Hernia being a very disabling affection to a relatively large per cent. of the human family, and the frequent cause of death both in aduiis and children, is sufficient reason for its being considered here to-day.
Frequency and Varieties.—I have mentioned that it affects a comparatively large per cent. of mankind. It has been variously estimated that the affection is found in from one-eighth to one-sixteenth of the entire population. About one death occurring in every six hundred is due to hernia. Almost every aperture leading directly or indirectly to the abdominal cavity is liable more or less frequently to become the point of exit of a hernia. In the order of frequency of occurrence they may be named as follows: inguinal, umbilical, femoral, ventral, obturator, ischiatic, perineal, diaphragmatic, and a few other rare forms.
For every ventral hernia there are about four femoral, five umbilical and sixty-two inguinal herniæ.