the same experience in dancing; felt the same strangely sweet emotions, 

and felt that almost imperative necessity for a closer communion than 

that which even the freedom of a waltz permits, without knowing exactly 

why, or even comprehending what. 

"'Married now, with home and children around me, I can at least thank 

God for the experience which will assuredly be the means of preventing 

my little daughters from indulging in any such dangerous pleasure. But, 

if a young girl, pure and innocent in the beginning, can be brought 

to feel what I have confessed to have felt, what must be the experience 

of a married woman? _She_ knows what every glance of the eye, every 

bend of the head, every close clasp means, and knowing that, 

reciprocates it, and is led by swifter steps and a surer path down the 

dangerous, dishonorable road. 

"'I doubt if my experience will be of much service, but it is the candid 

truth, from a woman who, in the cause of all the young girls who may 

be contaminated, desires to show just to what extent a young mind may 

be defiled by the injurious effects of round dances. I have not 

hesitated to lay bare what are a young girl's most secret thoughts, 

in the hope that people will stop and consider, at least, before handing 

their lilies of purity over to the arms of any one who may choose to 

blow the frosty breath of dishonor on their petals.'" 

Much more might be added on this important subject, would the limits 

of this work allow; but this must suffice. We beg the reader to consider 

carefully and prayerfully the facts presented before deciding that 

dancing is so harmless as many persons suppose. 

Physical Causes of Unchastity.--Some of the physical causes of impurity 

in women have been previously referred to, since it is through physical 

injuries that unhealthful clothing exerts its influence. Too little 

is generally known of the intimate connection between physical and 

mental conditions. Doubtless, many vices originate in physical 

imperfections. Indeed, when the full bearing of physical influences 

upon the mind is allowed, it is difficult to avoid pleading extenuating 

circumstances in the cases of the greatest share of transgressors of 

both moral and civil laws. This principle is especially applicable to 

sexual relations. 

In males, one of the most general physical causes of sexual excitement 

is _constipation_. The vesicula seminalis, in which the seminal fluid 

is stored, is situated, as will be remembered, at the base of the bladder. 

It thus has the bladder in front, and the rectum behind. In constipation, 

the rectum becomes distended with feces, effete matter which should 

have been promptly evacuated instead of being allowed to accumulate. 

This hardened mass presses upon the parts most intimately concerned 

in the sexual act, causing excessive local excitement. When this 

condition is chronic, as in habitual constipation, the unnatural 

excitement often leads to most serious results. One of these is the 

production of a horrible disease, _satyriasis_, the nature of which