HIPPOCRATES DESCRIBES MUMPS FOLLOWED BY ORCHITIS
T. E. C. Jr. M.D.
In the first book of the Epidemics Hippocrates gave this excellent description of mumps complicated by orchitis:
Swellings appeared about the ears, in many on either side, and in the greatest number on both sides, being unaccompanied by fever so as to confine the patient to bed; in all cases they disappeared without giving trouble, neither did any of them come to suppuration, as is common in swellings from other causes. They were of a lax, large, diffused character, without inflammation or pain, and they went away without any critical sign. They seized children, adults, and mostly those who were engaged in the exercises of the palestra and gymnasium, but seldom attacked women. Many had dry coughs without expectoration, and accompanied with hoarseness of voice. In some instances earlier, and in others later, inflammations with pain seized sometimes one of the testicles, and sometimes both; some of these were accompanied with fever and some not; the greater part of these were attended with much suffering. In other respects they were free of disease, so as not to require medical assistance.
