Why is gonorrhea also known as the clap?

French vs Treatment: This archaic term has been around for years befor we understood what germs were about. I like the story relating it to a french brothel "clapier?", although some insist it came from an old form of treatment. Two hands brought together quickly on the "member" or a big book slammed shut to milk the debris out of the penis.

Gonorrhea: The sexually-transmitted disease known as gonorrhea has "the clap" as one of its nicknames. This bacterial infection can produce a voluminous urethral discharge and leads to urethral scarring causing stricture disease. Old-timers were known to smack or clap their penis between their hands to break up the scars and facilitate urination. The history of the treatment of gonorrhea is fascinating.