If medicine in general is an art, as it is said to be, then medicine as applied to the treatment of gonorrhea in particular is an art raised to the nth degree.
This introductory remark implies the difficulties with which one is beset who attempts to describe the treatment of a condition in which the number of "cures" is legion but which is said to cure itself if left alone.
There are four outstanding principles that underlie the successful treatment of gonorrhea: (1) gentleness; (2) the avoidance of overtreatment; (3) the recognition that gonorrhea is a self-limiting disease, and (4) patience—or should I call patience a virtue?
I shall cite five hypothetic cases, typical of the great group of patients with urethral complaints who consult the urologist.
HYPOTHETIC CASES
1. Let us suppose that the first patient is an unmarried man, aged 21, who comes for advice and treatment