During 1956 it is estimated that 9,450,000 persons were injured in accidents in this country. The National Safety Council does not estimate the number of abdominal injuries. Among 2,000,000 disabling compensation injuries, 27% involved the trunk, and the abdominal injuries might make up one-third of these. The number would consist of both penetrating and nonpenetrating injuries. The former are commoner. This discussion is limited to the latter—nonpenetrating injuries of the abdomen. They are not large in number or in percentage of cases in the whole field of trauma. But the danger of visceral rupture or fatal hemorrhage makes this one of the most important injuries, and one in which the doctor's decision as to early correct diagnosis and early proper intervention may make the difference between life and death for the person concerned. The diagnosis is easier in penetrating than in nonpenetrating injuries. The mortality in nonpenetrating injuries of the