Why I'm a Misguided Young Man (by 1917 standards)

From "Sex-hygiene: a talk to college boys"
Published 1917

MASTURBATION

It is painful to be obliged to speak of a practice, regrettably common among misguided young men, who, for the sake of the pleasurable sensations experienced, artificially arouse their generative organs to the acme of activity. This is variously known as self-abuse, self-pollution, masturbation, and onanism. To a normal mind this habit is so grossly offensive as to excite intense disgust. From the hygienic point of view it is at best a reckless and unjustifiable waste of precious energy; at worst, it may cause physical and mental wreck. On this matter, however, it is very important that I be not misunderstood. It is undoubtedly true that the habit may continue years without producing noticeable deterioration of health; but, even in these cases of apparent exemption from serious consequences, there is likely to be established such a perversion of the generative nature as to unfit the sufferer for the sexual functions that should find their fullest and most valuable expression in the relations of the marital state. He, who delights himself by plucking all the blossoms from his tree, should not expect the pleasures that atted the gathering of fruit. In general, the health is not ruined, as is alleged in the quack advertisements that deface and disgrace some journals that are allowed to enter our homes, but the fact remains that the practice is low, filthy, bestial, and degrading.

Whatever may be said in depreciation of self-pollution, it immediately injures only the person who practices it, and by so much is less evil than a method of sensual gratification that involves another. That is far from excusing it - it is merely equivalent to saying that one who squanders what is his own, does less harm that on who robs another of his fortune, which he can never replace. The solitary vice, being vice, is bad; but the social evil is vastly more vicious.