The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-17
The vermIform appendix.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Since the sad aud untimey death Of Dr.
Scully, which was said to have been caused
by the presence of foreign material in the
vermiform appendix, many persons have in
quired what the disease was and what the
term yerniform appendix means. In consid-
Grafton of the widespread interest and curl
osity thus expressed. it is probable that the
majority of people would be glad to have
additional information regarding the sub
jet. Therefore the following facts relating
to the structure and formation Of the vermi-
form appendix, and the line of treatment
considered most useful. are respectfully sub
mitted as matter Of general information.
The large intestine, SO called because it Is
much the largest portion Of the intestinal
tube, commences in the lower and right
side OF the abdominal cavity at point about
midway between what is usually called the
''hip bone" and the middle line Of the abdo-
men. The commencement or closed end Of
the large intestine forms pouch-like recep-
tacle, called by anatomists the ceeum, into
which are received the contents of the small
intestine. The pouch or sac thus formed is
from two to three inches in its vertical and
transverse diameters, and merges above into
that division of the large intestine known as
the ascending colon. In the lower and
back portion Of the pouch-like end Of tile
large intestine, formed as above described,
Is attached small tube-shaped structure,
about the size OF goose Quill. the length Of
which varies from three to six inches. This
little tube Is connected with the large mites
tine by small oriice, which In some
instances remain slightly opened, while in
others 1t is partially closed with fold that
forms an incomplete valve. Its length,
size, general appearance, and the fact that it
is often found coiled upon itself, led the
ancients to compare 1t to a worm, and hence
they named it the yermiform, or worm-like
appendage. This mysterious structure
which nature takes jealous pains to repro
duce and perpetuate in every individual and
every race. Las not, so far as known, any
use or function in the human system. If It
has any purpose at all, it appears to be in
the TACT that II serves as one Of the many
means for destroying life, for it not unfre-
quently happens that at times it becomes the
seat of violent and fatal disease. 1t Is es-
pecially liable to thus become the seat Of
morbid action II, as occasionally happens,
| seeds, like those Of the apple, grape, orange,
lemon. or cherry, or hard substance, such
| as coneretiOns of focal material, pass
| through its opening and are retained. As
| might reasonably be supposed the retention
Of hard foreign material has in many in
stances caused irritation, congestion, and in
| tlammation, followed in short time by ul-
| ceration and perforati0n. As soon as per-
| foration ensues, the accumulated foreign
material Is likely to escape into the perito-
neal cavity, giving rise to diffuse perito-
nitis and DEATH
As rule, Inflammation of the vermiform
| appendix due to the presence Of impacted
| foreign material, is an incurable malady.
| Medical treatment is powerless to do more
| than pallate the severity of symptoms and
| promote the comfort Of the unfortunate vic
| tim. 1t is generally believed at the present
time, owing to the amazing advances and
| perfection Of modern abdominal surgery,
that surgical interference is capable of af-
fording the greatest help and hope. In
| order, however, to be of service, it must ba
resorted to in the early stages of the affec-
| tion. Delays are in the highest degree dan
| gerous. The operation per Sc is almost en-
tirely free from danger and may be the
means Of removing the cause Of the disease,
whereas If nothing is done to accomplish
| such end, death Is practically inevitable.
| Invariably, operative procedures are de-
| layed until too late, either because of uncer-
tainty In diagnosis, or else refusal on the
| part Of the patient and near friends TO allow
| an exploration being made. For such
reasons surgery has not yet had the oppor-
| tunity Of affOrding the service which, In all
human probability, 1t is capable of rendering
in these desperate cases. @.