Ulcer on penis, possibly cancerous, 19th C

Christopher D'Alton

Pencil with watercolour drawing showing what is described as a 'diphtheritic phagedena' on the glans penis. This is a rapidly spreading ulcer or canker (often malignant), the appearance of which resembles the membrane found in diphtheria infection. At this period, malignant ulcers of this type were often found in men whose occupations involved working with coal-tar derivatives and mineral oils. A patient at the Royal Free Hospital, London.