Chapter LII: Introduction (22)

This gentleman, engaged as the head of a large academy, suffered severely from mental depression, weakened memory, nervous exhaustion, and lack of intellectual power, the result of the delicate drain upon the nervous system and his severe labors. We append his letter after four months' treatment:

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--My friends all notice and speak of my decided improvement. My health and faculties are again as they were years ago. Yours, H., Philadelphia, Penn'a.

CASE 33,928. SPERMATORRHEA, RESULTING IN CONSUMPTION.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Dear Sirs_--I would have been beyond the reach of aid now but for your treatment. I am now enjoying perfect health. Yours gratefully. H., Gillie's Hill Ont.

CASE 42,921. SPERMATORRHEA, RESULTING IN DYSPEPSIA AND DECIDED LOSS OF STRENGTH.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I am deeply indebted to you. The disagreeable head symptoms, dyspepsia and weakness are all gone. I can now eat and digest as hearty a meal as any one, and feel well, healthful and energetic. Never have any losses. I was very sick when I commenced treatment, but was speedily relieved.

Yours truly,
S., Charles River Village, Mass.

CASE 44,866. SPERMATORRHEA, WITH MARKED LOSS OF MEMORY, HEALTH, AND TONE OF SYSTEM.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I took treatment of you last summer. The improvement was marked, and I have continued to grow healthier and stronger, notwithstanding I have been busy all the time and nave studied very hard. Do not get fatigued as before. I read six orations of CICERO in seven weeks and passed with honor a very close examination. My limbs are solid and strong, whereas before I was weak, and my flesh cold, soft, and clammy. I am in college working hard. Truly, P.

CASE 147,411. APPROACHING IMPOTENCY. RENEWED HEALTH AFTER FIVE MONTHS' TREATMENT.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I can gratefully say I am feeling like a new man since taking your prescription for seminal weakness. While I was in the West two months, my wife received two months' treatment from you, and on my return home, to my greatest satisfaction, her cheeks were as red as roses and her health greatly improved, for which accept our profound thanks. May your honored President live long and do good unto the sons and daughters of afflicted humanity, is our prayer. W., Aral, Va.

CASE 44,198. NERVOUS PROSTRATION, CAUSED BY SELF-ABUSE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--Your kindness to me I can never forget. I cannot express half my feelings of gratefulness to you. I had despaired of ever getting well. Thanks to your skill I am now a new being. Yours very truly, B., Steuben County, N.Y.

CASE 53,816. NERVOUS DEBILITY, CAUSED BY SELF-ABUSE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--My health has improved so that I no longer need treatment. You have my heart-felt thanks for the good you have done me, and may you have as good success in treating the hundreds of others as you have had in mine. I remain yours very truly, K., Hartford, Conn.

CASE 53,913. NERVOUS DEBILITY AND IMPOTENCY.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I shall ever remember you with gratitude. My relief is perfect and permanent. I feel _so_ much better. I remain yours truly, J., Jacksonville, Ill.

CASE 254,484. SPERMATORRHEA; GENERAL DEBILITY.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I am happy to say that your medicines and treatment are always ahead of what they are represented, and I hope you will accept my deep and sincere thanks for the good you have done me. My weakness and debility have entirely disappeared, and I can say that the expense of the six months' treatment I received from you, has been repaid a hundredfold, by the benefits it has effected in my condition. F., Starkey, N.Y.

CASE 54,803. NERVOUS DEBILITY AND IMPOTENCY.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I have taken the last of the medicine which you sent me, and feel satisfied it has entirely cured me. I return my thanks to you for the good you have done me. F., East Liverpool, Ohio.

CASE 69,116. SEMINAL WEAKNESS, WITH CANCEROUS TESTICLE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--It has now been over two years since you treated me and found it necessary to remove one testicle on account of cancerous disease, that must soon have destroyed life had the operation not been performed. T feel myself a strong, healthy man, having had no symptoms of the seminal weakness for months past. Yours, P., Pittsburgh. Penn's.

CASE 51,417. IMPOTENCY.

I am getting along so well with the medicine that I am a standing wonder to my friends, and I shall not cease, while life lasts, to praise the skill that has brought about such miraculous results.

Yours truly,
K., Chillicothe, Ohio.

CASE 67,004. IMPOTENCY.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I am only too happy to say that I have fully recovered my powers in every particular since placing myself under your treatment. I would not take $5,000 for the good you have done me. I am only sorry that I did not go to you before wasting time and money on the quacks connected with that "Museum of Anatomy" in New York.

T., Philadelphia, Penn'a.

CASE 67,208. SPERMATORRHEA.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--When placing myself under your treatment, I was told that my case being an exceedingly bad one, it would probably require six months in which to effect a perfect cure. After taking your remedies four months I found myself in perfect health, and have remained so ever since. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for you, and can never half repay the debt of gratitude I owe you. I have given your pamphlet,-"Abuse of the Male Generative Organs and the Diseases to which it Gives Rise," to quite a number of young men whom I had reason to suspect it might benefit.

Gratefully yours, T., Norfolk, Virginia.

CASE 67,070. SPERMATORRHEA.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I have now returned home a now man, after four months' treatment from you. I need no more medicines now. I would urge all suffering to go to you for help. Thanking you for your services,

I remain yours truly,
R., Bunch, Iowa.

CASE 431,637. IMPOTENCY, WITH NERVOUS DEBILITY AND LIVER DISEASE.

This gentleman applied for the relief of the following symptoms: Exhausting and frequent seminal emissions, losses in the urine, want of manly strength, nervous prostration, indigestion, torpid condition of the liver, headache, nausea, and constipation. After a course of five months' treatment he writes:

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I am very grateful to you for the good you have done me, and I feel like a man now. It is sometime since I left off medicine. I have continued to improve, and I feel better than I have for years before treatment. I am happy at the restoration of my health and vigor. I shall recommend you to all sufferers. Hoping you will continue to be successful.

I remain,
Yours truly,
P., Canaan, Conn.

CASE 111,489. SEMINAL EMISSIONS, LOSS OF MEMORY AND GENERAL DECLINE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.: _Gentlemen_--Inclosed please find money for my last supply of medicines. You seem to understand my condition thoroughly. My color, appetite, and strength have improved wonderfully, and my sleep is sound, undisturbed and refreshing. Under the influence of your medicines I have completely recovered my mental and physical powers, and I feel that I am able to discontinue further treatment. The emissions have become less and less frequent until now they do not trouble me at all.

I remain, yours truly, H., Eagle Springs, Coryell Co., Tex.

CASE 51,203. SPERMATORRHEA. PERFECT CURE. HIS LETTER BEFORE TREATMENT, AND AFTER.

(First letter.)

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Dear Sirs_--It was my pleasant privilege to read concerning your skill in the treatment of all kinds of diseases, and concerning your reputation, which is most justly merited. Encouraged by these facts to place explicit confidence in you. I beg leave to state my own case as clearly as I may be able. It is as sad as it is fatal if no thorough cure can be effected. I have from my twelfth year onward been practicing, though not excessively, the evil, _self-abuse._ Although I have been led to abandon the pernicious habit for several years, my age being twenty-four, the horrible effects have not disappeared. The serious result is that I am suffering from spermatorrhea. An involuntary discharge of the seminal fluid occurs invariably once, not infrequently twice, every week during sleep. The genital organs have become diminished in size. I will proceed to state the symptoms which I have been able to observe. They are--disposition to solitude, inaptitude for study, indolence, forgetfulness, melancholy, weakness in the back (especially perceptible after standing), a lack of confidence in my own ability, want of energy, sometimes pain in the chest, elbow, arm, knees, and loins. Uneasy nights, disturbed and highly disagreeable dreams becoming more and more irritating as the time for the discharge of the seminal fluid draws nearer, also a desire to lie longer in bed in the morning.

Now, dear Doctors, permit me to ask your kind advice as to what means are to be taken. I have tried numerous remedies for more than a year, but to no effect. My suffering grows severer. Please reply as speedily as you may be able. If you be so kind as to honor me with an answer, please state the amount of money needed for your services, which shall be forwarded at once. Please find inclosed one dollar, remuneration for your kind services.

Very respectfully,
M., Wheeling, Cook Co., Ill.

(At the close of treatment.)

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--I have finished the eight months' treatment; had I been able to follow the directions more closely, three months' treatment would have effected a permanent cure of my case. Now I am well, body strengthened, mind invigorated, memory revived, energy to work restored, cheerfulness and bright hopes, once altogether lost, are now fully regained. Indeed, I feel like a new being. And now, dear Doctors, in closing our important correspondence, permit me to render my heart-felt thanks for your kindness to me, and for the benefit received from your invaluable treatment. Adieu; may God grant you a long life, that you may benefit many an afflicted one.

Very truly yours, M., Wheeling, Cook Co., Ill

CASE 464,255. MASTURBATION. LOSS OF FLESH AND MENTAL POWER.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--After three months of your treatment, I find myself cured of one of the worst habits that it has ever been the lot of man to fall into. My whole system is invigorated; I have no more weak back nor legs; no more emissions; my strength is greatly increased, and my weight is more than it has ever been before. The dull, heavy feeling in my head is entirely past, and I can truly say that I feel like a new man. Hoping you will do as much good in the future as you have in the past, is the wish of, Yours truly, B., Holyoke, Mass.

CASE 91,656. SPERMATORRHEA. OBSTINATE CASE OF EIGHT YEARS' STANDING.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.: _Gentlemen_--I have taken seven months' treatment from you, and to-day I am a well man. My friends are surprised at the great change which has taken place in me. The emissions have ceased entirely, and I am strong and well. I am a thousand times obliged to you for the good your treatment has done for me.

Respectfully yours, U., Topeka, Kansas.

CASE 461,306. ONANISM. MELANCHOLIA; CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--Having waited several weeks after finishing the last medicine, to see if there would be any relapse, I now send you a report of treatment. I believe I am thoroughly cured, not only of poor health, but of all desire to abuse myself. I have regained health, spirits, and confidence. Am married, something I have long desired, but never before dared to attempt. Please accept my sincere thanks, gentlemen. Your medicine has saved me from a suicide's grave.

H., Denver, Col.

CASE 110,838. SEMINAL WEAKNESS AND FISTULA IN ANO.

A case of anal fistula that had been unsuccessfully treated by Prof. ----, of Nashville, who had operated with the knife. He had also been unsuccessfully treated by several home physicians who stated that his symptoms of spermatorrhea were all that could be described, and more too. The sensations of crawling and itching in the rectum were very severe, and as a result of weakness there was a serious palpitation of the heart, and general debility. The generative organs were unduly excitable and weak. He complained of weakness in the rectum and loins, with irregularity of the bowels, trembling and weakness of the entire system. There was profuse discharge from the fistula and also from the urethra. We undertook his case without making any promises of a radical cure, as it seemed that the disease had progressed so that it would be impossible to effect more than satisfactory improvement in his general condition, and a palliation of the symptoms of disease. At the end of seven months' treatment he writes as follows:

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: _Gentlemen_--The result of the treatment you have sent me is a permanent cure of the fistula beyond a doubt, and in a magical manner. My heart is very much improved, so that it does not trouble me in the least. My health is perfect in every way. It is unnecessary for me to order any more medicines, but should I think at any time that a little is required to keep me in good health, I will order at once. I think that I am entirely through with the fistula and sympathetic weakness, and I can truly say that your remedies delivered me from the jaws of death. With sincere thanks to you, I am, yours for ever. D.

CASE 140,056. SPERMATORRHEA.

The following long-standing and aggravated case of seminal debility began to yield at once under the specific influence of our medicines. Frequent nocturnal emissions were present, and the semen also passed off, unobserved and unsuspected, in the urine; of course a ceaseless vital drain of this character began quickly and profoundly to impress the constitution, so that when the patient under consideration applied to us for relief, the most unmistakable symptoms of commencing organic disease of the heart and lungs had plainly declared themselves to be present. Like many hundreds, of similar cases which we cure annually, the disease yielded promptly and perfectly to the well-directed efforts of our specialist in this important branch of practice; indeed, so easy, swift and perfect was the cure that the patient failed to realize the necessity of continuing the treatment a few weeks in order to insure himself against the possibility of a relapse, and discontinued his correspondence with us, whereas it is in precisely such cases that we recommend the treatment to be not too abruptly discontinued.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.: _Gentlemen_--Your kind favor, thoughtfully inquiring after my health, came duly to hand. In answer, permit me to say that it was not my intention to take further treatment as I considered my cure to be perfect, all local and general symptoms having wholly subsided before I had finished the month's course, and thus far manifesting no disposition to return. However, in the light of your wisdom and experience, I have reconsidered the matter and now believe with you that another month's course of treatment is advisable, in order effectually to guard against the possibility of a relapse. I accordingly inclose you the price of the additional month's course. The second morning after commencing the use of your medicines I awoke refreshed in body and mind, and this experience has been repeated every morning since. The emissions were arrested at once, and I have not had a single unnatural discharge since, except once when I experienced a slight nocturnal emission, which, however, was followed by no depressing after-effects, but altogether the reverse. I feel so much stronger and better in all respects that It is a positive pleasure for me to do a hard day's work now.

Respectfully, B., Crystal Lake, Wis.

CASE 86,291.

This gentleman had suffered during eleven years from seminal weakness as the result of indiscretions in youth; nocturnal emissions were present, and there was also a seminal loss with the urine, and at stool; the patient's memory was greatly impaired and his mind otherwise affected from the vital drain; he was dyspeptic, his bowels were costive, and threatening symptoms of consumption had already begun to manifest themselves when he came under our care. Two months of our special treatment, at the patient's home, effected a perfect and permanent cure, and completely arrested all abnormal seminal losses. The following grateful letter is from the gentleman in question:

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--Permit me to say that, six months after having discontinued your treatment, my cure remains perfect. This great permanent and enduring benefit was secured to me through only two months of your skillful treatment and careful management of my case. Your medicines had a wonderful control over my disease, driving away its terrible symptoms as if by magic; they imparted to me a new power, filled my body and mind with unusual vigor, and transformed me from one racked with pain and living death or worse, to a full measure of health and happiness. I feel that if I had not been opportunely and successfully treated by you, that my life would have been permanently blighted, and that the happy and contented mind that now inspires these lines would ere this have been dethroned of reason. I feel that you have been my savior. I have not had a single nocturnal emission since leaving your treatment, six months ago. Thanking you, gentlemen, from the depths of a grateful heart, I remain.

Your obedient servant, G., Cayuta, Schuyler Co., N.Y.

* * * * *

Did the interest of our readers demand it, we could add to the preceding list an almost endless number of extracts from letters written by grateful patients, expressing their heart-felt thanks for having been cured of spermatorrhea and impotency by our treatment. But we have we trust given sufficient to illustrate our great success in dealing with these maladies.

A CAUTION TO THE AFFLICTED. We are daily consulted by persons suffering from spermatorrhea and impotency who have been victimized by ignorant charlatans. Some seek to dupe and swindle the unwary by claiming to have themselves been cured of spermatorrhea or impotency by some prescription, which they offer to send free to any sufferer. When the prescription is obtained it is found to consist of a few articles well-known to every druggist, coupled with certain arbitrary and fictitious terms, unknown to everybody and not to be found in any medical work extant. Following the prescription is a modest suggestion that if it cannot be filled by the home druggist, the benevolently-disposed party furnishing the prescription will be pleased to send the medicine, already prepared, for from three to five dollars. Of course, the whole scheme from beginning to end being a swindle, when the "medicine" is obtained and taken it proves entirely useless. Skill and genuine merit do not go begging. Men who spend hundreds of dollars for the publication of advertisements offering to give away valuable information can always be safely set down as swindlers.

In the public prints will be found advertised various ready prepared, "put-up," or proprietary, so-called "remedies," "Specifics," "Boluses," "Pastiles," "Rectal Pearls," "Urethral Crayons," "Voltaic Belts," "Galvanic Belts," "Batteries," and "Pads," all recommended as infallible remedies for spermatorrhea and impotency.

A vast experience in the treatment of these affections has satisfied us that each case must be studied and treated according to the symptoms manifested, and that medicines that are adapted to one stage of the disease are entirely unsuited to other stages of the same case. No "Pad" or "Battery and Pad," "Galvanic" or "Voltaic Belts," "Battery," "Bolus," or "Soluble Crayon," ever did or can help a case of this disease, except it be in the imagination. Although the proprietors of the most popular proprietary medicines in the market, medicines carefully adapted to the cure of the diseases for which they are recommended, yet, should we attempt to get up a general remedy to cure spermatorrhea and kindred maladies, we are certain it would be an utter failure, and this is entirely true of all such preparations now and heretofore offered for sale, and, from the very nature of the diseases they are recommended to cure, ever must be. Each case must have medicines carefully prepared to meet the conditions present, and when these conditions, from the effects of treatment or other causes, change, the treatment must be varied accordingly.

POSITIVE INJURY instead of benefit often results from the employment of some of the nostrums advertised for the cure of spermatorrhea, impotency and kindred affections. Especially have we found that the use of "Soluble Urethral Crayons," "Boluses," "Pastiles", and kindred contrivances, which are so extensively advertised, are exceedingly injurious, and often render otherwise moderate and simple cases, complicated and incurable.

Although of pretended French origin, they are evidently the invention of an ignoramus, who knows nothing of the delicate anatomy of the generative organs or of the proper treatment of the diseases incident thereto, for none other would have thought of such a preposterous plan of treatment. No man should insert such absurdly devised and mischief breeding contrivances into his urethra (urinary canal), for thereby he is almost sure to do himself a permanent injury. So far from having been invented by an eminent French surgeon, as claimed, such treatment is entirely unknown in France, and ever has been, as the writer well knows from personal observation and enquiry while sojourning in that country and visiting its most noted hospitals and medical institutions.

All the various "Troches," "Boluses," "Wafers," "Suppositories," "Pearls," "Rectal Pearls," "Rectal Capsules," and other contrivances which are recommended for the cure of Spermatorrhea and kindred weaknesses, and which are designed to be employed by inserting them into the lower bowel (rectum), and there permitting them to dissolve, are only so many irrational and filthy devices for duping the ignorant and innocent sufferers from these maladies.

AN ALLURING SWINDLE. A still more enticing, and hence more dangerous, device for swindling unfortunate sufferers, is the widely advertised "Vacuum Treatment" or "appliance" so loudly and plausibly recommended for "Developing weak and wasted organs." A simple, little, brass air pump, connected with a glass tube, or cylinder, fitted with a valve at one end, which costs not to exceed one dollar and a half, is the worthless device palmed off on the confiding ones _at from fifteen to thirty dollars_. This is done under the _false pretense_ that its daily use to pump blood into the weak or wasted organs, will cause their development and growth.

Thousands have invested their hard earned cash in this worse than worthless, injurious, contrivance. In fact the head of the concern putting out this alluring device is said to have amassed a fortune out of the nefarious business.

So far from benefiting any one, out of several hundreds of cases that have come under our personal observation, in which this apparatus has been faithfully used for a long period of time, we have never met with a single case that had derived the slightest benefit therefrom. On the contrary, we have been called upon to examine many who had been _seriously injured_ by its use.

The sudden congestion or filling and over-distention of the delicate blood-vessels of the organ operated upon, caused by placing it in a vacuum, is liable to rupture these minute vessels, causing the infiltration of blood into the tissues and giving rise to inflammation, and in some cases, to _suppuration, mortification, sloughing_ and _death_.

In other cases, the blood-vessels of the organ and adjacent parts are so weakened by the _strain_ put upon them as to induce varicocele and other diseased conditions. In spermatorrhea, it is the worst possible thing that can be applied, for by forcing an undue amount of blood into the part the sensitiveness of the organ is increased, irritation is set up in the deep urethra, and the emissions are increased in frequency. In this, and other ways, hundreds of men but slightly out of health have been permanently injured.

But this is only a small part of the story connected with the reprehensible business of palming off "The Vacuum Developing and Strengthening Appliance." The precious rascals, not content with making from a thousand to fifteen hundred per cent. profit on the miserable device furnished, while advertising fifteen dollars ($15.00) as the price of the "appliance" and "accompanying preparations," for "_ordinary cases_," make a general practice, when they have secured the fifteen dollars ($15.00), of sending it by express _with a bill to be collected on delivery_ FOR FIFTEEN DOLLARS ($15.00) MORE. With this bill they send an explanation, that "on re-examining the case" they "found it necessary, or thought it advisable, to send their stronger and more expensive preparations and appliances _for the worst cases_ AND SO HAVE CHARGED FIFTEEN DOLLARS ($15.00) MORE TO COVER THE EXTRA EXPENSE."

It is astonishing that there are those who can be induced to part with their money for such claptrap devices, and still more so that having been duped and swindled out of their hard earned money through false pretenses and promises of benefit held out to them, they should submit quietly to such extortion and not have the swindlers arrested and prosecuted for obtaining money under false pretenses as they richly deserve. For what crime can be more deserving of punishment than the holding out of false hopes and pretenses to the unfortunate? Employing the United States mails for swindling is a pretty dangerous business, and sooner or later these rascals will, we predict, find it out to their sorrow. They are pretty sure to get hold of some men, ere long, who will invoke the aid of the United States District Attorney to bring them to justice.

YOUNG MAN, if you have, through ignorance, fallen into practices that have arrested your physical growth and development in any of your organs or parts, shun all such unscientific and worse than worthless contrivances as you would shun a pestilence. No matter how plausible the web of arguments woven to entrap you, be assured, they are the utterance of knaves who care not what false hopes they encourage so they secure your money.

Consult only those whose well known skill, experience and integrity will insure honest dealings and the most scientific treatment known to the "healing art," and who supply the latter at reasonable cost.

Be assured also, that when, through proper treatment, your weakness and functional derangements are overcome, the parts that have suffered therefrom, will regain all the strength and development possible to impart to them through the aid of the physician's skill. Nature often accomplishes wonders in this direction, when aided by the skillful practitioner.

* * * * *

VARICOCELE;

_OR, ENLARGED VEINS OF THE SCROTUM SOMETIMES CALLED FALSE RUPTURE_

Probably no affection of the generative organs has been given more attention by surgeons than this. Its great frequency, being present in about one-third of all cases of spermatorrhea, and its disposition to result in impotency and wasting away of the testicles, bring it constantly before the profession.

CAUSES.--Varicocele commonly results from long continued fatiguing exercise, in the upright position, heavy lifting, jumping, straining, severe constipation, injuries from horseback riding, bicycle riding, especially the latter, or any obstruction or obstacle to the free return of blood through the spermatic veins. Self abuse and excessive sexual indulgence are also prolific causes of varicocele.

When the spermatic veins are over-distended to such an extent that their tonicity is impaired, they gradually lose their capacity for transmitting the blood, and a slowly increasing enlargement and tortuously of veins results. This goes on, becoming steadily more marked, until the pressure of the engorged vessels upon the spermatic cord impedes the full circulation of blood in the testicle and causes a wasting and softening of this gland. A loss of sexual power and increasing weakness of the generative organs generally follow this gradual destruction of the testicle, and sometimes total and incurable impotency results.

This affection is also designated by the terms _circocele_ and _spermatocele_. It consists of an enlargement or varicose condition of the veins of the scrotum or spermatic cord, and affects the left side more frequently than the right. This is due to the fact that the spermatic veins of that side are longer, more dependent and tortuous, and, consequently, support a greater column of blood than the other side. The enlarged veins feel like a bundle of earth-worms. The knotty and tortuous vessels sometimes form quite a large tumor, which is, now ever, but rarely sensitive to the touch, yet sometimes causes a feeling of weight in the scrotum and loins, and sometimes produces a sensation of numbness in the thighs.

When varicocele of an aggravated or largely developed type is present, associated with any weakness of the generative organs, as spermatorrhea or impotency, it must be cured before the organs can regain a healthy condition, as by the constant pressure of the abnormal quantity of blood and enlarged veins upon the spermatic cord, arteries, and testicles, the irritability, weakness, and wasting, are increased. The use of suspensory bandages, with strongly astringent lotions, will, in mild cases, produce relief and many times cure. Except in the worst cases, it is well to try these means before resort is had to operative surgical treatment, unless the patient is anxious to be cured in a more speedy manner. The treatment by suspensory bandage and lotions is necessarily somewhat slow in producing remedial results; yet, many quite well marked cases have, in our experience, been cured by such means perseveringly applied. Although many who have been unable to come to us for an operation, have been cured by suspensory bandages and our improved lotions applied to the affected parts, in all cases in which the veins are very much enlarged, we recommend the sufferers to come here and undergo our surgical treatment, which is painless in its execution and radical in its results.

It has been recognized by physicians and surgeons for over a century, that in bad cases of varicocele a cure can only be certainly and permanently effected by operation. Many have been the methods of operation advanced by the prominent surgeons of every age, but all have met with such an alarming mortality, that they have been one by one abandoned, except as a last resort in extremely bad cases. A late author gives the percentage of deaths from the various old operations, now in general use throughout this country and Europe, as varying from seven to fifteen per cent. of all cases. In contrast to this, we point with pride to our records, by which we are shown to have operated upon over a thousand cases by our original method, obtaining in each and every instance a perfect cure, without a single alarming symptom or a death ensuing. This we think is sufficient evidence of the perfect safety of the operation and its superiority over every other method. So every sufferer with the disease, we would recommend it as a positive means of securing a permanent cure. Various worse than useless devices are advertised by quacks, who, as a class, are afraid to undertake surgical treatment for the cure of varicocele. One has what he calls a "varix clamp," or "clasp," to be worn upon the enlarged veins. Many "compressors" and other equally useless devices are advertised and sold for the same purpose. These are not only perfectly worthless, but positively dangerous in their application. The pressure they make upon the spermatic cord, nerves, and artery, is very apt to result in impotency and a rapid wasting away of the testicles. Patients should avoid all the catch-penny devices recommended for varicocele, as none of them are worth a moment's consideration.

Even a moderate degree of morbid enlargement of the spermatic veins will sometimes cause such engorgement and obstruction to the free circulation of the blood in the testicle, as to cause gradual wasting or shriveling of that organ. In some cases the morbid condition will give rise to seminal weakness, or spermatorrhea. Many of these cases that can only be cured by surgery, are trifled with by quacks, who attribute the spermatorrhea, or loss of semen, to everything else than its true cause--varicocele.

To illustrate, Mr. B., of Colorado, applied at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, a few years ago, and said he had for five years been troubled with nightly emissions of semen and his testicles were gradually wasting away. He had been under the treatment of men making great pretensions as specialists, to whom he had paid several hundred dollars in the vain hope of getting cured of spermatorrhea. They treated him with medicines only, and did him no good whatever. On examination, we found a very varicose or enlarged condition of the left spermatic veins, and gave it as our opinion that the seminal loss was wholly due to this abnormal condition and could only be cured by an operation that would remove the varicocele. The operation was promptly performed. In two days he was able to leave his bed, and in a week started home to Colorado. Some months thereafter we received a letter from him wherein he said: "The enlarged veins continued to absorb and grow less and less, until, in a few weeks' time, all unnatural enlargement had disappeared. With a steady improvement in the condition of the veins, I experienced corresponding improvement in my general health, and the seminal losses grew less and less, and finally, long ago, disappeared entirely. I feel that my manhood, with all the powers that should belong thereto, are mine to enjoy. In other words, my restoration to health is complete. Had I saved the large amount of money that I fooled away on those quacks, and given it all to you, I feel that you would then have been only fairly paid for the great good you have done me."

The foregoing is but a fair sample of letters that we are almost constantly receiving from those who have pursued useless treatment for spermatorrhea, dependent upon varicocele, and have been speedily cured by our never-failing operation for this malady. Among the great variety of operations in surgery for various diseased conditions, performed by our surgeons, none have been attended with more uniform satisfaction, and perfect success, than has our operation for varicocele.

A PAINLESS OPERATION.

By the injection of a few drops of a medicated solution under the skin, at the point where the incision is to be made, we are now able to produce such complete local anæsthesia as to render the operation _entirely painless_ without the administration of either chloroform or ether. This is an important consideration, as many are averse to taking chloroform or ether, and now that we are possessed of an agent that produces, locally, _complete insensibility to pain_, we are very glad to be able to dispense with their use in all such minor operations. Many examinations heretofore very painful, as of the bladder for stone, and of the deep urethra for strictures, are now rendered _entirely painless_ by the use of this wonderful agent.

A great variety of surgical operations are now performed by our surgeon specialists, without any suffering on the part of our patients, by the local use of an anæsthetic solution injected into the parts to be operated upon. Formerly we were obliged either to administer chloroform or ether, or subject our patients to a great deal of suffering. Our specialists were among the first surgeons in this country to employ local anæsthesia successfully. We regard it as a great boon to our patients, and never withhold it in any case where it can be employed to prevent suffering, its use being attended with no danger and followed by no bad or disagreeable results.

OUR PAINLESS OPERATION.

Having operated with unvarying success, during the past twenty-five years, upon several thousand cases of varicocele, at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, we now invite special attention to the results of our peculiar operation, which is neither severe nor dangerous, and from which the patient makes a much more rapid, and in every respect more satisfactory, recovery than from other operations in use by surgeons generally. In our practice we have never failed to secure the happiest results from our operation. The saving of time is also of importance to the laboring man as well as to the millionaire. Instead of being confined to his bed for ten to twenty days, and to his room for a month or more, as is the case following other operations, the patient is not confined to bed at all, and can generally return home in a week or ten days at the longest. The only precaution necessary is that he should, for a reasonable time after the operation, wear a well-fitting suspensory bandage. This can, in a little time, be entirely dispensed with. When we contrast these results with those obtained from ligation, graduated pressure by "clamps," suture pins, or the slicing off of a part of the scrotum, and suturing, or stitching, the wide gaping wound so caused, as is practiced to-day by other surgeons, the marked superiority of the results obtained, through our superior method of operating on this affection, must be apparent.

A very large part of those cured by our treatment have previously spent far more money for worthless "electric suspensories," "equable scrotal compressors," "scrotal clamps," various "rings," and other "jim cracks," than was paid us _for a radical and permanent cure_. Some of these instruments are so formidable as to suggest the racks and thumbscrews of the middle ages. Such useless appliances often weaken the scrotal muscles by the unnatural compression which they produce and make the discomfort far worse when they are discontinued than before their use.

For such cases as cannot come to us at once for an immediate and _perfect cure_, we have a common sense method of treatment, comparatively inexpensive, that gives relief and comfort in all cases, and in mild cases often effects a complete cure. This treatment leaves the scrotum and its contents in an improved, strengthened and more healthful state.

* * * * *

TESTIMONIALS.

If the following letters had been written by your nearest, most respected and trustworthy neighbors, they could not be entitled to more confidence than they now are, coming, as they do, from intelligent citizens, each one of whom, in his own neighborhood, enjoys the full confidence of all his acquaintances. These letters are taken at random from among hundreds of similar ones, received from former patients of ours, residing in all parts of the United States and Canada, and if it would add anything to the endorsement in the way of giving greater confidence in our ability to treat successfully the malady under consideration, we could multiply the letters which we here introduce many times over. To publish more, however, would seem to be tedious repetition, for there necessarily must be a sameness in all such letters testifying to our skill, and we must, therefore, be content to rest our case with the limited number of endorsements which we have room for only in this volume.

VARICOCELE.

A PERFECTLY PAINLESS OPERATION. PATIENT SMOKES A CIGAR AND TALKS WITH THE SURGEONS WHILE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--I suffered with varicocele at the age of nine years, caused by a fall, and doctored for same about fifteen years, and obtained no relief. Renowned surgeons of Pittsburgh, New York, and other cities pronounced my case incurable.

I heard of the Invalids' Hotel, No. 663 Main Street, Buffalo, N.Y., and entered it as a last resource. On the third day after entering the Institution I was treated, and during the operation (which was a painless one), I smoked a cigar and talked with the operating surgeons, feeling _no pain whatever_. I remained in the Hotel one week, and during that time I never once was unable to walk to the elevator and have my meals in the dining room. The tables were laden with the best the country can produce. It is truly "The Invalids' Hotel" (or rather _home_), as the clerks and nurses are very kind, attentive and social.

Will add, that I am permanently cured, and advise any person thus afflicted not to hesitate entering the Invalids' Hotel for treatment.

Respectfully, A.J. SETH,
Lucinda, Clarion Co., Penna.

VARICOCELE.

Fair View, Sanpete Co., Utah.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--I feel it my duty to thank you for the benefit I received at your Institution during the month of December, 1892.

I was afflicted with varicocele on the left side, which caused me a great deal of trouble and almost made me feel at times that I did not want to live any longer if I could not be restored to soundness again. Hearing of your skill in the treatment of varicocele I determined to give you a trial, which I accordingly did, and with gratifying results for now I am as sound and well as a gold dollar.

The operation which was performed on me at your Institution for the permanent cure of varicocele was, to my great surprise, entirely painless and performed in a much briefer time than I expected. I only remained at your noble Institution ten days after the operation, at the end of which time I returned to my home at Chatham Hill, Smyth Co., Va. When I got home I experienced very little soreness from the operation and I felt that I could enjoy life fully. About six months after, I got married and came to Utah where I now reside, and I am very much pleased to say that I am now as sound and well as ever, and very happy in my married state.

When I went to your Institution I was surprised to see such a great number of young men from almost every State in the Union, who had come there to be operated upon for varicocele; and they all told me that the operation was painless to them, as it also was to me, and they said they were fast improving and were glad they had come there for treatment. I never experienced such great and unprecedented kindness as I did during the ten days I was at the "Invalids' Hotel." I had an excellent room--well furnished, plenty to eat, and was treated with the kindness of a mother by the nurses and attending physician.

I advise all who are afflicted with varicocele to go to your Institution at once for an operation, which I assure them they will never regret. Trusting that those who require an operation of any kind, or who are afflicted in any way, may go to your Institution and be restored to health, and again thanking you for my restoration to health and YOUR great kindness and good treatment of me while I was with you, I remain,

Yours very truly,
William F. Petts

P.S.--My sister's life was saved by your "Favorite Prescription," W.F.P.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--It is with great pleasure I recommend those suffering from varicocele to your skillful hands. I suffered with varicocele for seven years, caused by standing behind the counter at business from seven in the morning until ten and twelve o'clock at night.

In 1888 a friend gave me a copy of your Common Sense Medical Adviser. After perusing its pages I was convinced of the genuineness of its doctrine. I immediately started for Buffalo--a distance of 1,900 miles. During my stay of ten days at your Institution I was treated with the utmost kindness by the nurses and surgeons, all of whom are expert specialists.

The equipment of the Institution is something immense. I often think of the appetite those healthy exercises in the treatment room gave me when dinner time came.

After being in the Institution three days I underwent an operation for varicocele--an injection of medicine locally making the operation _absolutely free from pain_. The operation was performed in about thirty minutes, immediately after which I could walk to my room, and, after resting an hour, descended to the dining room and took my dinner as usual.

While at the Institution I met numerous persons suffering from varicocele, and it was quite pleasing to contrast their happy looks as they wished you "goodbye" with the haggard appearance they had upon entering.

After leaving the Institution I traveled about 1,400 miles by rail and 500 miles by water without the least inconvenience, which I consider a fair test of the operation.

Five years have passed since that time, and I now feel as sound as it is possible to feel.

In conclusion, let me say to those suffering from varicocele that it is impossible for them to do better than follow my example.

Respectfully yours, ARTHUR EBSARY,
(Care of Hon. Jas. Baird.) Water Street, St. John's, Newfoundland.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--I am a carpenter and some years ago, I fell from a scaffold which in time almost killed me. I wasn't hurt very much at the time, but a dull aching pain seemed to take me in the left side of the scrotum, and after I could stand it no longer, I went to my doctor. He said that I had a rupture of the blood veins of the left testicle, and it was incurable. I gave up in despair; but at last, a friend handed me some of your advertising papers, and I saw the Common Sense Medical Adviser advertised and sent for the book and studied its contents carefully, and came to the conclusion that I was suffering from varicocele. I found on consulting you that my suspicions were right. I at once wrote you for particulars, and in less than a week I was at the Invalids' Hotel for treatment. At that time no one knows how I suffered; but I hadn't long to suffer. In ten days after _an entirely painless operation_ I was a well man and returned home.

I cannot say too much in regard to the treatment and care from both Surgeons and Nurses. Nothing was left undone to promote comfort and good care. It is the only place on earth that I would feel safe to trust my life for a severe operation. There were, I think, over 100 patients at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, at the time I was there, and as I had a good chance to be with them, I found that they were all doing remarkably well.

At the date of my operation which was the 7th of March, 1893, I weighed just 165 pounds; to-day I weigh 189. I have gained in health, strength and vigor every day, I believe.

I would just say, in conclusion, that I can give my word as an honest man to any sufferer that I believe he can be cured of almost any chronic malady at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute.

Respectfully yours,
F.H. JENKINS,
(Box 13), Ascot Corner, Sherbrooke Co., P.Q., Canada.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--Having been operated upon at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute. Buffalo, N.Y., for the radical cure of a varicocele of the left side from which I had suffered for four years, I take pleasure in certifying to the speedy and certain relief afforded me, and the painless nature of the operation, as performed by the surgeons of the World's Dispensary Medical Association. Fourteen days from the time of the operation I returned home cured, and went to work. I desire to express my thanks to the Medical Staff for their skill and attention. I met several patients while at the Sanitarium, and they all reported as getting along favorably and well. Respectfully,

R.C. MARTIN,
Gambril, Scott Co., Iowa.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--I can heartily say that the operation was a great success. I had rupture of the veins, or Varicocele, ten years. I never thought that I could be cured so easily. The operation was entirely painless, and I was only nine days away from home. I am now as well as ever and I recommend the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute to any one who is suffering from any chronic disease. Yours,

CHARLES DOVE,
33 John St., Wilkes Barre, Pa.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--I was successfully treated for varicocele at the Invalids' Hotel. The operation was made painless by local application, previously applied, which made the parts insensible, and I returned home the ninth day. While there I met with patients from all parts of the country, and all spoke in the highest terms of the treatment received from the surgeons and nurses and all connected with the Institution.

Yours respectfully, J.F. SINGREY,
Maryville, Nodaway Co., Mo.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--I feel very thankful to the Association for the benefit received--due to an operation performed for the cure of a varicocele of many years' standing. All traces of the disease have disappeared. I was surprised to know that so little pain was connected with the operation.

Will say to those who think of visiting the Invalids' Hotel, that they will be treated well, and their visit will be made as pleasant as possible during their stay.

Yours respectfully,
HENRY P. SMITH,
Warren, Huntington Co., Ind.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--Having been operated upon at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, Buffalo, N.Y., for varicocele of ten years' standing, I take pleasure in certifying to a speedy and perfect cure. The operation was made painless by local applications previously applied, which made the parts insensible to such a degree that the operation was performed without any suffering on my part. Time of stay, after operation, was ten days. I cannot speak too highly of the care and attention I received from the surgeons and nurses while there; everything that was provided was of the best--the best of food, clean apartments and pleasant rooms.

I would recommend your Institution to any one suffering from any kind of chronic or surgical disease; and if they will only go to your Institution, they will meet with patients cured and others on the way to recovery from the same difficulty they have themselves--no matter what it is, if curable at all. I wish you success,

Yours truly, GEORGE R. SOUTHERN,
Morris, Otsego Co., N.Y.

VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.

_Gentlemen_--It is with pleasure that I certify to the success of the operation performed upon me for varicocele at your Institution some months ago. This operation was performed by one of your specialists in a skillful and painless manner.

I found the Invalids' Hotel just what it is represented to be, and all patients who were there were well satisfied with the treatment.

I was not confined to bed at all after the operation, and was able to leave at the end of ten days in an excellent condition.

I am unable to express the great relief which your treatment has given me and I cannot say too much in praise of your Institution.

I take great pleasure in recommending you whenever I get a chance, and cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me. With kindest regards,

I am sincerely yours,
B.T. STONE,
Fellowsville, Preston Co., W. Va.

LARGE VARICOCELE.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--It gives me much pleasure to state that during my stay at your Sanitarium I was treated with the utmost kindness, and found everything there just as represented in your pamphlet, if not indeed better. Your Institution is the best of the kind that I have ever seen and if it is possible for a person to be cured your specialists will accomplish it. A visit there convinced me that you do not make promises which you do not fulfill. After being there and having a surgical operation successfully performed, I heartily recommend all invalids to give your place a trial. Much to my surprise the operation which was performed was perfectly painless, no anæsthetic was given, and I was not confined to my bed for an hour. I was able to leave your Institution at the end of ten days completely cured. I can heartily commend your efforts in the cause of suffering humanity, and shall be pleased to offer my personal testimony at any time. With best wishes to the World's Dispensary Medical Association, I am,

Sincerely yours,
C.W. KELLY,
Riverside, Riverside Co., Cal.

VARICOCELE. THE RESULT OF INJURY.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:

_Gentlemen_--Nine years ago I was struck with a springing pole, causing the spermatic cord to swell badly. I applied for medical aid and was told that no harm would result. But I grew worse, and spent over one hundred dollars with quacks and received no help.