The Generative Organs of man consists of two distinct outward members, called the Penis and the Testes, or Testicles—both together being frequently called the Genitals. The Testes are inclosed in a sac or bag hanging from the pubic bone called the Scrotum, and their functions are to produce the male principle or Semen, as the Ovaries in the female ripen the Ovum or Egg. The Testes are a curious work of Nature. On dissection they are found to be composed of fine blood vessels intermingled with small tubes called the Seminal Tubes, in which the Semen is generated. Some very knowing physicians say that there are sixty thousand of these Seminal Tubes; but we doubt if anybody ever counted them. These tubes, as they leave the Testes, gradually join together until finally a single tube only goes from each Testicle. These are called the Vas Deferens, and they ascend to the abdomen through a larger tube, (which also contains arteries, nerves, lymphatics, &c.,) where they connect with two small organs called Seminal Vesicles. From these vesicles the Semen passes downwards through a tube called the Ejaculatory Canal, which is connected with the Prostate Gland, and from whence it is forced to the Urethra or urinal passage, and so out of the body. This is a brief outline of all the organs connected with the generative system of man: the Testes have the peculiar property of making the Semen—the Vas Deferens and the Ejaculatory Canal carry it into the abdomen to the Prostate Gland, from whence it is conveyed, by a peculiar but spasmodic effort, through the urinal passage in the Penis into the body of the female. It is supposed that the Seminal Vesicles and Prostate Gland impart a vital principle to the Semen, and that the peculiar The Scrotum, in a healthy state, is contracted so as to draw its skin into folds and keep the Testes close to the body. But when a person is in ill health, or greatly fatigued, the skin relaxes and the two Testes hang low, the Scrotum being then supported in the middle by a membrane or cord called the Septum Scroti, which acts as a sort of partition. The Scrotum of old men is permanently relaxed in this manner; but in children it is a sure indication of ill health. The size of the Testes vary in different persons. The average of mankind have them each about the bigness of a pigeon’s egg; but sometimes they are larger. It seldom makes any difference in the actual power of procreation whether these organs are large or small, though persons with large Testes can generally perform the act of copulation oftener, and with less exhaustion. A man with large Testes generally has a large Penis, as the size of the one usually governs the growth of the other; but it is by no means certain that sexual connection thereby affords him any more pleasure. Such men should marry with great caution. Many females are incapable of affording them pleasure from the comparative smallness of their private parts; and they suffer much pain and ill health from such intercourse. On the contrary, men whose genital organs are not fully developed, though they may impregnate, yet they cannot always give full satisfaction to the female. If it could so be that people about to marry were properly matched in their private parts, it would prevent a great deal of unhappiness in the world. Some curious cases are reported in the books of ill-matched couples in this respect. One of the Princes of the Royal Family of England (a son of George III.) died without legitimate issue because he could not have connection with his wife—she being too small, or he being too large for the purpose. It is true, he was entitled to a divorce by law, but it was said he respected his wife too much to resort to such a measure. Another curious case was that of Baron Brunner, whose wife claimed a divorce on the ground that her husband was a sort of eunuch, who could afford her no pleasure during connection. But in this case, as Madame was the mother of a daughter, to whom she dared not deny the paternity of the Baron, her petition was rejected. The Penis is the principal generative organ of man. It is usually from five to seven inches in length, hanging pendant, and extending from the Pelvic Bones to the glans at the end, and is divided into two parts called the Cavernosum and the Spongiosum. There is a groove underneath and between these two parts, through which runs the Urethra, or urinal passage. The head of the Penis is called the Bulb, and is of a spongy nature, being filled with little cells or cavities communicating with each other, and which extend into blood vessels which run the whole length of the organ, and are finally connected with an artery and a vein in the body. When no excitement of the part exists, these cells and blood vessels are nearly empty; but when excited by sexual desires, they rapidly fill with blood, when the Penis stands erect and enlarges to one-third greater size. The erection is also assisted by a number of muscles which only act when the blood rushes into the part. These are called the Cavernosus Muscles. In some persons the erection is very sudden, while in others it is the reverse—all depending upon the temperament and construction of the parts. The time for the erection to subside is also different in different persons. The causes of this difference depend upon certain vital actions of the blood vessels not fully understood. In old age this organ will often become hard and erect, though it requires more time, and the erection subsides almost instantly after connection with a female. The Penis is often destroyed by accident or by disease, There are frequent malformations of the Penis. Sometimes it will grow in such a way that, when erect, it turns one side or the other, so that association is painful and very difficult. This is generally caused by contraction of the skin or muscles, and is very easily remedied by carefully cutting them in the proper place. Sometimes a one-sided Penis is the result of aneurism, swelling of the veins, or unnatural erections. These causes generally form tumors, which must first be reduced before a proper action can be restored. Cold astringent lotions, used constantly, will generally cure these tumors, though it is sometimes necessary to bind some smooth, hard substance firmly on to them—a piece of horn or ivory being the most suitable. Frequently the cord at the end of the Penis, which binds the prepuce, will be so short as to pull down the end of the Glans and thus prevent a proper connection with the female. This cord, when too short, will often break; but the best way is to cut it carefully either with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. A Penis with a head too large is a malformation caused by boyish pranks in handling the organ during its growth. The causes of a non-development of the Penis are various. Sometimes a general torpor of the Testes retards The lascivious practices of boys, who learn of one another the habit of onanism—their too early connection with females—these and other habits affect the growth and full development of the Penis. The Penis should be fully developed in a boy fourteen or fifteen years old. At that age the seminal fluid, destined for the perpetuation of the species, begins to be secreted by the Testicles, and not only excites the sexual organs, but affects every part of the body. The power of the mind, too, is improved; the digestion becomes more vigorous; the circulation of the blood is more rapid; indeed, every organ is abundantly nourished by it, and they perform their functions with much more energy than before this period of life. But the sexual organs, notwithstanding they may be of full size, have not yet matured, as will be shown hereafter. |