How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #10
LUCIO
Behold, behold. where Madam Mitigation
comes! I have purchased as many diseases under
her roof as come to—
SECOND GENTLEMAN
To what, I pray?
LUCIO
Judge.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
To three thousand dolors a year.
FIRST GENTLEMANn
Ay, and more.
LUCIO
A French crown more.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Thou art always figuring diseases in
me, but thou art full of error. I am sound. (1.2.44-53)
When Lucio talks about how much money he's spent at Mistress Overdone's brothel, he associates coins with venereal disease. A "French crown" is a French gold coin and also refers to a bald head, which is an unfortunate consequence of the "French disease" (syphilis).
This is pretty gross, but Lucio's logic also makes a lot of sense because coins are put into circulation in the same way that venereal diseases (like syphilis) are exchanged.