A Solemn Appeal

17/56

INFLUENCE UPON THE MIND

“The dependence of mind upon organic conditions, upon cell-development of the brain - as stated in a previous chapter - is such that the effects of self-abuse are quite as apparent upon the mind as upon the body; and derangements here are often the first intimation received by friends that something is wrong in the beloved one. SOAP 90.2

“The sufferer from this vice becomes listless, inattentive, indifferent. There is an inability to concentrate the mind, or apply it with any degree of vigor; want of interest in friends; loss of self-control; failure of memory, and difficulty of conducting conversation. The reasoning is disconnected, and oftentimes the mental powers entirely fail; the victim becomes diffident, bashful, and ashamed, and seldom looks people in the face. His love of books is lost, history becomes a blank, the glowing pages of romance charm no more, the poet’s spell hath lost its power, music’s witchery is dead, the beauties of art are passed unheeded by, the loveliest landscape is but an arid desert, and nature’s most sublime endeavors fail to arouse the soul of him who has long been contaminated by this loathsome vice.” SOAP 90.3