Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-04-20

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I, =, THE ApPENprx-vERMToRMrs .eH
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The above illustration represents
small portion sof what is called the
.blinda endo of the large intestine
the small intestine is joined (though
not pictured here), and into it the con-
tents of the small intestine are dis
charged through a valye-like opening
rs they are moved on through the body.
The upper portion of the picture shows
this part of the large intestine "tied off"
or cut away from the rest. AT the
lower part of the picture is seen the
vermiform, or worin-like, appendage,
which is not known to serve any useful
purpose, and which is usually empty,
presenting an opening into which moth
ing larger than straw can readily be
introduced.
Every. physician is familiar with a
peculiar formation within the abdominal
cavity called the "appendix-vermi-
formis "a kind of blind gut about the
size of an ordinary quill toothpick. But
it is evident that few have thought OF
the dangers arising from the swallow
ing of q body about the size and shape
of an orange seed-the danger, we re-
peat arising from the lodgment of such
body in the appendix-vermiformiss
Our little boy was taken on the night
of the 18th of February with pains in
the bowels which might have naturally
arisen from some indiscretions in diet,
but the pains being acute and local and
at the outset attended with absolutely
no constitutional disturbance, the pain
full suspicion seized upon our mind that
some foreign body had lodged in the
vermiform-appendix. Not feeling sure,
we called ouncil-physicians not only
familiar with acute diseases, but ex-
,perts in the cure of diseases of chill
dren, and they pronounced our fears
were lacking. The patient coul.
turn easily on either side, and
there was no especial tenderness or
swelling on the right side OF the abb
domen-symptoms usual in such
cases. The patient had his cups and
downs and was treated for enteritis
and peritonitis, which presented no
alarming symptoms till the night of the
21st, VIXEN the pains became more fre-
quent and severe. The light of the 22d
dawned upon a little face moistened
with the sweat of death, while entire
freedom from pain in the abdomen
showed that the inflammation had done
its fatal work. Before night the little
fellow breathed his last. On the 23d a
post-mortem examination, in the prese
ence, of two of the physicians called in
consultation, revealed the fact that
body exactly. in size and shape of an
orange seed, lodged in the appendix
vermiformis, had done all the mischief,
notwithstanding the absolute absence of
the usual external signs. When it was
picked apart it dropped in halves, look
ing still more like an orange seed with
the white meats in either side. All de-
cided that it was either an orange or,
lemon seed, but one of the physicians,
not satisfied to accept the evidences of
his unaided vision, placed it under the
microscope-when 10! it turned out to
be u calculus. Calculi may form in the
intestines as well as in the urinary
organs, and in this instance one pass
ing along the, intestinal track had
dropped into the mischievous little
pocket called the "appendix-verme-
formis." xEs5
The very reason, however, that it be-
came an instrument of death was its
similarity in size and form to an orange
seed, The pointed end, the insinuating
shape and a size which would fit closely
in the appendix, was just-what made it
dangerous. Our next surprise was to
find how comparatively common is
death from a, similar canse-not from
calculi but from seeds. In talking with
geEtlemen of the profession who are en-
gagged in acute practice, we, learn that
many such cases occur. Ii One who is
not yet forty years old has had twelve
cases, all proving fatal, but all giving
the external indication. How many,
then, may there be inwhich the outer
indications are absent, as in the case
cited, hereinP Most people are unwill-
ing to have a post-mortem examine
tion made, and the question may well
arise in the inquiring mind-how many
children die from this cause who are
I,supposed to be only the victims of or
dinary enteritis or peritonitis-ho
manyp And when this question is
brought home to us, does it not suggest
the importance of warning the public,
in journal like this, of the danger of
| swallowing seeds of the size and form of
those which are found. in, the orange
and lemonP Not long ago, in critic
l'ism of something said or written by DIR.
Frank Fuller, against swallowing any
seeds of fruits, and advising the use Of
only the juices of some, we opposed
what we thought to be an unnecessary
precaution. But in view of this pech-
lear little death trap which was not al
luded to byyDr.s Fuller in hisargument,
we are almost disposed to commend his
extreme prudence. We enhesitatingly
advise parents . to warn their
children against the unnecessary
swallowing of orange or lemon seeds.
Cherry pits are to be discarded blythe
more cautious, though their form does
not so well prepare them for urging
their way into the appendix. Unless
blackberries,. strawberries.s raspberries
and currents are to be pressed for their
| juices, it will be difficult to'ayoid the
swallowing of the seeds; few would en-
| joy grapes if the seeds are to be ex-
cluded from he pulp. But surely all
seeds of larger character may be
avoided, and when the appendix-vermi-
formis is thought of they will be. To
this end instruct the little ones. DR..
F0ote's Health Monthly. 5.l
The pudding which should invariably
accompany a boiled dinner to the table
is made in this way: One pint Of