doctor" should be competent. If he does not
care to perform the operation himself he can advise and direct you in
selecting a competent surgeon. Always seek his advice early; do not wait
until the patient is weak or dying before you decide to allow the
operation, as then the chances are it cannot help. If you are in doubt as
to the necessity of the operation consult more than one surgeon. There is
a possibility of a wrong diagnosis in some cases.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS.

ADENOIDS.--Should be removed early when they obstruct the breathing. In
another part of the book the reasons are given. The same advice is given
for tumors and malformations in the nose passages. Such conditions should
not be allowed to go on until the parts are permanently deformed or
diseased. These operations are done very frequently and successfully now,
and many people are saved years of worry and suffering. For more extended
account see department of nose and throat.

APPENDICITIS.--There has been a great deal of discussion about this
disease. It is no doubt true that many healthy appendices have been
removed, but it is also true that many lives have been saved by operation.
There is more discrimination now than formerly in this disease. Blood
tests, etc., aid in telling when an operation is necessary in acute cases.
There is very little danger in a chronic case if the operation is done
during the interval of the attacks.

CATARACT.--The operation for this trouble is gloriously successful and the
blind are daily recovering their sight through this operation.

MASTOID.--Operations on the Mastoid cells are frequently performed now and
save many lives. When there is swelling behind the ear or there is much
pain there a careful examination should be made. Chronic cases of Mastoid
disease usually demand this operation.

[664 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

OVARIES, TUMORS OF THE.--The operation for tumors is very successful. If
the ovary is simply enlarged by congestion, medicine will frequently
reduce it; but when the enlargement is due to a tumor, it should be
removed if it continues to enlarge. Sometimes there is cancer of the
ovary. If so, it should be operated upon early. Tumors of the womb, such
as fibroids, are often observed. They sometimes require removal if they
grow large. The symptoms will indicate when an operation is needed. These
tumors often grow so large as to necessitate the removal of the womb.

PERINEUM AND CERVIX.--The perineum