
I scarcely need observe that by this instinct is meant the de
sir e for sexual intercourse. Blumenbach speaks of this in
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FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
stinct as “ superior to all others in universality and violence.”
Perhaps hunger is an exception. But surely no instinct com
mands a greater proportion of our thoughts, or has a greater
influence upon our happiness for better or for worse. “ Con
trolled by reason and chastened by good feeling, it gives to
social intercourse much of its charm and zest, but directed by
selfishness or governed by force, it is prolific of misery and
*
degradation In itself, it appears to be the most social and
least selfish of all instincts, It fits us to give even while re
ceiving pleasure, and among cultivated beings the former power
is even more highly valued than the latter. Not one of our
instincts perhaps affords larger scope for the exercise of dis
interestedness or fitter play for the best moral feelings of our
race. Not one gives birth to relations more gentle, more hu
manising and endearing, not one lies more immediately at the
root of the kindliest charities and mostgenerous impulses that
honour and bless human nature. It is much more noble, be
cause less purely selfish, instinct than hunger or thirst. It is
an instinct that entwines itself around the warmest feelings
and best affections of the heart.”—Moral Physiology.
A part of the evil consequences to which this instinct is
daily giving rise under the present state of things, it belongs
more particularly to the moralist to point out; whilst of others
it falls within the province of the physician to treat. But let
me first remark, that physicians have heretofore fell far short
of giving those instructions concerning this instinct which its
importance demands. In books, pamphlets, journals, &c. they
have laid much before the public respecting eating, drinking,
bathing, lacing, air, exercise, &c. ; but have passed by the still
more important subject now before us, giving only here and
there some faint allusion to it. This, it is true, the customs,
not to say pruderies, of the age, have compelled them to do,
in publications designed for the public eye, yet, in some small
work,‘indicated by its title to be for private perusal, they might,
with the utmost propriety, have embodied much highly useful
instruction in relation to this instinct.
This instinct is liable to be gratified at improper times, to an
intemperate degree, and in a mischievous manner.
True philosophy dictates that this and all other appetites be
so gratified as will most conduce to human happiness—not
merely the happiness attending the gratification of one of the
senses, but all the senses—not merely sensual happiness, but
intellectual—not merely the happiness of the individual, but
of the human family.
First.—Of the times at which this instinct ought not to be
gratified. With females it ought not to be gratified until they
are seventeen or eighteen years of age, and with males not
�FRUITS OF PHILOSOPHY.
§§
until they are a year of two older. The reason is, if they re
frain until these ages, the passion will hold out the longer, and
they will be able to derive much more pleasure from it in after
life, than if earlier gratified, especially to any great extent. A
due regard to health also enjoins with most persons, some
restraint on this instinct—indeed, at all times, but especially
for a few years after the above mentioned ages. It ought not
to be rashly gratified at first. Begin temperately, and as the
system becomes more mature, and more habituated to the effects
naturally produced by the gratification of this instinct, it will
bear more without injury. Many young married people,
ignorant of the consequences, have debilitated the whole
system—the genital system in particular; have impaired their
mental energies; have induced consumptive and other dis
eases ; have rendered themselves irritable, unsocial, melancholy,
and finally, much impaired, perhaps destroyed their affections
for each other, by an undue gratification of the reproductive
instinct. In. almost all diseases, if gratified at all, it should be
very temperately. It ought not to be gratified during men
struation, as it might prove productive, to the man, of symp
toms similar to those of syphilis, but more probably to the
woman ; of a weakening disease called fluor albus. In case of
pregnancy a temperate gratification for the first two or three
months may be of no injury to the woman or the forthcoming
offspring. But it ought to be known that the growth of the
foetus in utero may be impaired, and the seeds of future
bodily infirmity and mental imbecility of the offspring may be
sown, by much indulgence during utero-gestation or pregnancy.
Having already glanced at some of the bad effects of an
undue gratification of this instinct, I have but little more to
offer under the head of Intemperate Degree. It will be borne
in mind that temperance in this thing is not to be decided by
,
*
number but that it depends on circumstances ; and what
would be temperance in one, may be intemperance in another.
And with respect to an individual, too, what he might enjoy
with impunity, were he a labouring man, or a man whose
business requires but little mental exercise, would, were he a
student, unfit him for the successful prosecution of his studies.
Intemperance in the gratification of this instinct has a ten
dency to lead to intemperance in the use of ardent spirits. The
langour, depression of spirits, in some instances, faintness
and want of appetite, induced by intemperate gratification,
call loudly for some stimulus, and give a relish to spirits. Thus
the individual is led to drink. This inflames the blood, the
passions, and leads to further indulgence. This again, calls for
more spirits; and thus two vicious habits are commenced,
which mutually increase each other.
Strange as it may appear
�4o
FBVITS OF PHILOSOPHY. -
to those unacquainted with the animal economy, an intem
perate indulgence sometimes gives rise to the same disease—
so far as the name makes it so—that is frequently cured by a
temperate indulgence ; viz., nocturnal emissions.
Every young married woman ought to know that the male
system is exhausted in a far greater degree than the female, by
gratification. It seems, indeed, to have but little effect, com
paratively, upon some females. But with respect to the male,
■ it has been estimated by Tissot that the loss of one ounce of
semen is equal in its effects upon the system to the loss of 40
ounces of blood. As it respects the immediate effects, this
estimation, generally speaking, may not be too great. But a
man living on a full meat diet, might, doubtless, part with fifty
ounces of semen in the course of a year, with far less detri
ment to the system than with 2000 ounces of blood. It is a
fact, that mode of living, independent of occupation, makes a
great difference with respect to what the system will bear. A
full meat diet, turtles, oysters, eggs, spirits, wine, &c., certainly
promote the secretion of semen, an<T enable the system to bear
its emission. But a cool vegetable and milk diet calms all the
fiercer passions, the venereal especially. Most men adopting
such a diet as this, will suffer no inconvenience in extending
the intervals of their gratification to three or four weeks ; on
the contrary, they will enjoy clear intellects and a fine flow of
spirits. This is the diet for men of literary pursuits, especially
the unmarried.
As to the mischievous manner, it consists in the unnatural
habit of onanism, or solitary gratification. It impairs the
bodily powers, as well as mental, and not unfrequently leads
to insanity.
While the gratification of the reproductive instinct in such
manner as I have mentioned, leads to bad consequences, a
temperate and natural gratification, under proper circum
stances, is attended with good—besides the mere attendant
pleasure, which alone is enough to recommend such gratifica
tion. I admit that human beings might be so constituted that
if they had no reproductive instinct to gratify, they might
enjoy good health ; but being constituted as they are, this
instinct cannot be mortified with impunity. It is a fact
universally admitted, that unmarried females do not enjoy so
much good health, and attain to so great an age as the married ;
notwithstanding the latter are subject to the diseases and pains
incident to child-bearing. A temperate gratification promotes
the secretions, and the appetite for food ; calms the restless
passions ; induces pleasant sleep ; awakens social feelings, and
adds a zest to life which makes one conscious that life is worth
preserving.
�APPENDIX.
------------------ 0-----------------
I £1 here connect with this work, by way of Appendix, the fol
iowing extracts from an article which appeared in rhe
" Boston Investigator.7, a paper which, mirable di-tu. is so
“ crazy ” as to be open to the investigation of all subjects
which mightily concern mankind.]
II The only seeming objection of much weight that can be
brought against diffusing a knowledge of checks is that it will
serve to increase illegal connections. Now this is exactly the
■ contrary effect of that which those who have diffused 'such
■ knowledge most confidently believe 'will arise from it. To
j diminish such Connections is indeed one of the grand objects
of these publications—an object which laws and prisons cannot
l or,.at least, do not accomplish. Why is there so much prosti
tution in the land Tire true answer to the question is not. and
never will be—Because the people have become acquainted
with certain facts in physiology. It is because there are so
imany unmarried men and women—men of dissipation and
profligacy, owing to their not having married in their younger
days and settled down in life. But why are there so many
1 unmarried people in the country .’ Not because young hearts.
| when they arrive at the age of maturity, do not desire to
1 marry, but because prudential considerations interfere. The
j young man thinks I cannot marry yet. I cannot support a
I family, I must make money first, and think of a matrimonial
( settlement afterwards. And so it is that, through fear of
I having a family before they have made a little head-way
in the world, and of being thereby compelled to tug
at the oar of incessant labour throughout their lives.”
thousands of young men do not marry, but go abroad
into the world, and form vicious acquaintances and practices.
The truth, then, is this, there is so much of illegal connexion
in the land, because the people had not, twenty years ago, that
very information which, it would seem, some, doubtless
through want of due reflection, are apprehensive will increase
this evil. I might quote pages to the point from “ Every
Woman s Book
but I fear my communication would be too
lengthy. I content myself with a few lines. “ But when it
has become the custom here as elsewhere to limit the number
of children, so that none need have more than they wish,
i no man will fear to take a wife, all will marry while young,
i debauchery will diminish, while good morals and religious
■duties will be promoted,”
�APPENDIX. — Continued.
It has been asked, if a general knowledge of checks would
not diminish the general increase of population ? I think
that such would not be the result in this country until such
result would be desirable. In my opinion, the effect would
be a good many more families (and on the whole as many
births), but not so many overgrown and poverty-stricken ones.
It has been said, it is best to let nature take her course.
Now, in the broadest sense of the word nature, I say so too.
Jn this sense, there is nothing unnatural in the universe. But
if we limit the sense of the word nature so as not to include
what we mean by art. then is civilised life one continued war
fare against nature. It is by art that we subdue the forest ; by
art we contend against the element : by art we combat the na
tural tendency of disease &c.
As to the outrageous slander which here and there one has
been heard to utter against the fair sex. in saying that fear of
conception is the foundation of their chastity, it must be the
sentiment of a “• carnal heart,” which has been peculiarly un
fortunate in its acquaintances. “ To the pure all things are pure.”
Chastity, as well as its opposite, is in a great degree constitu
tional; and ought to be regarded as a physical property, if I
may so say. rather than a moral qualitspr Where the constitu
tion is favourable. a very indifferent degree of moral training is
suffi cient to secure the virgin without the influence of the
above mentioned fear ; but where it is the reverse you may
coop up the individual in the narrow dark cage of ignorance
and fear, as you will, but still you must watch. An eminent
moralist has said. " That chastity which will not bear the light
of Physiology is scarcely worth preserving.” But, verily. I
believe there is very little such in the market. What there be
is naturally short-lived, and after its- demise the unhappily
constituted individual stands in great need of this light to save
her from ignominy. What might it not have prevented in the
Fall Biver affair : And if one of two things must happen,
cither the destruction of fecundity or the destruction of life,
which of the two is the greater evil’ In these cases, alone,
this light is calculated to do sufficient good to counterbalance
all the evil that would arise from it ; so that,we should have
its important advantages to the married, in a political., a
domestic, and a medical point of view, as so much Jslearegain.
This, of course, is my opinion: but sin.ee I have probably
reflected more upon the subject than all the peysonjS.conobiffi^ff
in my imprisonment put together, until it caMbe showa-th^tT
have not as clear a head and as pure a hears as arty of, theirs,
' "
"’ '
j .7 . yr
a
I think it entitled to some weight.
*. .
&
■
FINIS.
*Xi
1 & .,4 V Alj ; S-Z ,<S.,lLP
J >
■f \
4
�
Dublin Core
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Victorian Blogging
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An account of the resource
A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
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2018
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
Text
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Pamphlet
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Title
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Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: London
Collation: 40 p.
Notes: Pre 1877 copy of 'Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples', by Charles Knowlton, MD, printed by James Watson, (c.1832). Includes a preface by the publisher.
Creator
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Knowlton, Charles, 1800-1850
Contributor
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Bradlaugh, Charles, 1833-1891
Besant, Annie, 1847-1933
Date
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[1832]
Publisher
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James Watson
Subject
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Birth control
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<div class="field two columns alpha"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a> <br />This work (Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples), identified by <a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk">Humanist Library and Archives</a>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</div>
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NSS/7/10
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Victorian Blogging
Description
An account of the resource
A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
Date
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2018
Publisher
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
Text
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Original Format
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Pamphlet
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: London
Collation: 40 p.
Notes: Pre 1877 copy of 'Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples', by Charles Knowlton, MD, printed by James Watson, (c.1832).
Creator
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Knowlton, Charles, 1800-1850
Date
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1832
Publisher
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James Watson
Subject
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Birth control
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<a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span>
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Victorian Blogging
Description
An account of the resource
A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
Creator
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
Date
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2018
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
Text
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Original Format
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Pamphlet
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: London
Collation: 40 p.
Notes: Pre 1877 copy of 'Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples', by Charles Knowlton, MD, printed by James Watson, (c.1832). Includes a preface by the publisher.
Creator
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Knowlton, Charles, 1800-1850
Date
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1832
Publisher
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James Watson
Subject
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Birth control
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<div class="field two columns alpha"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a> </div>
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Victorian Blogging
Description
An account of the resource
A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
Creator
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
Date
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2018
Publisher
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Pamphlet
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: London
Collation: 40 p.
Notes: Pre 1877 copy of 'Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples', by Charles Knowlton, MD, printed by James Watson, (c.1832).
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Knowlton, Charles, 1800-1850
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1832
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
James Watson
Subject
The topic of the resource
Birth control
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<div class="field two columns alpha"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a> </div>
<div class="element-text five columns omega">
<p><span>This work (Fruits of Philosophy: or, The Private Companion of Young Married Couples), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span></p>
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An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
NSS/7/7
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The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
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Text
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A language of the resource
English
Birth Control
Health
NSS
Women