Non-Venereal Acquired Diseases.
There are a number of non-venereal acquired diseases that may occur on sexual organs. Among these should be mentioned, first, Varicocele.
Varicocele is a very common condition in young men, and is manifested by dilation and enlargement of the veins that go thru the earlier described spermatic cord to the testicle. It occurs mostly on the left side, and is felt like a snake-like cord twisted on itself, producing an unpleasant, dragging-down, heavy sensation, and occasionally real neuralgic pains in the testicles.
Varicocele is usually a harmless condition, passes away by itself as a man grows older, and, if annoying, can be relieved by a snugly-fitting suspensory bandage.
Another very common condition which occurs in the sexual organs is Herpes. Herpes occurs as grouped in a circle, small superficial vesicles or blisters on any part of the sexual organs. It is perfectly harmless and dries by itself in a few days, but it has a peculiar tendency to recur again and again, particularly after an intercourse, even a clean one. The cause of its appearance is to be sought in a certain nervous debility, local or general, but different local conditions, like a long and tight prepuce, predispose a man toward its outbreak.
Herpes very often affects men who have had some venereal disease in the past, particularly Gonorrhea, and naturally those men become very uneasy and worried by breaking out of Herpes, fearing this may be a relapse or some after development of the old disease. It is true, tho, that a man afflicted with herpes is very much predisposed to Chancroidal infection, and as herpes often resembles the beginning of Chancroid, the opinion of a competent physician should be secured to make proper diagnosis.
It is also of practical interest to know that a number of various skin diseases can start from and be limited to the sexual organs, appearing as red spots, patches, warts, etc. These cases, by being mistaken for venereal infection, often give rise to unnecessary worry and wrong treatment.