The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-01
WHEN NEURALGIA MAKES
NOISE LIKE APPENDICITIS

In paper read before the Buffalo
Academy Of Medicine Dr. John E.
Carnett. professor of surgery in the
medical school o. the L. CT P. said
In patients referred to me for op-
GRAFTON for chronic appendicitis 1
find the pain and tenderness in the
lower right abdominal quadrant are
due TO neuralgia in 90 per cent Of
the patents and in the other 2 per
cent l find a duodendl ulcer, stone
IN the kidney Or some similar lesion.
/. therefore, have given up operations
for chronic appendicitis and cure the
lower right-sided pains by non-opera-
tive measures directed toward the
underlying spinal nerve lesion caus-
ing the neuralgia. OF the patients
sent to me for hurry up operation
for acute appendicitis l find in over
half Of them that the trouble is neu-
ralgic and 60 not operate
II seems that the diagnosis Of
Chronic appendicitis is losing vogue.
, Il always has seemed rather gam
bic in which our modern brass sur
geons have too eagerly INDUCED.
A further observation by the same
authority is worthy OF broadcast!ng:
The acute toXemia OF tonsili-iS.
cold or other infection is responsible
directly for fever. pulse hurry, and
leucocytosis. and Indirectly is in
duced acute neuralgia causes lower
right abdominal pain and tenderness
With vomiting. The symptoms emu
nerated constitute the usual text
boo.s PIC Of acute aQpcadicltl;
and tina. they are due 10 acute neu-
ralgia Of the abdominal wall can
only be determined By applying the
tests for neuralgia. In any doubtful
case I anesthelize the right eleventh
and twelfth intercostal and first
lumbar nerves with novocaine injec
tionS to eliminate parietal hypeTeS-
thesia and thereby am enabled to
recognize the presence or absence Of
any associated subparietal Or true
appendiceal tenderness"
| We need not attempt to interpret
the scandalous medicalese in this.
The lay reader will get the gist of it,
namely, that intercostal neuralgia
due TO tonsilitis may make a noise
SO like appendicitis that hurry UP
operation may be perpetrated il
there happens to be a brass surgeon
at hand.
Intercostal neuralgia may closely
resemble the pain of gladstone collie
DR.. Garrett declares that the pair
in the region Of the right shoulder
blade, regarded the world over as in
dicative Of gall-bladder inflamna
ton, is always due to intercostal neu
ralgia in his experience. He de
clares that too many gall-bladder
are being unnecessarily removed il
the futile expectation of curing pain
and tenderness which is actually du'
to neuralgia in the abdominal wall
Right here I dare suggest that ;
physician whose education. trainin.
and practice are not limited to tn
tene.s Of single system O
"schoO." is better qualified to dea
with such conditions than is the mar
row little fellow who purports t
practice only this or that patty.
Beware Of the chap who accepts tht
designation of 'pathist' of an.
kind.
Intercostal neuralgia has led tt
many unnecessary kidney operations
and to countless operations on WON
en- who too readily believe the pair
originates in tubes or ovaries.
In the hands of charlatans whC
run irrigation plants or colon filling
stations a great many gullible victim.
of intercostal neuralgia are subjected
! to endless and vicious treatment
for a COLTS which does not exist
further than the mechanical irrita-
ton set up by the vicious treat.
ment." This is one of the new self
perpetuating lines of business il
which the victims seem to like being
humbugged and to resent being en-
| liphtened