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396 ESOTERIC ANTHROPOLOGY.
Every function, when itself in healthy action, is a
fountain of life and energy to all the rest of the system.'
Thus the healthy soul gives' strength and beauty to the
body ; thus the brain showers down its energy upon
the organic system ; thus the organic system nourishes
all the organs of animal life ; and in the same way the
generative powers give force, and spirit, and intense
vigor to every organ of the body and every passion of
the soul. It is like the mutual interpenetration and in
fluence of the elements of nature. The water dissolves
earth and atmosphere ; the air contains vapor of water,
telluric emanations, and vegetable and animal aromas ;
the earth is penetrated by water and air, and all are
pervaded by the active forces of heat, electricity, etc.
But when a function is diseased, it brings pain, dis
order, and weakness to every other. Poison the brain,
and the whole system reels ; let disease attack the
stomach or intestines, and life trembles ; exhaust, or
disorder in any way the generative function, and the
whole being suffers. If you have read my description
of the nature and action of this function, you will be
able to understand the terrible effects of its morbid con
ditions.
Some of the diseases of the generative system are
common to both sexes, some peculiar to each.
Masturbation, or the solitary indulgence of amative
ness, I have already spoken of as a cause of disease ;
but it is none the less truly a disease,
or a diseased
manifestation. Those who practice it are more unfor
tunate than guilty. an Inheriting excess of passional
desire, and a peculiar excitability of organism, the}- fall
into this habit as the morbid expression of morbid feelings.