f the generative organs has been given more
attention by surgeons than this. Its great frequency, being present in
about one-third of all cases of spermatorrhea, and its disposition to
result in impotency and wasting away of the testicles, bring it
constantly before the profession.

[Illustration: Fig. 1.
A healthy testicle.]

[Illustration: Fig. 2.
Testicle wasted from Varicocele.
The enlarged and
torturous veins are shown
to be about as large as the
testicle.]

CAUSES.--Varicocele commonly results from long continued fatiguing
exercise, in the upright position, heavy lifting, jumping, straining,
severe constipation, injuries from horseback riding, bicycle riding,
especially the latter, or any obstruction or obstacle to the free return
of blood through the spermatic veins. Self abuse and excessive sexual
indulgence are also prolific causes of varicocele.

When the spermatic veins are over-distended to such an extent that their
tonicity is impaired, they gradually lose their capacity for
transmitting the blood, and a slowly increasing enlargement and
tortuously of veins results. This goes on, becoming steadily more
marked, until the pressure of the engorged vessels upon the spermatic
cord impedes the full circulation of blood in the testicle and causes a
wasting and softening of this gland. A loss of sexual power and
increasing weakness of the generative organs generally follow this
gradual destruction of the testicle, and sometimes total and incurable
impotency results.

This affection is also designated by the terms _circocele_ and
_spermatocele_. It consists of an enlargement or varicose condition of
the veins of the scrotum or spermatic cord, and affects the left side
more frequently than the right. This is due to the fact that the
spermatic veins of that side are longer, more dependent and tortuous,
and, consequently, support a greater column of blood than the other
side. The enlarged veins feel like a bundle of earth-worms. The knotty
and tortuous vessels sometimes form quite a large tumor, which is, now
ever, but rarely sensitive to the touch, yet sometimes causes a feeling
of weight in the scrotum and loins, and sometimes produces a sensation
of numbness in the thighs.

[Illustration: Fig. 3.
Well developed Varicocele.]

When varicocele of an aggravated or largely developed type is present,
associated with any weakness of the generative organs, as spermatorrhea
or impotency, it must be cured before