that this event implies. It is the worrying over the situation which causes depletion of vitality, loss of appetite and a general feeling of ineffectiveness.
While the more widespread dissemination of sexual enlightenment during the first quarter of the twentieth century has helped the young man to understand his sexual problems, there must be countless numbers of boys and young men who have not been adequately informed on this subject.
Quacks, under the guise of so-called "specialists" in men's diseases, have made the most of these occurrences by advertising to cure "lost manhood," "nervous debility," etc. The cunningly written advertisements have been deliberately worded to refer to nocturnal emissions, and have secretly terrified many an uninformed youth who has associated the extravagantly illuminated and misrepresented symptoms with his own experience.
The young man may be assured that occasional emissions at night, ordinarily two or three a month, are perfectly natural and may be expected. There is, however, some variation in the frequency of the discharges and they may occur either more or less often than the average of twice or three times a month. Too frequent night emissions are apt to be weakening, and indicate that the youth is perhaps too preoccupied with erotic fancies, or is injudicious in his diet.
Eating heavily of proteins—eggs, meats, game, fish, etc., and rich, heavy foods, will cause an increased amount of secretion, and necessarily, of course, a more frequent relieving of the tension by an emission. The diet might be modified by cutting down the meats, eggs, and other proteins, and eating more liberally of fruits and fresh, green vegetables. This will also promote the activity of the bowels, a healthy token in general.
If the young man permits himself to dwell upon erotic
