New Britain herald., 1925-11-03
Your Health How to Keep It.
 Causes of Illness
By DIX. HUGH S. CUMMING

Public Health Service.
 Many people consider appendicitis as comparatively new disease, an aiment that up to a generation ago was pot heard of. Appendicitis is as old as the human race. It was sim ply known by another name, or rather by variety of other names, before 1t was discovered that the lit tie organ called the appendix was causing all the trouble.
 The first accurate and definite de- scriptlon, of this. disease was given by pr. Reginald titz of Boston in 1886. Previous to that time the medical profession did not regard the appendix as the seat of any dan gerous disease.
 It is perfectly true that before 1886 abscesses, due to disease Of the appendix, had been opened and l drained, but the appendix had not been removed and the operation did not involve any extensive opening of the body cavity. In 1885, how ever, an operation for appendicitis was performed. an appendix remov- ed, and the patient lived until 1919, In no way affected by the removal of that organ.
 In order that you may understand something of the nature of appendi- citis, 1t Is first necessary that ydd know something about the appen- | lIy rhnt,lJ ta one of the few animals having a vermiform appendix.
 We do not know that 1t has any useful function, It has been called a rudlmentary organ. Some people believe 1t Is simply an organ that has deteriorated from lack of use, until 1t Is now but vestige of once active and important part of the body.
 The yermiform appendix is f1n- ger-like appendage about three inches in length and quarter. of an inch in diameter, having canal running throughout its entire length. It Is situated at the end of the ce- cum, or large intestine, just below the point where the small intestine "opens into the large intestine. It Is found In the lower right side of the abdomen. Sometimes It Is shorter than three inches and specimens have been found that were between six and il inches In length. 1 About 1SSs, the year in which the appendix was first recognized as the seat of various diseases of the ab- domen, the great French bacter- iologist, Louis Pasteur, was conduct. ing his studies of the causes of the disease. He found that living germs were responsible for many infections of the human body and proved that germs were the agents which caused disease.
 The discoveries of Pasteur were taken advantage of by Lister, tho father of modern surgery who ap- piled his principles of cleanliness and strict aseptics to all operations, and revolutionized surgery.
 Previous to this time surgical op- erations were attended with great risks because of the infection which set In after the operation. Now, however, these Infections have ceas- ed 10 appear and surgery has been brought to stage that is compara- lively safe.
 | The germs which cause appendici- tis may enter the appendix through the blood or through the intestines. with which the appendix is connect ed. Apparently these germs may originate in distant parts of the body, in the tonsils, in bad teeth, or In the stomach.
 The structure of the appendix is such that 1t favors Infection. There Is a great deal Of tissue which may easily become swollen, thus shutting off the canal and allowing the ma terial retained 10 dccompose and produce Inflammation.
 It may be said in general that any condition which tends 10 interfere with the drainage of the appendix Into the large intestine is of import ance in causing appendicitis. Free drainage of the appendix is essen- tial to the healthy condition of the individual and the retention of any material in the organ may produce inflammation.
 The treatment of an attack of ap- lpendicltis is surgical.