One hundred and fifty consecutive acute abscesses have been treated by incision, curettage and primary suture under antibiotic cover. The antibiotic used in this series was lincomycin 600 mg i.m. with premedication and clindamycin 150 mg 6-hourly for 4 days postoperatively (children and infants received smaller doses). Similar results for the rate of healing were achieved in all groups of abscesses. A case is made for the use of the technique of incision, currettage and primary suture with antibiotic covere for acute abscesses as an alternative to conventional methods of treatment.