The patient had a peculiar deformity of the genital organs, _hypospadias_, which prevented sexual intercourse, in consequence of which he gave himself up to the practice of self-abuse. He had become reduced to the most deplorable condition of both mind and body, and presented a most woebegone countenance. In addition to his general ailments, he suffered from extreme prolapsus of the rectum and a most painful anal fissure. His condition was somewhat bettered by skillful surgical treatment. _Extension of Irritation_.--Serious and painful as are the affections already noticed, those which arise from the extension of the congestion and irritation of the urethra to those other organs most intimately connected with the function of generation are still more dreadful in themselves, and far more serious in their consequences. The irritation extends into the ejaculatory ducts, thence backward into the seminal vesicles, and downward through the vasa deferentia to the testes. These organs become unnaturally excited, and their activity is increased. The testicles form an abnormal amount of spermatozoa; the seminal vesicles secrete their peculiar fluid too freely. From these two sources combined, the vesicles become loaded with seminal fluid, and this condition gives rise to a great increase of sexual excitement. In cases of long standing, the irritation of the urethra at the openings of the ejaculatory ducts, a point just in front of the bladder, advances to inflammation and ulceration. Here is now established a permanent source of irritation, by which the morbid activity of the testes and seminal vesicles is kept up and continually increased. This condition is indicated by frequent twitchings of the ejaculatory and compressor muscles in the perineum. It is also indicated by a burning sensation at the root of the penis after urination, which, in severe cases, amounts to very serious pain. _Atrophy, or Wasting of the Testes_.--The first result of the irritation communicated to the testes, is, as already remarked, increased activity; but this is attended by swelling in some cases, more or less pain, tenderness, and, after a time, diminution in size. This degenerative process likewise affects the seminal fluid, which becomes more or less deteriorated and incapable of producing healthy offspring, even while it retains the power of fecundating the ovum, which it also ultimately loses if the disease is not checked by proper treatment, when the individual becomes hopelessly impotent, a happy result for the race, for it prevents the possibility of his imparting to another being his debilitated constitution.