296 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



sure, and pain between the anus and the root of the 

 penis. 



Permanent enlargement of the prostate is a very 

 serious matter, since it interferes with the proper dis- 

 charge of urine from the bladder, which ultimately 

 leads to disease of the bladder itself, and may result 

 even in death. This condition is the result of other 

 forms of sexual excess as well as self -abuse. 



Urinary Diseases.— The same congestion and irri- 

 tability extend to the bladder and thence to the kid- 

 neys, producing irritation and inflammation of those 

 organs. Mucus is often formed in large quantities; 

 sometimes much is retained in the bladder. Earthy 

 matter is deposited, which becomes entangled in 

 the mucus, and thus a concretion, or stone, is 

 produced, occasioning much suffering, and perhaps 

 death. 



We saw, not long since, a case of this kind. The 

 patient was nearly sixty years of age, and had prac- 

 ticed masturbation from childhood. In consequence 

 of his vice, a chronic irritation of the urethra had been 

 produced, which was followed by enlargement of the 

 prostate, then by chronic irritation of the bladder, and 

 the formation of stone. His sufferings were most ex- 

 cruciating whenever he attempted to urinate, which 

 was only accomplished with the greatest difficulty and 

 suffering. 



One of the unpleasant results of irritation of the 

 lining membrane of the bladder is inability to retain 

 the urine long, which requires frequent urination, and 

 often causes incontinence of urine. 



Priapism.— This same morbid sensitiveness may 

 produce priapism, or continuous and painful erection, 

 one of the most ' ' terrible and humiliating conditions, ' * 



