The rectum is a relatively common site for the appearance of carcinoma. Carcinoma of the rectum ranks fifth in the incidence of carcinoma of the human body and second only to that of the stomach in carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. It accounts for approximately 60 per cent of all intestinal carcinoma and approximately 5 per cent of all of the carcinoma in the body.1 Carcinoma of the intestine, rectum and anus ranks third in the causes of death from cancer in Virginia.2 Carcinoma of the rectum is curable in a high proportion of cases when treated early. Five year cures have been reported in as high as 43.8 per cent3 and 46 per cent4 of cases. The operability of rectal carcinoma varies with individual clinics, having been reported in between 50 and 75 per cent with a tendency to increase in later years.5 The