I have elsewhere observed, that it is necessary to discharge the water in dropsical patients. I must now describe the manner of performing it. Some do it below the navel, about four fingers breadth to the left: some by perforating the navel itself. Others first cauterize the skin, and then make an incision through the interior teguments, because what is divided by the actual cautery unites less quickly. The instrument is to be introduced with great care not to wound any vein. It ought to be of such a form, that the breadth of its point should be about the third part of a finger; and it must be introduced so as to pass through the membrane also, which separates the flesh from the internal part; then a leaden or copper pipe must be introduced into it, its lips being either spread outward, or surrounded with some check to prevent its slipping through. The part that goes within ought to be a little longer than that without, that it may reach beyond the internal membrane. By this the water must be evacuated, and when the greater part of it is discharged, the pipe must be stopped with a bit of linen, and left in the wound, if it was not cauterized. Then on the following days, about a hemina must be let out every day, till no water appears to remain. Some even take out the pipe, though the skin has not been cauterized, and tie over the wound a spunge squeezed out of cold water, or vinegar, and the day following introduce the pipe again (which the recent wound, by being a little stretched open, will admit of) that so, if any humour remains, it may be evacuated; and this they recommend to be done only twice.