290 On the Sarcocele of Egypt. 
shall relate some of those cases which are most worthy of — 
remark. By sarcocele, properly so called, ]_ mean that tu- 
mour which is formed in the scrotum, and is a fleshy mass, 
broad at its inferior extremity, and attached to the pubis by 
a peduncle or neck more or less extensive. 
Externally it is rugous and irregular, separated by furrows 
or cavities, corresponding with the mucous crypte, or the 
roots of the hairs; yellow scaly incrustations are usually 
found on its surface, more particularly if the sarcocele be 
of long duration. When these crusts fall off, there are 
underneath several small ulcers, which discharge an ichorous 
fluid. The tumour is indolent and harder at some parts 
than at others; it may be felt and pressed upon in any di- 
rection without exciting the smallest pain. 
The patient is no otherwise incommoded by it than by its 
weight, and the impediment it proves to walking, which 
compels him to have it suspended, The urine flows over 
the tumour without excoriating it. 
In the great number of sarcoceles which I have seen, f 
have remarked that the testicles and spermatic chord were 
in a sound and natural state, and situated on the sides of 
the tumour; but the vessels of the testis were usually aug- 
mented in size (varicose). If the testicle should participate 
in the disease, it will be accompanied by the symptoms 
proper to such affection. It does not, however, seem to 
me that the testis is capable of so great an augmentation 
of size with whatever disease it may be affected; for the 
patient would sink if the morbid alteration were in the tes- 
ticle, before the sarcocele has arrived even to its second 
Stage. ; 
The alteration of the testicle, in such cases, is the original 
disease, and to he regarded as distinct from sarcocele, and 
treated according to its particular character. It is not my 
design to describe the affections proper to the testis; [ am 
only to relate what I have observed of the sarcocele of 
Egypt. Labourers, but particularly those whose occupation 
requires their sitting, as weavers, embroiderers, tailors, are 
most subject to it: many circumstances seem to contribute 
to produce the disease. Among the internal causes may be 
enumerated, depraved humours, inveterate stphylis, which 
has for one of its symptoms in this country, pustules and 
pruritus of ihe scrotum, which is, however, much disre- 
garded by the Egyptians. This singular virus, produced 
also perhaps by vicious humours, is, probably, the cause of 
another disease nat less distressing,—elephantiasis. 1 have 
remarked that all those who are affected with sarcocele have 
symptoms, 
