28.  “AS IN THE BOY, SO IN THE GIRL, self-abuse causes an undue amount of blood to flow to those organs, thus depriving other parts of the body of its nourishment, the weakest part first showing the effect of want of sustenance.  All that has been said upon this loathsome subject in the preceding chapter for boys might well be repeated here, but space forbids.  Read that chapter again, and know that the same signs that betray the boy will make known the girl addicted to the vice.  The bloodless lips, the dull, heavy eye surrounded with dark rings, the nerveless hand, the blanched cheek, the short breath, the old, faded look, the weakened memory and silly irritability tell the story all too plainly.  The same evil result follows, ending perhaps in death, or worse, in insanity.  Aside from the injury the girl does herself by yielding to this habit, there is one other reason which appeals to the conscience, and that is, self-abuse is an offence against moral law it is putting to a vile, selfish use the organs which were given for a high, sacred purpose.

29.  “LET THEM ALONE, except to care for them when care is needed, and they may prove the greatest blessing you have ever known.  They were given you that you might become a mother, the highest office to which God has ever called one of His creatures.  Do not debase yourself and become lower than the beasts of the field.  If this habit has fastened itself upon any one of our readers, stop it now.  Do not allow yourself to think about it, give up all evil associations, seek pure companions, and go to your mother, older sister, or physician for advice.

30.  “AND YOU, MOTHER, knowing the danger that besets your daughters at this critical period, are you justified in keeping silent?  Can you be held guiltless if your daughter ruins body and mind because you were too modest to tell her the laws of her being?  There is no love that is dearer to your daughter than yours, no advice that is more respected than yours, no one whose warning would be more potent.  Fail not in your duty.  As motherhood has been your sweetest joy, so help your daughter to make it hers.”

[Illustration:  YOUNG GARFIELD DRIVING TEAM ON THE CANAL.]

* * * * *

SAVE THE BOYS.

PLAIN WORDS TO PARENTS.

1.  With a shy look, approaching his mother when she was alone, the boy of fifteen said, “There are some things I want to ask you.  I hear the boys speak of them at school, and I don’t understand, and a fellow doesn’t like to ask any one but his mother.”

2.  Drawing him down to her, in the darkness that was closing about them, the mother spoke to her son and the son to his mother freely of things which everybody must know sooner or later, and which no boy should learn from “anyone but his mother” or father.

3.  If you do not answer such a natural question your boy will turn for answer to others, and learn things, perhaps, which your cheeks may well blush to have him know.