The effect of Onania

Another interesting read..

Tissot’s scientific aims extended to the mental effects of masturbation.
Following the third law of Newton on action and reciprocal reaction, Tissot theorized
that orgasms were spasms of extreme nervous activity that necessitated an
equal and opposing depression of the nerves. This dampening of the nervous
activity caused permanent derangement when it occurred too frequently,
making the individual more susceptible to apoplexy, paralysis, insanity, and
other nervous diseases (17). This idea contributed to the 19th century notion
of “masturbatory insanity” caused by permanent brain damage due to constant
irritation.

Therefore, according to Tissot, masturbation denuded the body of blood
and, thus, gave rise to grave physical and mental consequences. Included
among these were weakening of the digestive system, loss of or excessive appetite,
vomiting, indigestion, breakdown of the respiratory system, general debility
and lassitude, as well as damages to the faculties and memory. The consequences
to women were even more grave, because masturbation led to hysteria, “vapeurs
affreuses,” incurable jaundice, stomach cramps, prophase and ulceration of the
womb, and clitoral rashes, for example. The young were particularly vulnerable,
as the loss of “precious liquid” stunted their natural physical development and
contributed to feeblemindedness (14,17).

By providing a pathological model of masturbation rooted in the seemingly
scientific and secular domain, Tissot’s book sparked the 19th century
medico-scientific masturbation phobia in the United States. Masturbation
was transformed from one of the many forms of seminal and excretory
loss into a sexual practice potentially fatal to individuals and society alike