DISEASES PECULIAR TO MEN 649 



loss of sexual vigor, or some other form of sexual 

 disorder. 



Stricture is not always the result of gonorrhea or 

 acute inflammation of the urethra, but may, and fre- 

 quently does, result from the practice of self-abuse, or 

 may often be occasioned by a long continuance of noc- 

 turnal emissions which may have been occasioned by 

 mental incontinence, even when masturbation has never 

 been practiced. The earliest symptoms of stricture are 

 pain and smarting at some point of the urethra during 

 or after the passage of urine, this part being usually 

 the seat of the stricture; a slight discharge; frequent 

 urination; the peculiar form of the stream of urine, 

 which may be twisted, forked, divided, or squirting. 

 Change in the form of the stream should not, however, 

 be looked upon as a positive symptom of stricture, as 

 it is not infrequently occasioned by swelling of the 

 lijjs of the orifice of the urethra. Pain in the testicles 

 and back and irritation and protrusion of the rectum 

 are frequent results of violent straining. Retention of 

 the urine is also a frequent symptom. Sometimes, 

 in consequence of retention of the urine, it becomes foul 

 in the bladder, producing irritation of the mucous mem- 

 brane, and subsequently catarrh of the bladder. In 

 these cases, the mucus appears in the urine as a whitish 

 deposit, shreds of which float through the urine. Blood 

 is sometimes passed, especially in cases in which the 

 catheter is frequently used. In advanced cases, the 

 stricture becomes so close that the urine can be passed 

 only in drops; and after a while, constant dripping 

 occurs, due to overflowing of the bladder, which the 

 patient is unable to empty by voluntary effort. The 

 bladder becomes greatly distended, and sometimes 

 nearly paralyzed. Great injury is occasionally done 



