“A helping Hand-book for victims of Follies of Youth”

A numinous gem found in the library of the Maha Mantra Meditation Hall – a Hare Krishna temple in Penang, Malaysia, where I stayed for a brief spell back in 1990. At that time, this was a marvellous place to meet wild, free spirited travellers looking for free board and lodging on the ragged roads of the East – the only requirement being to get up before dawn and chant Hare Hare for a bit – yet the characters and curry were exceptional.

In Manhood Rescued, we find the quietly hysterical, delusional, if righteous conceit of man, demonstrating the dazzlingly pompous nature of the opinionated.

“Sure Cure for Masturbation and the Resulting Disorders” …

For better or for worse, I was never cured of such distractions as promised by Dr Benedict Lust, the father of Naturopathy would you believe, however, it’s an entertaining read.

I have no date of publication, or further content sadly, but the period is early 1920’s and the foreword should suffice to arouse in you the deliriously delightful irony.

Without further ado, I give you, Dr. Benedict Lust:

 

FOREWORD

MASTURBATION or other diseases of the generative organs are subjects which are generally taboo in ordinary conversation. They are the ills of seclusion! Unmentionables! Nevertheless they are all too common to our daily life. In this volume the author treats the subject of masturbation frankly. He fearlessly pronounces a cure – a cure that from its very simplicity must appeal to the common sense of the addict of this most terrifying and unnatural habit.

The author does not condemn the afflicted – he does not dwell upon the causes nor does he point a finger of shame at the lack of self-control, the weakness of will or the violations of God’s law. He merely advises the adoption of his remedies and shows how it is possible to overcome this evil practice in a manner that should grip the frayed imagination of the man who is seeking vainly to throw off this ever-tightening tentacle of the devil.

The language is simple, understandable, and the regime of conduct which constitutes the foreground of the remedy is easily followed. He admits that masturbation must be self-cured – and that a direct appeal must be made to the psychology of the afflicted. This small volume is sure to rouse in the mind of the most abject follower of this devastating habit a realization that the author knows whereof he speaks and the treatment indicated can be safely followed to an assured successful termination.

Civilization needs more treatises along these lines – cures couched in everyday words – written so forcibly that the sincerity of the author and the efficacy of the remedy is engraved upon the inner being of the reader. As stated above masturbation must be overcome by the person affected and anyone who follows the program of Dr. Singh is most certain to acquire the self-respect, the conscientiousness of decency and the strength of character to conquer this most vicious habit – a habit that is stronger than liquor, more destructive than drugs and more universal than all other vices combined. And what is even better, Dr. Singh shows how the battle may be won in secret – without a confession of guilt to any one but God.

BENEDICT LUST,
M.D, N.D.

New York, N.Y.
USA