In a time such as the present, with the entire resources of the nation mobilized for the successful conduct of war, it is particularly important that elective operations for the persons constituting the nation's manpower result in a maximum number of cures. Varicose veins of the lower extremities cannot be considered a major cause of disability,1 but the impairment of efficiency of soldiers and workmen afflicted with them is readily apparent.
Even in a small station hospital such as this, patients are seen too frequently with recurrent or inadequately treated varicose veins. In many of the cases it is obvious that if a systematic examination and a proper plan of treatment had been followed a much more satisfactory result could have been obtained. Despite the numerous excellent papers which have been written on this subject,2 the correct use and technic of ligation of the saphenous vein do not