Gonorrhoe'a bala' ni. See Gonorrhoea spuria.

Gonorrhoe'a benigna. Sec Gonorrhoe'a pura.

Gonorrhoe'a chordata, when accompanied by a chordee.

Gonorrhoe'a libidinosa. Gonorrhoea laxorum.

Gonorrhoe'a mucosa. A gleet. Subsequent to gonorrhoea a discharge of matter frequently continues, incapable of conveying any disease, and not attended With inflammation. It appears to be, in general, a discharge from the mucous glands of the urethra, in consequence of the relaxation which has followed increased action; and is occasionally owing to the irritation of very violent purgatives, sometimes to strains, or the various causes of debility. The general remedies are, tonics of every kind, particularly bark and cold bathing, astringent injections, regular and constant exercise. It has been removed by a blister to the sacrum, and, in one instance, by a blister to the perinaeum.

Though this disease sometimes yields with the greatest facility, yet a similar complaint, a gleet, is often peculiarly distressing and obstinate. Doubts have lately arisen, whether it be the same as the true mucous discharge, from a weakness of the glands of the urethra, or whether it is a vitiated secretion, from some change in their organization. The language of Mr. Hunter is highly exceptionable, in a philosophical view, as appearing to assign a reason from merely varying the expression of the fact. To"take on diseased action," or"a habit of action," is saying no more than that a part is diseased, or that a discharge continues from habit; and indeed it has been doubted, by a very respectable author, whether Mr. Hunter has not retarded the progress of science by such jargon, and his inconsequential reasoning, more than he has assisted it by his observations. We have premised these remarks, chiefly as an apology for not employing Mr. Hunter's language, while we are availing ourselves of his facts.

That a gleet arises from weakness of the glands, is highly probable from the nature of its causes; but, were this true, we should find tonics and stimulating applications generally effectual. We need not, however, tell every practitioner how often he is disappointed in the best concerted plans of this kind. If we look at some of the more peculiar causes, they will not greatly assist us. We find a gleet, for instance, generally accompanying a stricture in the urethra; and frequently a swelling of the prostate gland. In each case it cannot he wholly owing to weakness, and we are rather led to suspect some local irritation. If we look at the nature of the discharge, we shall find little additional information; for it consists of globular bodies, floating in a slimy mucus, rather than a serum. From this circle of difficulties we cannot escape but by conjecture. Mr. Hunter supposed it to be owing to a state of the glands, not unlike what occurs in scrofula; and thinks the continued discharge from the eyes, or the tonsils, in consequence of a cold falling on these parts in a scrofulous habit, analogous cases. The discharge of gleet, however, differs in its nature, and in the obstinacy with which it resists the remedies useful in the other complaints. Sea water injected into the urethra has no effect: small doses of mercurials more frequently fail than succeed; nor is it certain that the sea water bath is more effectual than one of fresh. We should rather suspect that it arises from some obstructions of the glands, from a thickening of their coats during the previous inflammation of gonorrhoea, or the continued irritation of the other causes; but that gleet will sometimes insensibly cease without evident reason, or from remedies which could not make so considerable a change in a short period. It is better, however, to attend to the effects of remedies.

Practitioners have attempted to cure gleets by general medicines, or topical applications. The general medicines are tonics and astringents, or stimulants; but the latter, though they deserve the title by being circulated through the arterial system, act only inconsequence of their topical determination. The tonics are, cold bathing, the Peruvian bark, and the preparations of steel: these will sometimes succeed, and as often fail. Each has been occasionally tried for several months without success; and they have been combined with as little effect. Yet the general constitution always derives benefit from this plan; and should we fail in our principal object, our labour is not wholly in vain. The astringents or stimulants are the turpentines and the balsams, the astringent gums and cantharides. The effects of these medicines are not very striking; but Mr. Hunter thinks that if they produce no [salutary effects in a short time, they will be useless; and he limits this period to the first six or eight days. They often in this time remove the complaint which recurs on their being discontinued, so that they should be employed long after the discharge has ceased.

Of the astringent gums we have little experience, and believe their power to be inconsiderable; but the stimulus of cantharides has often succeeded. This remedy must be cautiously employed, beginning with very small doses, about fifteen drops of the tincture, which may be gradually increased; as in the irritable state of these organs even a common dose may excite dangerous inflammation.

The topical rernedies are, tonics, stimulants, or those of other topical inflammations. The decoction of bark, the solutions of copper, of iron, zinc, and lead, are occasionally employed. There is little room for choice; and we succeed with one or the other apparently by accident. Nothing is so capricious as this disease; varium et mutabile semper. The stimulating applications are equally uncertain. We once cured an obstinate gleet by the injection of punch, a remedy suggested in a convivial moment; at another time by green tea. Mr. Hunter mentions a case in which the undiluted extract of Goulard succeeded, apparently by producing a violent inflammation. The introduction of a bougie has had the same effect, and riding post has been equally beneficial. It is, however, an useful precaution, suggested by Mr. Hunter, that previous to the use of stimulant applications, the irritability of the patient should be known; and it should be ascertained whether any inflammation was likely to be conveyed along the urethra to the testes or the bladder. Bougies are sometimes rendered stimulant, by covering them with some active liniment or ointment. In general, the distention irritates sufficiently; but turpentine, mercurial ointment, or a camphorated liniment, will add to their powers. While the use of a bougie is continued, the discharge usually proceeds; but, after some time, about three weeks or a month, it should be omitted, and we may then judge whether it has succeeded. If the running stops, the cure is usually effectual: if it continues, the remedy, if repeated, will be unsuccessful.

The remedies for topical inflammation are stimulants in the vicinity. Blistering the urethra, in its course, has succeeded. Drawing the electrical sparks, in the course of the canal, has had an equally beneficial effect. The discharge has been stopped by a recent gonorrhoea, and by the recent infection of syphilis, on the appearance of chancres. Venereal connections will sometimes occasion a return, and a recent infection has been suspected; but, in this case, the renewed discharge follows almost immediately, and a mistake is nearly impossible. Violent exercise and free living will also occasionally bring it back, with suspicious symptoms of inflammation; but its quick appearance, the nature of the discharge, its vanishing on rest and low living, soon destroy every apprehension that may have been entertained.

In women, gleets are equally obstinate; but they generally pass under the appellation of leucorrhae. The greater number of remedies mentioned are inapplicable in such cases; and general tonics, with astringent or stimulant injections, can only be employed. But leu-corrhoea is so common, and so little disgraceful, that, in such cases, medical assistance is seldom required, unless the discharge is in excess.

Goxorrhoe'a oneirogmos. The discharge of semen during sleep.

Gonorrhea spuria, vel balani, a discharge from the corona glandis.