Principles of diagnosis in acute abdominal disease -- Method of diagnosis: the history -- Method of diagnosis: the examination of the patient -- Method of diagnosis: the grouping of symptoms and signs -- Laboratory and radiological tests -- Appendicitis -- The differential diagnosis of appendicitis -- Diverticulitis of the colon -- Perforation of a gastric or duodenal ulcer -- Acute pancreatitis -- Cholecystitis and othe causes of acute pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen -- Acute abdominal lesions arising in the left hypochondrium -- The colics -- Acute intestinal obstruction -- Intussusception and other causes of obstruction -- The early diagnosis of strangulated and obstructed hernias -- Acute abdominal symptoms due to vascular lesions -- Acute abdominal symptoms in women -- Early ectopic gestation -- Acute abdominal disease with genitourinary symptoms -- The diagnosis of acute peritonitis -- The early diagnosis of abdominal injuries -- The postoperative abdomen -- The acute abdomen in the tropics -- Diseases that may simulate the acute abdomen -- Acute abdominal pain in the immunocompromised patient -- Abdominal catastrophes when sensation is impaired.