Prognosis (Prediction as to the Future Development) of Venereal Diseases.
The popular mind usually estimates the danger, seriousness, and probable duration of any disease by the amount and intensity of pains, by the violence and rapidity of its development, and by the degree of disability that the sickness inflicts on a man. Nothing could be farther from the truth than this belief in the case of general internal diseases, and still more in regard to venereal diseases. The most destructive, most malignant incurable diseases in most of the cases begin slowly, insidiously, without acute and severe pain, hardly attracting the attention of the patient, and for a long time not interfering at all, or very little, with his working capacity. Often the patient wakes up and takes notice of the disease only after it has gotten deeply into his system and holds him in its clutches, never to release him. On the other hand, many acute diseases, that start with a high fever, violent pains, and other alarming and terrifying symptoms to the patient, under intelligent care pass away just as quickly as they come, and leave the patient without any permanent damage. This is particularly true in regard to venereal diseases. Do not judge the seriousness and dangerous nature of a venereal disease by the amount of pain and discomfort it brings to you. In no other respect are the venereal patients as much misled and fooled as in this, and no other mistake brings as much unnecessary and preventable suffering and financial loss. Only a competent physician, after a careful observation and repeated examination with the special methods, can give a correct estimation as to the danger and probable duration of the disease.
Remember also that the best and most learned specialist cannot promise you a perfect cure in a specified time, but he can give you only a probable duration of the disease, liable to be changed by many unforeseen circumstances; and keep away from a man who “guarantees a sure cure” in so many weeks or months. The treatment of venereal diseases can never be forced and hurried thru in a certain period of time, and those patients who insist on a doctor’s pushing the treatment in forced marches always strike a bad bargain and are doomed to disappointment by a relapse of the disease or the development of serious complications.