THE URETHRAL SMEAR IN THE NORMAL HUMAN MALE

Abstract

CHANGES in the vaginal secretion which can be correlated with the menstrual cycle have been recognized since 1933 (1). The vaginal smear technique has been applied to the diagnosis of functional disturbances originating in the female endocrine system and to the evaluation of therapeutic measures used therefor. More recently attention, has been focussed on its use in the diagnosis of malignant diseases of the female genital tract (2). Similar techniques have also been employed in the detection of malignant disease of the respiratory, genito-urinary and gastrointestinal tracts of both men and women. (3). In a recent article (4) a clinician reported that the cells observed in the smears taken from the urethras of men, in whom sex hormone deficiency existed, differed from those observed in so-called “normal” subjects. Moreover, the same worker stated that, following administration of androgen sufficient to relieve symptoms, the pattern of the urethral smear returned to normal. On the basis of his preliminary ...