Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea (Gr. gonos, 'progeny or seed,' and rhēō, 'I flow'), a name originally applied almost indiscriminately to all discharges from the genital passages in both sexes, but especially in the male. In the course of usage the term has been almost entirely restricted to the designation of one particular kind of discharge, which, from its connection with a contagious poison, was originally called, in strict nosological language, G. virulenta. This form of the disease is usually caused by the direct communication of sound persons with those already affected; and accordingly gonorrhea is one of the numerous penalties attending an indiscriminate and impure intercourse of the sexes (see SYPHILIS). Gonorrhea is a very acute and painful form of disease; it is liable, also, to leave its traces in the more chronic form of gleet, which may last for a considerable time. Often, moreover, it leaves some of the parts affected permanently damaged, and stricture, sterility, &c. may result. The only constitutional effect of any importance is a very intractable inflammation of joints, closely resembling rheumatic fever, which occasionally follows it. The name gonorrhea was formed on the erroneous supposition that the discharge consists of the spermatic fluid, whereas, the disease being an inflammation of the mucous membrane of some part of the generative organs, the discharge is the muco-purulent or purulent discharge from the diseased surface. Hence the name Blennorrhagia has been proposed for the ailment. The disease may reach its height in a period of from one to three weeks; it then usually subsides, and the various symptoms abate in severity. For gonorrhoeal ophthalmia, see EYE (DISEASES OF). Victims of gonorrhea and the allied disorders should be warned against consulting any but medical men of high standing and undoubted character.