The Red Cloud chief., 1883-05-11

SmG ArrTxDfd- sEENfrD4Bts
fgepe~nsed ~ a.
The above illustration represents Q
small portion ~ what il called the
blind end Of the large Intestine
the cseum. II v TN this pcrscn that
the small intestine j. joined Though
not pictured hereD. and into it the con
tents Of the small intestine are dis
charged through n valve-like oprning
a. they are moved on through the body.
The upper portion 81 the picture shows
this part Il the large intestine tied on
or cut away from the reS- Al the
lower part Of the picture II seen he
yernifOrm. or worm-like, appcndag-.
which l. not known Ia serve any useful
purpose. and which l. usually empty,
presenting an opening into which moth
ing larger than 4 straw can readily TO
introduced.
Every physician j, familiar with a
peculiar formation within the abdominal
cavity called the superintendent
FORMS "a kind If blind gut about the
size Of an ordinary quill iso,hpick. But
IL is evident that few have thought Of
the dangers arising from the swallow
ing of n body about the size and shape
Of an orange sced-the danger. We re-
peat arising from the lodgment Of such
\ body In the appendix-vermiformis.
Our little bow was taken on the night
Of the 18th Of February with pains in
the bowels which might have naturally
arisen from some indiscrvtion- in diet.
but the pains being acute and local and
nj 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 council-phy- icians not only
familiar with acute diseases. but eN-
perts I'm the cure Of diseases OF chill
dren. and they pronounced our fear
gtoundles,. The external indications
were lacking. The patient could
turn easily on either side. and
there was no especial tenderness or
swelling on the right side Of the alb
domen-symptoms usual in such
cases. The patient had his ups and
downs and WAS treated for enteritis
and periioDitis. which presented no
alarming symptoms till the night II the
2lst. when IN. pains became more fire.
quent and severe. The light Of the I'D
dawned upon a little face molstened
with the sweat Of death, while entire
freedom from pain in the abdomen
showed that the Inflammation had done
it. fatal work. Before night the little
fellow breathed his last. On the sd Il
post-mortem examination. In the pres
ence of tive of the physicians called in
consultation. revealed the fact that n
body exactly in size and shape II an
orange seed, lodged in the appendix
vermiformi>. had done all the mischief
Notwithstanding the absolute absence Of
the usual external signs. When it was
picked apart IL dropped in halves. look
ing still more like an orange seed with
the white meats in either side. All de-
cided that il was either an orange or
lemon seed. but one Of the physicians.
not satisfied 10 accept the evidences Of
his unaided vision. placed it under the
micro>cope-wh-n 10, it turned ont a.
be n calculus. CalcuIi may form in the
intestines n, well "a in the urinary
organs. and in this instance one pass
ing along the intestinal track had
dropped into the mischievuus little
pocket called the "appcndix-verme-
formis."
The very reason, however, that IL he
came an instrument of death was is
similarity in size and form 20 an orange
seed. The pointed end. the ~in>inusting
shape and a size which would iii closely
in the appendix. was just wha; made il
Gh.~ ans -
find how comparatively ommon is
death from n similar causc-not from
calculi but from seeds. In talking with
gentlemen of the profession who are en-
gagged in acute practice. We learn that
MANY such cases occur. One who is
not vet forty ear old has had twelve
eases. all proving fatal. but all giving
the external indication. How many.
then. NAV there b. in which the outer
indications are absent. as in the case
cited herein? Most people are unwIl-
ing To have n po>t-mortem eNamina-
ton made. and the question may well
arise in the inquiring mind-how many
children die from this cause who are
supposed to be only the victims Of or
binary enteriti> or peritoniiis-how
many? And when this question is
brought home to Us. does il not sugcesf
the importance of warning the public.
in n journal like this. of the danger Of
swallowing seeds Of the size and form of
those which are found i'm the orange
and lemon? Not long ago. in q critic
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 10 be an unnecessary
~precaution- But in view of this pecu-
lear little death trap which was not al
luded 10 by DIR. Fuller in his argument.
we are almost disposed 10 commend his
extreme prudence. We enhesitatingiy
advise parents 10 warn their
children against the unnecessary
swallowing of orange or lemon seeds.
C~hery-pits are TO be discarded BY the
more cautious. though their form does
not 50 well prepare them for urging
their way into the appendix. Unless
b~lackberries. Strawberries. nspberries
and currents are To be pressed for their
juices. il viii be difficult to avoid the
swallowing of the seeds: few would en-
JOY grapes If the seeds are to be ex-
Guided from he pulp. But surely ali
seeds Of = larger character may be
avoided. and when the appendix-vermi-
formis is thought Of they viii be- To
this end instruct the little ones.-Dr.
Foote's HeaitA Nonthls.
The pudding which should invariably
accompany . boiled dinner to the table