An essay on spermatorrhoea : being a microscopic investigation into its physiological and physical relations ; with observations on the nature, causes, and treatment of the various disorders of the procreative system in men. Illustrated by cases / by R. Dawson.

  • Dawson, Richard, active 1845-1852.
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on spermatorrhoea : being a microscopic investigation into its physiological and physical relations ; with observations on the nature, causes, and treatment of the various disorders of the procreative system in men. Illustrated by cases / by R. Dawson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    women, such persons experience a kind of pleasurable sen- sation, and a sort of involuntary emission succeeds. The fol- lowing case, for the particulars of which, I am indebted to my friend and colleague Dr. Venables, who kindly obliged me with specimens of the urine, will illustrate the matter. CasE.—A gentleman, on the point of marriage, stated that he laboured under a weeping from the urethra; this was not very troublesome, but occasionally the discharge was more profuse. Sometimes the only evidence was a few stains, as if from the white of egg, observed upon the linen. But whenever in company with ladies, more especially if engaged in conversation with, or sitting next a lady, were it only at dinner, he experienced an uncon- trollable erection, and this was attended with a sort of pleasurable sensation, speedily succeeded by an involun- tary discharge. The urine, in this case, was increased in quantity, about slx or seven pints in the course of the day, specific gravity fluctuating between 1.025 and 1.028 ; of a deepish colour, and loaded with urea. He was now taxed with mastur- bation,* and in the confusion of the moment admitted the fact, although he afterwards denied it, alleging that he * Dr. Venables has informed me that an excess of urea existing in the urine, is, under particular circumstances, an evidence of indulgence in a pernicious practice; and that he has often extorted the admission by abruptly making the charge, without allowing time for consideration. I can only say, my own observations have fully confirmed the correctness of these views, I believe first noticed by Prout.