Sex problems of man in health and disease

by Moses Scholtz

As mentioned above, a “secret” prostitute and private lady friend is not a bit more safe and secure from transmitting venereal infection, and in many cases, contrary to the expectations and beliefs of men, are much more dangerous and treacherous in this respect. It is almost humorous, if it were not so pathetic, to see how dumbfounded and shocked are these youthful transgressors of the forbidden path, when a physician declares that the exceptional favors of their lady friend resulted in a bad case of gonorrhea or chancre. They are sincerely indignant at the reflection on the honor of their affinity, and are almost ready to doubt the competency of the physician, until a microscopical examination and the subsequent course of the disease convinces them of the sad truth. On occasions of this character a man as a rule is always inclined to blame the woman and accuse her of gross deception. Such attitude is entirely wrong, and is based on the ignorance of clinical facts. The truth of the matter is that while a man can always tell when something is the matter with him, and can always notice or perceive some evidence of the venereal disease, such as a discharge, pains, sores, etc., a woman hardly ever is aware of her disease. In fact, women feel pains, discomfort, and suffer acute distress only in the acute stage of venereal diseases, at the very beginning of the infection. But after this acute period is over, they may sincerely believe themselves well, as no pain or any symptom unusual for them calls their attention to it. Therefore the noble indignation of these trespassers on forbidden ground is unjust and unwarranted, and the only party to blame is their own ignorance and lack of self-control.

The only sure way to avoid a venereal exposure is to avoid the exposure and to keep away from the danger zone.

Practical Prophylaxis (Prevention).

Different methods have been suggested to minimize the chances of venereal infection. One of them is the use of rubber protectors, “condom,” but the protection they give is far from certain, as they occasionally tear, and also the infection may be implanted in parts beyond the protected area.

The United States Army and Navy, as well as some European governments, have introduced some preventive ointments for syphilis and injections for gonorrhea, but these preventive measures to be effective must be applied at once after the exposure, and in a most thorough and careful manner.

Venereal Diseases.

As mentioned before, there are three venereal diseases, which constitute the main bulk of venereal cases, and which are at the bottom and the cause of most venereal disorders. They are Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chancroid. These diseases are produced each by a different and separate kind of germ; they develop independently one from another, and they can never change one into another. But they can coexist in one patient; i. e., a man can get at the same time gonorrhea and Chancroid. If this double infection takes place, then both diseases have to be treated at the same time. The fact that a man has already one disease in a chronic form does not prevent him from getting another. Equally so, the fact that a man has already once had a venereal disease does not prevent him from contracting it a second time, nor does it make it less likely to occur. This is particularly true in the case of gonorrhea and Chancroid, but much less in syphilis, in which an infection for a second time is rather rare.

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.