_Diseases of the Testicles._—The testicles, from their office and connexion with other structures equally as important, are liable to many excitations. In gonorrhœa they are subject to sympathetic inflammation, as in _hernia humoralis_, which, if neglected or maltreated, gives rise to abscess or chronic hardness. Inflammation also occurs in them as in other structures. Accidents, such as blows or bruises, horse-riding, wearing very tight pantaloons, are all fertile sources of derangement. Scrofulous constitutions are predisposed to have their testicles, like the rest of the glands, diseased. The most frequent disturbance, however, of the testicles, is a dilatation of the veins, constituting what is called varicocele; and generally accompanied by a wasting away of the testicle itself. It is rare, indeed, to find perfectly healthy testicles in an individual who has been exposed to amatory pleasures and sensualities; and as, of course, even amative desire, as well as amative power, depends upon the absolute sound condition of the glands in question, the inference is, that in very numerous persons, the sexual instinct is considerably diminished, and not unfrequently wholly suppressed, before half the natural term of their existence has expired, at which time they ought in reality to be at the climax of their prime and capability. It is not so much a painful complaint, as an unpleasant one. There are occasionally pains in the back and loins, and other feelings, creating a sensation of lassitude and weariness; and now and then some local uneasiness is felt. Varicocele gives to the examiner a sensation as though he were grasping a bundle of soft cords. It sometimes exists to such a degree as to resemble a rupture. In advanced stages of the disease, or disorganization, the epididymis becomes detached from the body of the testicle, and is plainly distinguishable by the finger. The result of all is, that a considerable diminution of sexual power takes place; and if means are not adopted to arrest a further break-up of the structure, the venereal appetite will subside altogether. The annexed drawing exhibits a tolerably faithful portrait of the disease; it represents the varicocele to be on the left side—the side most usually affected. [Illustration]