In contrasting this operation with cholecystotomy, it may be said that the latter simply aims at removing the existing calculi, and makes no provision against the recurrence of the same. Where the “natural” method of Bernay is adopted, and the gall bladder dropped back into the abdominal cavity after suturing the incision made in its walls for the removal of its contents, in case of a recurrence of the disease, the entire operation must be repeated. In the “ideal” method of Spencer Wells, only an incision need be made, in such an emergency, at the site of the first operation. Troublesome fistulæ, however, are apt to remain. In cholecystectomy, on the other hand, hæmorrhage from breaking down of adhesions between the gall bladder and the surface of the liver, it is claimed, is a frequent and troublesome complication. It is claimed by Thiriar, however (“De l’intervention chirurgicale dans certains cas de lithiase biliaire,” _Revue de chirurgie, 1886, No. 3_), that cholecystectomy is a less dangerous operation than simple cholecystotomy. Again, by Bardenheuer, that hæmorrhage from the liver can be readily arrested. The abstractor witnessed an operation in which the liver was accidentally wounded and the resulting hæmorrhage arrested by the thermo-cautery. Hertin, a French naval surgeon, in 1767, after experiments made upon dogs, proposed, in wounds of the gall bladder, extirpation of the latter, after ligature of the cystic duct. In these experiments he demonstrated the feasibility of the operation of cholecystectomy upon the lower animals, at least. Campaignac, in 1826, proposed ligature of the cystic duct, with partial resection of the gall bladder (Journ. hebdom. Bd. ii, 1829). K. Zagorski has recently attempted this latter procedure on dogs, with fatal results (Przegl. lekarski, 1887, No. 48). Nevertheless, to Zielewicz belongs the credit of being the first to demonstrate, by its successful performance, the feasibility of combining in man the two operations of ligature of the cystic duct and cholecystotomy with suture of the gall bladder to the abdominal wound. Upon further trial the operation may prove to be not only feasible, but to follow out a rational indication with relative safety. SUPRA-PUBIC PROSTATECTOMY.