H. B. was referred to me by Dr. Knutson of Buxton, N. D., and admitted to St. Michael's Hospital in this city, about midnight, August 3, suffering from intense pain in the epigastric region.
The patient gave a history of sudden attack of pain while lifting a heavy object about twelve hours before admittance. The family physician was called, who immediately recognized the gravity of the case and ordered the patient sent to the nearest hospital. The journey of more than 20 miles was accomplished in an automobile improvised as an ambulance.
The abdomen was very rigid and sensitive to pressure, and a tense mass was felt in the right epigastric region. The pulse was about 36, heart beats 90, the organ being in a state of auricular fibrillation, and temperature, 103. The kidneys and lungs were normal. After a speedy preparation a long incision was made, and immediately there