In Hunter’s Work on the Venereal Disease, there is an interesting chapter respecting the source of the gonorrhœal secretion, in which it appears that it is produced from the vessels investing the mucous membrane of the urethra, by their becoming altered in their action; and that ulceration is seldom found within the urethra, and when so discovered, it is not from the gonorrhœal poison; and that where ulceration occurs, it must be ascribable to an accession of inflammation of a distinct character. Both gonorrhœa and syphilis are conditions assumed by the human frame in self-defence, and are processes set up to cure the previous one; and unless the constitution be much impaired, the disease gets well. Such impediments, however, exist in the form of moral and social arrangements, occupation and variable health, that the end, without assistance, is seldom accomplished. Gonorrhœa may cease of its own accord; but, according to the belief of Hunter, syphilis never; and certainly every day’s experience proves the fact. We see gonorrhœa cured by the most ignorant persons and by the most empirical measures; but syphilis often defies the most skilful treatment. The first attack of venereal affections, especially gonorrhœa, is the most severe; from which it is presumed that a habit of reconciliation takes place between the disease and the generative organs; so that after a recurrence or two of the complaint, the same party may almost bid defiance to a new infection. Yet, if a man lose the habit obtained by frequent intercourse, through abstinence from venereal pleasures, he will be very likely to contract the disease even on the first re-essay, with the very same parties, who may preserve precisely the same condition of health that formerly was innocuous to him. Cases innumerable can be adduced in support of this statement. In the first part of this book, statements have been made, proving that the difference in the symptoms of gonorrhœa are almost endless. The same may be anticipated with regard to syphilis. OF SYPHILIS. SYPHILIS is another and a more violent form of the venereal disease than gonorrhœa. All its effects and symptoms are divided into two conditions, _primary_ and _secondary_; the former being those which arise either from the direct application of the virus or poison to the part where the ulceration first shows itself, or from the irritative and specific effects of the poison on the absorbent vessels and glands, as it is passing through them on its way to the circulation. Hence, among the first—the primary—may be classed the _ulcer_, or _chancre_, which in almost every instance is situated on the parts of generation, and may or may not be followed by a swelling in the glands of the groin, constituting that form of the complaint called _bubo_.