If the distension be too timidly effected, so that the foreskin can be retracted over the glans only with difficulty; an equal difficulty will be found in pulling it forwards again, and temporary paraphimosis may result. Under anæsthesia, however, this cannot but prove transient; but if free dilatation be procured in the first instance, there is not the least fear of its occurrence at all. On the other hand, care is requisite not to lacerate unnecessarily the delicate membrane; after which more or less inflammatory trouble supervenes, and the necessary daily retraction of the foreskin, to be subsequently insisted on, becomes difficult and painful. Should much oedema thus occur, it is best to discontinue for a few days the retraction, until the inflammation has subsided; substituting the daily injection with a syringe under the prepuce of warm carbolised oil, in such a manner that (the orifice being closed), the fluid is made to distend and 'balloon' that envelope as much as possible. The ideal dilatation-procedure is how to effect the maximum of dilatation with the minimum of laceration. In boys of seven or eight and upwards, it is often easy to stretch the parts sufficiently to allow of easy retraction and of free movement backwards and forwards without a single rent in the membrane, and without the loss of a single drop of blood. In younger children, however, this structure is necessarily much more delicate, and easily torn, especially if there be struggling. In the latter case complete anæsthesia, plenty of deliberation, and the use of not too large an instrument, are elements of importance. The following is the usual method of performing this manipulation--'operation' is much too grave a word: The only instrument needed is an ordinary dressing-forceps of average size in the case of an adult or boy of age above indicated; proportionately smaller with young infants, in whom, indeed, a probe will sometimes effect all that is requisite. The patient being well anæsthetised, the surgeon, taking the organ in his left hand, retracts as far as possible the foreskin. With his right he introduces the closed dressing-forceps as far as it will enter; making sure, of course, that he has not passed it into the meatus. He then widely expands the two limbs of the handle, holding these apart for a few seconds. Complete retraction of the foreskin behind the corona glandis is then usually at once easy; adherent spots being separated with the thumb-nail. Should there be any difficulty the tissue is gradually peeled off by manipulation with the fingers; and the collections of inspissated smegma scraped off with the nail or with an ear-scoop. Finally, the operator pulls the prepuce backwards and forwards two or three times, making sure that it is perfectly loose; anoints the glans well with vaseline, and leaves it covered by the foreskin as in the normal state.