To the Editor:
—Having observed in The Journal of Aug. 7, 1909, the article by Horace W. Soper, M.D., of St. Louis, I wish to call attention to the enclosed extracts from a paper read by me before the American Proctologic Society in June, 1904, entitled, "The Present Status of the Flexible Rectal Tube, Which Should be Paraphrased Non-utility and Impracticability." I make this request in order that the society may be placed in a proper light before the profession, as having taken the initiative in this matter."The members of our society generally have definitely accepted the existence and functions of Houston's rectal valves, we have dilated on their pathologic conditions, but have not reflected what effect they must have on the use of the flexible rectal tube.... I venture to assert, that notwithstanding all of our boasted knowledge with regard to these valves, that it is the universal