THESIMPLETRUTH 
FOR 
BOYS AND PARENTS 
BY 
CHARLES C. MANGER, M. D. 
Professor of Nervous and Mental Diseases 
Formerly Professor of Physiology 
College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, University of 
Southern California 
THIRD EDITION 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 
1918 Wishing that it may fulfill its purpose in 
their quest for knowledge, this book is dedi- 
cated to my little boys, Charles, William 
and Robert. 
It is my fondest hope that they may grow 
to lead honest and clean lives. 
FATHER. 
Copyrighted, 1918 
C. C. Manger,' M. D FOREWORD 
This little volume, with its well-consid- 
ered and carefully presented information 
about a subject about which so little that 
is correct is generally known, has a larger 
field than is indicated in the author’s touch- 
ing preface. It should appeal with special 
force to parents and to all who are entrusted 
with that most sacred of human charges, 
the care and training of the young. 
The body is not a thing to be ashamed of, 
nor are any of its organs or functions, when 
rightly understood, so unworthy as to be 
looked upon with contempt. Yet, even in 
the most enlightened homes, boys and girls 
are growing up with utter lack of knowledge 
which would conduce both to their safety 
and happiness. Vice and suffering are the 
inevitable harvest. A child can not be ex- 
pected to control what it does not under- 
stand. 
Much is heard of the duty of child to 
parent, but comparatively little of the duty 
of parent to child, particularly in connection 4 
The Simple Truth 
with the subjects herein discussed. The 
child that grows into adolescence without 
having heard the story of its physical life, 
told at the proper time, in the proper way, 
and by the proper person, has just cause to 
feel that in a most important sense he or 
she has been the victim of cruel neglect. 
When this duty is recognized and ac- 
cepted, the tragedies of youth, so pitifully 
familiar in every community, will become 
far less common, and the great aggregate 
of humanity’s heartaches be correspondingly 
diminished. 
A. B. COOKE, A.M., M.D. The Simple Truth 
5 
CONTENTS 
Introduction 
I. Anatomy 
II. Physiology 
III. Pathology 
Masturbation 
Varicocele 
Gonorrhea 
Chancroid 
Syphilis 
Prostitutes 
Perverts 
IV. Conclusion 
V. Supplementary 6 
The Simple Truth 
INTRODUCTION 
The healthy mind thirsts for knowledge. 
Ignorance and error are the authors of 
most of our woes. 
There is no other province of human ex- 
perience, where the knowledge held is so 
much involved by ignorance of facts, and 
prejudice of opinion, as in the field of sexual 
problems. 
Much has been done, and much has been 
written to clear away the darkness, but there 
seems to be yet more need for difTusion of 
light, that it may reach those who most need 
to know how to pass the “Rocky Shoals of 
Puberty.” 
A sensitive plastic being, just leaving the 
security of childhood, enters upon the rough 
and uncertain way of a new existence; sur- 
prised and dismayed by the shock of reality, 
his reason eagerly seeks after knowledge of 
his being. 
As secrecy is the soul of pruriency, that is 
the time of all times when the truth may The Simple Truth 
7 
protect him from vicious influences of er- 
roneous and evil advice, with which he is 
all too apt to be beset. 
This book is written upon the theory that 
the simple truth, free from the cold comfort 
of asceticism or the blighting cynicism of the 
vulgar, and without any of the restrictive 
conditions of formal morality, given from 
the viewpoint of the physiologist and phy- 
sician, will be the most effective form of 
message. 
Strange as it may appear to some, there 
is contained nothing which could conflict 
with religious or philosophical convictions. 
Whatever is presented as statement of 
fact, has passed acceptance by all authori- 
ties ; anything about which there could be 
dissenting opinion has been omitted. 
Whatever is set down as matter of opinion 
has been drawn from my own observations, 
my experience as physician, and a critical 
review of the opinions of others. 
In presenting this little volume, I indulge 
no pride of performance, nor hope of finan- 
cial gain. 
The motives actuating to this pleasant 8 
The Simple Truth 
task reach back to the stormy years of fif- 
teen to seventeen in my own life, when the 
net result of researches in pamphlet, book 
and lecture upon the subject matter of this 
volume, was a very definite promise of the 
asylum on one horn of the dilemma, and per- 
dition on the other. 
So when (with more luck than discretion), 
I got “over the top,” the desire was fixed in 
my heart to help others get the truth at an 
age when it would do them the most good. 
And now, with thirty added years of experi- 
ence, that desire grows insistent—and here 
is the book, for what it is worth. 
Los Angeles, March, 1918. 
C. C. M. The; Simple: Truth 
9 
TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS 
The highest privilege in life is to be a 
parent; the next highest is to be a teacher. 
When the message carried in this booklet 
was originally sent out under the title, 
. . For Boys of Twelve and Over,” it 
was with the hope that it would also reach 
parents and teachers, who might find it use- 
ful in instructing the young. 
Acting upon suggestions from numerous 
commentators, a more direct appeal is made 
to parent and teacher; and, in conformity, 
the title now reads, . . For Boys and 
Parents.” 
The individual is a product of the fusion 
of two germ cells, the spermatozoon from the 
father and the ovum from the mother, each 
supplying one-half to the traits and qualities 
of the offspring. The sum total of these 
qualities constitutes the inheritance or 
heredity of the new being. 
All cells of the new body, excepting the 
germinal cells, undergo radical changes in 10 
The; Simple Truth 
form and function very early in the life of 
the embryo, developing into various struc- 
tures as bone, muscle, gland, nerve, etc.; 
each with a specific role to perform in main- 
taining the life of the organism. 
The germinal cells are the only cells which 
do not undergo change in form and function 
in their transmission from parent to off- 
spring; they ever remain the same in char- 
acter, and their sole purpose is reproduction. 
Generation follows generation, the germ 
cells carrying the characteristics of the 
species on and on in immortal chains of 
which each succeeding individual becomes a 
link, representing the hereditary product of 
his ancestors. 
All that anyone possesses solely and alone 
is his own body, of which the mind is the 
highest expression of function of that com- 
plex organism. 
Needless to dilate upon the folly of neglect 
or abuse of that sacred trust. 
The individual does not live for his gener- 
ation alone. In all normal beings there is a 
natural urge for offspring, which is independ- 
ent of the momentary sexual impulse. 
To have this instinct satisfied, being the The Simple Truth 
11 
greatest of privileges, also imposes the most 
sacred of duties. 
The obligation is twofold : the parent owes 
it to posterity—first, to pass his contribution 
of the immortal germ substance on to his off- 
spring in the healthiest possible condition; 
and to use discretion in choosing the mate 
who will share the responsibility. 
The second obligation is to protect the off- 
spring in all things pertaining to environ- 
ment, training and education, to the end that 
he may make the most of his hereditary en- 
dowment, and in turn impart improved quali- 
ties to the immortal chain of heredity. 
It is plain that the individual link in a suc- 
cession of individuals is the product of hered- 
ity, and of the influence of environment, 
education and training; and that evolution- 
ary changes, while slow, are, nevertheless, 
certain to take place; therefore, it is every- 
one’s natural obligation to strive for im- 
provement of the race, by conserving what 
is desirable and eliminating undesirable 
traits and qualities from the stock. 
July, 1918. 
C. C. M. I. ANATOMY 
MALE ORGANS 
The genital or sexual organs of the male 
are as follows: 
Penis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, 
vas deferens, testicles. (See illustrations.) 
These structures grow considerably about 
the time of puberty, and attain full size at 
maturity. 
The penis may vary in size, but not always 
in proportion to the size of the individual. 
It is therefore to be considered normal, un- 
less either extremely large or small. 
It is made up of muscular and fibrous tis- 
sue, and has specially constructed blood 
vessels and blood spaces. 
The end, or head, called the glans is sup- 
plied with nerves of special sensibility. The 
glans is naturally protected by a pouch of 
skin lined with mucous membrane, which is 
called the prepuce or foreskin. It is this 14 
The Simple Truth 
part which is cut off by the Jewish people as 
a religious rite. 
The operation is known as circumcision, 
and as it serves to promote cleanliness, is 
often performed for hygienic reasons. Some- 
times it is a necessity, when the prepuce is 
tight or too long, etc. 
Passing through the middle of the penis 
from its end to the bladder is a collapsible 
tube called the urethra, through which the 
urine is voided. It is about eight inches 
long. 
The urethra is lined with a delicate mu- 
cuous membrane, and many little glands 
open into it; this structure becomes of great 
importance in certain diseases or afflictions. 
Surrounding the urethra are several 
muscles, and also the prostate gland. 
The prostate gland is situated around the 
neck of the bladder, which is the beginning 
of the urethra. 
The prostate gland contains much muscle, 
and is about an inch to an inch and a half 
wide, an inch long, and weighs about three- 
fourths of an ounce. It has a dozen or more 
little ducts opening into the urethra. The: Simple Truth 
15 
This prostatic portion of the urethra is 
also spoken of as the posterior urethra, be- 
ing marked off from the anterior part by the 
cut-off muscle which surrounds the urethra. 
Opening into the posterior urethra are 
the ejaculatory ducts, one on each side. 
These ducts are simply the terminal ends of 
the vas deferens, and they also connect with 
the outlet of the seminal vesicle on each 
side. 
The seminal vesicles, each about two and 
a half inches long, are tube like sacks, lined 
with a secreting mucuous membrane. They 
rest against the neck of the bladder. Each 
vesicle communicates through its opening 
with the ejaculatory duct. 
The testicle is a complicated gland struc- 
ture about one and a half inches long, one 
inch thick, and weighs three-fourths to one 
ounce. Its outlet tube is altogether more 
than twenty feet long. The first twenty feet 
is a very small tube folded and doubled into 
a bunch, which forms a mass closely attached 
to the testicle, and this mass is known as 
the epididymis. As this tube continues 
away from the testicle it is called the vas 16 
The; Simple; Truth 
deferens. This part of the outlet tube is 
larger than that which makes up the epi- 
didymis. 
The vas deferens is about one-eighth of 
an inch thick, and runs a distance of sixteen 
or eighteen inches, to terminate as the ejacu- 
latory duct, which opens into the posterior 
urethra. 
The entire tube above described is lined 
by mucuous membrane. In fact all cavities 
and tubes of the body, which are in direct 
or indirect communication with the exterior, 
are lined with mucuous membrane. 
The testicles are suspended in the scrotum 
by the spermatic cord, which is a collection 
of arteries, veins, nerves, a muscle (cremas- 
ter), and the vas deferens. 
Of course, going to and coming from all 
the organs and structures described, are 
blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves in rich 
supply; therefore, much pain may arise from 
any disorder or injury of these parts, and 
slight causes will produce congestion or in- 
flammation. Plate I Plate II Plate III Plate VI The Simple Truth 
25 
FEMALE ORGANS 
The female organs are as follows: 
Externally, the clitoris, labia majora, labia 
minora, or nymphae, and the hymen. 
Just above the entrance to the vagina is 
the opening of the urethra, which is a mem- 
branous canal about one and a half inches 
long; it leads to the bladder. 
Internally, the vagina, erectile bodies, 
uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries. (See illus- 
tration.) 
The clitoris, and erectile bodies (one on 
each side just within the vagina and hardly 
noticeable), are composed, like the penis, of 
muscle, special blood vessels, and blood 
spaces, and nerves of special sensibility. 
The hymen is a fibrous fold of mucuous 
membrane attached around the margin of 
the opening to the vagina, and partly closes 
this opening; in virgins, the opening is, usu- 
ally, small. 
An intact hymen is not an absolute cer- 
tificate of virginity; on the other hand, an 
irregular hymen, or one having a large open- 
ing, does not necessarily mean defloration. 26 
The Simple Truth 
The labia are sometimes enlarged. 
The vagina is a large collapsible tube, 
about four inches long at its posterior wall, 
and is lined with mucuous membrane. Its 
inner end surrounds and closes about the 
open, or cervical (neck), end of the uterus. 
Many little glands open into the vagina. 
During pregnancy the walls of the vagina 
become thicker and the cavity larger, to ac- 
commodate passage of the child. After the 
child is born the structures soon return to 
their former condition. 
The uterus, or womb, mostly of muscular 
tissue, is pear shaped, about three inches 
long, two inches wide and one inch thick, 
weighs about one and a half or two ounces, 
and has a cavity lined by mucuous mem- 
brane. 
Numerous glands also open into the cavity 
of the uterus. 
It is remarkable that the pregnant uterus 
may grow to weigh two or three pounds, 
and after the child is born, return in a few 
months almost to its former size. 
In old age it becomes small and fibrous. The: Simple: Truth 
27 
The Fallopian tube, one on each side, con- 
nects the cavity of the uterus with the fim- 
briated end of the tube, which end lies close 
to the ovary. 
The tube is about four or five inches long 
and about one-sixth of an inch thick. 
As is the case in the vas deferens, the 
canal of the tube is small. 
The ovaries, one on each side, are special- 
ized glands about one and a half inches 
long, three-fourths of an inch wide, and one- 
third of an inch thick. They have no outlet 
tube, but by a curious arrangement, the 
fimbriated end of the Fallopian tube clasps 
partly around the ovary, so that the eggs 
which have matured in the ovary and broken 
through the surface, may be passed along to 
the uterus. 
Accidents rarely happen, whereby the 
egg, before entering the Fallopian tube, is 
fertilized by a spermatozoon, and then the 
baby grows within the abdominal cavity. 
A more frequent accident occurs, in which 
the fertilized egg remains within the tube 
and grows until rupture of the tube takes 
place, when the mother may die of internal 
hemmorrhage. 28 
The; Simple: Truth 
The mammary glands or breasts, too, 
should be considered as belonging to the 
sexual organs—in the male these are rudi- 
mentary and do not functionate. II. PHYSIOLOGY 
There are four primary instincts so well 
developed in us that all of our activities 
center about them. 
They are: 1. Instinct of self preserva- 
tion ; 2. Instinct of nutrition; 3. Herd in- 
stinct ; 4. Sexual instinct. 
The sexual instinct is vaguely developed 
in the young, and not having any definite or 
strong manifestation, usually should give no 
trouble. 
This is true until one approaches the age 
of puberty, which begins between the ages 
of twelve and fifteen, in temperate climates, 
though it may be earlier or later than that, 
and yet be normal. 
Puberty does not begin abruptly, but de- 
velops gradually and is marked in both 
sexes by increased rate of growth, particu- 
larly in the size of the sexual organs; ap- 
pearance of hair upon the pubes; changes 
of voice; and by other profound changes, 
both mental and physical, in the whole make 
up of the individual. 30 
The; Simple: Truth 
The one change most important for our 
present purpose is the increase and develop- 
ment of the sexual impulse or feelings of 
passion. This feeling becomes more and 
more definitely fixed upon the sexual rela- 
tion with the opposite sex. 
The events which mark the stage of de- 
velopment at which the individual is capable 
of performing the sexual act and becoming 
a father or mother is, in the female menstru- 
ation, and in the male the power of ejacula- 
tion. 
Menstruation is a normal occurrence of 
bleeding from the uterus. It takes place 
about every twenty-eight days, and con- 
tinues for a few days. 
When pregnancy takes place menstruation 
ceases, and does not occur through all the 
nine months of pregnancy. As a rule it does 
not appear again until the baby stops suck- 
ling the mother’s breasts, although it some- 
times comes on during the period of suck- 
ling. 
Menstruation first appears at about twelve 
to fifteen and ceases at about forty to fifty 
years of age. The: Simple Truth 
31 
This cessation, also a gradual process, 
usually extends over a few years of time 
and is spoken of as the “change of life.” 
Ejaculation in the male means a discharge 
of nervous energy accompanied by a rythmic 
expulsion of seminal fluid through the 
urethra. The whole process, with the ac- 
companying feelings, is called the orgasm; 
and is in reality the terminating phase of 
the sexual act. 
The orgasm occurs also in the female, 
with rythmic contraction of vaginal and 
uterine muscles and an increase of gland 
secretion. 
The power to have orgasm appears at 
puberty and may continue to old age, espe- 
cially in men; intensity begins to diminish 
about the time corresponding with the 
“change of life” in women. Individuals dif- 
fer widely in this respect, as they do in every 
feature of the things pertaining to sex. 
After boys and girls reach the beginning 
of puberty, even under good surroundings 
and living a clean life, they are apt to be- 
come sexually excited, on account of the very 
natural tendency for the powerful sexual 
instinct to assert itself. 32 
The Simple Truth 
Sometimes the sexual orgasm occurs spon- 
taneously or during sleep (wet dreams) ; this 
is perfectly normal, unless for some special 
reason, it takes place very often. 
Within reasonable bounds the feelings of 
sexual desire which all young people experi- 
ence, and which, at times become very diffi- 
cult to control, are perfectly normal. 
This whole matter is controlled mostly by 
one’s physical organization, habits of life, 
mental occupation, associations, etc. 
It is manifestly impossible for people, even 
the most favored, to attain that environment 
in life which would accord with theoretically 
perfect circumstances for safeguarding the 
young against unhealthy manifestations of 
the sexual instinct; so that the actually ex- 
isting circumstances must be met. 
It is well to bear in mind that the period 
of puberty growth and development is not 
completed when menstruation or ejaculation 
first appear, but that several years (three, 
five or more) are required before the indi- 
vidual is fully enough developed to be con- 
sidered a mature man or woman. 
While capable of reproducing their kind The: Simple Truth 
33 
as soon as menstruation or ejaculation ap- 
pears, offspring produced at this period 
would not be so vigorous, and the strain 
upon the young mother would be greater. 
Besides, much coitus (or much masturba- 
tion) before completion of the period of pu- 
berty development, interferes with the per- 
fect development of the individual. 
For the purpose of reproduction there is 
developed and secreted by the testicles a 
thick fluid in small quantities, a drop of 
which contains many thousands of special 
minute germ cells called spermatozooa. 
They are composed of a head 1/6000 inch 
in diameter, and a long thin tail which causes 
slow movement not unlike that of tadpole 
or wiggle-tail. It is the smallest cell of the 
human body. 
This fluid is forced through the vas def- 
erens to join with the fluid secreted by the 
seminal vesicles, and stored there; during 
the sexual act the mixture is forced into the 
urethra through the ejaculatory ducts. 
From there, being further mixed with 
some secretion from the prostate gland, it 
is finally expelled through the urethra, and 
is known as semen. 34 
The Simple Truth 
The semen, when deposited in the vagina 
during the sexual act, enables the sperma- 
tozooa to wiggle their way into the uterus, 
or even to the Fallopian tubes; and there, 
meeting the egg cell, one spermatozoon (sel- 
dom more) enters the egg which is thereby 
fertilized. 
This impregnated egg, by reason of con- 
traction of the tube, and movement of hair- 
like processes in the tube, is slowly carried 
into the uterus: here it becomes implanted 
in the uterine wall, and rapidly grows for a 
period of nine months. 
At the end of this time the fully devel- 
oped baby is born into the world by power- 
ful contraction of the muscles of the uterus 
and abdomen. 
The ovum or egg cell, 1/125 inch in diam- 
eter, is the largest cell in the human body. 
It is developed in the ovary and passes 
through the fallopian tube to the uterus. 
It is estimated that 70,000 ova may be de- 
veloped in a woman during her sexual life- 
time ; that is between puberty and the meno- 
pause (change of life). 
The ovum could not grow into a new be- 
ing except it be fertilized by the sperma- The Simple Truth 
35 
tozooa from the male—therefore two sexes 
are necessary for the propagation of the 
race. 
The sexual act itself consists of two 
stages—1. The stage of tumescense—con- 
gestion or erythism. 2. The stage of detu- 
mescense or discharge. 
The nerves of special sense going to the 
glans penis, and also to some extent the sen- 
sory nerves to the urethra, and other sexual 
organs and structures, are easily excited by 
contact, fondling, or friction. (The clitoris 
and erectile bodies in the female are subject 
to the same thing.) The nerve impulses 
thus arising are carried to the sexual centre 
in the spinal cord, as well as to the brain, 
and so cause stimulation of these centres. 
Impulses from the brain, such as volup- 
tuous or sensual thoughts, also stimulate 
the sexual centre in the cord powerfully; and, 
at the same time, heighten the sensitiveness 
of the special sense nerves in the glans. 
By a nerve centre is meant a region where 
various nerve fibers, or tracts, terminate; and 
where the impulses conveyed by these va- 
rious fibres, or tracts, exercise their effect. 
From such a stimulated centre, new impulses 36 
The: Simple; Truth 
are sent to the organs, or parts, which are 
to functionate. 
The primary sexual centres are in the 
spinal cord. Other centres, having a less di- 
rect influence upon the sexual organs, are 
located in the brain. 
A nerve centre, once it is stimulated, oper- 
ates its function more or less reflexly; that 
is, without direct control of the will. 
Therefore any mental stimulus arising in 
the brain, or any stimulus arising from irri- 
tation of the nerves of the sex organs or 
structures will result in stimulation of the 
sexual centres, awaken sexual desire, and 
so cause appearance of the first stage of the 
sexual act, viz., tumescense. Hence, the 
advisability and wisdom of controlling 
thoughts, and external influences which tend 
to promote tumescense. An ounce of pre- 
vention here is worth several pounds of cure. 
Tumescense means congestion of the 
sexual organs, erection, activity of the vari- 
ous glands, heightened sensibility of the 
parts, and a concurrent highly voluptuous 
state of the feelings. 
By a gland is meant an organ that is made The Simple Truth 
37 
up of various tissues; of blood vessels, lymph 
vessels, nerves, etc., but the essential tissue 
is the cells whose special function it is to 
prepare and pour out fluid substances which 
are called secretions. 
Gland activity, like muscle contraction, is 
under control of nerves. 
Examples: Saliva from the Salivary 
glands; bile from the liver (which is the 
largest of glands); digestive juices from the 
glands of the stomach and intestines; and 
semen, which is a mixed fluid, from the tes- 
ticles and other sexual glands. 
It is well to recall how the flow of saliva 
is very greatly increased by the taking of 
food; also that the sight of food, or the mere 
thinking of food will cause the “mouth to 
water.” So, also, secretion by the sexual 
glands is greatly increased by sexual activ- 
ity. Licentious mental indulgence alone, 
causes marked increase in the secretions of 
the sexual glands. 
In a mild state of tumescense erection may 
not occur, or develop only partially. But if 
excitement continues, or is great, full erec- 
tion occurs and tumescense is complete. 38 
The Simple Truth 
Erection is due to contraction of muscles 
of the penis, and to its distention by accu- 
mulation of large quantities of blood, which 
is temporarily retained in the veins by con- 
traction of muscles upon the vessels of re- 
turn flow. 
It is quite natural that once in the state of 
tumescense, it becomes more and more diffi- 
cult to control the passions, or overcome the 
tendency and desire to complete the sexual 
act. And it is also a most trying situation 
to continue a long time in this state of ex- 
citement. 
The second or stage of detumescense or 
discharge—means the attainment of the 
climax of sexual excitement which termi- 
nates in the orgasm accompanied by a 
marked pleasurable thrill of relief. 
The orgasm is brought on, normally, by 
sexual intercourse (also called coitus, copu- 
lation, etc.), or by spontaneous reflex (as 
nocturnal emissions). Artificially, it is 
brought on by masturbation or other un- 
usual methods. 
The second stage of the normal act re- 
quires but a brief time, a few minutes, for The: Simple: Truth 
39 
its accomplishment; but the first stage may- 
be prolonged over more or less time, or be 
often repeated without being followed by the 
second stage. 
Such practice of unduly prolonging tu- 
mescense, however, is not healthful and, if 
persisted in to any great extent, may become 
a serious menace to health and happiness. 
In the act as performed normally, when a 
high state of tumescense has been reached, 
the second stage is entered—this consists of 
introduction of the penis into the vagina 
(intromission) ; the contact and friction, to- 
gether with libidinous mental pictures, 
causes rapid violent discharge of nerve 
energy through the sex centres, and cul- 
minates in the orgasm. III. PATHOLOGY 
MASTURBATION 
Masturbation, also called onanism, self 
abuse, etc,, means the practice of causing 
sexual excitement, and the orgasm, by va- 
rious methods, involving: 
1. Irritation of sex organs, but particu- 
larly the nerves of special sense in the glans 
penis (the clitoris and erectile bodies in the 
female) ; 2. Indulgence in voluptuous and 
sensual mental pictures. 
Ordinarily, masturbation is thought of as 
the accomplishment of the second stage, or 
detumescense, only; but it really includes 
indulging in the first stage of the sexual act 
(described in Chapter II) as well. 
The very common method pursued is to 
cause contact and friction by manipulating 
the penis (in the female the clitoris and erec- 
tile bodies) with the hands; while at the 
same time fixing the thoughts which stimu- 
late sexual feelings. The Simppe Truth 
41 
Any method of contact or friction, accom- 
panied by suitable thoughts, may accomplish 
the same thing. 
Indeed if one only gives oneself up to 
orgies of lustful fancies it is to be considered 
masturbation, even though excitement may 
not reach the height of bringing on an 
orgasm. This is known as psychic or men- 
tal masturbation. 
It cannot be emphasized too much, that 
the influence of thoughts upon the sexual 
centres, with consequent sexual excitement, 
is extremely important; for it is the indulg- 
ence of fancy in imaginary sexual situations 
and performances which, more than any- 
thing else, leads to tumescense, accompanied 
always by the more or less imperative feel- 
ing or desire for relief; or else leads to 
actual completion of the sexual act by copu- 
lation, or by masturbation. 
The sexual impulse, also, becomes harder 
to control the more the tumescent state is 
permitted to recur; for, naturally like other 
functions or habits, it grows with repetition 
or cultivation. 
It should be well understood that occur- 
rence of sexual feeling or excitement is not 42 
The: Simple: Truth 
entirely within control of the will; that the 
sexual instinct asserts itself more or less, 
according to the individual, by reason of the 
fact that this is natural. 
In the female the period of greatest tend- 
ency to sexual unrest and excitement is 
around the time of the menstrual period. 
In the male there is no regular period for 
such manifestation, and the passion is apt to 
be more urgent than in the female. 
It is important to know that, normally, 
sexual excitement is not a constant manifest- 
ation, but it comes in periods, with inter- 
Some have the idea that a healthy person 
vening time between the periods during 
which the passions are more or less 
quiescent. 
should be always in a condition of sexual 
readiness, but that is not natural. 
Those who sustain a condition of readi- 
ness or mild excitement by harboring sen- 
sual thoughts, or pursuing exciting prac- 
tices, injure themselves thereby. 
Even admitting the foregoing facts, it is 
true that by right living, and correct mental 
and physical habits, one may restrain the The Sim pee Truth 
43 
manifestation of sexual passion and desire 
to its legitimate channels, although at times 
it may tax the will in spite of the ardent wish 
to win. 
The power of erection is present in in- 
fancy, and manipulation of the sexual parts 
will arouse vague pleasurable sensations. 
The child will not take to sexual habits 
unless, as often happens, there is some irri- 
tation of the genitals, such as may be caused 
by a tight prepuce, improper dressing, neg- 
lect of cleanliness of the parts; or by chance 
communication with other children who 
have learned. 
Sometimes ignorant, or vicious, older peo- 
ple teach children the practice of playing 
with their parts. 
Even though they do not have well devel- 
oped passions and are incapable of having 
orgasm, the practice in effect is essentially 
the same as masturbation. 
Children should be carefully protected 
from the practice of masturbation, because 
it is harmful to them for various reasons: 
If persisted in the practice will cause the 
child to arrive at the pubertal period earlier 44 
The: Simple Truth 
than it would naturally; the stability of the 
nervous system will be impaired; the child’s 
general health and vitality lowered; and the 
difficulties of the pubertal period will be 
much increased. 
Ordinarily, with the sympathetic care that 
parents and friends could (and should) exer- 
cise over a boy or girl, the period of puberty 
is reached, without their having been given 
to masturbation. 
Upon reaching puberty, many will experi- 
ence orgasm for the first time as a result of 
unintentioned friction, as for example in rid- 
ing, or during sleep in “wet dreams”; before 
they have ever manipulated the genitals suf- 
ficiently to bring on the crisis (orgasm) of 
the sexual act. 
Others, under the tuition of older com- 
panions will, perhaps after repeated efforts, 
finally succeed in producing an orgasm. 
After starting the practice it is so easy to 
drift into repetitions, because the passions 
grow stronger with indulgence, and thus the 
thing tends to become established as a habit. 
By moderate masturbation is meant not 
more than about two or three times in a 
couple of weeks; with periods of lesser fre- The; Simple: Truth 
45 
quency, depending much upon the individual 
and circumstances. More than that verges 
into excess or habit of masturbation. 
By the habit is not meant the rare or even 
occasional yielding to a burning desire to get 
relief by masturbation, but it means that 
condition where one commits the act often; 
and more than that, also frequently resorts 
to awakening the passions by lascivious rev- 
eries, and by fondling the parts, in order to 
arouse the passions; and then, having pro- 
duced the passion, usually continues the 
practice until orgasm takes place. 
Those are the conditions or practices, 
which really constitute the habit of mastur- 
bation. 
Occasional masturbation as mentioned 
above, or the habit of masturbation, is often- 
est started at about the time the power of 
orgasm has developed, and is apt to grow 
upon one during the balance of the period 
of puberty, which lasts altogether several 
years. 
It may be, and very often is, continued 
right into manhood. In exceptional cases it 
is even practiced after marriage. 
Through advice, or a conviction that it is 46 
The; Simple; Truth 
not the right thing to do, a good many boys 
after practicing masturbation for a time, per- 
haps for several years, will learn to control 
themselves to such an extent that they may 
do it but seldom, or not at all thereafter. 
On the other hand, there are many who 
have a disheartening struggle trying to keep 
from masturbating when passion is once 
aroused; they feel that they have failed be- 
cause in spite of everything, they will yield 
now and again. 
It is this large class of boys who worry 
about it most, and, fearing that they have 
been irreparably injured, are plunged into all 
degrees of self reproach and are unhappy 
much of the time. Most of this .trouble is 
due to the fact that they do not know the 
truth about their functions. 
What has been learned is conflicting, or 
mostly erroneous. Worst of all, the erron- 
eous knowledge gained is tainted by vicious 
teachings and suggestions. 
Or else the severe moralist, or overzealous 
teacher does much to scare the very life out 
of a boy, in order to help him, or prevent 
him from going astray. The; Simple; Truth 
47 
This is done with every good intention, 
but it is wrong, and violates the principles of 
defensive mental mechanisms; so that, in- 
stead of getting help, the boy suffers un- 
necessary pangs of self reproach, remorse, 
and may drift into a more serious nervous 
condition; not so much because he mastur- 
bated as because he worried about it. 
A large share of harmful misinformation 
upon sex subjects is contributed by adver- 
tising quacks and quack writings; all of 
which are published for the sole purpose of 
cajoling or frightening the uninformed into 
paying money for treatment of imaginary 
ills. 
Under no circumstances can one depend 
upon the advertising quack “doctor” no mat- 
ter what or how plausible his claims may be; 
he is after the money first, last and all the 
time. 
The question as to what effect masturba- 
tion has upon the individual arises in every 
mind, and it is of very great importance that 
the answer to this question be given with 
scrupulous regard to the simple truth, un- 
prejudiced by preconceived notions of ab- 
stract right and wrong, or bias of personal 48 
The: Simple Truth 
opinion; but solely according to the laws 
of nature. 
It is variously estimated by those who 
study the subject, that of all males, ninety 
to one hundred per cent will sooner or later, 
masturbate. The true proportion will be 
somewhere above ninety per cent. 
Among females the percentage is probably 
not so high. 
Proper knowledge imparted more gener- 
ally and early in life would greatly reduce 
the percentages. 
The above being true, it would seem that 
the average man or woman could not have 
been much hurt by masturbation. 
It is just about this question that opinions 
are so conflicting and misleading. 
For instance it is held, and preached, with- 
out any qualification, by many (who are not 
well informed), that masturbation leads in- 
evitably to a host of evil consequences; such 
as organic nervous diseases, wasting, weak- 
ness, loss of manhood, insanity, and so on. 
Such statements are as harmful as they 
are inaccurate. The Simple Truth 
49 
It is true that many of the insane do mas- 
turbate excessively—but this is a result 
rather than the cause of the mental condi- 
tion. 
Masturbation may sometimes be a con- 
tributing causative factor in mental break- 
down, in such cases as were already predis- 
posed to insanity. 
And again it is asserted, that the very loss 
of semen is weakening and a great drain 
upon the life blood and vitality. 
The facts are, that the semen is a product 
of gland secretion which is normally pro- 
duced to some extent even under circum- 
stances of absolute chastity; and, further- 
more, its production and loss, within wide 
limits of reasonableness, is not in the least 
injurious. 
After it is secreted it cannot be utilized 
by the body but must be voided, and nature 
provides normal ways, viz., copulation, and 
spontaneous or nocturnal emissions. 
Then again widely current statements and 
belief have it, erroneously, that the mastur- 
bator shows many signs and symptoms 
which any observer can recognize. Pallor, 50 
The) Simple Truth 
hollow eyes, wasting, weakness, cowardice, 
clammy skin, loss of memory, pimples, un- 
sociability, and many others are given. 
The truth is that not even a skilled special- 
ist would be so bold as to lay claim to infalli- 
ble ability to separate those who masturbate 
from those who do not. 
It is also true that many who masturbate 
may be athletes, bright scholars, full of life, 
rosy cheeked, and fight at the drop of the 
hat. This does not prove that they are so 
because of masturbation, but in spite of it. The; Simple Truth 
51 
TO SUM UP 
Masturbation before puberty is always 
more or less harmful and may be seriously 
so. 
Masturbation in moderation after puberty 
begins, cannot in itself, be permanently in- 
jurious to any great extent. The chief in- 
jury in such cases will be the result of worry, 
feelings of shame and loss of self-respect. 
The injury, even tho not great, is a posi- 
tive loss, and should be avoided. 
Masturbation to excess is always inju- 
rious, more or less, depending upon the in- 
dividual concerned. 
Masturbation, even in a moderate degree, 
if continued over many years to the exclu- 
sion of normal intercourse, will have the 
same effect as masturbating to excess. 
Masturbation can do no one any good. 
The individual would be at least a little bet- 
ter off, if he never masturbated; which is 
sufficient warrant for condemning the prac- 
tice. 
It cannot be emphasized too much that ex- 
ercise of the sexual function is not a neces- 52 
The Simple Truth 
sity to full growth or good health. In fact, 
nature’s plan does not contemplate the use 
of this function before the being is fully 
developed; and this is not attained until 
about the time marriage should, properly, 
be considered. 
Theoretically, a reasonable amount of 
sexual intercourse indulged after completion 
of the pubertal period, or full development, 
would conduce to the fullest enjoyment of 
health, vigor and contentment. 
In practice, this cannot be carried out per- 
fectly, because two people are directly con- 
cerned ; many contingencies will arise; and 
society in general is inseparably interested 
in the regulation and control of the sexual 
instinct. 
Therefore, just as we all must struggle 
against many obstacles, in getting a living 
and a place in the world, so all must be pre- 
pared to struggle for a reasonable control of 
the sexual instinct, in order to conform to 
law and present custom. 
It sometimes runs counter to the pure dic- 
tates of nature, but there is no way around, 
we must make the best of the situation for 
the good of all. The; Simple; Truth 
53 
And let it be remembered in connection 
with sexual problems, that you cannot get 
something for nothing. He who tries will 
sooner or later come to grief and have to 
pay the penalty. 
The next question is how to avoid start- 
ing to masturbate, or having started, how to 
stop it. 
Only general principles can here be men- 
tioned. 
From infancy, care should be exercised, 
that the sexual parts be kept as clean as the 
rest of the body. However, daily attention 
is not necessary and might prove meddle- 
some. 
The foreskin should not be tight. 
Strictest regard should be had to the 
character of playmates, associates and ser- 
vants. 
Watch children constantly and gently 
counteract any tendency to manipulate the 
genitals. 
Dress them sensibly for comfort. 
Avoid feather beds or too much cover at 
night, but use enough for comfort; espe- 
cially to keep the lower limbs warm. 54 
The: Simple: Truth 
The bladder should be emptied just before 
going to bed. 
One should not lie abed long after awaken- 
ing in the morning. 
Give wholesome food and enough, but 
avoid overeating. 
Plenty of healthful play. 
Children should not be overburdened with 
tasks of any kind, nor depressed by a too ex- 
acting discipline. 
Good example is the best teacher and cor- 
rective. 
And very important, begin early to impose 
the habit of regularly emptying the bowel 
each day, that it may be kept up during life. 
This one thing is of more value than all the 
purgatives in the materia medica. The rea- 
sons are numerous and are so well under- 
stood by all physicians, that it is not neces- 
sary to give them here. 
A good plan in fixing the custom of regu- 
lar bowel movements is to go to stool right 
after breakfast, as then the taking of food 
has stimulated gastro-intestinal movements 
and secretion, which are naturally followed 
by evacuation if nature is given a chance. The) Simple; Truth 
55 
As puberty is reached and progresses, 
wholesome physical and mental occupation 
becomes of prime importance. This includes 
clean teaching, reading, diversions, and, in 
particular, the right kind of associates and 
companions. 
A correct knowledge of one’s own body. 
A reasonable amount of wholesome physi- 
cal occupation together with responsibility 
is nature’s best preventive and remedy for 
the undesirable manifestation of the sexual 
impulse. 
Such exercise not only conduces to 
healthy, vigorous development, and incul- 
cates the habit of constructive employment, 
but it uses up the surplus energy which 
must find expression in some way—and the 
experience of mankind proves that if one is 
not usefully employed, the tendency is al- 
ways to follow instinctively what is imme- 
diately pleasurable—and the pitiable exam- 
ples of blighted lives everywhere present, 
show with what results. 
Common sources of the most powerful 
stimuli to sexual excitement and unrest are 
the dangerous practices of spooning, hug- 
ging, kissing, improper dancing, etc., in- 56 
The Simple Truth 
dulged in by some young people, with or 
without conscious purpose of attaining the 
inevitable result, viz., awakened sexual de- 
sire, and a more or less violent state of 
tumescence. 
In truth such practices usually amount to 
performing the first phase of the sexual act, 
and it must be obvious to all that this may 
lead to grave consequences, aside from the 
fact that frequent repetition in itself would 
be harmful. 
If masturbation has already been prac- 
ticed, then the boy should learn its true sig- 
nificance, and be encouraged in every way 
by kindly, patient help and advice. 
He should be impressed that, while the 
ideal would be total abstinence, he will 
be successful just in proportion to any gain 
he makes in controling himself. 
And that if he can do no better than min- 
imize the frequency, he does much. 
And that after a while he will learn to gain 
complete mastery. 
The truth and effectiveness of all this ac- 
cords with experience among those who mas- 
turbate. The: Simple: Truth 
57 
If the habit of masturbation should have 
become well established, and if one is sick, 
uncertain and discouraged, the best thing to 
do is to consult an honest physician who un- 
derstands, inform him truthfully, then fol- 
low his advice. Always avoid advertisers 
and other quacks. 
It is well to know that not only the habit 
of improper thoughts tends to perpetuate the 
difficulties of combating the practice, but 
that there may also develop a chronic irrita- 
bility of the posterior urethra, wihch greatly 
tends to stimulate the sex centres to produce 
sexual excitement. 
This irritability can be easily cured by 
proper management and application of rem- 
edies that any well informed physician 
knows. 
Not every physician, otherwise competent, 
knows just how to deal with sexual prob- 
lems, so one should not be discouraged if 
the first one consulted does not know ex- 
actly, or fails to afford help. The; Simple; Truth 
58 
VARICOCELE 
Varicocele is a condition, where the veins 
of the spermatic cord, which are within the 
scrotal bag, are enlarged. It usually occurs 
on the left side. 
The condition first appears some time 
after puberty, and the mass may be noticed 
to increase in size for several years. 
When handled, the mass gives one the 
impression of handling a bunch of worms. 
There are several things which may ag- 
gravate the condition; such as constipation, 
and prolonged congestion due to sustained 
sexual excitement. It is perhaps primarily 
due to an inherent tendency of enlargement 
in the veins. 
As a rule varicocele need give no con- 
cern, even when at times attention is drawn 
to it by a little discomfort. 
In a limited number of cases, where the 
discomfort is annoying, or dragging pains 
persist (this usually happens after fatigue, 
or long standing on one’s feet), a physician 
should be consulted. The Simple Truth 
59 
A simple surgical operation cures any 
case permanently. 
Quacks, who make much ado about vari- 
cocele, often causing unnecessary worry to 
the patient, should be entirely ignored and 
avoided. 
In this connection, it may be well to know 
that the left testicle is larger than the right, 
and hangs lower in the scrotum than the 
right. It is surprising how this trivial ana- 
tomical fact has served to worry the unin- 
formed and enrich the quacks. The Simple Truth 
60 
VENEREAL DISEASES 
There are three diseases peculiarly asso- 
ciated with the sexual organs, and dissemi- 
nated in nearly all cases by sexual contact. 
These venereal diseases are: Gonorrhea; 
Chancroid; Syphilis (lues or pox). 
Here should also be mentioned that crab 
lice, body lice, and itch, are sometimes trans- 
mitted during contact. 
Gonorrhea or clap is an infectious disease 
due to the presence of a germ called the Gon- 
nococcus, which is about 1/15000 of an inch 
in diameter, only visible under a high power 
microscope. 
The disease shows in from three to ten 
days (usually five to seven) after contact, 
and develops with an inflammation of the 
mucous membrane of the anterior urethra 
(see anatomy), and a discharge of pus, or 
“matter.” 
It is painful, especially during the acute 
stage. 
If it runs a favorable course the infection The Simpee Truth 
61 
does not go beyond the anterior urethra, and 
will be cured in five or six weeks. 
Very many cases, through lack of proper 
care and treatment, will not run a favorable 
course. Infection then spreads to the pos- 
terior urethra, and may involve some or all 
of the sex organs and structures; thus be- 
coming a very difficult condition to treat; 
often followed by serious consequences, not 
only at the time, but also in later years. 
Not only the sex organs, but the bladder 
and kidneys may become affected by exten- 
sion. Bright’s disease of the kidneys is 
thought to be an occasional complication of 
gonorrhea. 
The prostate gland, which is so important 
in its relation to the urethra, and outlet of 
the bladder, is frequently inflamed as a re- 
sult of gonorrheal infection extending to the 
posterior urethra; becomes permanently en- 
larged; and is apt to cause a great deal of 
trouble. 
Many such cases of enlarged prostate go 
on until late in life; when, finally, surgical 
intervention is necessary.. 62 
The: Simple Truth 
Not every case of enlarged prostate gland 
is due to gonorrhea. 
The epididymis and testicle are sometimes 
involved in gonorrhea, and the function of 
supplying spermatozooa is apt to be lost. 
When both testicles are so involved, per- 
manent sterility is the consequence. 
Poisons, or the germ itself, sometimes get 
into the general system, causing such things 
as neuritis (inflammation of nerves), arthri- 
tis (inflammation of joints), endocarditis 
inflammation of the lining of the heart), 
meningitis (inflammation of the membranes 
surrounding the brain and spinal cord). 
The difficulty of treating the disease, when 
complications have set in or when it be- 
comes chronic, is due to the circumstance 
that the germs get into the numerous little 
glands, and even enter the cells of the mu- 
mucous membrane and glands, from which 
positions it is very difficult to dislodge them. 
Therefore, although the disease may ap- 
pear to be cured, the germs lie dormant for 
months or years, only to break out in activ- 
ity anew at some unexpected time. The; Simple Truth 
63 
In that way many married women acquire 
the disease from the husband who thought 
he had been cured. 
The disease in women is even more dis- 
astrous than in men, for it is very apt to 
spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, and 
sometimes to the abdominal cavity, result- 
ing in abscesses and peritonitis. 
These conditions demand major surgical 
operations; either at the time of complica- 
tion, or, as very often happens, after years 
of ill-health and sorrow. 
Many such operations are done by all sur- 
geons. 
The germ, if conveyed to the eyes by con- 
taminated hands, handkerchief, etc., causes 
violent inflammation which often results in 
blindness. 
In fact, a large percentage of blindness oc- 
curring in infants (which means fifteen per 
cent of all blindness that occurs), is due to 
getting gonorrheal germs in the eyes as the 
child passes through the infected vagina at 
birth; the mother having previously been in- 
fected by the father. 
It is a popular grave error to believe or 
say that a case of “clap” is no worse than a 64 
The Simple Truth 
bad cold, and the common saying that one is 
“not a man until he has had a dose,” is most 
vicious. 
The truth is that most cases (under good 
treatment only) get well without serious 
consequences. But a very large percentage 
of all cases, thousands of cases annually, be- 
come complicated, and cause untold suffer- 
ing and misery for the innocent as well as 
for those who might (and should) have 
avoided the disease. 
If, through error or misfortune, one con- 
tracts the disease, there is but one course 
to pursue; consult an honest physician and 
follow his advice. 
Under no circumstances should one rely 
upon drug store treatment, patent or adver- 
tised medicines, quacks, or the suggestions 
of smart Alexanders who pretend to know. 
If any course other than submitting to 
treatment by a competent physician is fol- 
lowed, one will rue the day he tried it. The; Simple Truth 
65 
CHANCROID 
Chancroid is a disease favored by unclean* 
liness, and probably caused by a germ 
known as the bacillus of Ducrey. 
It appears as a sore or ulcer, sometimes 
called soft chancre, on the glans or prepuce, 
giving off serum and pus, and is painful. 
It appears nearly always upon the penis, 
about three days after exposure. 
As a rule, it occurs in more than one spot 
at a time, and may spread wherever the 
pus touches. 
It may become most virulent, and eat 
away considerable tissue, leaving scars or 
disfigurements. 
A frequent complication is bubo or “blue 
balls,” which means abscess of lymphatic 
glands. Usually those in the groins are af- 
fected. 
Chancroid is easily curable if cleanliness 
and proper treatment is followed. 
This disease should not be confounded 
with chancre, which is vastly more serious, 
chancre being the initial sore of syphilis. 66 
The Simple Truth 
Hence the advisability of consulting com- 
petent physicians as soon as anything suspi- 
cious appears, for the purpose of learning 
immediately the exact nature of the disease, 
and receiving the appropriate treatment 
for it. The; Simple; Truth 
67 
SYPHILIS 
Syphilis is the most dreadful of diseases 
that afflict civilized man, and the least ex- 
cusable one, because easily preventable by 
non-exposure. 
It is probable that this disease existed in 
ancient times, although it is generally held 
that syphilis was unknown in the old world, 
until the sailors of Columbus brought it 
from the new world. 
Its victims are legion. Quoting from 
Havelock Ellis, a noted English authority: 
“The dangers of syphilis lie not alone in 
its potency and its persistence but also in its 
prevalence. It is difficult to state the exact 
incidence of syphilis, but a great many par- 
tial investigations have been made in vari- 
ous countries, and it would appear that from 
five to twenty per cent of the population in 
European countries is syphilitic, while about 
fifteen per cent of the syphilitic cases die 
from causes directly or indirectly due to the 
disease. In France generally, Fournier esti- 
mates that seventeen per cent of the whole 
population have had syphilis, and at Tou- 
louse, Audry considers that eighteen per 
cent of all his patients are syphilitic. In 68 
The; Simple Truth 
Copenhagen, where notification is obliga- 
tory, over four per cent of the population are 
said to be syphilitic. In America, a commit- 
tee of the Medical Society of New York ap- 
pointed to investigate the question, reported 
as the result of exhaustive inquiry that in 
the city of New York not less than a quarter 
of a million of cases of venereal disease oc- 
curred every year, and a leading New York 
dermatologist has stated that among the 
better class families he knows intimately at 
least one-third of the sons have had syphilis. 
In Germany eight hundred thousand cases of 
venereal disease are by one estimated to 
occur yearly, and in the larger universities 
twenty-five per cent of the students are in- 
fected every term, venereal diseases being, 
however, specially common among stu- 
dents.” 
Syphilis is caused by a microscopic ani- 
mal called treponema pallidum, which lives 
in the blood and tissues. 
It may be contracted by using unclean 
towels, common drinking cups, kissing, or 
in any way that will bring the virus which 
pervades the discharge from ulcers, or even 
minute wounds of the infected body, in con- 
tact with the blood of a healthy person. The: Simple Truth 
69 
Physicians and surgeons, in the course of 
necessary ministration, not infrequently 
have been infected in the hands from con- 
tact. 
The infection probably cannot pass 
through the unbroken skin, which is the one 
thing that protects the balance of the one 
hundred per cent from getting syphilis. 
The usual mode of contracting the disease 
is by sexual contact. In this country, per- 
haps ninety-five per cent of cases are so con- 
tracted. In Russia, according to one recog- 
nized authority, less than half of all cases 
are acquired by sexual intercourse. 
Syphilis is manifested ten to twenty days 
sometimes longer) after exposure, by ap- 
pearance of the initial sore which at first is 
a pimple, then soon develops into a chancre. 
The chancre is a rather hard mass like a 
small button under the skin, and not very, 
if at all, painful. 
It may ulcerate, or may disappear with- 
out treatment. This constitutes the first 
stage. 
About six weeks after the chancre appears 70 
The; Simple: Truth 
the so-called secondary sores and symptoms 
appear, starting the second stage. 
Headache, sore throat, eruptions, falling 
of hair, and many other signs are symptoms 
of the second stage, which may last for one 
or two years. 
The eruptions, etc., come in crops at vari- 
ous times during this stage, and in many dif- 
fering forms. The disease is most contagious 
during the first and second stages. 
The second stage merges gradually into 
the third stage, which is characterized by 
larger and deeper sores, and may involve 
any or all of the tissues and organs of the 
body—such as the bones, liver, stomach, in- 
testines, blood vessels, heart, lungs, glands, 
brain and spinal cord. 
A so-called fourth stage means the late re- 
sults, years after one stops treatment and 
after disappearance of all previous symp- 
toms ; ten, twenty, or forty years after one 
thinks he is cured. 
At this late time appear such diseases as 
general paralysis, or paresis; and locomotor 
ataxia. The Simple Truth 
71 
These two common conditions are prac- 
tically always due to syphilis and to no 
other cause. 
Locomotor ataxia is the commonest and 
most important of spinal cord diseases. 
Pains and difficulty in walking are promi- 
nent symptons. The sufferer soon becomes 
useless, growing gradually worse during the 
rest of his shortened life. There is little 
chance of a cure. 
General paralysis, sometimes erroneously 
called softening of the brain, is a disease of 
all structures but especially of the brain; 
the outstanding symptoms are rapidly de- 
menting insanity, terminating in death with- 
in a few years. No well developed case ever 
recovered. 
Although paresis makes up but a small 
fraction of permanent diseased conditions 
due to syphilis, ten to twelve per cent of all 
cases of insanity admitted to hospitals are 
cases of paresis. 
In addition to the other consequences of 
syphilis, there must be added countless cases 
of sterility, abortion and dead babies; num- 
berless surviving defectives and weaklings 72 
The Simple Truth 
born of syphilitic parents to afflict the world, 
and suffer from it in turn. 
In the light of fuller knowledge, and inti- 
mate observation of the manifold ravages 
of syphilis, one is appalled by this “Captain 
of the Men of Death.” 
If one should contract the disease, inno- 
cently or otherwise, there is but one course 
to pursue: consult reputable physicians, and 
follow their advice scrupulously. 
It is thought to be curable, if treated prop- 
erly, and over a long time; but at best, one 
who has been infected is never quite him- 
self again. 
All that has been said about the matter 
of proper treatment, and of quacks, in con- 
nection with gonorrhea, is applicable to 
syphilis; but it is far more important to heed 
the advice. 
Venereal disease claims its victims in pal- 
ace and hovel alike—without distinguishing 
between the innocent and the erring. 
It is estimated by different observers that 
from thirty to eighty per cent of all men in 
the United States, sooner or later, contract 
some form of venereal disease. The; Simple Truth 
73 
About midway between those figures, or 
say fifty per cent, would be near enough the 
truth. And that is the most terrible truth 
of our social life. 
The shame of it is that society has always 
frowned upon the truth, or turned an un- 
heeding ear to those who would warn the 
world of these perils. 
Even now the people are awakening but 
slowly to the realization that venereal dis- 
ease is the greatest menace to the health of 
the race. 74 
The Simple Truth 
PROSTITUTES OR WHORES 
Prostitutes are women who submit their 
bodies for hire. 
There are many of them, especially in 
large cities, and they are numbered by tens 
of thousands in each of the largest cities of 
the world. 
The common, ordinary whore, or street 
walking variety, is practically certain to be- 
come infected in a very short time with one 
or more venereal diseases. 
The more careful and discriminating 
smaller class of prostitutes, or those whc 
play mistress to one man (or more) at a 
time, are less apt to be diseased, although a 
goodly percentage are sooner or later af- 
fected. 
The “occasional” whore, the “private 
snap,” or those who go in for this sort of 
thing mostly for the fun and excitement, are 
very sure to become diseased, as this class 
is notoriously careless and the least cleanly. 
Most prostitutes are mental or moral de- 
fectives, although many do evince some good 
qualities of head and heart. However, be- The; Simple: Truth 
75 
ing under the ban of society, and spat upon 
by even those who patronize them, they 
soon grow calloused in the finer sensibilities 
of the sex, and ignore absolutely the inter- 
ests and health of others, so that they are 
perfectly conscienceless in spreading dis- 
ease. 
A most common form of deception re- 
sorted to by whores, for the purpose of get- 
ting “business,” is to feign a lustful feeling 
of affection for the customer, and by every 
artifice try to beguile the hapless sucker to 
his ultimate sorrow. 
It can be imagined what little chance one 
has of escaping disease, when in commerce 
with prostitutes. 
As a purely business proposition, from the 
standpoint of profit and loss—dealings with 
lewd women are always a losing game. 
The expected pleasures and benefits are 
many times over counterbalanced by the evil 
results. 
Boasts often heard from the vainglorious 
of successful affairs and escapades with wo- 
men may fill the uninitiated with envy and 
longings for similar experiences; but the 
day should not be praised till evening, for 76 
The Simple Truth 
in this particular business the morning 
promise nearly always turns to penitence 
before night. 
The facts are that many of such boasts 
are made purely as a result of wish-inspired 
fabrications. 
If the boaster tells the truth, he is at least 
betraying a confidence, and is a despicable 
creature; if he lies, he then maligns a wo- 
man and is a scoundrel. 
Even if one should for a time seem to 
revel in a shower of feminine favors, nature 
and the world keep perfect books; they 
never omit to enter a debit, and inexorably 
exact full payment. 
An erroneous teaching, which has influ- 
enced some in taking chance in the field of 
sexual adventure, is a belief in the efficiency 
of various contrivances and methods of pre- 
vention against venereal disease. 
There is no perfectly safe way of preven- 
tion, except non-exposure. 
The feeling of security in the use of any 
preventive method is sometimes the very 
means of leading one to acquire disease. The; Simple: Truth 
77 
Another source of mischief lies in the false 
information conveyed by exhibits in drug 
stores, and advertisements in print, designed 
to impress one with the efficacy of various 
methods, or medicines, in preventing con- 
ception (pregnancy). 
As was stated under prevention of dis- 
ease, so again here; non-exposure is the only 
safe preventive. 
Also, sometimes the thought is suggested 
that, even if conception has taken place, cer- 
tain “remedies” would produce abortion. 
No dependence can be placed in these 
“remedies”—any medicine powerful enough 
to be effective is extremely dangerous to use 
for such purposes. 
Still another erroneous belief held by not 
a few people is that doctors regard such mat- 
ters lightly, and will “help you out” by per- 
forming an operation. 
This is not true. While some doctors do 
yield to pleadings of distress, or to the lure 
of lucre, most physicians are too self-re- 
specting to become parties to a crime for 
hire. 
Furthermore, many abortions, done even 
by doctors, result badly, and often end in 
death. 78 
The Simple Truth 
PERVERSIONS 
Perversions now and then are encoun- 
tered. 
A pervert or sexual degenerate is one who 
derives sexual satisfaction in unusual ways, 
or by practicing unnatural methods. 
Masturbation is not to be considered a 
perversion, unless practiced to uncontrol- 
able excess, or in preference to the normal 
act. 
Constitutional perverts or inverts are 
born with the taint. Perversions may also 
be acquired. 
Perverts or inverts may have criminal 
tendencies in connection with sexual excite- 
ment, and often mutilation and murder has 
been done, in pursuance of their lustful at- 
tempts upon others. Therefore they are al- 
ways to be classed as dangerous, and a 
menace to society for various reasons; even 
if only because of contamination of the 
young. 
They should be severely shunned. IV. CONCLUSION 
The one purpose running through this 
book is to give a sane answer to the eternal 
question: What is the best way to get the 
most good from the sexual endowment? 
In seeking for the answer, everyone ex- 
periences conflicting emotions, uncertainty 
of decision, and temptations to depart from 
the path marked out by teachers of morality, 
and social custom. 
To be fair and truthful, it must be ad- 
mitted that the outwardly approved custom 
does not always square with actual prac- 
tice. And this is a perpetual source of per- 
plexity to one just entering into the respon- 
sibilities of life, leading often to a wrong 
course. 
The natural modesty of boys, as well as 
girls, is a strong barrier against immorality; 
but this barrier is too often penetrated by 
influences arising out of prurient hypocrisy, 
which is fostered by lack of true knowledge 
of sex in its social relations. 
In conclusion, let me once again remind 80 
The; Simple; Truth 
the reader that illicit sexual commerce never 
pays, because: 
If dealing with prostitutes or promiscuous 
women, whether for love or for money, ve- 
nereal disease is the great overshadowing 
danger; but many other troubles also inevit- 
ably go with it. 
If dealing with young girls, great wrong 
may be done, leading to possible dire conse- 
quences; and to compunctions of conscience 
long after the fleeting pleasures have been 
forgotten. Or else, as a result, be the girl 
innocent or not, one may be led to make a 
marriage against choice, which would be 
calamitous to one or both parties. 
If the objects of desire be married women, 
remember that—He who invades the sanc- 
tity of a home, steals what is, usually, not 
worth the theft; and pursuing a vagrant 
fancy whose best promise is of little worth, 
must tread a perilous path at hazard with 
tragedy, which, when it wins, strikes all con- 
cerned. 
So, in the fullness of experience, whether 
considered from the viewpoint of the gay 
Lothario of many escapades, the roue, sati- 
ated in a life time of sexual extravagance, 
the miserable syphilitic derelict, or the proud The: Simple: Truth 
81 
father of a healthy family, there is only one 
logical ideal: 
Live a clean, wholesome life, according to 
the laws of nature, and of reason. 
To you, my own little boys, every moment 
of whose lives I would have “jeweled with a 
joy,” knowing beyond the peradventure of 
a doubt, that herein I am right, I make the 
plea that each one of you may cherish, and 
be guided by that ideal. 
Early marriage—twenty-one to twenty- 
five—is best. Late marriage is not quite as 
nature designed; and, unless conditioned by 
some special reasons, bachelor life, for a 
man or woman is, compared to the more nat- 
ural state, like a flower of duller shades and 
fainter perfume. 
I here record appreciation and thanks to 
those friends and colleagues whose criticism 
and suggestions have been helpful. 
Especially am I grateful to my associate 
and friend, Dr. Dwight S. Moore, whose 
wide experience and attainments have been 
of material aid in the completion of this 
booklet. V. SUPPLEMENTARY 
The workings of the human mind have at- 
tracted the attention of philosophers and 
scientists from the earliest times. 
Reference has frequently been made to 
the influence of mental states upon the sex- 
ual, and other functions; here it may not be 
amiss to review some features of mental 
processes, in relation to emotions, mental 
habits, and the personality, with which the 
sexual manifestations are so intimately in- 
terwoven. 
A child is born with its nervous system, 
of which the brain is the great centre, prac- 
tically complete; but it is devoid of mental 
experience. 
The instincts are inherent tendencies. 
At birth, with the first sensation of con- 
tact with a cold world, and the first gasp of 
breath, mental life begins. 
Every subsequent sensation of touch, 
pain, temperature, sight, hearing, smell, The Simple Truth 
83 
taste and the sensations originating within 
the body, are registered in the brain. 
These sense impressions are interpreted, 
analyzed and associated into ideas. Ideas 
are associated, and elaborated into judg- 
ments. 
The will, acting upon judgements, deter- 
mines action. 
These processes are called thinking. 
Conscious memory is the knowledge of 
facts previously experienced, and recalled as 
such. 
In a wider sense, memory is the faculty 
by which all sensations and reactions are 
registered upon the organism (chiefly the 
brain), and have a definite influence upon 
future activities. In other words, every new 
sensation and reaction is added to the pre- 
vious store of knowledge and experience, 
and inevitably exercises influence upon fu- 
ture actions. 
The sum total of sensations, thinking, and 
actions, and the awareness of these, is called 
consciousness. 
The realization that the conscious experi- 
ences belong to one’s own body, coupled 84 
The: Simple: Truth 
with memories of past experiences, and an- 
ticipations for the future, makes up the per- 
sonality, or individuality. 
Accompanying the activities of conscious- 
ness is that subtle something which is called 
feeling, or emotion; and this may be either 
pleasant or unpleasant; agreeable or dis- 
agreeable. Examples: Fear, anger, pain, 
joy, sorrow, anxiety, worry, satisfaction, dis- 
appointment, etc. 
Feeling, or emotion, arises: 
I. In connection with sensations received 
through the sense organs, as sight, hearing, 
taste, pain, etc. 
II. In connection with the intellectual 
phase of desire, and of what is right or 
wrong in conduct and character. 
The power of moral discrimination is 
called conscience. 
Every shade of emotion has a significance, 
a definite effect upon bodily functions, and 
a definite influence in shaping the mental 
status, thinking and conduct. 
Generally speaking, those things which 
are helpful, constructive, tending to preser- The: Simple: Truth 
85 
vation of the individual and the race, pro- 
duce pleasant or agreeable feelings. 
Those which are harmful, destructive, 
tending to extinction, produce unpleasant, 
disagreeable or painful feelings. Hence emo- 
tions serve as indicators, or guides to action; 
one instinctively seeks that which is pleas- 
ant, and shuns that which is unpleasant. 
But human beings may not follow the 
pure dictates of nature, where that course 
comes in conflict with contingencies imposed 
by social environment. 
It may be remarked that the impulses of 
instinct, which in all animals tend to defi- 
nite predetermined reactions, become modi- 
fiable in proportion to the development of 
brain functions. The grade of brain devel- 
opment is reflected by the degree of train- 
ing of which an animal is capable, and by 
the complexity of emotional manifestation. 
Not until man’s level is reached are the 
native impulses held, in a measure, sub- 
servient to abstract reasoning, and the eth- 
ical, altruistic manifestations made possible. 
The child, unhampered by knowledge or 
necessity, follows impulses of the natural in- 86 
The; Simple: Truth 
stincts. As time goes on, its store of knowl- 
edge and experience increases; the power of 
reasoning develops more and more; con- 
science comes into being (and is always 
modified by training and surrounding influ- 
ences) ; and so he learns to control the nat- 
ural impulses, more or less. 
It is common experience that success in 
pursuit of desire is accompanied by pleas- 
urable emotions of satisfaction, content- 
ment, etc., while failure causes feelings of 
dissatisfaction and depression. 
In all moral questions of right and wrong, 
conscience stands an uncompromising cen- 
sor-thoughts or conduct, in harmony with 
right, being approved by the censor, give 
pleasurable emotions of well being, elation, 
pride, etc. 
Thoughts or conduct, out of harmony with 
the right, are accompanied by feelings of 
self-reproach, shame, dejection, etc. 
Emotions afifect the individual in propor- 
tion to their intensity and duration. 
Unlike the emotions arising from the 
sense organs, which are brief or of momen- 
tary duration, the emotions of intellectual The Simple Truth 
87 
origin—especially disagreeable ones—are 
apt to be prolonged, and may be continued 
indefinitely as memories. 
It should be stated that nature is liberal, 
and allows a wide latitude for the harmless 
play of emotions; they can be injurious only 
when violently manifested, or when pro- 
longed by a fostering indulgence into a 
habit of mind, such as anxiety, worry, fear, 
etc. 
Long continued anxiety, worry, fear, have 
direct and baneful effects upon all bodily 
functions, as digestion, circulation, and the 
vital chemistry of body changes; and are 
accountable for a vast deal of invalidism, 
suffering and inefficiency. Whereas, cheer- 
ful, hopeful mental states have opposite, 
beneficial effects. 
It is a fundamental law of nature that all 
mental reactions are made easier by repeti- 
tion, and tend to become established as 
habits of thought. 
Obviously then, one may control to a con- 
siderable extent, the occurrence of emotions 
and formation of mental habits: 
I. By choosing one’s environment and 
associates. 88 
The; Simple; Truth 
There is nothing lost in nature; every 
stimulus or influence that reaches the or- 
ganism has an effect which is conditioned by 
the individual’s habitual frame of mind; 
hence 
II. By directing one’s thoughts, and 
setting up ideals in harmony with the dic- 
tates of wisdom. 
If the “wisdom of man can be measured 
by his foresight,” it is wise to look ahead 
and anticipate human events by taking a 
course that makes for pleasant emotions and 
good habits of mind—avoiding that which 
is antagonistic. 
If vicious habits have already been formed 
the principle of conduct should be to re- 
place them; and this is accomplished best 
by employing one’s time in wholesome pur- 
suits. 
Physical exercise in the shape of work is 
the one most effective preventive of bad 
habits of mind and body; and the most po- 
tent corrective of habits already formed. 
The physical work promotes healthful 
functioning of the body, and the uncon- 
sciously enforced participation of the mind 
precludes the possibility of indulging in un- The Simple Truth 
89 
productive or vicious day dreaming, and de- 
velops decision of purpose through the dis- 
cipline. 
Cultivate a cheerful attitude. 
Look at the bright side. 
Avoid a too serious view of life. 
Cherish clean ideals. 
Let desire be legitimate, and for that 
which one may reasonably hope to attain. 
Remember that right conduct only issues 
from the desire to do right. 
The mistakes and failures which attend 
honest effort are not occasions for vain re- 
grets. Rather are they to be regarded as 
incidents on the road to ultimate success— 
as necessary materials in the building of 
strong character. 
For many reasons, natural and social, 
which must be obvious to all, the sexual in- 
stinct is peculiarly productive of emotions, 
and plays a paramount role in the formation 
of character. It is the center around which 
revolve the most compelling desires, the 
dearest hopes, the darkest despair, and the 
serenest happiness of life. 90 
The Simple Truth 
In the light of the simple facts of body, 
and mind, as set forth in this volume, one 
may choose happiness or sorrow, much as 
he will. 
He may elect to be a spendthrift, and dis- 
sipate the splendid gifts bestowed upon him 
by nature; or he may wisely conserve the 
sweets—not only that he might enjoy the 
normal functions of his body all his days, 
but that he may pass on to posterity fit can- 
didates for the Aristocracy of Heredity—the 
only aristocracy worth while. 
As man is, largely, a bundle of habits, 
the mind may be compared to a garden; 
good habits to flowers; bad habits to weeds. 
That one may develop this garden it is 
necessary, first of all, to learn to distinguish 
the weeds from the flowers, not only when 
they are full grown, but especially while 
they are yet young—and to distinguish the 
seed. 
Weeds grow without cultivation, and are 
hardy; flowers require cultivation, and are 
less hardy, until deeply rooted. 
The most effective and useful time to cul- 
tivate is in the springtime. The Simple Truth 
91 
The chief task is to overcome the weeds 
—all else is easy. 
When the garden is once started right, 
comparatively little attention will keep the 
weeds out; and the flowers will grow, and 
bloom in the fullness of their fragrance and 
beauty.