On the anatomy and physiology of the male urethra, and on the pathology of strictures of that canal / by Henry Hancock.

  • Hancock, Henry, 1809-1880.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the anatomy and physiology of the male urethra, and on the pathology of strictures of that canal / by Henry Hancock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    too narrow limits^ if we ascribe all strictures of a transi- tory character to inflammation, or even spasm; as a more careful examination of the subject will convince us that the passage of urine may be impeded, or even totally arrested, from causes extremely remote from, or even opposed to, inflammatory action. I prefer the term tran- sitory or temporary impediment to that of spasmodic stricture, for, as Mr. Abernetliy justly remarked, a stricture from spasm is not a stricture; whilst the term spasmodic stricture implies a forced, irregular, and abnormal muscular contraction, leading to closure of the canal; whereas I believe that the impediment to the pas- sage of urine very frequently results from some lesion of function, without any organic or structural obstruction existing even for a time. Micturition may be interrupted from various causes, which may exert a mere temporary influence, producing the form of disease at present under consideration ; or they may, by their combined and con- tinued action, give rise to alteration of structure, or for- mation of new tissue, and thus constitute the more serious and usually recognised form of permanent stricture or narrowing of the canal. The influence of the mind; mental anxiety; general irritability; nervous excitement; indigestion and torpid action of the liver; inflammation on the one hand, and want of tone on the other, influenced also by various con- ditions of the urine,—may all and each induce the former or temporary class of the disease; whilst we must look to actual disorganization; diseased condition of the urethra; the deposit of new structure; the presence of calculi; enlargement of the prostate gland,—as the most prominent causes of the permanent form. ^ With so many exciting causes, some of which are so