640 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



of the urethra, producing a discharge of purulent matter ; and 

 such ulcers do indeed sometimes occur in the manner that has 

 been just now mentioned. We are now assured, however, from 

 many dissections of persons who had died when labouring under 

 a gonorrhoea, that the disease may exist, and from many con- 

 siderations it is probable that it commonly does exist, without 

 any ulceration of the urethra ; so that the discharge which ap- 

 pears, is entirely that of a vitiated mucus from the mucous fol- 

 licles of the urethra. 



MDCCLXIX. Although most of the symptoms of gonorr- 

 hoea should be removed, yet it often happens that a mucous fluid 

 continues to be discharged from the urethra for a long time 

 after, and sometimes for a great part of a person's life. This 

 discharge is what is commonly called a Gleet. 



With respect to this, it is proper to observe, that in some 

 cases, when it is certain that the matter discharged contains no 

 venereal poison, the matter may, and often does, put on that 

 puriform appearance, and that yellow and greenish colour, 

 which appears in the discharge at the beginning and during the 

 course of a virulent gonorrhoea. These appearances in the 

 matter of a gleet which before had been of a less coloured kind, 

 have frequently given occasion to suppose that a fresh infection 

 had been received : but I am certain that such appearances may 

 be brought on by, perhaps, various other causes ; and particu- 

 larly, by intemperance in venery and drinking concurring to- 

 gether. I believe, indeed, that this seldom happens to any but 

 those who had before frequently laboured under a virulent gon- 

 orrhoea, and have more or less of gleet remaining with them : 

 but I must also observe, that in persons who at no period of 

 their life had ever laboured under a virulent gonorrhoea, or any 

 other symptom of syphilitic affection, I have met with instances 

 of discharges from the urethra resembling those of a virulent 

 gonorrhoea. 



The purpose of these observations is, to suggest to practi- 

 tioners what I have not found them always aware of, that in 

 persons labouring under a gleet, such a return of the appear- 

 ances of a virulent gonorrhoea may happen without any new in- 

 fection having been received, and consequently not requiring the 

 treatment which a new infection might perhaps demand. When 



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