CHAPTEE XVIII. 

 DISEASES OF THE GENITAL SYSTEM. 



MALE. 

 THE TESTIS AND EPIDIDYMIS. 



Orchitis. Inflammation of the testis may be due to the 

 invasion of the organ by bacteria, or to its injury by external 

 violence. 



The body of the testis is most commonly the site of inflam- 

 mation due to the syphilitic virus. The investment of the body 

 of the testis by the peritoneum forming the tunica vaginalis 

 indicates the reason why a collection of fluid around the organ, 

 secreted by the serous membrane, is often seen in gummatous 

 orchitis. The presence of hydrocele in such cases also serves to 

 prevent the adhesion of the parietal and visceral layers of the 

 tunica vaginalis. Thus the process of inflammation but rarely 

 extends to the skin of the front of the scrotum, and hernia testis 

 in this condition is rare. The dense, firm, unyielding nature 

 of the tunica albuginea explains the severity of the pain felt 

 when acute orchitis is present. 



Epididymitis, when occasioned by infection, is due to the 

 invasion by gonococci from the urethra along the vas to the 

 globus minor, or the deposit of tubercle bacilli, probably brought 

 by the blood stream. 



Seeing that the epididymis is only partially covered with serous 

 membrane, its posterior aspect being destitute of it, it is easy to 

 understand why an inflammation of the epididymis may quickly 

 involve the overlying tissues, and lead to hernia testis. 



New Growths of the Testicle. In malignant growths of 

 the testicle it has to be remembered that the lymphatic glands 

 which are secondarily infected are those found in the lumbar 



