=Protection of the Intestines and Omentum.=--During all manipulations within the abdomen the peritoneum, intestines, and omentum should be handled most gently. Injury of the peritoneum increases the danger of shock, sepsis, and intestinal adhesions. The intestines should never be allowed to protrude through the abdominal incision unless it is necessary for the performance of the operation. Such a necessity rarely, if ever, arises in gynecological operations. All the intestines may be removed from the field of operation--the pelvis--by placing the woman in the Trendelenburg position. Protrusion of intestines through the abdominal incision should be prevented by using large gauze pads or sponges. It is advisable always to surround the field of operation by a wall of gauze pads. They protect the intestines and prevent the escape of fluids into the upper peritoneum. This precaution is especially desirable when the Trendelenburg position is used, to prevent fluids from the pelvis escaping into the upper abdomen. The pads should be introduced after being wrung out of warm water, and should be replaced by fresh warm pads as soon as they become saturated with fluid. If they become soiled by pus or other septic fluid, it is safest to discard them for the remainder of the operation. =Toilet of the Peritoneum.=--The field of operation, and, if necessary, the general peritoneum, should always be cleaned and dried before the abdominal incision is closed. This is done by sponging and by irrigation with warm sterile water or with normal salt-solution. The sponging should be performed with great gentleness, to avoid peritoneal irritation. There are several regions in which fluids and blood-clots are most likely to collect, and which therefore demand especial inspection. The chief of these regions is the hollow of the sacrum, or Douglas’s pouch. Fluids also collect on the anterior surface of the broad ligaments and in the renal hollows. If but little fluid has escaped into the abdomen, and the field of operation has been confined to the pelvis, we need look for accumulations of fluid and blood only in Douglas’s pouch and in front of the broad ligaments. If the upper portion of the abdomen has been invaded, it is advisable to inspect the renal hollows. Blood-clot and fluid may be readily removed by the sponge held in the fingers or in forceps. Irrigation of the peritoneum is not often required. It is not necessary to flood the peritoneum with water in order to wash out blood-clot, which may be removed with more accuracy by sponging. There is always danger, in general irrigation of the peritoneum, of spreading infection.