The reader will allow that it can not be for want of materials to produce a book, that this subject is introduced, as the multifarious nature of this work’s contents will readily testify; but it is briefly to explain certain probabilities and conjectures which the afflicted curious are generally desirous of being satisfied upon. Who ever suffered under syphilis but was solicitous to know how such a plague came into the world? Many moralists believe and insist that it is a specific punishment, sent for our physical transgressions. Philosophically speaking, such it is; because the infringement of any natural law always incurs a penalty. However, if it be a manifestation of divine displeasure, it certainly is most unequally apportioned; for it generally happens to the least licentious, instead of the most depraved—the timid, scrupulous, and nervous man, contracting it on the first loose intercourse, whereas the man of the town revels almost with impunity; and, lastly, he who exercises the greatest caution and cleanliness escapes it altogether, although he may be the most deserving of the infliction. In a state of timorous excitement, we are more apt to catch the latent mischief. The careless, thoughtless libertine, hardened against infection by indifference, free living, and probably strong health, often escapes scot-free; and the cool and calculating pleasure-hunter, who exercises those useful antagonists to disease, namely, ablution and selection, comes off triumphant with still greater certainty.

The point at issue is, when the disease first arose, and where. Medical historians give credit to America, Spain, and France, for its propagation; and controversies have been carried on by various parties, each disclaiming the honor. Now, as I do not propose to analyze the authorities, but simply to venture my own opinion, with the reasons for the same, I have no alternative but to refer the reader, if he be dissatisfied with my attempted exposition, to more comprehensive and elaborate conjectures than my own. Starting upon the proposition that nature’s laws are unalterable, and believing that fever is, and has been fever since the creation of the world; that a cut finger has healed by the first intention, or hasfestered, and ever may do so—each condition being modified by the state of health of the party, and the nature of the wound; that a broken limb was attended with the same consequences in the year 1 as it will be in the year 1900; and that dirtiness generated itch, and does so still: I can not reconcile myself to any other belief, but that any violation of the laws whereupon sexual intercourse has been permitted, has been, is, and will be, attended with corresponding results; and as such violations most likely exist