82 
F. MAURI. 
its’maximum by the evening of the day after the operation, 
and lasting for several days. 
As can be seen, Mr. Degive is thoroughly convinced that 
by the administration of salted drinks, arnica and phenicacid, 
an internal asepsia is produced, which is" favorable to the 
sequelae of the operation. A priori, it seems difficult to admit 
that a microbic substance which impregnates the organism 
to such an extent as to prevent the entrance and assimilation 
of micro-organisms, should remain inocuous as respects the 
anatomical elements, and one may fear that the proverb “ one 
shoots at the microbe and strikes the patient,” may prove 
correct. But in view of the favorable and important results 
already obtained, the hope is a legitimate one that science will 
soon discover some remedial agents which, while harmless to 
animal cells, will yet prevent the development of septic 
elements in the organism. Indeed, we see already that 
mercury cures syphilis, quinine stops paludean fever, sal¬ 
icylate of soda jugulates climatismal affections. Still, in the 
actual state of science, this special question remains yet in 
the domain of empiricism. 
In about a dozen cases of castration of cryptorchids upon 
which I have operated, I have entirely ignored any prepara¬ 
tory medication, and yet in every case the operation has been 
most successful, and the sequelae favorable; none have pre¬ 
sented the slightest febrile symptoms. They were performed 
in very different hygienic conditions: seven were treated in 
the hospital of the school, and were retained until entirely 
recovered ; three on the farm of their owners, and one with a 
double cryptorchidie, in the barracks of the regiment to which 
he belonged. In none of them did I observe “ the severe 
fever and great depression, reaching its maximum on the 
evening of the next day,” as described by Mr. Jacoulet. 
These facts have justified me in adopting an opinion vary¬ 
ing from that of Mr. Degive, as to the advantage to be gained 
by the administration of arnica and phenic acid. 
The only preparation to which we have subjected our 
patients is the following : Half diet (straw and mashes) for 
three or four days previous to, and absolute diet on the day 
