As a result of getting patients out of bed on the first postoperative day and increasing their activity as tolerated (with respiratory exercises mentioned hereinafter), circulatory and pulmonary complications have been reduced to a minimum, intestinal function has been restored without enemas and the period of morbidity and disability has been diminished 50 per cent or more. A previous publication1 on this subject precipitated editorial comments in several leading medical journals.2 These comments enable me to correct erroneous impressions surgeons inexperienced with early rising have had regarding it. In addition I am presenting another series of 464 consecutive surgical cases in which practically all the patients were subjected to early rising. This article also brings to attention specific reflexes that initiate pathologic changes—changes that lead to complications—and presents evidence that early rising, with its modifying effect on these reflex reactions, should be instituted by the first postoperative day.