A treatise on the venereal disease / by John Hunter ; with notes by George G. Babington.
- John Hunter
- Date:
- 1841
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A treatise on the venereal disease / by John Hunter ; with notes by George G. Babington. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![which was to irritate the urethra to suppuration again, by intro- ducing bougies. I have not seen that benefit that could have been wished, or that the first idea might induce us to expect, from this practice. Some have gone further, b.y recommending the introduc- tion of venereal matter into the urethra; but this appears to be only conceit, and is founded upon a supposition that such swellings arise only from venereal irritations. But I have already observed that they are produced by other causes. It is generally a long time before the swelling of the testicle entirely subsides, although it does so more quickly at first than swellings of this part arising from other causes. Before it becomes less, it generally becomes softer, commonly on the anterior surface; and by degrees the whole becomes perhaps softer than natural, and then it diminishes. It is still much longer (sometimes even years) before the epididymis returns to its natural state; sometimes it is never reduced to its natural size and softness. However, this is of no great consequence, as no inconvenience results from a continu- ance of the hardness simply; though sometimes, perhaps, such testicles are rendered totally useless. I never had an opportunity of examining the testicle of one that was known to have this com- plaint ; but have examined testicles where the epididymis has had the same external feel, and where the canal of the vas deferens has been obliterated. But this, I suspect too, seldom happens, for there are people who have both testicles swelled, and, notwith- standing, discharge their semen as before.* It is in this stage of the complaint that resolvents may be of service, such as mercurial friction joined with camphor. Likewise we may usefully apply fumigations with aromatic herbs, in order to stimulate the absorbents to take up the superfluous matter. Elec- tricity has been in some cases of singular service. § 7. Of the decline and termination of the Symptoms of Gonorrhoea. The decline of the disease is generally known by an abatement of some or all of the above-mentioned symptoms. The pain in the part becomes less, or terminates in an itching similar to what is felt in the beginning of many gonorrhoeas, and at last entirely goes off. The sense of weariness about the loins, hips, testicles, and scrotum is no longer felt; and the transparent cherry-like appear- * [The hardness which is left after inflammation of the testicle does not appear in most instances to interfere with its functions. The obliteration of the vas deferens is not a frequent occurrence ; and the induration which often remains in the epididymis, is usually from deposition in the cellular membrane which con- nects its convolutions, or mere thickening of the membranes which invest it, and though it is not uncommon that some of the vasa efferentia should be totally obstructed, and converted into solid cords : yet unless the whole of these ves- sels should be thus changed, such an occurrence is of little consequence; as those which still remain pervious will be sufficient to carry the semen as before into the vas deferens.]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21131508_0087.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
