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ing the sac, the other in dividing the stricture^ the following observations will, perhaps, shew that it is pardonable in me to express a doubt whether the former point has received that complete and deliberate elucidation it demands, and may warrant me in suggesting some improvements in this branch of pathology.

It will be evident, from the writings of all the older surgeons, that the greatest dread was entertained on this head, and their manipulations justly condemned by M. Louis, * arose from their apprehensions. They had the additional cause of alarm, that they were not completely masters of the anatomy, natural or morbid, of the parts, and this, as it commonly does, proved a source of dread and mistake.

Great and successful labour has since been bestowed, in ascertaining the number of the investments, their nature, and their precise relations to the protrusion. This inquiry chiefly answers one practical purpose, that of informing us

Practical advantages derived from the anatomy of the investments.

what progress has been made in the operation, and what further division will be required, before the contents are laid bare; and if in every case we could exactly ascertain this point, we should require no further guide, because their number being known, we should, at once, determine what part actually presented itself, from the consideration of those we had already divided; but this.

Does not afford a complete and precise diagnosis.

unfortunately, is often rendered very uncertain, by the number of layers into which the external investments may sometimes


 * Mem de l'academie. T. 11. p. 452, etseq.