DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
685 
which may lead to a probable or even a positive diagnosis, our 
negligence in not making continual research for these diagnostic 
symptoms and our failure to take advantage of opportunities of 
autopsies has resulted in our continual use of the empirical term 
colic, and has also led to a continual empirical treatment of the 
entire group by a common formula regardless of specific indica¬ 
tions offered by each individual case. Under these conditions 
we find the treatment of acute bowel troubles unsatisfactory, and 
apparently a greater per cent, of cases recover without than with 
medication. The confusion in the treatment of this group of 
diseases is shown by the endless number of remedial agents used 
without any order. One will have the patient lie, another will 
have it stand, another walk, another trot or run, and some use 
external means of relief, as rubbing and applications of lina- 
ments, etc. Some rely on anodynes, some on sedatives, some on 
astringents, carminatives, stimulants, and more upon laxatives 
and purgatives and even drastics, and I must say some combine 
several or many or them in inextricable confusion or give to¬ 
gether two diametrically opposite drugs in such proportions as to 
partly or wholly counteract each other. We have permitted 
empiricism to displace rational medicine to an unjustifiable de¬ 
gree. Since the importance of a more thorough knowledge 
along this line is of paramount interest to our reputations, let us 
hereafter reach out for a more classical diagnosis and treatment 
of these bowel troubles. 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
By E. A. and E. Mrriuuat, 
of the McKillip Veterinary College, Chicago , III. 
CESARIAN section ( Concluded ). 
Obstetrical cases that require Caesarian section often present 
indications for additional interference, such as the removal of 
the uterus (hysterectomy); removal of the Fallopian tubes and 
ovaries ( salpingo-oophorectomy ), or ovarectomy. The indication 
for this additional surgical interference depends upon the con- 
