To the Editor:
—The report of Catchings' case of congenital umbilical hernia (abstracted in The Journal, Nov. 20, 1909, liii, 1779, from Miss. Med. Month., November, 1909) recalls a case of my own. On Feb. 1, 1900, I delivered a baby boy of average size, with an umbilical tumor, larger, I think, than the one reported by Catchings. The contents of the sac were not adherent, and the various organs could be plainly seen through the translucent walls. I plainly recognized a portion of the liver, the spleen, stomach, colon and small intestines. The abdomen seemed entirely empty.The contents were easily reduced and the cord sac tied very close to the abdomen and trimmed off. boracic acid freely applied and a thick firm pad and bandage put on. The child had no trouble and is to-day a strong healthy boy, with normal umbilicus and abdominal walls. For a while,