in order to prevent the blood from flowing inwards when the incision is made; next he takes the knife in the right hand, pushes the point into the urethra, divides it as far along as the base of the morbid growth, but not so as to go beyond it. This done, he proceeds to cut out the growth by means of a circular incision, and compresses the urethra between the fingers, causing the growth to spring forwards. Supposing it now projects but does not actually spring out, it is extracted by means of a _mydion_ (boat-shaped instrument). After the removal of the growth the urethra must be protected from contact with the urine, which during the first few days is best done by applying an _ipoterion_, or compress,[337] made of papyrus. The mode of preparing this is described in detail later on, and a sort of elastic catheter indicated. Catheters of copper and tin might also be used, or a quill taken for the purpose. The tin or lead catheters are not to be inserted till after the third day, and carry in front a projecting shield. The application of a bandage described is declared to be of great advantage. Scirrhosities of _the neck of the bladder_, abscesses and the like, are mentioned by _Galen_ (loco citato) as occurring occasionally. With regard to _diseases of the prostates_ subsequent investigations must authenticate the amount of knowledge possessed of these by the physicians of Antiquity. _Inflammation of the testicles_[338] is usually characterized according to _Paulus Aegineta_[339] by pain under strong pressure by the fingers, while only a slight pressure causes no uneasiness. Redness and heat are slight externally, but the latter is perceptible deep in by an investigating finger. Sometimes fever is associated with it, and if the inflammation is not quickly combated, the pain, _Celsus_ tells us,[340] extends to the inguinal and lumbar regions, the parts swell, the spermatic cord grows thicker and at the same time indurated. Both authorities make the treatment consist at first in blood-letting at the ankle,[341] and the use of soft poultices of bean-meal,[342] pounded cumin, linseed, etc. to which in cases of induration is added later on a mixture of crocus and wine. In obstinate instances poultices are used of _rad. cucumeris agrestis_ (root of the wild cucumber);[343] _Paulus Aegineta_ under these circumstances prescribes grapes, peas, cumin, brimstone, nitre and resin, made into a cataplasm with honey, besides sundry wax-salves. A considerable list of remedial agents is found enumerated in _Marcellus_ (ch. 33.) intended to combat the _tumores et dolores testiculorum_ (swellings and pains in the testicles); of these we will only mention the salves of mutton-suet and nitre, the sea-water compresses, the poultices of _rad. cicutae_ (hemlock root), white of egg, frankincense and ceruse (white lead). _Aretaeus_[344] gives us an interesting piece of information to the effect that in order to