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There is a recent trend towards recommending exploration of the contralateral inguinal canal of infants and children with clinically unilateral inguinal hernias. 2,9,12,13,15 This has been advocated because of the high incidence (between 60% and 70%) of hernial sacs found on exploration of the opposite inguinal canal. 1,3,4,9,12,13,15 In addition, the incidence of readmission for repair of a contralateral hernia in children has been reported to be as high as 32%. 9 Earlier authors were opposed to this practice because of the low incidence of bilaterality as reported by Gross 5 and Shidler 16 and the possibilities of trauma to the cord or of infection. 6,8,11 However, these latter contraindications no longer seem to exist, since various authors found no increase in morbidity after exploration of the second side provided the first part of the operation had proceeded smoothly. 2,9 It is well known that an open processus vaginalis will

FOR MANY years penicillin has been known to be neurotoxic when injected intrathecally or when applied directly to the brain. 1,2 Yet, few appear to realize that large doses of intravenously administered penicillin may, under certain circumstances, lead to epileptoid convulsions. The current trend to administer penicillin and its synthetic derivatives in ever-increasing doses for treatment of severe infections, or even for prophylactic purposes, exposes some patients receiving such therapy to the hazards of penicillin-induced epilepsy. It would, therefore, seem opportune to report such occurrences in order to increase the awareness of this dangerous complication. We present our experience with five cases in which penicillin had a toxic effect on the cerebrum. Report of Cases Case1.—A 21-year-old man underwent replacement of the mitral and aortic valves with a disposable bubble oxygenator. Total time for cardiopulmonary bypass was 234 minutes. Plasma hemoglobin value at the termination of the extracorporeal circulation