The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-06-25
AppExD1c1r1s vs. GRAPE SEEDS
EOms Popular BsIisfs IN Regard to Thsiu
Danger DiIPSllSd.

ConsPopuIaF BsIlsGs In Regard 70 Their
Danger DiUPSll'd.
Although not in position to report
a long list OF operations for appendicitis
and peritonitls. I am in an exception
ably favorable position to speak mega
lively of a point IN its etiology. l do
no. know to whom belongs the priority
OF refuting the grape-seed theory OF
appendicitis: but my attention was hrst
called 10 the exceedingly small percent-
age OF cases in which grape seeds are
ever found by DR.. NIcBurney. at a
meeting of the New York County So
ciety some years ago. Others have
shown a much more probable etioloGy
In constipation and catarrh. In this
paper hope TO show that whenever
seeds OF fruit are found. It Is In oil
probability a matter of coincidence and
not the cause OF the Intestinal trouble.
shall also show that in grape coun-
tries children and adults eat from one
hundred 10 three hundred grape seeds
md from four hundred 10 I'VE hun
5red fyuaya seeds every day for months
nj time. without any Intestinal trou-
bic, whatsoever. notwithstanding
these facts. that the large proportion OF
cases OF appendicitis ore due to con-
etipation and catarrhal conditions OF
fhS bowels, and that comparatively rev
cases are due to grape seeds, the old
theory that they we're the cause OF al
cases stu dominates the majority OF
neople. and one often meets patients OF
friends who are IN mortal fear OF grape
seeds and cherry pits. and their lie IS
made miserable thereby. while they de-
M themselves the pleasure OF many
healthful and refreshing FOODS on ac-
count OF theiT unnecessary rear ~ - "
aIlay this unwise anxiety ana To give
confidence 90 those who need 70 etiyo 40,
and be benefited In health by me seeu
Sr,,i,s mat sent you this article.
am at the present writing spending
n vacation In FL Cajon Valley. one OF
4he most noted OF California, famous lof
lie Nusrat grapes and Valencia raisins
srhere are IN this valley nearly 2'OOO IN
babitantF. OF whom about one hundred
and hfty are school children ana
large number children from school age
downward. All OF these Adults anu
children. eat grapes and guaEas Nhs
latter fruit having more setus .I I u,
g-apel every day, and many times
".
three months and over. IT,,
Z hive Just taken an average-sized
bunch OF these grapes. such as man
would select at the tnplc. ana carctuIly
ro,,Iried the seeds. There were iEom
one n fyc seeds In each grape taVeTdRt
three or four). and ninctS.hvc ~ w
bunch. At 4 guava festival lsitniia' 70
ygur eastern strawberry tcstiNhIsl
saucer OF guAvds will contain iouI run. nui,
ERNIH IntHe
vary from the size OF PIN hcau 10
rrnre seed. and are az hard as stone
goods and all are swallowed br every
one I know that school children eat
tWo and three times as many grapes as
I ioox. so | said ia one " the schO1I-
Boyg. about fourteen yeafs OF age
"gyhnt IL the 'dose' OF grapes Lpr you
FcAoalbOys-a bunch as large az this!
First a queer look az contempt came
over his face, followed by smile az ne
said. why, doctor. we boys ana girls
al cranes until we can't get another
ono down. md that Just about lasts US
ugtu recess" well, do you discard
the gkln and secds?" mo; the teach
a. do but with US boys everything
E5c7 except stems
The next day ! drove past the hiSh
school Iocntcd at the edge OF large
vineyard. The bell had Just FunE Tor
the close OF FeCcSb, anu Allt '.'l'ii
came runninu In from among the vincs.
cranes in hand. munchIng away i"r
dear ne. proving the boys statement
II Il entirely within bounds 10 sur
that Inc average school child VIII swat,
lou from one hundred TO three huhdtea
Crane lecds daily Zone TO three, tea
Ea06nfuls), FOR weeks nj time, duflns
the grape season, and the rest OF tht
POPULATION viii eat IN proportion
Vow. what IL the practical outcome VI
tblg7 drove over 10 Or. G. VI. Johnson,
formerly OF New York state, who ior
many years has had all Of the meHlcA,
and surgical practice or the valley. ana
asked him, IN n casual way. how mnny
cases Of appendicitis he had had OF lhtr
ycara He Eald tnat there had beHn
none then asked Tor cases or potl-
tonltlg-becAuse formerly, cases OF az,
pendlcitig were considered az cases Oh
peritonitis-but 10 this again came
o., Fatlye reply. Then followed care,
'uI conversation with Or Johnson, ny
81 was most evident that not 9nis hau
thprr been no cases Of appendicitis OF
~ perItonltis In this grape-oatlng com
mnnlty FOR many years. but that tnG
health ~ the valley was unusually goyyu
during the three or fouS months ot tne
Crnpe aenson. This report was also con-