DIETHYLSTILBESTROL IN MUMPS ORCHITIS: Prophylactic and Therapeutic Use

Epidemic parotitis, although primarily a disease of childhood, has been reported in all ages from infancy to senility. The greatest incidence is between 8 and 14 years. The virus of. mumps, like that of other virus diseases, involves all the systems of the body at the onset, and, according to the thesis of Philibert, complications are, in reality, exaggerated or latent manifestations of the disease. Therefore, the so-called complications may not seem to follow the initial infection but may be concurrent or precede clinical evidence of parotitis. Because these facts have been demonstrated repeatedly, it would be theoretically ideal to have prophylactic measures instituted at the time infection takes place. Statistically, approximately 1 out of every 5 men experiences testicular involvement as a result of mumps. This complication most commonly occurs on the fourth to the seventh day of the disease. It is usually ushered in with chills, inguinal pain