88 The Neio Rupture Society. 



sex*, nor is it the consequence of depraved habits or im- 

 moral behaviour: but it arises from a natural bodily delect, 

 or from very unusual exertions, at any period of life ; and 

 can be neither foreseen nor avoided, either by the wealthy or 

 the poor. Its tendency is so alarming, that without timely 

 aid it generally terminate;, by a painful and rapid dissolution^ 

 in early life, or during the vigour of manhood; ahb« ugh, 

 in a majority of cases, its fatal consequences may almost 

 certainly be prevented by the application of an | riate 



truss or compress. 



Prolapses (a species of disorder vulgarly called a huring 

 doitm of the lody) are extremely similar to ruptures, ori- 

 ginating in a similar infirmity of the bodily frame, and re- 

 quiring a like plan of treatment. They are not, indeed, 

 equally common ; but yet occur much more frequently than 

 an inattentive observer might be apt to suppose, and are espe- 

 cially incident to the weaker sex. The idea of delicacy at- 

 tached to this complaint has the effect of concealing from 

 public view both the number and the sufferings of its victims ; 

 circumstances which could not fail, were they fully known, 

 to produce a powerful impression on every humane and be- 

 nevolent mind. But perhaps the sufferings adverted to will 

 not bear a minute description; and it may therefore suffice 

 generally to observe, that they can hardly be conceived, ex- 

 cepting by those who have had some opportunity of knowing 

 them, either from personal or from professional experience. 



* As many persons do not know that females are liable to this Heavy afflic- 

 tion, the following statement, founded on actual experience, will show the 

 proportion of herniary complaints in e3.cn sex, out of more than three thou- 

 sand cases. 



Males. Females; 

 „. _ , . _ f In both thighs (femoral) - n & 44 



741 Double Ruptures, -j [n both ,...:, . 609 & 8.<! 



fin one thigh (femoral) - - 57 . & JS3 



2212 Single Ruptures. .f In one groin (inguinal) - 1520 & SiVJ 



\\a the navel (umbilical) - 36 & 97 



Total 2325 &: 786 

 Of the single ruptures, :ror? than one third happened on the left side, and 

 cearly two thirds on the right side. A very small proportion of triple nip-, 

 tures, and othor extraordinary c;:?es, likewise occurred in the above number ; 

 but they were extremel) rare, and mostly existed among the female lex. 



Among 



