Morton, George W., M. D.

The Patient’s Guide: A Treatise on Diseases of the Sexual Organs . . . [wrapper title].

[Philadelphia]: (G. W. Morton, 1860) [but 1866?]. First edition? Original printed peach wrappers, 4.38 x 2.88 inches, 64 pages. Woodcut vignette illustrations. Rear wrapper a bit chipped along the spine; spine nearly perished; some soiling and wear; in very good condition. Item #20838

“If compelled to mingle in company, their manner is restrained, and impatient of particular attention. They seem to be aware of their peculiarities, and apprehensive of discovery. In public institutions, where large numbers of children are assembled, it is easy for a person to point out those afflicted with Onanism.” A vest-pocket promotional and testimonial booklet for Helmbold’s Medical Depot at 104 S. 10th St. in Philadelphia; despite the underlying patent medicine content (for the Helmbold Extract Buchu and the Helmbold Sarsaparilla, as well as their Improved Rose Wash), the booklet treats frankly of syphilis, gleet, strictures, the perils of excess venery and onanism, etc., with moderately explicit testimonials (dated up through 1866) from supposed sufferers who have since been cured. No definitive medical George Mortons are located in the 1860 or 1861 McElroy directories for Philadelphia, though H. B. Helmbold (“patent medicines”) is easily found. Atwater seemingly corrects the directory, citing the proprietor as H. T. Helmbold rather than H. B. in the description of an 1869 almanac, and traces his career as a druggist from 1846 onward: “Though Helmbold reportedly made $10,000,000 through his pharmacy and proprietary medicine business, he was prodigal with his money, suffered from alcoholism and successive bouts of insanity, and ultimately lost his fortune” (Atwater S-534). This title not found in Atwater under Morton or under Helmbold. OCLC notes three locations for an [1860] version, as with the copyright here (AAS, Countway, Rochester) and an 1866 version (presumably cataloged with reference to the testimonial letters) at the Clements Library.

Price: $400.00