The numerous small and large submucous and subtegumentary fistulæ found in every case of chronic proctitis and sigmoiditis was the most grave and far-reaching of the numerous symptoms, but for three decades I have fully realized the baneful effects from mucus irritation, and the self-poisoning by the absorption of large quantities of serum and fibrinous septic material from the surface of the mucous membrane involved, as well as that from numerous long, cavernous mucus fistulæ: a fearful double source of auto-intoxication, for which it is useless to prescribe diet, tonics, and travel for building up the system and restoring the health. Besides the numerous general symptoms, arising from self-poisoning by fecal and mucus absorption, we have more or less marked local symptoms in many cases; and if these be not present, the diagnosis can be made out from the general debility of the system and the character of the chronic proctitis and sigmoiditis. The local symptoms of mucus fistulæ, periproctitis, and perisigmoiditis are, each of them, universally diagnosed as a disease: Such symptoms as pruritus ani, scroti, vulvæ, lumbago, sciatica, myalgia, rheumatism, prostatitis, coxitis, disease of the coccyx, chafing about the anus and along the thigh and scrotum, difficulty in getting up after sitting for a while, pain in the back of the neck, lame back, legs feel tired, and sometimes pain is very annoying, abnormal color of the skin, painful or sore spots at times, confinement in bed for many weeks from severe continuous pain in and about the rectum, etc. Up to the present time proctologists have paid little or no attention to proctitis and sigmoiditis, which is a grave disease, with a far more serious symptom, that of mucus fistulæ of great length and diameter, extending in all directions in the pelvic cavity and tissues of the buttocks, the large area of tissue found so full of holes, might be likened to a sponge occupying the same space. They are very numerous in every case of chronic proctitis and sigmoiditis.