Abstract The treatment of inguinal hernia is discussed with emphasis upon the careful execution of each operative step and avoiding the choice of a method until after the nature and extent of the weakness has been determined. Stress is placed upon the wide resection of the peritoneal sac, firm closure of the transversalis fascia, including the internal ring, and in direct hernia the creation of a solid floor with the available normal tissues. The sealing of the internal ring by suture of the cremasteric to the transversalis fascia, although only a minor contribution to the operation, has not to our knowledge been previously suggested.