The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-20
VERMIFORM APPENDIX
ITS REMOVAL HAS BECOME AN EV-
ERYDAY AFFAIR TO SURGEONS.
How the Knife Is Utilized to Cure APP
pendictis by Taking Away the
Mysterious "Blind Alley"
Philadelphia Press.

worthy event. The vermiform appendix is
playfully labeled a rich mans fad, and ap-
pendicitis arfstocratic ailment like
hereditary govt. 1t is alleged that our
plain and simple forefathers got along
without appendicitis for many generations,
and that they carved out honorable careers
Notwithstanding. 1t is true, however, that
many of them who curled up suddenly and
died would have ornamented their several
communities for a greater space of time
had surgical skill, aided by antiseptic
treatment, solved the problem Of operating
for the abdominal disease then known as
peritonitis, and various forms of intestinal
Inflammation.
Only ten years have passed since an
American surgeon first demonstrated the
possibility Of operating upon the appendix
and removing it with safety to the patient.
In this decade many thousands of lives
have been saved by the operation for APP
pendicitis, and the surgeons know to-day
that if not performed too late and with
proper treatment, the percentage of deaths
is SO small that the chances of recovery
are almost certain.
The verniform appendix is a small sac,
opening from the main intestine, and To-
Gated on the right side of the abdomen.
Usually it is about four inches in length,
and bit larger than lead pencil. 1t is
blind alley in the human anatomy, closed
at the bottom, open at the top.
Its only function is to make trouble and
act as the surgeons friend The appendix
has no use that surgeons and anatomists
have been able to discover. 1t is a rudi-
mentary organ which had some place in
the digestive apparatus of the primitive
in some stage of his evo-
luton. The organ is simply a
trap, set to catch any stray objects, and
nation or to become attacked by infiam-
nation on general principles. 1t is mys-
terious example of pure perversity.
But popular opinion is all wrong with
spect to the capture of grape, apple and
orange seeds. and other odds and ends by
the ambushed appendix In the great ma
jority of operations there is trace of
foreign bodies of this sort in the appendix.
The percentage is SO small. in fact, that it
told the writer that in the last thirty OPP
erations which he had conducted, not one
appendix contained any of the debris which
the imagination is wont to locate in dam
aged blind alley" The causes of inffam-
nation are usually catarrhal inflammation
OF the large intestine, Indigestion, cold
from exposure or violent effort or blow.
The victims are usually adolescents or
adults, who enjoy good health, but are
suddenly afflicted with various functional
digestive troubles.
WHERE THE TROUBLE IS.
The symptoms of tenderness and pain al
ways localize themselves on the right side
in the right lilac fossa'' the doctors will
tell you. Acute appendicitis. in which the
Inflammation spreads rapidly to the sur
rounding region, must be operated on as
soon as identified, for death may result on
the second, third fourth day of the at
tack Mild or recurrent appendicitis. in
which attacks come with intervals of time
between them, is the sort which arouses
the mirth ofGthe jest-maker. For the pa
ic Ilv hatv
attacks, when to all appearances he is a
well man. and his appendix is removed as
preventive.
saw an operation one day of last week
1t beautiful performance from
tistic standpoint. The wonderful skill and
delicacy of the operating surgeon made the
ignorant witness to forget the marvel of it
all. 1t seemed so easy for him His cool
ness and matter-of-fact air destroyed the
feeling that death might lie in a hairs
breadth slip of the shining blade which, in
a few minutes, laid bare the vital machin-
layer after layer of flesh and muscle,
through the delicate fabric of the peritone-
UNI, until the throbbing intestines were
drawn out through the incision, and pushed
to one side until the operator was ready to
replace them. 1t suggested the repairing
of the works of watch IN the hands 1,s+ OF an
shock the most sensitively balanced tenn
permanent. There was not the sight of flow
whole operation without flinching, who aft
erward tainted at seeing the simple opera
ton ingrOWlng toe nail
EXPOSING THE MACHINERY.
The operation was set for o'clock. Ten
minutes before the hour the surgeon en-
tered the hospital, smoking cigar, and
with a. Jolly greeting for the resident sur
geons who were to assist him. He went
to his dressing room and reappeared in
Jacket and apron of spotless duck. His
sleeves were rolled up and he looked bus
mess" all over Then he began to wash
his hands in an antiseptic solution, and he
scrubbed away for fully five minutes. The
young surgeons did likewise, and the aver
age small boy would have called it a NOR
bid exhibition of cleanliness. 1t is aseptic
treatment however which has made these
delicate operations possible together with
the heaven-sent blessings of anaesthetics.
The operating room was hooded with
nurses, wearing white caps. kerchiefs and
aprons were busy making all things ready.
Shallow pans nled WITH WITH so et non OF t p,-
bles Many bright knives, scissors, clips
for Selling severed arteries, rolls of catgut
and silk and curved needles We're dropped
into these aseptic baths. Piles of gauze
and rolls of bandaging were
taken from the sterilizing ovens, which
looked like the huge nickeled coffee heat
ers seen in restaurants. Bacteria had no
show for their pestiferous lives in this
ger in every possible way was very inn
pressive The air was close and hot and
Smelied of lnnunlerable drugs
THE SURGEON BEGINS.
The surgeon came into the room and
looked about him. His trained eye saw
that all things were in their places. The
nurses and the young surgeons stood wait
ing for orders. From far down the hall
way came the rumble of wheels. The pa
tent was being brought to the operating
room A sheeted outline of showed
white on the wheeled table. He was
breathing stertorously and gasping. The
face was hidden beneath a metal case filled
with cotton. From this the fumes of ether
rose and filled the room. A young physi-
clan was pouring ether into this inhaler
and watching the half-closed eyes in
tently.
The prone figure was insensible and
would know nothing of the next fifteen
work. The surgeon nodded to an
assistant and the clothing was removed
from the patients stomach. The mans
flesh lay white and gently heaving to the
impulse of his heavy breathing.
/ had not nerved myself up to feeling
that the more than block
Of wood under the knife when the surgeon
was handed a short bladed. cleaning knife
He wasted time in locating the place
for the incision, which must be made in
the right spot to the certainty of a hairs
breadth. He looked al the barred flesh for
an instant, and then drew the knife
quickly across the right side of the stom-
ach, above the hip. The Press artist
Jumped and said 'Ah-h-h' and the nurses
smiled. This first stroke was most trying