Austin Man Sentenced to Probation for Violent Assault Following Indecent Exposure

A recently surfaced 1864 letter provides a glimpse into a little-discussed affliction among Civil War soldiers – chronic masturbation.

The handwritten note by Confederate Lt. William Dandridge Pitts inquires about the condition of his brother Charles, who was discharged from the army in 1862 due to an unspecified “illness.” Charles was residing at the Western Lunatic Asylum in Virginia.

According to Charles’ doctor and accounts from fellow soldiers, his illness was a relentless addiction to masturbation. “I have had some conversation with the physician who attended my brother previous to his going to the asylum,” Lt. Pitts wrote, “and he advises me…that [Charles] was addicted to masturbation, while in camp.”

The letter highlights the mental health toll of the war, even before combat began. Soldiers forced to endure their comrades’ “self-pollution” no doubt developed deep psychological scars.

While masturbation remained taboo in the Victorian era, it was pervasive enough in the military to earn the nickname “Johnny Reb.” The irony of this affliction among troops from Virginia, the “state for lovers,” was surely not lost on the Pitts family.

The letter survives in excellent condition despite its delicate subject matter. This “director’s cut” offers intimate insight into secret struggles in Civil War ranks.

A recent study has unveiled that a substantial 7.4 million individuals in the United Kingdom have engaged in self-pleasure during their working hours.

The advent of remote work has brought with it a range of perks, including the luxury of sleeping in, eliminating the daily commute, and, surprisingly for some Britons, the occasional moment of self-indulgence.

In a survey conducted by Chemist4U, involving 2,000 participants, a noteworthy 14 percent openly confessed to indulging in some personal gratification while on the job.

The survey findings indicate that more than a fifth of men (22 percent) have engaged in self-pleasure while working, while seven percent of women have also chosen to have some alone time during their workday. Furthermore, 18 percent of the surveyed individuals admitted to accessing adult content during work hours.

Notably, London emerged as the city with the highest prevalence of on-the-job self-stimulation, with 16 percent of respondents admitting to this practice.

The study also discovered that individuals earning between £35,001 and £45,000 annually were the most likely to engage in this behavior. Those earning between £25,001 and £35,000 per year exhibited a 24 percent likelihood, while those earning between £15,001 and £25,000 per year demonstrated an 18 percent likelihood.

The age group most frequently engaging in this activity was those aged 25 to 34, with 27 percent participating, followed by 35 to 44 year-olds at 18 percent, and 45 to 54 year-olds at 15 percent.

Surprisingly, experts suggest that engaging in self-stimulation during work hours may actually enhance productivity. Psychology lecturer Mark Sergeant from Nottingham Trent University asserted that this activity can improve concentration.

Psychologist and life coach Dr. Cliff Arnall even suggested the implementation of a ‘masturbation policy’ in workplaces to boost company morale. He expressed the belief that such a policy could result in increased focus, reduced aggression, heightened productivity, and improved employee well-being.

However, he cautioned that any such policy should have strict limitations, with a focus on ensuring that employees do not engage in inappropriate behavior or fantasize about their colleagues.

So, for those working from home, it appears that the occasional self-stimulation session might just be the perfect stress-reliever to add a little excitement to the workday, according to these findings.