I have observed that many of the patients requiring surgical work on the gallbladder are very heavy, and that the placing of the sand-bag under the back after anesthesia is complete is not an easy matter. Also, the ordinary sand-bag is very uncomfortable to the patient, and many complain of strain following the operation. I worked out a scheme with the local automobile tire repair dealer whereby he cut a section from an old truck tube about 24 inches long and sealed and vulcanized both ends, placing an ordinary tire valve in one end. This cushion is placed under the patient without inflation before the anesthetic is started, and when anesthesia is complete the nurse or anesthetist inflates the cushion by the means of an ordinary automobile pump until the surgeon is satisfied with the position. The variations as to size and number of cushions seem to be innumerable, and