URETHRA TUMORS. 419 



infection in the purulent discharge from the urethra. Even 

 after the disappearance of these organisms, lesions post- 

 gonococci remain, which may give rise to serious conse- 

 quences. Chronic posterior urethritis is often responsible for 

 functional derangements of the nervous system sexual neuras- 

 thenia. In this chronic stage the inflammation is no longer 

 diffuse, but circumscribed. The lesions consist of localized 

 areas of submucous infiltration and erosions, or even definite 

 ulcerations of the mucous membrane ; at times some patches 

 of granulation-tissue are noted. 



Strictures often result at the site of these lesions from the 

 formation of cicatricial tissue. As they gradually encroach 

 upon the lumen of the canal and impede the outflow of urine, 

 the bladder-walls become hypertrophied ; but later this organ 

 is dilated, as likewise may be the ureters and pelvis of the 

 kidneys. 



Tumors : Carcinoma of the urethra may result from exten- 

 sion of the new growth from adjacent organs, as the vulva, 

 vagina, and glans penis ; it is rarely primary, taking its origin 

 from Cowper's gland. 



Sarcoma of the urethra does occur, but is very rare. 



