Albucasis’s description is very minute; but, upon the whole, little different from our author’s as to the place of the incision or the instruments with which it is to be performed. After the perforation has been made in the manner directed by our author, he recommends the introduction of a canula made of silver, copper, or brass, and having a small hole at the bottom and three in its sides; he advises us to evacuate only half the water at first. He adds, that when the canula is removed the skin will cover the opening in the abdominal muscles, and thereby stop the discharge. The remaining part of the water is to be removed afterwards, according to the strength of the patient. (Chirurg. ii, 54.) Haly Abbas does not in general approve of the operation. He mentions, that he never saw it performed but once, and then it did not save the patient. He adds, that Galen relates that he only knew of one case in which it had proved successful. He directs the incision to be made three fingers’ breadth, straight below the navel, that is to say, in the linea alba; but if the liver is diseased he recommends it to be made in the left side, or if the spleen, in the right. (Pract. ix, 41). Rhases gives Antyllus’s description of the operation, which, however, is scarcely at all different from that of our author. He directs us to make the assistants stand behind and compress the sides of the abdomen, and, if possible, recommends to make the patient sit on a bench. He directs us to make the incision with a large needle below the navel, when the collection is connected with disease of the intestines; but if from the liver, on the left side; or if from the spleen, on the right. Like the other authorities noticed above, he directs us to make the opening of the peritoneum higher up than that of the skin. A canula, made of copper, is then to be introduced into the opening. If the pulse sink during the operation he advises us to stop the discharge of the water. (Cont. xix.) We have mentioned in our notes on Book Third, section 48, that Hippocrates and Aëtius approved of scarifications at the ankles. It appears that Archigenes also was an advocate for this practice in dropsical cases. Dropsy of the womb and hydatids thereof are correctly described by Soranus. It seems to be now agreed that the dropsy in this case is a species of large hydatid. (120.) SECT. LI.—ON EXOMPHALOS, OR PROLAPSUS OF THE NAVEL.