On the Radical Cure of Inguinal Hernia: A Plea for Greater Simplicity

communication with the peritoneal cavity, and acute peritonitis. Such accidents should be impossible. Safety can be ensured by scrupulous antiseptic precautions. As a second line of defence I am in the habit of not only ligaturing the neck of the sac but also suturing the edges. Care too is of course required to avoid operating on cases which are physically unfit. 2. Efficiency. This depends more upon the operator than on the exact method employed. I suppose the favourite operations are the John Hopkins', Bassini's, Macewen's and Kocher's or modifications of these. Two absolute essentials of operation are (a) to secure the sac neck high up and withdraw it from the internal abdominal ring, and (6) to adequately close the dilated inguinal canal. 3. Simplicity. If the above objects are attained