Is undertaken when those Parts are full of Water, after this manner: Assoon as the Patient is plac'd in a convenient Posture, either {231} standing or sitting, the Operator lays hold on the _Scrotum_ with one Hand, presseth it a little to render the Tumour hard, and makes a Puncture, as in the _Paracentesis_ of the _Abdomen_. In an _Hydrocele_ that happens to young Infants, the Opening may be made with a Lancet, to take away all the Water at once: But in Men, especially when there is a great quantity thereof, it is more expedient to do it with the sharp-pointed Pipe; but the Testicles are to be drawn back, for fear of wounding 'em with the Point of the Instrument. If the _Hydrocele_ be apparently _Encysted_, the Membrane containing the Water is to be consum'd with Causticks, which is done by laying a Cautery in the place where the Incision shou'd be made, and afterward opening the Escar with a Lancet. When the Puncture is made, it ought to be done in the upper-part of the _Scrotum_, because it is less painful than the lower, and less subject to Inflammation. * * * * * CHAP XI. _Of the Operation of _Gastroraphy_._ This Operation is usually perform'd when there is a Wound in the Belly so wide as to let out the Entrails. If there be a considerable Wound in the Intestine, it may be sow'd up with the Glover's Stitch, the manner of making which we have before explain'd. If {232} the _Omentum_ or Caul be mortify'd, the corrupted Part must be cut off; to which purpose it is requisite to take a Needle with waxed Thread, and to pass it into the sound Part a-cross the Caul, without pricking the Vessels. Then the Caul being ty'd on both sides with each of the Threads that have been pass'd double, may be cut an Inch below the Ligature, and the Threads will go thro' the Wound, so as to be taken away after the Suppuration. Afterward the Intestines are to be put up again into the Belly, by thrusting 'em alternately with the end of the Fingers. But if they cannot be restor'd to their proper Place without much difficulty, Spirituous Fomentations may be made with an handful of the Flowers of Camomile and Melilot, an Ounce of Anise, with as much Fennel and Cummin-Seeds; half an Ounce of Cloves and Nutmegs: Let the whole Mass be boil'd in Milk, adding an Ounce of Camphirated Spirit of Wine, and two Drams of _Saccharum Saturni_, with two Scruples of Oil of Anise, and bathe the Entrails with this Fomentation very hot. Otherwise, Apply Animals cut open alive; or else boil Skeins of raw Thread in Milk, and foment 'em with this Decoction in like manner very hot.