Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1893-10-04

tuo On1y way TO SaAeIy-9A 1Oss1D1tIty
That the Coming Man VIM BE Without
That Dangerous Organ.
VIII the coming man have vermi.
form appendix? Who has not heard OF
that troublesome little pouch in the alb
dominal regions which serves no good
purpose, but is responsible for thousands
of deaths each year2
Emmons Blaine, Senator Hagan and
hundreds of other persons of prominence
had trouble with the vermiform appen-
dix-and they died.
Now science is asking in all serious
ness whether the vermiform appendix
shall be allowed to exist; whether 1t shall
not be removed entirely before it has the
opportunity to poison and destroy.
Professor 3. G.. Wilder has said fatty
that children should be relieved of the
vermiform appendix, just as they are
vaccinated. But other students in this
new field are not yet ready to pronounce
in favor Of so radical scheme.
Physicians have known for centuries
that the vermiform appendix existed, but
it was not until 1SSS-not until five years
ago-that any one of the profession had
the daring to make an incision into the
abdominal cavity and remove this rank
offender against the laws of health.
The attack on the vermiform appendix
is but five years old, but it is being pros
ecuted with remarkable vigor in New
York city, where it originated, and the
reason is not far to seek. It is simply be-
cause physicians feel sure that they have
evidence that appendicitis, as disease of
the vermiform appendix isnamed, causes
more deaths every year than consump-
ton, the long acknowledged chief among
fatal diseases.
The appendix vermiformis in normal
condition is about the size of lead pen
Gil and about inches long. It is very
well shown in specimen which was re-
moved at a clinical lecture at the Post
graduate Medical school on Jan. Is.
This appendix had liberated and in
creased in size somewhat, but gavea very
fair idea of the part. When perfectly
normal, it so compares with an ordinary
lead pencil that it is most frequently de-
scribed as like 1t. 1t is a pencil that
writes only death warrants.
Even today very few physicians out
side of New York city have any accurate
knowledge of appendicitis or would I'M
dertake an operation for the removal of
the appendix. So entirely is the discov-
cry of the disease and the proper method
of treating it an American development
of knowledge and practice that among
scientists of other countries today APP
pendicitis Is known as "the American
disease"
Since the recent discoveries removals
of the cause of all the trouble have been
very frequent. One general practitioner
has had 48 such cases within year.
Speaking in the light Of recent re-
search, it seems safe to say that appen-
dicitis is far more prevalent than con-
sumption, and in just that proportion
causes more deaths, the chief difference
being that the cause or seat of appended
tbs may be removed bodily with success
in most cases, and success means restor-
alton to perfect health.
The removal of the vermiform appen-
dix in the early stages of an attack of
appendicitis is now held to be one of the
safest Of surgical operations. while such
an operation, when the case has come to
near its last and fatal stage, is one of the
most desperate. The sad case of Senator
Hagan is one in point. He had long de-
sired an operation, but it had been de-
layed until too late for an assured sue
cess.
And now, after all these facts are re-
cited, recurs the question Of whether the
coming man will have vermiform ap-
pendix. It is not meant by this to In
qufre whether the coming man will have
his appendix slain lest 1t slay him. A
much wider question is indicated. The
number of appendices removed in this
city since the discovery that such an OPP
Grafton could be safely performed is very
great, all things considered. One gen.
eral practitioner, not a surgical special
list, told the representative of The World
that he had removed 100 appendices in
two years. Possibly 1000 appendices
have been removed since the first opera
ton of this sort in 1883, and most of
these in the past three years.
What followsp IF such rate is to be
maintained, there will soon be a very
large proportion of the people of New
York city who have eliminated their
vermiform appendices, and we are glad
of It.
VIII the children of these people be
likewise possessed Of vermiform appen-
dixes? Undoubtedly. But should the
eliminating process be continued for
few generations, how long would it be
before this useless and dangerous, de-
generate and rudimentary portion of the
body is permanently bred out of exist
once?-New York World.