Gonorrheal Inflammation of the Testicle (Epididymitis).
The nearest place for Gonorrheal germs to invade from the deep Urethra is that part of the testicle which consists of the twisted and folded on itself spermatic duct; this part is called the Epididymis, which means the appendix of the testicle. Epididymitis starts usually quite abruptly, from three to five weeks from the beginning, after some physical exertion, like too fast or too much walking, running, jumping, dancing, wrestling, etc. It starts with a high fever, headache, feeling of heat and weight, and agonizing pain in the testicle. Every motion and walking becomes impossible and the patient has to take to bed. The testicle in its rear part becomes swollen, sometimes to twice or even more its normal size, and hard. Under proper care, the acute symptoms of pain and swelling subside in two to three weeks and the patient is able to resume his work, but a part of the swelling and hardness remains and can be felt for many, many months, until it gradually disappears thru slow absorption; yet in some cases a small, hard nodule remains forever. The main danger of Epididymitis is just in this very possibility, that the spermatic duct may be partially or completely obstructed and blocked permanently by the inflammation, in consequence of which no spermatozoa can go out from the testicle of this side, and if Epididymitis occurs on both sides, which happens often, then obliteration of the spermatic ducts is complete; in other words, the man can never have children—he becomes sterile.