Effects of Castration, chapt. 8

[JesusA (imported)]

Effects of Castration on Men and Women: Accidental, Voluntary and Involuntary Castration; Eunuchism and History - Medical Treatment and Aspects

VIII. MEDICAL TREATMENT OF CASTRATES

It is to the credit of the medical profession that efforts are continuously in progress to find better and more effective means of treating the ills of mankind. Primitive man knew little or nothing about medicine and developed a strong constitution and a resistance beyond the wildest dreams of present civilization.

Sanitary science is constantly improving the lot of man. But with regard to sanitary science man builds no great dreams - no outlandish romantic legends. A sanitary method simply works or it doesn't. It fails to stir in the human breast of persons who have suffered misfortunes leading to defect of body and ability the hope which is stirred quickly to holocaust proportions by the whisper of some new and powerful drug with its promises and pseudo-promises.

A book called "The Male Hormone" was written by Paul de Kruif. An extract consisting of less than one ordinary printed page giving the important data on "Uses of the Male Sex Hormone," appeared as an editorial in Sexology (New York) for January, 1947. The editorial extract is from a recent paper by Dr. W.O. Thompson of the University of Illinois College of Medicine. It was read before an assembly of the American Medical Association at San Francisco. The editorial with its original title follows:

USES OF THE MALE SEX HORMONE

The important uses of the male sex hormone are the following: Testosterone is a potent therapeutic agent and its use is indicated chiefly in cases of primary hypogonadism (deficient secretion of the sex glands) in the male. Its most important uses are in the treatment of the following conditions: (1) eunuchism; (2) primary eunuchoidism; (3) two-sided abdominal undescended tests when there is no response to chorionic gonadotropin; (4) the Froelich syndrome associated with two-sided undescended testis; (5) pituitary dwarfism; (6) the male climacteric; (7) impotence from glandular causes; (8) Cushing's syndrome; (9) Addison's disease, and (10) hypopituitarianism with secondary hypogonadism in old men.

A few years ago it was recommended that the male sex hormone be used in patients with mild enlargement of the prostate gland. Since the development of the prostate, in the first place, depends on the stimulation by the male sex hormone, it is not easy to see why the administration of this sex hormone would make the prostate smaller. It does not appear to be an especially helpful treatment. Some observers have suggested that it is effective not because it has any influence on the prostate but because it improves the tone of the smooth muscle of the bladder.

Improvement from male sex hormone treatment has been claimed in the following conditions: (1) angina pectoris (severe heart pain in the chest); (2) various menstrual disorders in the female including excessively profuse menstruation, hemorrhage from the womb and difficult or painful menstruation; (3) cancer of the ovaries, and (4) cancer of the breasts.

Dr. M.A. lesser has recently reported definite improvement in about 50 percent of patients with angina pectoris as the result of the administration of testosterone propionate (male sex hormones). It was noted that the improvement did not set in until six to eight weeks after the administration of the hormone was started. It was Dr. Lessor's impression that the life of patients with this condition was not prolonged, but that the improvement was the result of changes in the heart muscles.

The male sex hormone is of no value or its use is considered inadvisable in the following conditions: (1) sterility; (2) mild enlargement of the prostate gland; (3) cancer of the prostate; (4) defective development of the genital organs with one or more testicles in the scrotum; (5) undescended testicles unless there is no response or an inadequate response to the hormone which stimulates the testicles; (6) inability to perform the sexual act when such inability is not due to disordered glands, and (7) old age complicated with hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure heart disease.

In a few words it may be said that although testosterone stirred visions and dreams in the heart of man, so did "606" as a cure for syphilis stir dreams in the hearts of scientists. That drug doubtless served a useful purpose. Penicillin has the limelight no and medicine and pharmacological science go forward at their snail paces while physics and inventive science prepare to launch supersonic rocket planes. Medicine still puts too much faith in substances and not enough in bio-physical science.

The male hormone, testosterone, notwithstanding, is, when used with good judgment and nice discretion, a boon to mankind. The chief difficulty seems to be that altogether too much is expected of it.

The treatment of males castrated before puberty is chiefly hygienic, psychological, educational and sociological advantage. Implants of the pure testosterone, subcutaneously, may contribute to greater strength and better sense of well being. The implants need not be repeated frequently.

The treatment of female castrates before puberty should be much the same as that of male castrates in the same category, with the exception that testosterone is not indicated. So far there seems to be little evidence that estradiol (or the estrogenic substances) are of value. Pluriglandular therapy may benefit the general health in well selected cases.

Treatment of females castrated after puberty should be along the lines outlined for females castrated before puberty with the addition of female hormone treatment. Such treatment (hormone) is not always indicated.

Preparations such as testosterone when shipped in interstate commerce are required by federal law to bear words like the following: "Caution: To be dispensed by or on the prescription of a physician only."

Any attempt at self-treatment with hormone preparations is a foolish waste of money.

[happousai (imported)]

Preparations such as testosterone when shipped in interstate commerce are required by federal law to bear words like the following: "Caution: To be dispensed by or on the prescription of a physician only."

Any attempt at self-treatment with hormone preparations is a foolish waste of money.

*snickers*