270 e BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
_ This disease is propagated, in many ways, viz.: by generation, 
whence it is communicated to the infant by one of the infected pa- 
rents ; or by touching some soft part by means whereof the virulence 
and inflammation are absorbed and communicated to the body, in 
_ the following manner; as, by sucking; thus: the child may infect 
= the nurse by the fine pores of the nipples of the breast ; or the nurse 
the child, by its tender mouth. Children may gain the disease by 
lying in bed with infected persons. For though grown persons 
whose flesh grows firmer with age, can scarcely be infected by thig 
means, without impure coition, yet the flesh of children being of a 
softer and finer texture, easily admits the infection... 
The touching of a soft part, asthe head or glans of the penis, inim-_ 
pure coition, however, is the usual way of contracting this disease; for 
the penis being turgid with hot blood and spirits designed for genera- 
tion, readily imbibes the infection, from an ulcer, or the venereal poi- 
son secreted in the vagina, which being thus absorbed, is, upon the re-_ 
trocession of the blood, wholly or partially carried into the circulation. 
When the infection received is small in quantity, the action of the 
absorbents of the urethra, by continually discharging off the poison, 
may in a measure prevent the extension of the disease. This may also 
a, be the effect of a peculiarity of constitution, in some cases 
hen the poison received is in large quantity, or from peculiarity 
of constitution, whereby it does not equally resist the virus, it enters 
at once into the circulation and corrupts the whole fluids. 
The principal appearances of the venereal disease are two, namely 
a clap, or running from the urethra; and the syphilis, or dry pos 
as it is called, which is when it appears externally, in sores or ule 
In regard to the clap, no certain rule can be laid down as to the 
time it will take before it makes its appearance, after the infection 
has been received. With some persons it will show itself in the 
_ €6urse of three or four days, and even in one; while withothers there 
_ will not be the least appearance of it for some weeks. It is usually” 
perceptible, however, in the space of from six to fourteen days, and 
in a male begins with an uneasiness about the parts of generation 
such as an itching im the glans penis, and a soreness and tingling 
sensation along the whole course of the urethra: soon. after hades 
the person perceives an appearance of whitish matter at its 
and also some pungency.on making water. ta 
In the course of a few days the discharge of matter will increase 
si oy 
vi = = 
y, will assume most probably a greenish or yellowish ae 
come thinner and lose its adhesiveness; the parts WE 
with some degree of redness and inflammation ; te 
attempted 
and the stimulus occasions it often to be erected, } 
