356 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



daily washing with soap and water necessary for clean- 

 liness. If this does not suffice, or if there are slight 

 excoriations caused by acid secretions, apply, in addi- 

 tion, a weak solution of tannin in glycerine once a day. 



Impotence.— Loss of sexual power arising from 

 any form of sexual excess, should be treated on the 

 same general plan laid down for the treatment of emis- 

 sions and other weaknesses. Heat to the spine, and 

 short, but frequent, local cold applications, are among 

 the most useful remedies ; but probably electricity, dis- 

 creetly used, is by far the most valuable of all reme- 

 dies. It should be applied both internally and exter- 

 nally. 



The use of cantharides and other aphrodisiac reme- 

 dies to stimulate the sexual organs is a most pernicious 

 practice. The inevitable result is still greater weak- 

 ness. They should never be used. On the contrary, 

 everything of a stimulating character must be carefully 

 avoided, even in diet. 



Varicocele.— Patients suffering from this difficulty 

 should wear a proper suspensory bag, as the continued 

 pressure of the distended veins upon the testes, if un- 

 supported, will ultimately cause degenerative changes 

 and atrophy. In cases of varicocele in which the dis- 

 order is attended by pain, or marked degeneration of 

 one or both testicles, or in which the disorder is an 

 evident aggravation of nocturnal losses, an operation 

 is usually required to effect a cure, though a proper sus- 

 pensory bandage will often afford relief, if constantly 

 worn. The operation for varicocele, when properly 

 performed, is free from danger, and is effective in af- 

 fording relief in this disorder. The author has found 

 great satisfaction in the emplojniient of antiseptic liga- 

 tion of the veins, coupled in bad cases, by removal of 



