Summary1. A principle is established, in the surgery of the distal part of the colon, whereby extensive resections can be carried out safely with preservation of natural function.2. The histories of three patients, chosen to illustrate the use and the value of this principle, are reported.3. Stress is laid on the importance of the method advocated in the surgical treatmentof thf various phases of diverticulitis of the sigmoid, and of carcinoma of the upper or lower end of the sigmoid or of the recto‐sigmoid junctio