DISEASES PECULIAR TO MEN 631 



diseased. In some cases, however, the difficulty is lo- 

 cated in the vesicula seminalis, the lining membrane 

 of which, like other portions of the urethral and genital 

 passages, is subject to catarrh as the result of cold, 

 undue sexual excitement, or contiguous inflammation. 



Among the sad results of spermatorrhea, is stric- 

 ture. This severe and painful disorder most commonly 

 occurs as the result of the violent, acute inflammation 

 of gonorrhea, especially when prolonged in the form 

 of gleet. In cases of spermatorrhea, however, it ap- 

 pears to be the result of long-continued congestion and 

 irritation of the mucous membrane of the urethral 

 canal, resulting in changes in the mucous membrane, 

 which sooner or later produce more or less narrowing 

 of the parts, or stricture. The amount of stricture pro- 

 duced in this w-ay is not often so great as to produce 

 complete obstruction, and is quite likely to be over- 

 looked; but it may be quite sufficient to occasion a vast 

 deal of suffering, and set up morbid processes in the 

 bladder and other urinary passages, the result of which 

 may be the worst possible. 



All the hygienic measures which have been enumer- 

 ated elsewhere as essential to the successful treatment 

 of the results of self-abuse, must be brought to bear in 

 these cases. A^^ienever possible, the patient should 

 place himself under the care of a conscientious and 

 skilful physician. The weakened will-power and loss 

 of moral tone which usually exist in these cases, render 

 the services of a physician most important, as very 

 few of those suffering in this way have sufficient self- 

 command and decision of character to pursue, for any 

 length of time, the rigid and systematic efforts neces- 

 sary for the eradication of the effects of long-contin- 

 ued wrong-doing. 



