[ 5 So 3 
there alone. But notwithftanding I admit it is from 
experience found, that the obfervation is in general 
well grounded, it may neverthelefs appear, from the 
following cafe, that this rule is not unexceptionable : 
for which reafon perhaps it may be thought right, 
that we Ihould not be determined from circumftances 
only ; but, on the contrary, that it is necefiary for 
every furgeon to take fuch methods during the opera- 
tion,. as will enable him to judge with that degree of 
certainty, without which he cannot be enabled to 
do fo. 
The methods I would recommend are thefe : That 
after the extraction of a ftone from the bladder, tho’ 
the whole of its furface be rough, the operator fhould 
neverthelefs introduce the forefinger of his left or 
right hand thro’ the wound into the cavity of the 
bladder ; by which means, if the fubjeCt be under 
twelve years of age, he will be enabled to come in 
contaCt with every internal part of the bladder with 
his finger : but if the fubjeCt be an adult, and of a 
corpulent habit of body, the finger, under thefe cir- 
cumftances, not being found to be fufficiently long 
for the purpofe, he muft have recourfe to a female 
catheter, or fome other inftrument that is nearly 
ftrait, quite fmooth and polifhed, and of about nine 
or ten inches long ; which will ferve the purpofe 
equally well, if of a proper form and thicknefs. 
This is the method I have made ufe of upon the 
like occafions of late years, without giving any great 
degree of pain to the patient, or confiderably retard- 
ing the operation. 
Since I have had the opportunity of making the 
following obfervation, as well as a prior obferva- 
tion 
