A case, reported by Lenhossek, seems to establish, that compression and atrophy of the spinal marrow may oppose the development of the genital organs. This patient was twenty-four years old: he was thin, wasted, and his height was that of an individual twelve years of age. Neither his face nor genital system presented the characters of puberty. This individual died suddenly; and it was found, that in consequence of a malformation of the first and second cervical vertebræ, the diameter of the occipital foramen was contracted one half. The medulla oblongata had been compressed in this part, and its development was impeded. Might not the singular disease, observed by Larrey in Egypt, and afterward in Paris, be referred to an affection of the spinal marrow? Here the testicles gradually wasted; the patient lost the power of feeling venereal sensations, and also that of erections; the lower extremities shrunk away, and tottered; the face was discolored; the digestive powers and intellectual faculties were deranged. Does not this coincidence, of a considerable weakening of the lower extremities and the wasting of the testicles, indicate that this latter has been the consequence of an affection of the spinal marrow? Dupuytren long since established the fact, that priapism was caused by a lesion of this organ. Numerous instances of this are found in Olivier’s work on the spinal marrow: they prove, that every part of the medulla, but particularly the cervical portion, when injured, may cause an erection of the penis. Potain, Renauldin, and Hedelhofer, have stated similar facts. This last author saw a man who fell upon his sacrum, and instantly had an emission. Professor Fages was in the habit of mentioning the following case in his lectures:--“An aid-de-camp of General Dumourier was affected with complete paralysis of the lower extremities, in consequence of a fall from his horse. This paralysis was attended with a great degree of priapism, which encumbered him very much, and caused retentions of urine, which were treated by the most active refrigerants. Going through Montpelier, on his way to Balaruc, he rested several days at the military hospital, where it became expedient to sound him. In order to do this, it was necessary to uncover the whole body, to expose it for some time to the cold air, and to apply to it cold water; and, even then, the sound had to be used promptly, otherwise erections would soon have supervened, merely by touching the penis, and by the presence of the sound in the urethra. The baths of Balaruc almost cured the paralysis; and as motion returned to the lower extremities, the priapism disappeared.”