A contracted state of the prepuce, its adherence to the glans, or that condition of it termed phymosis, form impediments to the emission of the semen which can only be removed by an operation; and if that be neglected, the evil continues through life. Among the diseases which occasion sterility in the male, those affecting the penis and those incident to the testicles may be enumerated. With regard to the former, there often exists an excess or deficiency of muscular or nervous energy, inducing _priapism_ or permanent erection in some instances, or paralysis or permanent flaccidity in others. In _priapism_, the erection is so vigorous, and all the parts so distended, that the semen can not pass into the urethra; while in _paralysis_, from some inaptitude of nervous or muscular powers of the genital organs, the _corpora cavernosa_ receive but a limited supply of blood, insufficient to create erection, or provoke a seminal discharge. Strictures of the urethra are among the barriers to sexual intercourse; but happily, only in extreme cases, where the urethra is all but closed, so as to oppose the passing of the finest bougie. The testicle is subject to a variety of diseases, wherein such a relaxation or obliteration of its structure ensues, that the seminal fluid is no longer formed: and where both testicles are alike affected, sexual desire is most usually wholly extinguished—the smallest portion, however, of either gland remaining uninjured, may still be capable of secreting semen sufficient for impregnation. Impotence may follow accidents to the testicles, such as produced by a bruise; or even a testicle, which shall have become inflamed from clap, shall become so chronically hardened as to be useless. Bruising the testicles was the mode adopted by the oriental courts for destroying masculine efficiency in the attendants of the harem. There are certain conditions of health in which, although the genital organs may be perfect, yet, owing to some constitutional frigidity, there is an incapability of erection. The offspring of too young, or very aged, infirm persons, or of those worn down by debauchery, are but too common instances. The appearance of persons of this temperament is thus described by a French writer: “The hair is white, fair, and thin; no beard, and countenance pale; flesh soft and without hair; voice clear, sharp, and piercing; the eyes sorrowful and dull; the form round, shoulders narrow; perspiration acid; testicle small, withered, pendulous, and soft; the spermatic chords small; the scrotum flaccid; the gland of the testicle insensible; no capillary growth on the pubis; a moral apathy; pusillanimity and fear on the least occasion.”