Surgical observations on diseases resembling syphilis; and on diseases of the urethra / [John Abernethy].

  • Abernethy, John, 1764-1831.
Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Surgical observations on diseases resembling syphilis; and on diseases of the urethra / [John Abernethy]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    nifhed by it. This happened in the three firft cafes in a remarkable degree, and I have known it take placein many others, Nor is there any thing in this event that fhould ex- cite furprife: every furgeon is familiar with the fame circumftance, with relation to ftric- tures in the urethra. The firft introductions of a bougie are very painful; the fubfequent ones become to be even difregarded. Still, however, I think it may be ufeful to dwell a little on this fubject, and to confider the pro- bable caufes of thefe effects, as it may tend to eftablifh rules for our conduct in practice. It appears to me, that we diminifh the morbid as well as the natural fenfibility of parts by doing them a degree of violence, fhort of that which produces a kind of re-action in them, by which their fenfibility is heightened. This is, in- deed, the confideration which guides my practice in thefe and in many other cafes. If, even in ftrictures of the urethra, the fen- fibility of the canal becomes increafed by the introduction of bougies, or, in other words, if inflammation is excited, furely it is wrong to profecute fuch meafures at this juncture. If the morbid fenfibility be diminifhed, we 15 may