ON WEDNESDAY, January I, at ten o'clock, John J, whose diagnosis is tuberculosis, is scheduled for a first stage left posterior thoracoplasty," said the head nurse to me when, on the day before operation, Mr. J became my patient. Thoracoplasty is a surgical operation whereby portions of several ribs are removed, in stages, to collapse the diseased area of the lung. As I had given care to Mr. J several days before, I had been able to observe his mental attitude which was favorable with regard to his operation. He had said he was not afraid and that he had complete confidence in his surgeon. Referring to his chart, I observed that: I. During the past week mercury are treatment had been received. This was done to build up his resistance and to act as a disinfectant to the skin area. 2. The patient had been grouped and typed for a blood transfusion. This is often done as a safety measure when there may be a great loss of blood. 3. Daily sputum amounts had been charted to be used as a record to compare with the sputum expectorated postoperatively. 4. His blood pressure had been taken and recorded three times as another basis for comparison.