Onania, or the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, Considered, With Spiritual and Physical Advice for Those Who Have Already Injur'd Themselves by This Abominable Practice

Onania's author reaffirms contemporary religious beliefs that masturbation is sinful and one should therefore abstain from it. They also argue that the practice would result in diseases and physical abnormalities such as epilepsy, paleness, hysteria, feeble legs, and weak jaws. Onania did not invent such ideas, but rather reproduced already existing notions. The pamphlet also warns against the degradation of the human race by associating masturbation with giving birth to weak and sickly children.[6] Masturbation was said to cause a degradation of sperm and cause impotence. Onania describes masturbation as a "heinous sin" with "frightful consequences", but considers it less serious than sodomy. The pamphlet encourages readers to buy remedies to help treat localised areas affected by masturbating.