cautions the bearer of this potent charm of the
possible dangers of satyriasis incurred thereby, and offers suitable
remedies for so alarming a condition.

Chapters on satyriasis, gomorrhea (gonorrhea in its etymological
sense, seminal emissions), with a third entitled "_De pustulis et_
*_apostematibus virgae_" complete this department of medical art. The
last chapter recognizes the venereal origin of the pustules and ulcers
discussed, but furnishes no direct evidence of Gilbert's belief in the
existence of a specific venereal poison.

While Gilbert is very scrupulous in his examination of the gross
appearances of the urine in most diseases, his discussion of the
diseases of the kidneys and bladder includes only pain in the kidneys,
abscess of the kidneys, renal and vesical calculus, hematuria,
incontinence of urine, dysuria and strangury.

The chapter on hematuria presents a very curious specimen of medieval
pathology. Gilbert says: "The escape of blood in the urine is due
sometimes to the liver, sometimes to the bile,[7] sometimes to the
kidneys and loins, sometimes to the bladder. If the blood is pure
and clear, in large quantity, mixed perfectly with the urine and
accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium, it comes from the
liver. Such urine presents scarcely any sediment. If the blood comes
from the lrili vein, it is also rather pure, but less pure than in the
former case, nor is the quantity so great, while pain is felt over the
region of the seventh vertebra, counting from below. If it comes from
the kidneys, it is scanty and pure as it leaves the bladder, but soon
coagulates and forms a dark deposit in the vessel, while pain is
felt in the pubes and peritoneum.... If pus, blood and epithelium
(_squamae_) are passed, and the odor is strong, it signifies
ulceration of the bladder" (f. 275b).

[Footnote 7: In his chapter on embryology (f. 304c) Gilbert describes
the lrili vein as follows: "The embryo is nourished by means of the
lrili or lrineli vein, which does not exist in man. This vein has
its origin in the liver and divides into two branches. Of these the
superior branch bifurcates, and one of its branches goes to the right
breast, the other to the left, conveying blood from the liver. This
blood in the breast is bleached white (_dealbatur_) like milk, and
forms the nourishment of the infant. The inferior branch of the lrili
vein also bifurcates, sending one of its branches to the right cornu
of the