d life, yet
it is a fact that its frequent and prolonged use often renders disease
of the prostate very intractable and often wholly incurable. Frequent
use of the catheter, without any treatment to prevent the further
enlargement of the diseased gland, or to reduce its size, permits the
part to go on enlarging, and, besides, the constant use of the catheter
irritates the prostatic portion of the urethra, causing thickening of
the lining membrane, and sooner or later a more or less complete organic
stricture of this canal, depending upon thickening of the lining mucous
membrane, as well as upon the encroachment of the gland itself upon this
canal. Besides, when the use of the catheter is once commenced, even
when the enlargement is not very great, it is with the utmost difficulty
that we have been able to induce patients to leave off its use. The
bladder, becoming accustomed to its use, refuses to obey the will
without this help. The irritation set up in the parts by the friction of
the catheter causes inflammation and exudation in the lining membrane.
This extends to the structure of the prostate itself and increases the
hypertrophy or enlargement. It will, therefore, be seen how important it
is to early resort to treatment to relieve the first manifestations of
this affection. A disease of so delicate a nature, and one so often
confounded with other maladies by inexperienced physicians, should only
be intrusted for treatment to expert specialists of large experience in
the management of this and kindred maladies.

* * * * *

STRICTURE OF THE URETHRA.

Stricture of the urethra generally results from some specific disease of
the urethra, but may be caused by sexual excesses, exposure, or strain,
or by the practice of masturbation or self-abuse. It runs a course
varying in time from a few days to many weeks or months, during which
time the patient is often unaware of the real cause of his sufferings.

Commonly, the attention is first called to a stricture by a slight
discharge, or smarting sensation, or the appearance of an undue amount
of mucous deposit in the urine. Occasionally, some difficulty in
starting the water, or a diminution in the size and force, or a twisting
of the stream as it flows, is the first symptom. This passive stage is
of variable duration. When skillful treatment is instituted at this
stage of the disease, a speedy cure is easily effected without pain or