Certain of the complications are peculiar to each sex, owing to the anatomical distinctions, while others are common to both sexes. The following are the principal complications of gonorrhoea:
In the Male.
1. Stricture of the urethra.
2. Gonorrhceal invasion of the epididymis and testicle.
3. Inflammation of the seminal vesicles.
4. Inflammation of the prostate gland.
5. Inflammation of Cowper's glands.
6. Peri-urethral abscess.
7. Inflammation of the glans penis and prepuoe.
In the Female.
1. Urethritis.
2. Vaginitis.
3. Invasion of Bartholin's glands.
4. Invasion of uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and peri toneum.
5. Eesidual or latent symptoms of gonorrhoea.
6. Sterijity
In Both Sexes.
1. Inflammation of kidneys and bladder.
2. Buboes.
3. Peritonitis.
4. Gonorrhceal rheumatism.
5. Affections of the heart and pyaemia.
6. Gonorrhceal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia.
7. Gonorrhceal affections of the skin.
8. Gonorrhoea in the infant.
Long monographs have been written about each of these topics, and even books upon the subject of stricture. Within the short space at our command we will briefly consider these, paying especial attention to stricture of the urethra, since that is the most important complication in the male, and to epididymitis, which is the most frequent. /Stricture of the Urethra.(Latin, stringere, to draw tight, to bind, to contract.) Stricture is a morbid condition of the urethra; of serious significance, in which the normal function of that canal is interfered with,
(a), either by spasmodic muscular contractions of the urethral walls; or,
(b), by a definite anatomical change in their structure, whereby its calibre is reduced in certain parts of its course and its dilatability impaired,
(1) either by reason of an increased outgrowth and thickening of the mucous membrane, or
(2) on account of the formation of a more or less dense connective-tissue, or scar-like tissue, which draws together and contracts the lumen,
or passageway, of the canal, with constantly increasing tendency to diminish it more and more with the lapse of years.