Edoardo Bassini and the wound that inspires.

Edoardo Bassini, an Italian surgeon active at the turn of the 19th century, made a lasting contribution to surgery with his elucidation of the cure for inguinal hernia. The magnitude of this contribution in contrast to centuries of frustration in attempting surgical repair of hernia is described, as are Bassini's personal experiences, which may have played a role in his successful search for a cure.