The patient, Mrs. H., came from a wealthy family; a clear family history was difficult to obtain, but she had no knowledge of any other member of the family having had a similar tumor; she had smoked opium for several years, which fact she succeeded in concealing from us until after the operation, by secretly taking pills.
The tumor had been growing for four or five years; there had been no severe pain, but great discomfort. When brought to the hospital the patient was also suffering from a severe attack of diarrhea, which, however, we succeeded in getting under control before the operation.
On measurement we found the patient to be 4 feet 10 inches tall and 5 feet 8½ inches in circumference at the waist line.
With an assistant on each side, she could with great exertion walk a few steps; getting her to the operating room, which is