Evening star., 1935-05-01
MORE DEATHSLA|D
TO APPENDICITIS
Slight Gain Shown in Rate
Here in Report to Sci.
ence Meeting.

A slight but definite increase In the
death rate from appendicitis in Wash
ington from 1928 to 1888 was reported
to the Medical Society of the District
Of Columbia at the opening session Of
the annual scientific assembly today
by DR.. Paul S. Putski.
In 1928. out of total of 5.040 major
operations in Washington hospitals,
725, or IA per cent Of the total, were
for acute appendicitis, with total
death rate of %. or slightly over 8
per cent. In 1888, out of total Of
8,444 major operations, 1,02s, or ap-
proximately IL per cent, were for acute
appendicitis. There were 40 deaths,
an increase of OF per cent.
Nearly all the deaths, DR.. Putski
showed. resulted in cases where the
appendix already was ruptured before
the patient came to the operating
table. Thus. in 1923. there were SO
cases operated upon within IL hours
after the attack. none of which were
ruptured and only of which resulted
in fatality. In the same year, out Of
"a cases operated upon 4 or more days
after the attack, IA were ruptured and
1 died. The condition was similar In
1888.
Delay Found Dangerous.
Out Of IS cases which came to the
operating table within IL hours of the
attack. none were ruptured and none
died, while out of % cases which were
not operated upon under days %
were ruptured and died
DR.. Putskis study of appendicitis
in Washington showed that delay be-
tween the onset Of the symptoms and
operation shows q steadily progressive
increase in the mortality rate. For
the first IS hours the mortality
remains uniformly under 8 per cent.
In the third "a hours the mortality
ing 1928 had jumped to s.3 and
in 1888 to SIS per cent. After the
third day 1t climbs still higher, being
10.5 per cent in 1928 and 13 per cent
in 1888.
Decrease in the mortality rate, DR..
Putski concluded. will come only
when there is full realization Of the
danger of delay and of all causes that
may bring about rupture.
The syndrome and treatment Of
tuberculosis of the eye were described
before the Medical Society by DR.. w.
H Wilmer. Although this condition
was first reported nearly IS years
ago, DR.. Wilmer said, Its Importance
has been recognized only during the
past 30 years. The disease may at
tack any tissue of the eye. 1t may
appear in persons otherwise in good
health. 1t seldom attacks persons
with active pulmonary tuberculosis,
but when it does the condition Is
especially serious.
Disease Easily Observed.
Usually tuberculosis involves the eye
through the blood or lymph glands.
but sometimes 1t attacks the eye It's
sues. and even the eyelids. 1t is often
accompanied with a feeling OF lassi-
tude, low blood pressure and metabolic
rate, and sometimes diminished blood
calcium. Sometimes the bacilli are
found in the eye tissue, but the tuber-
cular condition is the result Of Sec
ondary involvement.
Because the eye can be observed
directly, DR.. Wilmer said, no other
part of the body offers such facilities
for the study of tuberculosis.
Other papers presented this morn
ing were by DR.. jerome F. Crowley,
DR.. Frank j. Eichenlaub and DR.. VIII
liam B. Marbury.
Rev. Edmund A. Walsh Of George
town University spoke at luncheon
at the Mayfiower this noon on Soviet
Medicine"
There will be q public meeting this
evening at $50 o'clock, at the society's
building, 1718 M street, with DIR.
George c. Rutland, District health
officer, as the guest speaker. He will
speak on 1.-THE Physician and Public
Health"