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Gonorrhea is a contagious inflammation of the urethra, accompanied by a white or yellowish discharge. It is caused by a specific germ, the gonococcus , and is acquired through sexual intercourse with a person suffering from this disease. Exceptionally the disease may be conveyed by objects soiled with the discharge, as basins, towels, and, in children, diapers, so that in institutions for infants it may be thus transferred from one to the other, causing an epidemic. The mucous membrane of the lower part of the bowel and the eyes are also subject to the disease through contamination with the discharge. The disease begins usually three to seven days after sexual intercourse, with symptoms of burning, smarting, and pain on urination, and a watery discharge from the passage, soon followed by a yellowish or white secretion. Swelling of the penis, frequent urination, and painful erections are also common symptoms. The disease, if uncomplicated and running a favorable course, may end in recovery within six weeks or earlier, with proper treatment. On the other hand, complications are exceedingly frequent, and the disorder often terminates in a chronic inflammation which may persist for years even without the knowledge of the patient and may result in the infection of others after all visible signs have ceased to appear.

SEXUAL HYGIENE

BY

KENELM WINSLOW

Health and Purity

Duties of Parents Abuse of the Sexual Function False Teachings Criminal Neglect Secure the Child’s Confidence The Best Corrections Marriage Relations.

This is a common eruption of adults in hot weather, and very frequently attacks children. It consists of fine, pointed, red rash, or minute blisters, and occurs on parts of the body covered by clothing, more often on the chest. The eruption is caused by much sweating, leading to congestion and swelling of the sweat glands. Burning, stinging, and itching accompany the disorder. The condition must be distinguished from the contagious skin eruptions. In the latter there are fever, sore throat, backache, headache, and general sickness, while in prickly heat there is no general disturbance of the system, or fever, unless the eruption comes out in the course of fevers, when it is of no significance except as one of the symptoms of fever.

This is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The larynx is that part of the throat, in the region of the Adam’s apple, which incloses the vocal cords and other structures used in speaking. Hoarseness is commonly due to extension of catarrh from the nose in cold in the head and grippe . It also follows overuse of the voice in public speakers and singers, and is seen after exposure to dust, tobacco, or other smoke, and very commonly in those addicted to alcohol.

Foreign bodies are most frequently lodged on the under surface of the upper lid, although the surface of the eyeball and the inner aspect of the lower lid should also be carefully inspected. A drop of a two per cent solution of cocaine will render painless the manipulations. The patient should be directed to continue looking downward, and the lashes and edge of the lid are grasped by the forefinger and thumb of the right hand, while a very small pencil is gently pressed against the upper part of the lid, and the lower part is lifted outward and upward against the pencil so that it is turned inside out. The lid may be kept in this position by a little pressure on the lashes, while the cinder, or whatever foreign body it may be, is removed by gently sweeping it off the mucous membrane with a fold of a soft, clean handkerchief.

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DISEASE AND DISORDER OF THE MIND

BY

ALBERT WARREN FERRIS

Insanity

Insanity is the name given to a collection of symptoms of disease of the brain or disorder of brain nutrition or circulation. The principal test of insanity lies in the adjustment of the patient to his surroundings, as evidenced in conduct and speech. Yet one must not include within the field of insanity the improper conduct and speech of the vicious, nor of the mentally defective. Crime is not insanity, though there are undoubtedly some insane people confined in prisons who have been arrested because of the commission of crime.

The term “patent medicine” is loosely used to designate all remedies of a secret, non secret, or proprietary character, which are widely advertised to the public. This use of the name is erroneous, and it is better first to understand the exact difference between the different classes of medicines generally comprised under this heading. Only in this way can one comprehend their right and wrong use.

Acute Bright’s disease is often the result of exposure to cold and wet. Inflammation of the kidneys may be produced by swallowing turpentine, many of the cheap flavoring extracts in large amounts, carbolic acid, and Spanish flies; the external use of large quantities of turpentine, carbolic acid, or Spanish flies may also lead to acute inflammation of the kidneys. It occurs occasionally in pregnant women. The contagious germ diseases are very frequently the source of acute Bright’s disease either as a complication or sequel. Thus scarlet fever is the most frequent cause, but measles, smallpox, chickenpox, yellow fever, typhoid fever, erysipelas, diphtheria, cholera, and malaria are also causative factors.

Bright’s disease of the kidneys is acute or chronic, and its presence can be definitely determined only by chemical and microscopical examination of the urine. Acute Bright’s disease coming on in persons previously well may often, however, present certain symptoms by which its existence may be suspected even by the layman.