The 18th Century Evils of Masturbation,In 1716 a Dutch theologian and physician named Dr. Balthazar
The 18th Century Evils of Masturbation,In 1716 a Dutch theologian and physician named Dr. Balthazar Bekker published the pamphlet “Onania: or the Heinous Act of Self Pollution in both sexes considered with spiritual advice to those who have already injured themselves by this abominable practice." The "abominable practice” Bekker was railing about was what he called “onanism”, and old fashioned term for what we now call masturbation.According to Bekker, masturbation was truly the most heinous of sin, the root cause of all that ailed mankind including war, poverty, famine, and disease. However Bekker’s work focused more on the health effects of individual “onanists”, detailing the resulting maladies and diseases from the view of a physician as well as a religious authority. According to Bekker, such acts of self pollution led to,“Disturbances of the stomach and digestion, loss of appetite or ravenous hunger, vomiting, nausea, weakening of the organs of breathing, coughing, hoarseness, paralysis, weakening of the organ of generation to the point of impotence, lack of libido, back pain, disorders of the eye and ear, total diminution of bodily powers, paleness, thinness, pimples on the face, decline of intellectual powers, loss of memory, attacks of rage, madness, idiocy, epilepsy, fever and finally suicide.Bekker’s writings continued with the personal testimonies of those whose lives had been ruined through the practice of onanism. Like every good doctor Bekker offered a treatment for those who were damaged by the poisonous effects of masturbation. At the end of the pamphlet was a list of potions, tinctures, and powders which could help restore a masturbators health, all for sale at the bargain price of 10-12 shillings. In the meantime "Onania” became one of the most popular works of non-fiction in Europe and the colonies in the Americas during the early 1700’s. Over sixty editions were printed and translated into various languages. -- source link
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