ABDOMINAL SURGERY. 283 
ago that to open the abdominal cavity was a much dreaded operation, to be 
employed only as a last resort; and from which only a very small proportion of 
recoveries could in the light of experience be expected. But all is changed now, 
and even in doubtful cases, in which diagnosis by other means is impossible, the 
abdomen is often opened and explored, with the greatest confidence that a few 
simple precautions will prove ample against harmful results if nothing abnormal 
be found. é 
Unfortunately it is not possible to restrain the movements of dogs after oper- 
ations, and secure perfect disinfection, hence the mortality in such must be 
greater than in like operations in man, and especially in those which involve the 
abdomen, yet the author is of the firm conviction that in cases believed to be 
of intestinal stoppage, and certain others so generally fatal, the knife should be 
used much oftener than it is now. And notwithstanding the after-treatment 
cannot be all surgeons might wish, that which could be applied would surely 
be successful in many cases in which it is thought that operations must inevi- 
tably prove fatal. 
Of course the abdomens of dogs cannot rightly be opened with the same 
freedom that those of mankind are treated, but it is urged that in all instances 
in which the end would likely be death without surgical interference, and were 
the patients members of the human family operations would be considered justifi- 
able, then they should be performed with dogs. This the rule, not only must 
cases be saved that would otherwise have been lost, but the experience gained 
be invaluable, and canine surgery advance — not be almost at a standstill as it 
is now and has been for many years. 
