ELSEWHERE in this issue of Pediatrics is presented a series of cases of appendicitis in childhood in which the end results of surgical care approach perfection. In 1,358 cases there was but a single postoperative death—this from brain abscess! Comparable results of surgical care are obviously not available everywhere. In 1955 the mortality from appendicitis in the United States was 2,273. Among children less than 5 years of age, there were 102 deaths; from 5 to 9 years, 75; from 10 to 14, 59; and from 15 to 19, 48 (a total childhood mortality of 284). It is surprising to note uniformly high incidence of appendiceal rupture, abscess, and peritonitis in almost every large surgical series reported from numerous centers.