The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-07-09
WHAT is APPENDICITIS
II Philadelphia Physician Discusses
the Origin Ofthe Disease
philadclphia Record

llliit'lctl'lllt kcctTN.
a paper was read last wock before
the College OF Physician, and Surgeons
10y John b. Beaver, NJ. d.. on tho sub
devoted much study, and upon which
he had before read several papers.
AS this disease, to the general public
at least, seems to be one Of recent
origin, or OF recent recognition by
physicians, it will be OF interest to tho
readers to know something Of its nature.
IT is now over twenty years since Tho
Ledger published u notice of q death
by supposed violence, which was in
vcstigatcd by the coroner and found to
be caused by what is known as ap-
pendicts. At that time the coroncr's
physician stated that such cases wero
rarely met with, but within tho last
three or four years there have been so
many in this city that the disease bids
fair TO rival "ncrvOus prostration in
the number Of It's victims.
IT is more than sixty years since the
disease was first described by Albcrs OF
}onnr under tho name OF typhlitis. 1t
hasnOt bccngencrally understood how
eTe", until within the last twcnty-fOu
years, and even now there is great
diversity OF opinion as to what con-
stitutcs correct diagnosis Of tho dis
case. There Is also considerable diff
ference of.opinion as TO whethco, tho dis
ease should be treated medically, or
surgically, or when the surgeon should
perform an operation.
The vcrmiform appendix Tor append
ago rs it was formerly callcd) is u mar
row tube attached to the inucr and
p0stcrOr wall Of the caccum. 1t has
no particular Office and is to bo found
only in man and sOmo OF the higher
species OF apes. is length varies from
one to nine inches with an average OF
four inches, and is about tho size OF a
goose quill. Ii is hollow aud has an
opening into tho caccum, which is
guarded with II valve. The disease is
an inflammation of this appendix,
which produces absccsscs, tho pus from
which sets up inflammation in tho sur
rounding tissues.
The great majority OF acute cases
arc caused by foreign bodies getting
into tho appendix and, having no way
| TO get cut, fcrmGnt and set up inilam-
nation. These are often the seeds Of
fruits or pins and buttons swallowed
by children. 1t is often caused by
catarrhal Inflammation or IN inilam-
nation OF tho mucous membrane, and
to this cause Is attributed the vS:y
large number OF cases noted within
the last three or four years since tho
| s'' Siio VI VIC BIIp. All CttScS DCRln as
q catarrhal Inflammation. Sudden colds
and wet feet havo brought on attacks
| OF the disease.
Within the last year or more decided
| progress has been made in tho diagnosis
and treatment OF the disease. There
arc three principal symptoms which
arc said to be infallible: (D The
sudden onset OF acute abdominal pain
in one previously ly well ;(2) the rigidity
OF tho right side Of the lower abdomi-
nal walls, and (3) tenderness over the
site of the appendix. The disease is
often confOunded with Typhoid fever,
and previous time is lost before tho
error Is discovered. Many fatal cases
OF appendicitis have no doubt becn re-
corded as peritonitis, inflammation and
obstruction Of the bowels.
Whether or not the surgeons knife
or the physicians potion is tho proper
method of treatment depends Upon
| which standpoint the argument is
made. Cures arc effected both ways,
anh $40 phsyiGinn often resorts to SUR
CORY when he believes the case demands
IT.. The surgeon believes that IT, is
always best to remove the appendix,
anj in tho paper read it stated that in
the statistics OF 200 cases where the
operation was performed between the
attacks there wore but two deaths, and
they occurred in the first 100. AS to
tno proper time for operating, he be-
licrcs with Macbeth, that "If 'twere
done, when It's done, then 'twere we'll
IL were done quickly" and an operation
should be performed as soon as the dis-
ease is d i"Gnoised. Also, if an acute
or chronic case is apparently cured tho
appendix should be removed before the
Occurancc OF another attack.
The physician demurs to this opera.
tion upon well man who may never
havo another attack. 1t is believed
too, by many physicians, that q large
majority OF patients with Appendicitis
Will, ii properly treated, get,well with
out an operation.
, a record of cases show that the die
case Is most common between the aoes
of ten and thirty years.
-----------Sazls E.
1.-Two bicycle firms failed in Now
York on Friday and others will nroba.
hiy follow. The crop of wheels is lar~.
er than the demand at present prices