by Mario Banche, M.D. IX The neologism "coloscopy" (colonscopy, colonoscopy) is the latest addition to the vocabulary of endoscopy of the large intestine. just as the term "duodenoscopy" was in endoscopy of the upper digestive tract a few years ago. With the advent of the coloscope it is now possible to examine the large bowel more extensively and effectively than was formerly possible with the use of its rigid forerunner, the rectosigmoidoscope. The earliest rectoscopes, 11 endoscopes" introduced during the 19th century by Segales and Desormeaux (1826, 1853), were conceived for many uses-inspection of the urethra, bladder, uterus, rectum. Successive improvements eventually led to the construction of an instrument designed exclusively for endoscopy of the rectum and sigmoid colon (Bensaude, 1907). Over the following years the rectoscope underwent no substantial change and thus an abundant and homogeneous literature accrued in which the available instruments and their use were described while the endoscopic pathologic nosography and corresponding endoscopic pictures of the rectum and sigmoid colon were codified, illustrated first by simple sketches and later by still and motion photography. The literature contains many excellent publications, some in monograph form.