The body of the testicle is liable to many diseases, by which its structure becomes so changed, and its delicate organization so obliterated, that its secreting powers are entirely lost, such as schirrus, cancer, scrofula, &c. but we are to remember that such affections, if confined to one testicle, are not to be considered as affecting the virility of the party. M. _Larry_, Inspector General of the French Army, informs us that a disease which he calls _Atrophy of the Testicles_ seized many of the troops in their return from Egypt; by which these organs became soft to the touch, and gradually diminished in size, without any pain; and it is well known that persons who are afflicted with _Elephantiasis_ lose all sexual appetite, and that their genitals waste. An organic fault similar to that which we have described, as relating to the _Epididymis_ of the testicle, sometimes occurs in the _Vesiculæ Seminales_, where instead of entering the urethra, they terminate, after being joined by the _Vasa Deferentia_, in imperforated pouches, or cul-de-sacs, producing incurable impotence. In some cases the spermatic chord becomes varicose, and is followed by loss of power. The most common malformation connected with the penis is the unnatural situation of the orifice of the urethra; sometimes it opens in the perinæum, occasionally on the dorsum of the penis, and frequently underneath. Mr. _John Hunter_ was consulted by a person, who expressed great anxiety to have children, but whose urethra opened into the perineum, he therefore recommended him to inject by means of a syringe, previously warmed, the semen into the vagina, _post coitum_, and during the existence of the orgasmus venereus; the wife, it is said, became pregnant, and Sir E. _Home_ observes, that no doubt was entertained by Mr. _Hunter_, or the husband, that the impregnation was entirely the effect of the experiment. It would appear that _emissio seminis in vaginam_ is in some cases all that is required for impregnation, and therefore provided the orifice of the urethra be situated in a part of the penis that enters the vagina, any unusual deviation in its direction may not be material; nay farther, in some instances _emissio sine penetratione_ has appeared sufficient;[303] many cases are recorded in which the hymen was entire at the time of delivery;[304] and Dr. _Huxham_[305] relates an instance of pregnancy, where from the preternatural formation of the female genital organs, it was impossible that the act of copulation should ever have been completed. A contracted state of the Prepuce, or _Phymosis_, may so interfere with the discharge of the seminal liquor, as to constitute a cause of impotence, (_Dyspermatismus Præputialis_, Culleni) an operation, however, will always in such cases remove the impediment.[306] By some authors the undue dimensions of the penis have been classed under the causes of impotence, but upon this point we would observe that the case already cited from Mr.