Leopold Casper

  • The nervous system's power of resistance, especially that of the affected centers, is so slight that the most trivial stimulation produces the maximum of irritability, as the result of which ejaculation ensues; or, conversely, the normal tonicity of the ejaculatory duct is raised to the highest point, so that the semen flows away spontaneously or escapes upon the slightest pressure.

    Thus, sexual excesses may cause this symptom, either directly or by inducing neurasthenia. Of the sexual excesses masturbation occupies the first rank; it is immaterial whether it be physical, that is, practised by frictioning the penis, or only psychical, an ejaculation being induced by conjuring up voluptuous fancies.

    At present we do not believe in the dreadful results of masturbation described by Lallemand and Tissot, but yet it must be conceded that if the habit is persisted in for years it will impair the soundness of both body and mind, that it will result in enfecblement and hyperaesthesia of the nervous system. It is not so much the numerous losses of semen as it is the effect of the frequently repeated stimulation upon the nervous system which brings about this condition. The frequency with which masturbation is practised explains why abnormal pollutions result more frequently from this habit than from sexual excesses.1
  • Casper regarded spermatorrhea [the involuntary emission of semen without orgasm] and neurasthenia [nervous disorders] as going hand in hand, and that both result from excessive seminal losses through sexual excess.2

Footnotes:

1. Casper, Leopold, A Text-book of genito-urinary diseases: Including Functional Sexual Disorders in Man (1906), P. Blakiston's Son & Co.

2. Dr. Bernard. R.W., Science Discovers the Physiological Value of Continence. (1957) Health Research: Pomeroy