298 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



secrete their peculiar fluid too freely. Frora these two 

 sources combined the vesicles become loaded with sem- 

 inal fluid, and this condition gives rise to a great in- 

 crease of sexual excitement. 



In cases of long standing, the irritation of the ure- 

 thra at the openings of the ejaculatory ducts, a point 

 just in front of the bladder, advances to inflammation 

 and ulceration. Here is now established a permanent 

 source of irritation, by which the morbid activity of 

 the testes and seminal vesicles is kept up and continu- 

 ally increased. This condition is indicated by frequent 

 twitching of the ejaculatory and compressor muscles 

 in the perineum. It is also indicated by a burning sen- 

 sation at the root of the penis after urination, which, 

 in severe cases, amounts to very serious pain. 



Atrophy, or Wasting of the Testes.— The first 

 result of the irritation communicated to the testes, is, 

 as already remarked, increased activity; but this is 

 attended by swelling in some cases, more or less pain, 

 tenderness, and after a time diminution in size. 



This degenerative process likewise affects the sem- 

 inal fluid, which becomes more or less deteriorated and 

 incapable of producing healthy offspring, even while 

 it retains the power of fecundating the ovum, which it 

 also ultimately loses, if the disease is not checked by 

 proper treatment, when the individual becomes hope- 

 lessly impotent,— a happy result for the race; for it 

 prevents the possibility of his imparting to another 

 being his debilitated constitution. 



Varicocele.— This morbid condition consists in a 

 varicose state of the spermatic veins. It is almost al- 

 ways found upon the left side, owing to an anatomical 

 peculiarity of the spermatic vein of that side. It has 

 been supposed to be a result of masturbation and its 



