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ADescriptionofallthe Se6:. IX. 
the fcrotum— The fac being laid open, the intefline generally pulhes out 
‘‘ immediately— This is the time to try whether, by gently drawing out a 
little more of the gut, its bulk cannot be fo reduced as to enable the fur- 
geon to return it back into the belly without dividing the tendon— Yet if 
“ it (the reduction) cannot be very ealily accomplifhed without the divifion 
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of the tendon, it had better not be attempted— The fac and ftridure being 
“ divided, the contained parts come into view— In returning the intefline, 
care fliould be taken to put in that part firfl which came out lafl, &c. A 
confiderable part of the hernial fac, if large, thick, and hard, may very 
fafely and properly be removed— An old rupture which was originally con- 
“ genial is fubje61 to a flriclure made by the fac itfelf, independent of the 
abdominal tendon, as well as to that made by the faid tendon. And in this 
‘‘ kind of hernia I have more frequently found adhefions of the parts .with 
each other, of the intefline with the teflicle (^)*” Stitehing up the wound 
is not directed to be done by Mr Pott ; and fome late writers tell us it ought 
never to be attempted. 
After obferving the fleps direded to be taken in the operation, let us con- 
fider the degree of danger which attends the operation, and the chief caufe 
or caufes of that danger ; by which we fhall be led to the way of avoiding 
them. 
It is not only true that a great proportion, in general, of thofe on whom 
the operation for hernia has been performed, dies ; but it mufl be acknow- 
ledged, that many die on whom the operation has been done early, before 
fymptoms of violent inflammation bordering on mortification have appear- 
ed. Nay, Mr Sharp tells us, “ That he has feen two or three patients, 
‘‘ who were in every refped hale and flrong, and who fubmitted to the ope- 
“ ration merely to get ^rid of an inconvenience, die a few days after the 
“ operation j” and adds, “ that the event, though very furprifing, fhould be a 
“ leffon never to recommend this method of treating an epiplocele, unlefs 
“ it 
(^>) See Mr Pott’s works in 410, 1775, pages 286, 278, 279, 280, 289, 290, 312. 
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