PROSTATE GLAND (from Gk. rrpour676c, prostates. one who stands before, from ivoistanai, to stand before, from rpo, pro, before laravai, histanui, to stand). A pale, firm, glandular body. surrounding the neck of the bladder and the commencement of the male ure thra. The prostate gland secretes a milky fluid having an acid reaction, and when examined with the microscope showing columnar epithelium with granular nuclei. In old age it is liable to become enlarged, and it is also sometimes the seat of various diseases. Inflammation of the organ is rarely idiopathic, but not infrequently occurs as the result of gonorrhcea, or the use of instruments. Abscess may happen either as the result of acute inflammation, or it may occur with comparatively little antecedent inflamma tion, as sometimes happens in pyamia. Prosta titis is liable to produce retention of urine, either from inflammatory exudation or from the pres sure of the congested organ. In such cases the
urine must be drawn from the bladder by a. catheter, an operation which, under the circum stances, requires considerable skill and knowledge in order to avoid injuring the gland. The en largement spoken of above as occurring in elderly and aged persons. although liable to affect all classes, is more usual in those who have led ir regular lives. In rare cases there is excessive development of the glandular element, and some times tumors are developed. The gland is rarely the seat of cancer as well as of tubercle. Pro static calculi may occur, generally in old people. more rarely in young subjects. Prostatic en largement is treated surgically by removal of the organ entirely or in part. the operation consti tuting prostateetomy. It is a grave operation. Consult Park. uryery by American Authors (New York, 19011.