During the last few years an enormous amount of literature has been written concerning the operation of tonsillectomy, most of which has been occupied with trivial details either of position, instrumentation or order of procedure. If general surgery were to occupy itself with so many minor details for each operation the literature of operative techic would be overwhelming. It seems to me time to simplify somewhat our literature of this subject, and describe principles rather than minute details. The tonsil is a gland set in each side of the back of the mouth; bounded in front by the palatoglossus muscle or anterior pillar, behind by the palatopharyngeus muscle or posterior pillar, and externally and somewhat above by the superior constrictor muscle, and inferiorly lying against the root of the tongue. It is embraced, except on its free surface, with a fibrous capsule, and this fibrous capsule is attached to the