The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-05-02

Examination has frequently been entire
ly overlooked in the past and to-day it
is the opinion of most medical practi-
TONERS that considerably more than
one-half of the cases of peritonitis are
primarily attributable to an inaamnla-
ton of the vermifOrm appendix. 1t Is
such an everyday occurrence that, we
almost wonder why our closest friend
has been struck down, but when our
turn may come
1T may not be therefore, altogether
without interest to review some OF the
known causes of appendicitis and see
how they maybe avoided. Although
this is strictly professional subject,
yet to be forewarned is to be forsarmed,
and this must be the excuse for discuss
ing it. Some people, would still seem to
cherish the idea that fruit stones and
pips of all sizes from the cherry stone
to the small apple pop, are liable to en-
ter the cavity of the appendix and
there cause dire havoc. As regards tae
cherry stone this is pure fiction, and
the sooner it is disposed of the better.
When the reader realizes that the en-
trance of the tube, which has larger
diameter than any other part will
hardly admit in the normal state the
top of an uncut cedar pencil, 1t VIII
readily be seen that even moderate
sized cherry stone would have some diff
ficulty in passing in. That smaller for
eign bodies may gain access TO- the in
terror of the tube is undoubtedly true,
but the number of instances in (which
such have actually been. discovered
within the diseased appendix 10 COM
paratively small 4 single duck shot, a
small fragment Of solder from canned
| meat tin, bristle from toothbrush, a
spicule from the lining of an enameiled
saucepan and an ordinary pin have all
been known to find their way into the
interior of the appendix. and once there
such bodies may undoubtedly induce in
| fiammation in the manner subsequently
described. While. then, admitting that
in a few cases extraneous matters of
the character and size mentioned may
| play some part in the incidence of ap-
pendicitis, we must seek a more COM
mon cause for the frequency Of the af-
| lection 80 .--~'''
THE human, body is constantly har-
boring micro organisms which are ever
| ready to attack the tissues, and are es-
/ pecially capable of doing SO whenever
| the person is below par, or the partlcu-
lar tissue with which they are in con-
! tact has suffered some injury, These
| micro organisms, styled bacteria, are
| constantly taken in with food, and
more particularly so in towns, Being
thus perpetually reinforced, they are
continually multiplying, and able to at
| tack any undefended point. There Is,
perhaps, nothing which so tends to as
sist their multiplication and to increase
/ their viruience as hurried and Irregular
meals involving the retention of4inper-
| fectly digestei food. Then it is that
these microscopieal organisms will
crowd into what may be called the
! backwater of the appendix, here to
stagnate and to develop a powerful poi
son, which, acting upon the walls Of
| the tube, soon produces Inflammation,
which Is evidenced by pain and all the
train of symptoms incident to Appendix
citis. Take day IN the life Of the or
| binary city man, who, having risen
somewhat later than usual, finds it me-
cessary to hurry his breakfast, perhaps
even to run EarHo Of the way to the sta
tion in order 10 catch the train which
| win enable him I'd keep anEimportalt
appointment. He is busy throughout the