Journal of Cutaneous and Genito-Urinary Diseases Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ...small in size. Besides these interesting points as to the growth of the malignant neoplasm, the teachings of these cases convey a very forcible lesson--namely, the tendency, which becomes more marked as we get beyond the fortieth year of life, for inflammatory and simple hyperplastic growths of the penis to become malignant in their nature. The obvious fact remains that when palliative treatment does not relieve balanitis of any kind in these cases, circumcision is imperatively indicated, and that when simple vegetations are present they should be removed promptly and thoroughly before a cancerous nature becomes ingrafted upon them. In these particular men the habits of cleanliness and care of the person were not well marked, therefore little was done to prevent the disease at the outset and less when it became firmly established. Much has been written and many statistics have been given concerning the date of infection of the lymphatic ganglia in the groin in cases of epi-thelioma of the penis. The truth is that we are unable to state even approximate facts. Some cases are not seen early and for a sufficient length of time; others are but indifferently observed; and, further, in some the date of ganglionic infection is quite early and in others more delayed. Then, again, it will be evident to any one familar with the literature of epithelioma that all statistics as to the proportion of cases in which the ganglia are affected, and the reverse, are entitled to no weight whatever, since they are gathered indifferently from those who observe their cases with care and precision and those who do not. Gussenbauer very truly says that the neighboring lymphatic ganglia are more frequently involved than we have been in the habit of thinking, and that in...