Abstract: A surgical sponge package and counter especially adapted for laparotomy sponges. A bowl-shaped container, having a lip formed around the open end thereof adapted to cooperate with a sheet for sealing the container, has a number of sponges and a sponge-counting card packaged therein. The card has a number of numbered slits formed in one edge thereof, the number of slits corresponding to the number of sponges packaged in the container. The card is placed with the slit edge on top in means formed on the container for supporting the card when it is desired to use the device for sponge counting. Sponges may be directly inserted into the slits in the card, or the slits may receive cords attached to the sponges while the sponges themselves are contained within the container.