UNCHASTITY 295 



thra, and becomes so intense that the passage of a 

 sound, which would occasion little if any sensation in a 

 healthy organ, produces the most acute pain, as we 

 have observed in numerous instances, even when the 

 greatest care was used in the introduction of the instru- 

 ment. 



Shooting pains are often felt in the organ, due to 

 this irritation. The pain is of a smarting character, 

 and is in some cases most felt at the root, in others, 

 at the head. It often darts from one point to another. 

 Just before and just after urination the pain is most 

 severe. 



Stricture. —Long-continued irritation of the mu- 

 cous membrane of the urethra produces, ultimately, 

 inflammation and swelling of the same in some portion 

 of its extent. This condition may become permanent, 

 and then constitutes real stricture, a most serious dis- 

 ease. More often the swelling is but transient, being 

 due to some unusual excess, and will subside. Some- 

 times, also, a temporary stricture is produced by spas- 

 modic contraction of the muscular fibers surrounding 

 the urethra, which is excited by the local irritation. 

 This kind of stricture is often met in the treatment of 

 spermatorrhea. 



Enlarged Prostate.— This painful aifection is a 

 frequent result of the chronic irritation in the ure- 

 thra, which the gland surrounds, the morbid action 

 being communicated to it by its proximity. A diseased 

 action is set up, which results in enlargement and 

 hardening. It is felt as a hard body just anterior to 

 the anus, and becomes by pressure the source of much 

 additional mischief. Sometimes the disease progresses 

 to dangerous ulceration. It is attended by heat, pres- 



