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Under this title I purpose to discuss briefly the salient features of pelvic surgery at and before its recognition as a legitimate practice, its aims and accomplishments, as now improved, and the possibilities of its attainments by future perfectionment. My paper shall be neither historical, statistical, nor bibliographical, but shall be a concise statement of facts and practice, and of the lines of improvement as I see them.
Standing, as we now do, amid the wonderful successes of the present surgery, we are prone to accredit nothing to the past save its feeble efforts and frequent failures. This is neither just nor reasonable. Pioneers in every line of work, scientific or mechanical, or both, have the rubbish of ages to clear away, the superstitions of all who preceded them, and the prejudices of those who surround them. No man controlled in his actions or habit of thought by a prejudice,