The prostate gland, as has been stated, contributes much to the dilution of the semen; it may empty itself independently of it. The gland is composed of numerous cells, from which proceed some twenty or thirty pipes or passages that open in the urethra by the sides of the verumontanum, as shown in the drawing. _Morbid Secretions and Irritability of the Urethra._—I have stated that clap or gonorrhœa is one of the first and most frequent complaints of the generative apparatus. There are many secretions common to the urethra, such as those afforded by the various glands for the purpose of lubrication, &c.; and the lining membrane of the passage yields a moisture for its own protection, like the membrane of many other organs, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and so forth, and these secretions may become unhealthy or vitiated, and give rise to symptoms that lead on to confirmed disease; and, what is still more remarkable, may assume many of the characters and appearances of gonorrhœa, but they rarely induce such constitutional disturbances as clap. The symptoms, consequences, and duration of clap, form its distinguishing features from any other discharge of the urethra: it is very important that such distinction should be understood, for the treatment of the two affections differs most materially; the one is an affection of weakness, and the other of an inflammatory and pestilential nature. The symptoms of clap are as follow: there is usually first felt an uneasy sensation at the mouth of the passage or urethra. The patient is frequently called upon to arrange his person; that uneasy sensation sometimes amounts to an itching (occasionally of a pleasurable kind) the feeling extends a little way up the penis; there is oftentimes an erection and a desire for intercourse, which, if indulged in, the sooner develops the disease. The itching alone will not convey the disease from one person to another; but if intercourse be held, the action of the inflamed vessels is accelerated, and a purulent secretion which is infectious is urged forth and emitted with the semen: therefore the very symptom of the tingling or itching, for it rarely exists in healthy urethræ, should be noticed, and intercourse be avoided until it shall have ceased.