It cannot be denied that good results, as far as mortality is concerned, are obtained in abdominal operations in private houses. The mortality, however, for a long series of cases of all kinds is greater than that obtained in well-equipped hospitals by operators of equal ability. The number of incomplete and imperfectly performed operations is much greater in private houses than in the hospital, for the operator with imperfect surroundings fears to deal radically with some unexpected conditions which he meets, and is satisfied if the woman’s life is saved, though she be not perfectly cured. It is not necessary to dwell upon the need of proper training of the operator himself in abdominal surgery. The minor gynecological operations may be performed by any one who is familiar with the ordinary principles of surgery and who understands the special technique of the operation. There is no fear of unexpected complications in such operations. Rapidity of work is not essential, as in abdominal surgery, and the operator may study the condition as he proceeds; moreover, errors arising from inexperience or ignorance are not attended by fatal results. In abdominal surgery, however, the operator should be specially trained for the work. Except in cases of emergency, he should not perform these operations unless he expects to do so continuously. He should be trained by work upon the cadaver and the lower animals and by watching and assisting experienced operators. He should be prepared to deal, without hesitation, with every pathological condition that may be met with in the abdomen; a glance at works on abdominal surgery will show how numerous such conditions are. A few successes in simple cases in the hands of an incompetent operator will lure him on with false confidence until he finally meets a condition with which he is unable to cope. Either the patient dies as a result, or, if the operator be conservative, the abdomen is closed over an incomplete operation. The directions which are about to be given apply especially to those operations in which the peritoneal cavity is entered. They may be modified in obvious particulars in case a minor operation is to be performed upon the vagina or the uterus. In such cases special abdominal cleansing is unnecessary and complete evacuation of the intestinal tract is not so important. The technique described is that which is followed by the writer. Various equally good modifications are employed by other operators. It seems best, however, to give but one rigid method which experience has proved successful. The experienced operator is able to change it according to his individual preferences.