446 
EXTRACTS FROM EXCHANGES. 
technique unnecessarily, notwithstanding that “ Simplicity 
marks the surgery of 1900.”— {E. M .) 
In bowel lesions, whether great or small, the aim of surgery 
is to preserve the integrity of the bowel. A bowel should not 
be resected as a matter of choice. Well-pronounced indications 
should be present to warrant such radical procedure. In look¬ 
ing for such indications one may fall short of or overstep a 
conservative position.—( T. A. Ashby.) 
The reasons for the early removal of surgical dressings 
are sepsis ; secondary haemorrhage ; displacement of surgical 
dressings and bandages ; undue pressure of dressings and band¬ 
ages ; dressings soiled by faeces or urine ; and, dressing soaked 
by wound secretions. When surgical dressings are left undis¬ 
turbed for six or seven days it is advisable to explain to the 
client your object for not removing them sooner, as he may 
think that you are neglecting your patient.—( E . M.) 
Theoretically it is impossible to absolutely disinfect the skin 
of the patient and the hands of the operator. Practically it is 
one of the simplest tasks to obtain a degree of surgical clean¬ 
ness that will insure primary wound-healing.— (A. J. Ochsner .) 
Avoid the use of force in irrigating the abdominal or pelvic 
cavity; if a syringe or douche bag is used for this purpose, use 
only sufficient pressure to make a gentle stream, and allow the 
water to run over the surface in obedience to the law governing 
fluids.— (E. M.) 
EXTRACTS FROM EXCHANGES. 
ENGLISH REVIEW. 
Sharp but Profitable Lesson in Hernia. —Under this 
title a young practitioner, “ Novice,” records this interesting 
case to guard others from a similar predicament : The subject 
was a pony gelding which presented a large swelling on the 
inside of the near thigh. At first the case seemed to be 
simple enough and a diagnosis of lymphangitis was made out 
and appropriate treatment ordered. For the three following 
days there was no change, but after a few more the symptoms 
assumed more severe characters, and a soft prominence was 
observed on the inside of the thigh three inches below the stifle. 
This was punctured with an incision large enough to introduce 
the little finger, but nothing came out of the cavity. On the 
following day the horse was taken with violent pains and the 
