Pathology (Diseases) of the Sexual System
Before entering into detailed consideration of the pathology, i. e., diseases of the sexual organs, it should be stated that while the bulk of these diseases is of venereal character—that is, acquired thru some abuse of the sexual function or thru unclean intercourse—there is a large number of diseases that may develop on and affect the sexual organs without any fault or indiscretion on the part of the patient. First, the sexual organs, like any other part of the body, can be the seat of different inflammations, tumors, accidental injuries, etc., and in the case of any grave general sickness the sexual system is naturally involved and suffers to a greater or smaller degree. Second, the sexual organs present very often congenital (inborn) defects of development, varying to an enormous degree in individual cases. There are also several non-venereal acquired diseases. Most of these conditions are practically unknown to the public, and quite often the afflicted victims are terror-stricken and driven to despair thru ignorance of the true nature of their case, laboring under the idea that their condition is due to a venereal infection or some indiscretion on their part. For this reason, we shall briefly consider these conditions.