NIGHT LOSSES THAT DULL THE MIND, WEAKEN THE BODY, DESTROY THE SEXUAL STRENGTH AND CHANGE THE MAN ARE UNHEALTHY AND SHOULD BE CURED

In this advertisement from The St. Paul Globe of July 18, 1903, Dr. Alfred L. Cole does not explicitly say what condition he is treating in “night losses”, but it sounds extremely perilous.

The mores and morals of the time would not permit the condition to be talked about in polite society.

But, reading between the lines, Dr. Cole proposes to stop men from having wet dreams.

The prevailing thinking of the time was those dangerous, nasty sexual thoughts causing night losses were as bad as the sin of onanism.

What Dr. Cole’s method for curing men is not elaborated upon.

Why cure wet dreams? Because according to Dr. Cole they, “insidiously destroy the intellect, strength and very manhood.”

Attaching debility and shame to almost everything sexual was practically de rigueur in the 19th and 20th century.

Dr. Cole warns that having nocturnal emissions apparently leads to a bevy of detrimental conditions.

Here is the text from the ad:

HISTORY AND SYMPTOMS
A parent may transmit a weak sexual organism to his offspring, but it is usually the result of abuse, excesses or overwork. Emissions once established have a tendency to increase. Day losses, waste in urine and marked sexual decline follow, together with a train of mental and physical symptoms; and the man passes from the boundaries of health into the confines of disease. He is very nervous, easily confused, absent-minded, forgetful, continually possessed of doubts and fears, shy, suspicious, irritable, hates female society and would rather be alone. The system unstrung, he has headache, backache, palpitation of heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, deranged stomach, torpid liver, weak kidneys, poor circulation, and is tired, lifeless and worn out. He lacks ambition, confidence and courage, for the tremor of weakness and disease appalls his mind and shakes his body. Unfit for business, study or marriage, the jeer of men and the mock of women, he suffers in secret silence, brooding over his condition. Strange as it may seem, the strongest and most robust men are often those in whom the local disturbances are the most severe.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Let false modesty and distrust forbid investigation? Allow a condition brought on through heredity, ignorance or abuse wreck your life? Permit former unsuccessful attempts on your part to obtain a cure deter you from obtaining the quickest, safest and surest cure?

NOT IF DR. COLE Can Reach You By Word or Letter.

For the speedy cure of these diseases that so insidiously destroy the intellect, strength and very manhood, secure the services of that learned specialist. He will stop those unnatural drains, with their terrible results, and restore to sound health the pitiable victim of Nervous Debility, Brain Fatigue and Wrecked Manhood.

Varicocele, Hydrocele, Enlarged Prostate, Blood Poison and Private Diseases also cured.

CONSULTATION AND EXAMINATION FREE.

MY TREATMENT at the HOME is a GREAT SUCCESS. The fact that you are out of town and cannot call need not deprive you of services. If you cannot call, write and receive full particulars, mode of treatment, prices, terms, etc. These will be mailed you free of cost. Ask for symptom blank. No medicine sent unless ordered.

DR. ALFRED L, COLE And COUNCIL OF PHYSICIANS
24 Washington Av. &., Minneapolis, Minn.
Office Hours-—9 a.m. to 5 p. and 7 to 8 p.m. Sundays–10 a. m. to 12:30 p. m.