merous cases in which
epileptic convulsions or "fits," and other serious diseases of the
nervous system in children, have resulted from an unnatural contraction
of the prepuce or foreskin, constituting what is termed _phimosis_.

Every surgeon of experience has met with many of these cases of reflex
irritation. It occurred to us, that, inasmuch as these contractions of
the foreskin give rise to nervous diseases of an alarming nature, may
not an unnatural narrowing of the urethral canal, which must have
exactly the same effect in retarding the flow of the urine, give rise to
irritable nervous affections in adults. May not unnatural irritation and
excitement of the sexual organs, so set up, cause loss of semen to occur
during sleep, and consequent nervous and general debility?

It is a well recognized fact that the urethral canal should bear a
certain definite and proportionate size to that of the penis, just as
the length of the arm should naturally bear a certain proportion to the
length of the body. In the case of some parts of the body,
disproportionate development of the part may not give rise to anything
further than unsightliness; but when we find the small size of the
urethra retarding the free passage of the urine, then we may expect, if
this condition is long continued, to find more or less irritation of the
urethra and, perhaps, of the bladder, also. When there is a contraction
of the urethra at its external orifice, or at any point along its
course, unnatural pressure is put upon the urinary canal behind the
constricted portion, and these parts must bear an undue strain during
the passage of the urine.

It is a well established fact that improper diet, cold, exposure, and
over-work exert a very powerful modifying influence upon the urinary
secretion, frequently causing an acrid and irritating condition of this
fluid. This condition, when associated with a contracted urethra, must
result in irritation of the mucous membrane lining this canal back of
the stricture, if long continued or frequently repeated. As an
illustration, we have a hose pipe from which, by means of a small
nozzle, water is expelled a considerable distance, but a great tension
is put upon the hose behind the nozzle. If the pressure is increased
greatly the hose will burst; but, if the small nozzle be replaced with a
larger one, the projection of the stream will be quite as great, but all
undue tension of the pipe is overcome and the danger