(From in, not, and potens, able). Impotence in men is the same in its effect as sterility in women, that is, an inability to propagate their species; but in the causes and the circumstances these states greatly differ.

In each case there is a failure of propagation; but, in each, there is by no means an unfitness for the venereal act. Sterility in women, indeed, often arises, like impotence in men, from a coldness of constitution, which admits not of due excitement; but it is also owing to the causes which separate the foetus almost as soon as formed. From men who are impotent no impregnation takes place.

The great causes of impotence in men are organic defects and debility. We have shown, that in generation the semen must be carried to the uterus, and probably to the Fallopian tube; but in this ultimate destination it is apparently assisted by the action of the womb itself. To carry it to this organ requires a free passage through the urethra, no inconsiderable activity in the ejaculatory muscles, and the full distention of the corpora cavernosa. The free passage is sometimes prevented by strictures in the urethra, and sometimes, as in a case recorded by Petit, by a faulty direction of the orifices through which the semen passes. A natural phymosis has been found also an obstruction to the free discharge of the seminal fluid. A severe priapism seems occasionally to constrict the cavity of the urethra, or of the entrance of the vasa deferentia; for in this disease there is no emission, and the feelings are those of violent pain rather than of pleasure. Intoxication, in some men, will produce this violent spasm, and unfit them for the completion of the venereal act. See Priaiismus.

Debility, however, from too frequent or unnatural indulgences, is the most common cause, shown by an imperfect erection of the penis, or too weak a discharge of the semen: the latter is often a consequence of the former. In some weak habits the discharge immediately follows the slightest irritation, cither of the parts or of the mind. Dreams so imperfect as scarcely to be remembered will occasion it, and this arises from the increase of irritability, in consequence of debility. From its remote cause, tonics, and the most stimulant nutriments, are employed; but the only remedies are those which lessen irritability, viz. camphor, opium, and henbane, or hemlock. Washing the penis and scrotum, morning and evening, with cold water, and dashing the water against these parts from a bidet, are often usefulj; but it is necessary to remove every alluring or enticing object; to guard against every lascivious thought. When impotence arises from so great a debility as to admit of the discharge of semen by the efforts to relieve the belly, the strongest tonics and astringents are required.

It has been supposed by some authors, that, in such cases, the semen wants its usual stimulating properties, as it is observed to be unusually fluid; but of this there is no evidence; and, as the discharge is so readily excited, we think it more probable that its fluidity depends on its not being allowed to stagnate.

Mr. Hunter has, we think, refined unnecessarily on this subject, by stating one cause of impotence to be a want of correspondence in the successive actions of secretion and discharge. If the first is too rapid for that erected state of the penis which renders the ejaculation effectual, it constitutes this disease as certainly as when the action of the muscles of the latter is too quick for the former. Debility, and its consequent state of irritability, are sufficient to explain all the circumstances of the case without such recondite researches. In general, where there are corresponding actions of two connected parts, it is very unusual to find them separated. Each may be weakened; but from habit each will partake of the disease, and will act together as before, but with diminished power.

A singular cause of impotency is recorded in the Medical Essays of Edinburgh, where each attempt was followed by an epileptic paroxysm. From what has been said on that disease, it will not be surprising, that, in a mobile habit, disposed to convulsions, a stimulus so violent should bring on a paroxysm. The reasoning and the cure were equally ridiculous; nor is this a single specimen where physicians have succeeded by accident, and have really taken a readier road for the relief of the diseased than they themselves suspected. The state of the mind, it is observed, has a considerable influence on the powers of the body, particularly in the venereal act. The body, Mr. Hunter remarks, should not only be in a state of health, but the mind free from apprehensions, anxiety, and distress. The mere anxiety of excelling in this act has been no uncommon cause of disappointment. A state of hope, a consciousness of crime, a recollection of former failures, equally enervate the body. Such causes of impotence are to be clearly distinguished from real defects, since an alteration in circumstances, by which anxiety, distress, etc. are removed, will relieve the complaint. Greater confidence, from having once succeeded, will alone break the charm, and all will be well.

The mind is more intimately connected with the genital system, chiefly in men, though in a certain degree in the other sex, than has been imagined. The apprehension of weakness, in this most important of functions, really produces it. The imagination broods over fancied ills, till the whole system is really disordered. In this state every wall offers a certain remedy, and the Solar Tincture, the Restorative Drops, are ea gerly bought. It is remarkable, that these diseases are distinguished by capitals to lure the unwary; but the medicines are sometimes truly restorative, for they restore confidence, and thus contribute to remove the disease. In general, however, each quack is tried in succession, till tired nature decays into a hectic, is overwhelmed in a dropsy, or the mind, sinking in imbecility, or mania, offers a melancholy spectacle of what degradation human nature can suffer. All this distress might be removed if the patient had the resolution to tell his grief to a friend, or a physician of character and judgment. A well regulated plan of medicine and diet would contribute to relieve the bodily complaint, while-the mind, consoled with prospects of returning health, would assist in realizing the prediction. Many such instances we have known where the disease has been radically removed, and the desponding patient become a happy husband, and the delighted father of a numerous and healthy offspring.

We have so mixed the medical directions with the descriptions of the disease, that we have little to add on this part of the subject. We may, however, again repeat, that, except in impotence from great relaxation, tonics and astringents are of little avail. Where it arises from too great irritability, a cooling diet, abstaining from lascivious thoughts or objects, with sedatives, are the best remedies. In that case, which arose from epileptic paroxysms, the cure was effected by rendering the object of desire more familiar before the act was again repeated, and, of course, lessening the too violent stimulus. There is no opinion more inconvenient in its effects than that which dictates a full, nutritious, and stimulant diet. We have often had occasion to repeat, that no cause of weakness is so frequent and obstinate as that which arises from fulness of the circulating-system, and no plan of medicine more injurious than constringing over distended vessels by tonics. It has been supposed that some medicines have a peculiar effect on the genital system; and the balsams have been given, as they are directed to the bladder, and, of course, may communicate a stimulus to the neighbouring parts. We have not found them particularly advantageous; and even the balsam of Peru, which unites a tonic with its stimulant power, has not produced any very salutary effect. If, as we have been informed,. Geneva is not favourable to the active energy of these organs, we can hardly expect great advantage from medicines so nearly resembling this spirit. In every case, except where the fulness is considerable, cold bathing, both general and topical, is highly useful.

To abstain from, or to indulge, venereal pleasures, is equally injurious. A moderate use is salutary; and marriage, if the disease be not too far advanced, is to be advised. It has often succeeded; and when the confidence that the power is not wholly lost be once established, the power itself is soon regained.