A practical treatise on genito-urinary and venereal diseases and syphilis / by Robert W. Taylor.

  • Taylor, Robert W. (Robert William), 1842-1908
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A practical treatise on genito-urinary and venereal diseases and syphilis / by Robert W. Taylor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    a source of error in 5 per cent, of cases of tlie recognition of the latter (see Fig. 2). % <0 ** {» ^ ^ S 9 if ❖ 9 s «t /e « % V- ^ Hi a Showing on the left half some groups of gonococci obtained by culture, and on the right half some groups of a so-called pseudogonococcus cultivated from a specimen derived from a normal urethra virgin to gonorrhoea. INVASION OF THE GONOCOCCUS. When in coitus the gonococci are deposited in the urethra or on the lips of the meatus, they immediately begin to proliferate, and in due time give rise to a scant serous secretion. Clinical and microscopical study shows that dilferent individuals are affected in different ways. In some the attack, as shown by the discharge, comes on briskly and promptly, while in others the morbid process develops slowly and insidiously, and often with much halting. In the very earliest period of gonorrhoea much can be learned as to the mode of invasion of the di.sease, and as to the pathological conditions in a given case, by the microscopic examination of the secretion. This scientific examination should be made in every case, since from its re.sults indications of a practical nature may be derived. Not only in the very earliest stage does the microscope give much aid and broad enlightenment in pathol- ogy and treatment, but throughout the whole course of gonorrhoea its teachings are invaluable. As will be shown farther on, the number of gonococci in the serous discharge of the first day or two shows very great differences in indi- vidual cases. In some periods, the earlier as a rule, there are enormous numbers of gonococci in the discharge, while during the latter stages of the attack there are frequently so few of them that but one or two ]>us- cells can be found in the entire field containing gonococci. So a drop of discharge at one stage of the attack may contain, estimating it roughly, but two or three or several hundred gonococci, while at another time the drop holds enormous quantities of the cocci—a million or more. Thus when gonorrhoea is contracted, as a result either of the dura- tion of the exposure to the infecting pus or according to the stage of