ONAN ESCHEWED - Rick Grunder

NOT ON OCLC, which shows longer works of different subtitles by this
same firm, ca. 1847-64, preceded by a Birmingham version of unspecified length,
1841 at the British Library. All appear to be rare, located in only one copy each
(except for one of the 1847 versions, of 190 pp., found in two locations). Quoting
from a bookseller from whom I obtained this item in 1999:
The Drs. R. & L. Perry warn of the dangers of onanism which they claim may
lead to madness and "diseases arising from the undue excitement of the
generative system, together with those incidental forms of acute disorder, which,
if neglected, terminate in the horribly wasting forms of constitutional
disorganization." Fortunately, the doctors offer a remedy, prepared and bottled
by themselves, "The Cordial Balm of Syriacum" for which there is a full-page
advertisement [illustrated, p. (67, mis-numbered 76)], including authorized
distributers [sic] and prices, and discounts if you buy in bulk. The second part,
on venereal diseases is illustrated with graphic plates and is also accompanied by
an advertisement for "Messrs. Perry's Concentrated Detersive Essence, an Anti-
Syphilitic Remedy . . ." The work ends with testimonials from satisfied
customers.
MASTURBATION occupies half the book, pp. 10-71, and the language is both
scholarly and elegant compared to most works of the period. (For a tawdry
American take-off exploiting this work, its illustrations and medicines, see
William Earl, The Illustrated Silent Friend; item 24). The back page announces
that . . .
MESSRS. PERRY & CO.
MAY BE PERSONALLY CONSULTED AT THEIR ESTABLISHMENT,
19, BERNERS STREET OXFORD STREET,
LONDON,
PUNCTUALLY FROM ELEVEN TILL TWO AND FIVE TILL EIGHT,
AND ON SUNDAYS FROM TEN TILL TWELVE,
AND IT IS NECESSARY TO OBSERVE THAT
ONLY ONE PERSONAL VISIT IS REQUIRED,
FROM A COUNTRY PATIENT.
83 PIERCE, R[ay]. V[aughn]. THE PEOPLE'S COMMON SENSE MEDICAL
ADVISER in Plain English; Or, MEDICINE SIMPLIFIED. By R. V. Pierce, M.D.,
Founder of the Invalids' Hotel, and President of the World's Dispensary Medical
Association. Twelfth Revised Edition. 240th Thousand. Buffalo, N.Y.: Published at
the World's Dispensary Printing-office and Bindery, 1883 [c. 1883].
87