The widespread view that gonorrhcea may be caused by intercourse with a woman who has leucorrhcea is erroneous ; as is also the belief that it can be caused by intercourse during, or immediately before or after, menstrua tion. Another widespread remarkable belief that gonorrhcea may be cured by intercourse with a virgin or with a pregnant woman is nothing less than criminal. It is hardly necessary to oppose such a ridiculous superstition ; it suffices to recognise it as such, and to call attention to the dangers which result from such a belief.
The opinion expressed by certain " nature doctors " that in gonorrhcea the inflammation primarily localises itself just posterior to the glans is quite correct, inasmuch as the first scat of the disease is in the anterior part of the male urethra. But the belief that in consequence of injections (which according to " nature doctors " is an incorrect treatment) the disease spreads over the entire urethra is incorrect. The condition will spread when this mode of treatment has failed to suppress it at the very beginning. This is the natural course of the disease, which no method or " nature cure " can change. The seemingly brilliant results that some quacks achieve
with various methods, whether injections play a part or not, is explained in the following way : There are many persons who suffer from latent gonorrhoea, and whose condition is now and then aggravated by certain harmful proceedings, such as sexual irritation and over-indulgence in alcoholic drinks. The symptoms of this condition will naturally disappear %yid' a more careful way of living. Such cases, though far from being cured, are looked upon as cured, and pronounced as such by persons %Om have no knowledge of these conditions. Herein also lies a refutation of the supposition always brought forward by quacks and " nature doctors " that men may acquire gonorrhoea in intercourse with absolutely healthy women. Such are like wise cases of latent gonorrluea, hut by claiming the infection to have come from a woman well known to be healthy, the affected person puts a load off his conscience. (The bacteria which cause gonorrhoea are known as Gonococci ; see Fig. 145.)