The purpose of this paper is to increase your confidence in operations on the mastoid process. Some physicians, for whose attainments I hold the highest regard when matters of ordinary surgical experience are under consideration, have questioned the expedience of surgical interference in mastoid disease. Principles that are admitted to be unimpeachable in general practice, have been disputed when applied to the treatment of mastoid abscess and necrosis. No surgeon denies that free and early exit should be given to confined accumulations of pus, yet this correct surgical precept is not only neglected, but advised against by some of our excellent practitioners. Being fortunate enough to have had a very gratifying experience with several cases in which operations were imperative and successful, I desire to impress you, as I have been impressed, with the necessity, safety and success of these operative procedures.
A few words may be profitably devoted to