Diagnostische und therapeutische Irrtümer und deren Verhütung: Chirurgie.

This is the ninth and last volume to be published on diagnostic and therapeutic errors and their avoidance in surgery. It deals with the diaphragm, stomach and duodenum, and with ileus. To indicate how this work is replete with practical points, one might mention, for example, the instructions for the prevention of the fatal diaphragm spasm in tetany by the intramuscular injection of magnesium sulphate, with the alternative in extreme cases of paralyzing the phrenic nerve and performing artificial respiration. In hiccup, blocking of the phrenic nerve by procaine is advised, with freezing of this nerve in the most obstinate cases. The conservatism with which operative indications are discussed is shown by the advice not to operate for the relief of possible operative adhesions, unless coprostasis and retention of flatus cause marked disturbance of nutrition and comfort. In connection with the discussion of hemorrhoids, the practice is urged of examining