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Witness the above wood-cut. It portrays an ulcer somewhat diffused on the prepuce, and the ragged edge of the same structure. The sketch just introduced was taken from a patient perhaps only a fortnight old with the disease. Being a rackety, dissipated young man, and regardless of the treatment suggested, a week’s neglect produced the following alteration:—
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A new ulcer sprung up, the old one increased in size, and the entire edge of the prepuce became involved in the irritation.
Phymosis and paraphymosis occur in syphilis as they do in gonorrhœa. The treatment is the same in both. Warm, soothing applications are indispensable; and occasionally, to prevent adherence between the glans and prepuce, the scalpel must be had recourse to. I have already expressed my conviction that the progress of the disease rests as much or more upon the condition of the party receiving it, than the specific property of the complaint.
“If the inflammation spreads fast and considerably, it shows a constitution more disposed to inflammation than natural; if the pain is great, it shows a strong disposition to irritation. It also sometimes happens that they begin very early to form sloughs; when this is the case, they have a strong tendency to mortification. Bleeding is also a consequence owing to exposure of the ulcered corpus cavernosum.”—Hunter.
The reader will recollect that it has been stated that chancres, like the many symptoms of gonorrhœa, differ in their characteristics. Quoting from authorities, and, as will be further illustrated, the following may be taken as the summary of the most prominent appearances:—
The ordinary chancre is characterized by a hollow centre, a hard and ragged edge, a yellow surface, with a deposite of tenacious matter, and a red and inflammatory margin. There is also a hardness felt at its base on taking the part up between the fingers. This has already been shown; but as illustrations multiply, the possessor of this publication, especially if he be an invalid, will recognise the annexed. It exhibits the ordinary chancre on the inner part of the prepuce, the glans, and the orifice of the urethra—no unfrequent seat of chancre.
