The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-10-04
EARLY uP Ts GOoD sURGERY

EARLY UP IS GOOD SURGERY
 There were B cases of ruptured appendix and spreading or general peritonitis in a series of 383 appeHl- dectomies (removal of appendix re- ported by Drs. Leithauser and Bergo.
 The other 37O patients were kept confined to bed an average of 1 1-2 days and in hospital only 3-10ths days. Fifteen patients had minor wound infections, which did not inc terfere with the patients reporting to the doctors offlce, for dressings. No other post-operative complica- tions occurred.
 During the first 24 hours after op- eration patients received two ounces of water every two hours, and mor- phine if necessary to relieve pain. No enemas or cathartics were given. Some liquid petrolaturn (rnineral oiD was given the third or fourth day after operation. From the first hour after operation patients were turned frequently in bed and instructed to take deep breathing exercise at reg ular intervals.
 Twenty-four hours after operation patients were assisted fin first lying on the right side and then sitting on the edge of the. bed and then stand ing beside the bed while doing the deep breathing exercise, Tn each po- sition they were urged to cough, as well as breath deeply. Then they were permitted to walk about the room and sit in a chair for Q few minutes before they got back into bed. They got back into bed by sit- ting on the edge of the bed and cas- ing themselves down onto the right side.
 The patients left the hospital by automobile, usually the third day after operation. From the first hour after operation patients were turned frequently in bed and instructed to take deep breathing exercise ct reg- ular intervals.
 Hells bells, why put on an act like an invalid just because you've had your appendix out2 Most surgeons, patients and hospitals fuss far too much about it.
 These 370 patients were permitted or urged to resume light work the eighth day after operation, and to undertake heavy manual labor on the fourteenth day.
 All of the patients made such prompt recovery and remained so free from complications that DTS. Leithauser and Bergo began using the same method after other major operations. Arnorg 66 patients uH1- dergoing such operations as gastrec- tony, remocal of galal-bladder, gas- troenterostomy, removal of spleen, thyroid removal or pelvic operations, the results were equally good. In these cases average period of con- finement in bed after operation was two days and stay in hospital nine days. No wound separation or rec opening, hernia, pneumonia, throm- bophlebitis or other serious compli- cation occurred (except one instance of hemorrhage).
 This method prevents atrophy and weakening of sutured layers and promotes healing by improving cir- culation in the wound area.
 Moral: Don't let your operation get you down.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Psoriasis
 I owe you a thousand thanks for the cure of psoriasis which I had for many years. I took 5000 units of vitaInin D and 50000 units of vita- min A daily for month, then 5000 D and 25,000 A daily for four months The trouble began to clear up in the rst four weeks and for the past two months has entirely disap- peared. (L. W)
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