The male generative organs in health and disease, from infancy to old age : being a complete practical treatise on the anatomy and physiology of the male system adapted for every man's own private use : and including an introductory account of all the new

Front matter

THE

ABNER WELLBORN CALHOUN

MEDICAL LIBRARY

Preface

In the course of my practice, and more especially at the termination of my Lectures to Gentlemen, I have been repeatedly asked whether I could not refer them to some book, that would give a plain and practical explanation of the Male System, and its various derangements, adapted for every man's own v. e and instruction ? In short a book was wanted that should serve the same purposes for Gentlemen that my " Diseases of Woman" did for Ladies ; explaining fully all those affections peculiar to their own systems, and none others. No such worlji however, was extant, and I saw that the only way to supply what seemed a general want was to write one. It is true there were works professing to treat on the Male System, for popular use, but they were all, without exception, principally devoted to Venereal diseases, and those who made the enquiry of me were not persons at all liable to such affections, nor feeling any particular interest in them. My audience would frequently say, " We are not subjects of syphilis, and probably never shall be, but still we are liable to many other diseases, most of which could doubtless be prevented if we knew their nature and causes ; but unfortunately for us, with the exception of your Lectures, there is no source of information on such matters open to us. We want a Book that will treat on these things in the same style that your Lectures do, and it will be a public service if you will write such a one." For a long time ]

was desirous of complying with this request, but my time was so incessantly occupied that I could not do so. The •materials I had in profusion, fcr I had consulted every book on these subjects that was worth reading, both in the English and other languages, and I had besides my own notes of cases, as numerous and varied as perhaps any one practitioner ever met with, but still all these materials required arranging and writing out. I had besides to make a number of direct experiments, with animals, and of dissections of the human body, for the purpose of testing the new discoveries on Generation, announced by the European Physiologists, which were so utterly opposed to old notions and doctrines. In addition to these causes of delay, I had also several peculiar and highly instructive cases in hand, the termination of which I was desirous to see, so that I could make use of the novel experience they gave.

Had it not been for all these causes combined I should have published this book earlier. The delay, however, has been necessary in order to have it complete, and I was determined it should not be issued till it was so. It may be advisable to state also, for the information of those not acquainted with me or my previous publications, that my oourse of study, and long practice, has been almost exclusively devoted to the physiology and derangements of the Reproductive System, in both sexes, respecting which I have had unusual opportunities for obtaining information, both in this country and in Europe. Whenever any new discovery, or mode of treatment, has been announced, I have immediately tested it thoroughly, and have further made every allowable experiment suggested to myself.

There are certain difficulties connected with the Reproductive System that are very important, as affecting human health and happiness, but which are scarcely ever made the subjects of study by medical men at all, at least not in this country. The consequence is, that the treatment they receive is mostly empirical, and as liable to do harm as good. So evident is this, that many persons so afflicted never apply for medical assistance, but prefer to Buffer on and not complain. This is particularly the case with many difficulties experienced by young persons, and with many troubles incident to Marriage, such as Impotenae and Sterility, aversion or indifference, and physical or moral unsuitabihty. In the old world there are men of the greatest eminence who devote their sole attention to those matters, and who are the alleviators of misery, and the dispensers of unexpected happiness to thousands. In this country I am not aware of any one, besides myself, that has embraced this peculiar line of practice, and I have found the greatest want of information prevailing, even amongst medical men, respecting the means of relief that are really at our command. In all probability many of the modes of practice, and many of the resources, pointed out in this work, will be entirely new to thousands, and will give hope to many who had previously been sunk in despair.

As far as my professional duties would allow, I have endeavored to instruct the public on those matters by my Lectures, which have been attended by thousands of both sexes, and which I intend to continue, as far as possible, in various parts of the Union. These Lectures are devoted, like the present work, to the Physiology of the Reproductive System, and to its derangements and diseases, excepting those of a Venereal character, which my audience seldom enquire about. My Book on " The Diseases of Woman," and my Lectures to them alone, treat on the female system only. The present work, and my Lectures to Gentlemen alone, treat on the male system only, so that a source of interesting and useful study, and of practical advice, is open to both.

I am aware that such an attempt as the present will appear strange to some, and may meet with slight objecri PREFACE.

tion with the unreflecting and prejudiced ; but I feel assured that any reasonable person, on due reflection, will approve of it. That such afflictions as those I have described do exist is unfortunately too true, and it therefore becomes the duty of every one, as far as lies in his power, to alleviate them. This I am persuaded can be accomplished, to a great extent, by such information as that I have here given, and I sincerely wish it may do as much good as I intended and desire it to do.

In addition to every subject relating directly and exclu sively to the Male System, I have thought it necessary to give a general description of the Female System also, and of the process of Reproduction, in order to explain more fully and clearly certain difficulties that could not be well understood without such information. This description will be found to include the most recent information on these subjects, with several interesting discoveries of my own, and will therefore supply every item of information necessary to a full understanding of the Generative System and its functions in both sexes. A great part of this information cannot be found in any other work in the English language, and is now for the first time laid before the public.

Many parts of this book will be found as useful to Medical men as others, because there are few of them that are fully acquainted with the subjects on which it treats, or who know where to seek for the requisite information.

F. HOLLICK, M. D.

New York.

The Female System,

CHAPTER H.

The Male System,

CHAPTER IH.

The Semen,

Part II. Diseases, Malformations And De- Rangements Of The Male Sys- Tem, 63

CHAPTER IV.

Tm Diseases, Deficiencies and Malformations of the Testes, their Envelops, and the parts more immediately connected with them, ... 69

Anomalies in the size and apparent number of the Testes. 73

Hydrocele, or Dropsy of the Testicles, ... 79

Sarcocele, or Chronic Fleshy Swelling of the Testicle, . 94

Fungus of the Testicle, ...... 98

Hernia Humoralis, Orchitis, or Inflammation of the Testicles, 100

Ossification of the Testicle, ..... 109

Arrest of Development and Wasting of the Testes, . . 110

Tubercular Disease, or Consumption of the Testicle, . 117

Foreign Bodies in the Scrotum along with the Testicles, . 119

Nervous Affections of the Testicles, .... ib.

Spermatocele, or Swelling of the Testes from engorgment

of Semen, ....... ISO

Scrotocele or Rupture of the Intestines or Omentum into

the Scrotum, ...... 127

Varicocele and Circocele, or Swelling of the Veins of the

Scrotum and Spermatic Cord, .... 130 Hsematocele, or Swelling of the Scrotum and Spermatic

Cord from the effusion of Blood, . . . 134

Prurigo, or Itching of the Scrotum, . . . . ISS

Elephantiasis Scroti,_ ...... 137

Falling of the Spermatic Cord, ..... 139

Relaxation of the Scrotum, . . . . ' . 140

Diseases of the Vasa Deferentia, . . *** & *» . 141

Diseases of the Seminal Vesicles, ...» • . 14"

Pag« CHAPTER V.

The Structure, Diseases and Malformations or the Penis and the parts immediately CONNECTED WITH IT, . 148

Absence and Malformation of the Penis, . . . 153

Hypospadias, ....... 156

Phymosis, ........ ib.

Paraphimosis, ....... 161

Want of Development, or congenital small siza of the Penis, 164

Paralysis of the Muscles of the Penis, .... 179

Priapism, or Involuntary Erection, .... ib.

Diseases of the Urethra and the parts contained therein, . 186

The Prostate Gland, ...... 191

CHAPTER VI.

Functional and Sympathetic Diseases of

the Genital Organs, . . . 197

Influence of the Brain on the Generative Powers, . . 200

Influence c-f the Mind over the Generative Organs, . . 207

Excessive Sensibility of the Genital Organs, . . . 216

CHAPTER VII.

Spermatorrhea, or excessive loss of Semen, 219

Causes of Spermatorrhoea, ..... 226

Particular eflects of Spermatorrhoea, .... 231

Symptoms by which the Spermatorrhoea may be detected, 264

Impotence from Involuntary Emission, . • . 270

Treatment of Spermatorrhoea, ..... 291

CHAPTER VIII.

The Influence of Medicines in Producing and Curing Impotence and Spermatorrhoea, . . . . 302

Fag*

CHAPTER IX.

Masturbation and other Sexual Abuses, 321

CHAPTER X.

Erotomania and satyriasis, . . .390

CHAPTER XI.

General Remarks on the Preservation

and Restoration of the Sexual Powers, 398

IL LUSTRATIONS.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE I.

SECTION OF FEMALE PELVIS,

PLATE II.

FRONT VIEW OF THE FEMALE PELVIS, .

PLATE III.

OVARIES AND VESICLES,

PLATE IV.

UTERUS AND APPENDAGES LAID OPEN, .

PLATE V.

BEMINAL ANIMALCULES, . . •

PLATE VI.

UTERUS AT FOUR MONTHS, . •

PLATE VII.

SECTION OF THE WOMB, NATURAL SIZE,

PLATE VIII.

SEMINAL TUBES OF TH 2 TESTICLE,

PLATE IX.

HYDROCELE,

PLATE X.

SECTION OF PENIS AND BLADDER,

Page 19

ALSO, JUST PUBLISHED

" A Popular Treatise on Venereal Diseases in all their forms," giving a full account of their history and probable origin, their immediate and constitutional effects, and their hereditary influence, with full directions for their treatment, and hints for their prevention, adapted for every marts own private use] — Illustrated by splendid COLORED PLATES, and with all the Recipes in plain English.

This is one of the most curious and interesting Books ever published, even to the general reader :' Few people are aware what an extraordinary influence these Diseases have had, and have now, on the progress of the human race ! Few persons know how important it is for all to understand them, and very few, even among Medical men, are aware how easily they can both be prevented, and even annihilated from our race !

The recent French Discoveries, with the new modes of treatment — the experiments in Innoculation—&\iA. the curious investigations as to the Diseases, by which many eminent men, in former days, have died, are deeply interesting and will astonish all.

Price One Dollar.

PUBLISHED BY T. W. STEONG,

98 NASSAU STREET, N. Y.

who will send it any where free, by Post, on receiving the money and address.

DESCRIPTION OF FRONTISPIECE.

Seotion of the Male Pelyis to show the situations of the different parts.

A. The Bladder. — B. The Rectum, or end of the large Intestine. — C. The lower part of the back bone, or Sacrum. — d. d. The small Intestines.—/. One of the Kidneys. — g. g. The Ureter, or Tube which conveys the Urine from the Kidneys into the Bladder. — h. The Pubic or Frontal Bone of the Pelvis.

1. The left Testicle.— 2. 2. The Vas Deferens, or Tube which conveys the Semen from the Testicle. — 3. The left Seminal Vesicle, with which the Vas Deferens is con. nected. — 4. The Ejaculatory Canal, into which the Semen next passes. — 5. The Prostate Gland, with which the Ejaculatory Canal connects, and through which the Semen passes into the Urethra, or Urinary passage from the Bladder, (7). — 6. Is the Veru Montanum, or small protuberance which partly closes the neck of the Bladder. — 7. 7. The Urethra, or passage by whioh the Urine escapes from the Bladder down the Penis. — 8. The upper part of the Penis, or Corpus Cavernosum. — 9. The lower part, or Corpus Spongiosum. — 10. The Glans, or head of the Penis. — 11. One of Cowper's Glands.

The course of the Semen is from the Teste along the Vas Deferens to the Seminal Vesicle, then along the Ejaculatory Canal and through the Prostate Gland into the Urethra, which it enters by the lower part of the Veru Montanum, at the part indicated by the two black dots. It then escapes from the body in the same way as the Urine does.

NOTICE.

Persons wishing to communicate with Dr. H., are requested to address to " Dr. F. Hollidk, New York," and if he is not then in that city the Letter will be forwarded to him. If advice be requested the statement of the case must be full and explicit, with a correct history of its origin, if that be known, and its progress. A fee of Five Dollars must also accompany all such Letters, or they cannot be answered, so many being constantly received, that the mere reading of them occupies considerable time. If interviews be desired, or visits requested, Dr. H. will endeavor to accommodate applicants as far as he can, but he begs to remark that his time is much occupied, and that such appointments are sometimes difficult to arrange immediately.

Dr. H. is fully prepared with all the apparatus required to practice any of the modes of treatment described in his books, or to supply any of the remedies therein referred to, but he thinks it necessary to remark, that many of these from requiring his personal supervision, and occupying considerable time, are necessarily expensive.

PART I .

REPRODUCTION.

The Reproductive process in the human being, as in all other perfectly organized animals, requires the concurrent action of two different organizations, the male and the female, each performing a distinct part, one as necessary as the other. Neither of these organizations alone can effect the whole process of reproducing a new being, though in certain cases they may partly do so, in an imperfect manner. To understand fully the action of each, which is requisite before their derangements and diseases can be understood, it is requisite to give a general description of both, and also of Reproduction itself. This description can now be given with something like accuracy, owing to the valuable discoveries of modern science, and a correct idea can be obtained, of the main steps at least, of this wonderful phenomenon, though hitherto it has been shrouded in such impenetrable mystery.

PLATE I.

Section of the Female Pelvis

A. Tie Bladder.

B. The Womb.

C. The Vagina.

D. The Rectum, or end of the large Intestine e. One of the Ovaries.

/. The Corresponding Fallopian Tube.

g. The Os TincEe, or Mouth of the Womb, which opens

into the Vagina, or lower passage. h. The Meatus Urinarius, or Mouth of the Bladder, b$

which the Urine escapes. i. i. The Small Intestines.

j. j. The Sacrum, or lower part of the back bone k. The Pubic, or Front Bone of the Pelvis /. The Eight External Lip. m. The Eight Internal Lip, or Nympha ». The Hymen.

a. The Opening through the Hymen. p. The Clitoris. q. The Perineum

Plate L Section of Female Pelvis.

CHAPTER I.

The office of the female system is twofold : it has to produce in the first place one of the original principles, or primary parts, from which the new being begins ; and also to effect its development into the perfect form. The female organs are therefore much more complicated than those of the male, and her part of the process is more extended.

The most essential parts of the female organization are two organs termed the Ovaries, which are located in the abdomen, one on each side, just above the groin. These organs have the power, when their full development is attained, to produce certain little bodies called Ova, or Eggs, essentially the same as the eggs of birds, one of which is always required in the commencement of a new being.

These organs are small in early life, and comparatively inactive, but at a certain period, termed puberty, they become larger, and commence a series of curious and important physiological processes, the object of which is to develop the egg and to effect its expulsion from the body.

When the ripe Ovaries are dissected they are found to contain a number of cells, or vesicles, which may be compared to those of a honey-comb,

22 THE FEMA1E SYSTEM.

and in each of those cells is contained one of the germs or eggs, surrounded by a white fluid like the white of an egg. These cells are termed the Graafian Vesicles, after the Anatomist Graaf, who first described them ; they are about as large, when fully developed, as a small pea, but are not all of the same size at once, some being small or merely rudimentary, and others approaching perfection. Before the age of puberty these cells and the eggs they contain, are all undeveloped and small, but at that time their gradual and successive development commences. It is found, from recent observations, that only one of them is perfected at a time, and that it requires a certain period before another can be produced. In the adult ovary therefore we find them at every stage, some being only in the rudimentary state, others just commencing to grow, and others having attained a considerable size, there being always one more ripe than any of the others, and evidently approaching to perfection.

When the egg is fully developed it is thrown out of the Ovary, and after a time makes its escape from the body, in a very curious manner only recently discovered. There are therefore two different actions performed by the Ovaries, first the forming or developing of the eggs in successive order, and secondly, the expulsion of them from the Ovary, and ultimately from the body.

This development of the eggs it must be remembered is entirely independent of sexual union or excitement, and is totally unconnected with conception, except as a preparation for it. In every female, whether virgin or not, from the age of puberty till the turn of life in old age, this development of the eggs is always going on, excepting in certain diseases, and during gestation and nursing, when it is usually suspended. It is also performed in certain definite and regular periods, which are nearly the same in all persons alike. This period is usually one monOi, or twenty-eight days, and most females observe precisely that period with singular regularity. During every month, therefore, after puberty, with the .exceptions above named, one of the Graafian Vesicles, and its included egg, arrives at perfection, and at the end of the month the egg is expelled from the body.

The egg appears to be expelled from the Ovary by a real inflammatory action, similar to what nature establishes to effect the expulsion of an injurious foreign substance in any other part of the body. Towards the end of the month the Vesicle begins to swell very much, and is filled with blood, instead of the white fluid seen there at other times ; the egg, which was formerly at the bottom of the Vesicle, is now lifted up to the top, by the fluid underneath, and is at last pressed forcibly against the envelop or skin of the Vesicle. This pressure becomes eventually so great that the envelop bursts and the egg escaping through the rent reaches the outside of the Ovary. It is then taken to a particular part of the body to remain for a certain number of days, during which it may be impregnated, or receive the male principle, and if this N takes place, they both remain and develop into the new being, but if no impregnation is effected then, at the end of that time the egg is passed out of the body and lost. From this it is evident that impregnation, or conception, can take place only during those days after the egg is expelled from the Ovary

PLATE II.

Front View of the lemale Pelvis, with the External Walli removed.

A. The Bladder.

B. The Womh.

D. The Rectum, or Large Intestine.

e. e. The Ovaries.

/. /. The Fallopian Tubes.

f. i. The Small Intestines. r. r. The Round Ligaments.

This shows the situation of the Organs in the fwnt of the body, as they appear when it is first opened.

Plate II.

Front view of the Female PelviB.

and while it yet remains in the body, as will be explained more fully further on.

The inflammatory action by which the Vesicle is filled with blood, and the egg expelled from the Ovary, is not altogether confined to those parts, nor to that one process, but affects other parts, and accomplishes other purposes. The whole Ovary, and also the neighboring organs, become at that time singularly excited and congested with blood, and at last, to relieve themselves, the blood mixed with mucus is discharged, to subdue the inflammation. This discharge usually lasts about four days, and is termed the Menstrual, or monthly flow. This flow, therefore, about which so little has previously been known, is caused by the expulsion of the Ovum or Egg from the Vesicle, and indicates the period when that expulsion takes place. Consequently in those who have no Ovaries, or in whom they are torpid, or destroyed by disease, no menstruation takes place. And for the same reason it is not seen before puberty, because the eggs are not then ripened, nor after the turn of life, because then they are all expelled. This discharge is therefore an indication of the capability for conception, and it is also, in all probability, a means of removing much injurious matter from the system, so that female health is materially dependent upon it, and those in whom it does not appear, or becomes irregular, are nearly certain to become diseased. It is proper to remark, however, that it is sometimes nearly or quite colorless, and then the persons think they have no menstruation, though it may nevertheless be perfectly regular.

When the egg is fully expelled it leaves behind it the hollow Vesicle, filled with clotted blood, at the top of which is a torn place, or rent, through which the egg escaped. In a short time this blood dries up and changes to a dull yellow color, while the rent forms a scar on the surface of the Ovary, and we thus have produced the yellow body called a Corpus Luteum, which was formerly thought to result from conception only, but is now known to be an old Vesicle from which an Ovum has been expelled. On the surface of the Ovary of an adult female a number of these scars are always to be seen, but as they gradually fade away and disappear, only some few, and sometimes only the last one, can be distinctly seen. The Vesicles are contained at first, in their rudimentary state, in the body of the Ovary, and appear to develop in succession, the outer ones first, each one when fully ripe projecting on the surface like a small pimple or nipple till it bursts. The egg itself, when fully developed, is only about as large as the point of a pin, in fact it can only just be seen by the naked eye. This may appear singular when compared with the large egg of" a bird, but it must be recollected that the bird's egg is surrounded by the nutritious matter from which the new being is to be made, because it is totally separated from all other sources of nutrition, but the Human Ovum remains in the mother's body and derives nourishment from her blood to effect its development, it has therefore no need for any supply of nourishment to be attached to it. The actual germ is probably no larger in the bird than in the human female.

When the egg is fully ripe, if it receives the male principle, it will develop, to a certain extent, into the human organization in any part of the body. But it cannot fully and perfectly develop except in a particular organ, called the Matrix, the Uterus, or Womb. The position of this organ in the body maybe seen in the Plates. It is a small hollow organ in its natural state with very thick walls, but capable of undergoing astonishing changes, and possesses every requisite both for the perfect development of the new being, and also for its expulsion into the world when fully grown.

The Ovaries are attached to the Uterus, one on each side, by ligaments or bands, but have no direct connection with its cavity. The connection between the Ovaries and Womb is by means of two organs, one attached to each side of the Womb just above the Ovaries, called the Fallopian Tubes. A small cavity leads from the inside of the Womb down these Tubes to the end opposite the Ovaries, which is expanded like a Trumpet, and surrounded by a number of fringes or Tentaculse, like the fingers of a hand.

The Womb is placed at the top of the passage or Tube called the Vagina, and opens into it by a small mouth called the Os Tineas, or mouth of the Womb. The lower part of the Vagina opens externally by the mouth called the Vulva. There is therefore a direct passage from the Ovaries to the outside of the body, by which the Ova or Eggs are expelled.

After this description, the maturation and expulsion of the egg, and the process of conception can be readily understood by the following explanation and by referring to the Plates.

An egg becomes ripe at the end of every monthly

period in one or the other of the Ovaries, and when

expelled in the manner above described it is taken

into the Womb in the following manner : At the

3*

«n

PLATE III.

Ovaries, Graafian Vesicles, and Ova 1 One of the Ovaries just before the Crisis.— a. Is the Graafian Vesicle that is nearly ripe, and preparing to burst, the Ovum projecting upon it like a small pimple.

2. The same Ovary cut through, to show the Interior.-

a. Is the Vesicle as seen -within; the dark centre denoting the clot of blood which throws out the Egg.—

b. Is an old Vesicle, from which an Egg has been ejected at some former crisis. It is now drying up, and forms a Corpus Luteum.

3. Is the Graafian Vefiicle removed and magnified.— a. la the Ovum, or Egg, just breaking through the rent in the Vesicle.

4. Is the Egg itself magnified, showing its granular structure. — a. Is the Gjrminal Vesicle

Plate m.

Ovaries and Vessicles.

precise time when the egg is fairly loose from the Vesicle, the expanded end of the Fallopian Tube grasps the Ovary over the spot where it is, and the fringes or fingers at the end of the Tube take hold of and carry it into the passage. The Tube then contracts and the egg is gradually forced down its interior till it reaches the Womb.

When the egg arrives in the Womb it would of course pass immediately out,, by way of the Vagina, if there were not some contrivance to prevent it, which of course there is, and of a very simple and perfect character. While the egg is passing down the Tube there is formed in the interior of the Womb a thin membrane, or skin, which lines its walls and closes the passage at its mouth. While the egg passes out at the Uterine end of the Tube it presses on this membrane and makes a depression or nest in which it lies.

As long therefore as this membrane remains attached the egg is retained in the Womb, and conception is possible, because the male principle can penetrate through it without obstruction, but at the end of a certain time the membrane looses away and parts from the body, taking the egg along with it, after which, of course, there can be no conception till another such period comes round and another egg is lodged there in the same manner. Consesequently there is only a part of each month during which conception can take place, and during the rest of the month it is impossible ! The precise period during which conception can occur varies in different persons, being in some only one or two days, and in others much longer, but it probably never extends beyond half the month, or fourteen days. This statement I am aware will surprise many per-

34 THE FEMALE SYS" EM.

sons, it being generally thought that conception may take place at almost any time ; but there is no question that this is an error.

As near as can be ascertained, the flow occurs while the expulsion is taking place from the Ovary, and the egg does not reach the womb until the first or second day after the discharge has ceased, it is therefore from the second day after the cessation of the period that the time during which conception can take place is reckoned. This time, I think it necessary to state again, is so various in different females that no general rule can be laid down, and there are so many causes which make its commencement and duration uncertain, that it cannot be calculated upon practically, except by experienced persons. There are signs by which the period during which conception is impossible can be told in every female, with perhaps a few exceptions, but they can only be detected by those who have been long in the habit of observing them. The Membrane and Egg together are so small, and so delicate in their structure, that no female perhaps ever observed them, though passing from her body every month. I have, 'however, obtained them, and have pointed them out to persons, by the aid of the microscope.