GONORRHCEA. 



norrhcra, and that changing the injedlion will often fuccced, 

 ■whrn a long perfeverance in a previous one would not. 



We have to obfervc, that the aftringcnt injection, which 

 is moft generally approved of by praftitioners, is that con- 

 taining white vitriol (ziucum vitriclatutn), about half a 

 fcniple of which, ditfolTcd in eight ounces of water, is a 

 \cry good application to begin with. The ilrength may 

 be increaled or diminilhcd, however, as the patient's feelings 

 may require. 



Poultices and fomentations have been ufed as externa! ap- 

 jjlications in cafes of gonorrhoia ; but, fays Mr. Hunter, 

 they can be of little fervice, except when the prepuce, glans, 

 and orilice of the urethra are inflamed. It is now more 

 common, in the inflammatory ilage of the complaint, to 

 furround the penis with linen kept continually wet with the 

 faturnine lotion. 



When any of the glands of the urethra remain in an in- 

 durated Hate, after the fubfidence of the inflammation, the 



begin mildly ; but a fevere fever coming on and cofitinulnr 

 for fevcra! days, the fymptoms of the firil diforder arc 

 rendered much worfc, and, on tin; fever going off, Oie 

 gonorrhica likcwife difappears. Mr. Hunter remarks, that 

 altliough a fever doe^ not always cnre a gonorrhaa, yet, ib 

 itpoflibly may, nothing fhould be done while the fever lafts ; 

 and if the local coniplaint fhould continue after the fever is 

 gone, it is then to be treated according to the fymptoms. 



The fame writer reprefents, that, unfortunately, there are 

 cafes in w hich no known method leffi ns the fymptoms ; eva- 

 cuations, a ftrengtheniiig plan, fedatives and emollients, all 

 prove ufelefs, and time alone feems to bring about the cure. 

 In thefe inftances, Mr. Hunter thought the foothing plan 

 of treatment the moll advifable, and was againd the em- 

 ployment of allringcnts. Neither had he much opinion of 

 the capivi and Canada balfams, nor of turpentines in general* 

 though they might diminifli the difcharge. 



A gonorrhaa is alfo confiderably affeded by the patient's 



dnefs may be removed by friftions with camphorated way of life, during the inflammatory ftate. Moft thin 



mercurial ointment 



It is remarked by Mr. Hunter, that in women, the mode 

 of curing the gonorrhoea is nearly the fame as in men ; but 

 the difeafe itfelf is milder, and the fecondary fymptoms lefs 

 n\imerous in females. Hence the cure is more fimple. 



When the difeafe is confined to the vagina, it may be 

 e;ilily cured by means of inje<?tions, taking care alfo to wafli 

 the external parts with the application. The patient cannot, 

 however, apply an injection to the meatus urinarius, when 

 that paflage is affefted. 



The fame kinds of injeftions are proper for women as are 

 prefcribed for men ; but they may be made doubly ftroug, 

 IS the parts in women are not nearly fo irritable as the cora- 

 riion feat of this difeafe in the other fex. 



When the inflammation runs along the dufts of the glands, 



gs 

 which hurry or increafe the circulation, aggravate the fymp- 

 toms, fuch as \io!ent exercife, drinking llrong hquors, caxisg 

 ftrong indigellible food, taking peppers, fpices, fpirits. 

 Sec. 



When the complaint begins mildly, or after the violent 

 fymptoms have fubfided, we may prefcribe medicines which 

 will afTift the above local remedies, in checking the difcharge. 

 Mr. Hunter th.ouglit the turpentines the moll efficacious. 

 Cantharides, cuprum vitriolatum, acctite of lead, and alum, 

 have alfo been recommended. 



The reader is already aware, that Mr. Hunter regarded 

 gonorriia:a as a difeafe ariling from the venereal poifon, and 

 believed that the matter from the urethra, if introduced into 

 the circulation, would occafion a lues venerea. In order to 

 guard againft the effects of abforption, he was an advocate 



ther of the mouth of the vagina, or of the urethra, or for exhibiting finall dofes of mercurj- at an early period of 



where it affefts the glands themfelves, the cafe claims the 

 fame treatment as in men. The mercurial ointment Ihould 

 be freely applied to the indurated parts. When the duds 

 and glands fuppurate and form abfcefles, thefe fliould be 

 ojiened and drefled like a fore. The ulcer, however, is 

 not re"-arded as venereal. Though Mr. Hunter entertained 

 inch a fentiment, and direfted a correfponding treatment. 



In plethoric conllitutions, the fymptoms are frequently 

 \iolent, attended with a ftrong propenlity to the inflamma- 

 tory fever. The inflammation, however, does not extend 

 beyond the fpecific dillance. Many medicines, which might 

 be of fervice in another conftitiition, here do harm, and 

 ncreafe the fymptoms which they were intended to relieve 



the malady, and for continuing them even for fome time 

 after the formation of matter is at an end. He advifed a 

 grain of the hvdrargyrus calcinatus to be taken every night, 

 or every evening and morning ; but frictions, with the mer- 

 curial ointment, when mercury dilagreed with the ftomacU 

 and bowels. Many praditioners at this day are ftrongiy 

 attached to the fyllem of prefcribing a grain or tvo U 

 calomel every day during the treatment ot a gonorrhoea, 

 and deem it unfafe to abilain altogether from the ule oi 

 mercury, in fome form or another. Others give ca1omi>l 

 with a view of its acling as an alterative and purgative. 

 We never have feen any reafon, however, for exhibiting 



or c.ilomel, or for em- 



Mr. Hunter has feen opiate glyfters, after at firft doing 

 good, bring on fever and an exafperation of all the fynip- 



either the hydrargyrus calcinatus 

 ploving mercury in any mode whatloever. 



Before clofing the prefent article, it only remains for us 

 toms. He~ has feen the balfam capivi render the inflamma- to fay a few words refpeding fome C0lnplaint^ vrhith are 

 tion worfe. The treatment of fuch a conllitution, when occafionally attendant on gonorrhorj. 



iiifeded with this difeafe, Ihould chiefly confift in bleeding When the inflammation is viol-nt, or fprcads along tJie 

 <:nd gentle purging. It is proper alfo for the patient to live urethra, there is frequently a dilcii.u-ge of blooJ trora the 

 iparinglv, and'sfe little exercife. veU'els of that part. Mr. Hunter Itale.s that m fuch cifes 



In die weak and irritable conftitution, as Mr. Hunter the balfam capivi has been found ferviceable j but that he 



obfervcs, the fymptoms are frequently very violent, and 

 often extend beyond the fpecific diftance, the inflammation 

 running along the urethra, and even affeding the bladder. 

 In this inrtance the foregoing author was of opinion, that a 

 I'rengthening plan (hould be adopted. 



Sometimes a gonorrhoea is fo capricious in its cure, that 

 the acceflion of an accidental fever ftops the difcharge, 

 removes the pain in makhig water, and the dilorder is per- 

 manently cured. Sometimes the fymptoms ceafe on the 

 commencement of the fever, and return when the latter 

 complaint is well. In other examples a gonorrhaa may 



Vol. XVI. 



did not obferve any good refult 4rom the ufe ot aflringcr.t 

 injeftions. 



Opium alone, or joined with camphor, islhebeft r-.edicine 

 for die prevention of painful ereiftioi'.s. Cicula i< iho iaS 

 to prove uteful for the fame purpofe. 



With regard to the treatment of chardee, Mr. ITurter 

 remarks, that in the beginning ot this complaint bietdmg 

 from the arm is often of fi rvice, but th.it it is more imme- 

 diately ufeful to take away bloi>d from the part itfi-ll b) 

 Wches; Great benefit often follows the r.ccidental buritii.g 

 of a reflel, and a profui'e hemorrliii^e. Relief u; often ob-' 

 ; .M laineJ 



