The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-06

only, and then only through
his column.
and everyone expressed doubt as
to the ability Of a baby 70 stand
such a procedure.
AS a matter Of fact, while the
necessity for abdominal operations
in children arises much less fire.
quently than in adults, they are
not at all uncommon and surgeons
believe that young persons are ex-
cellent surgical subjects, provided
the treatment is conducted by
qualified surgeons, the hospital
equipment is adapted to the needs
Of the infant and child, the anaes-
thetic is well-chosen and skillfully
administered and that certain spe-
cial equipment and instruments
that may be necessary are avail
able.
Even a newborn baby will toll
crate an abdominal operation of
considerable magnitude. There
are several developmental eondi-
tons that require surgery immedi-
ately after birth; for instance, dia-
phragmatic hernia or upside
down stomach" and certain forms
Of intertinal obstruction.
In early life, few weeks after
birth, a form of obstruction to the
outlet of the stomach may make
itself known. The infant nurses
greedily, only to vomit all the feed
ing within a few minutes. II al
lowed TO go untreated, these babies
lose weight and present a pitiful
appearance of emaciation. In chill
dren's hospitals where large num-
bers Of the patients are treated
surgically, SO out Of 100 are per-
manently cured by an operation on
the stomach.
Intestinal Obstruction
The seventh or eighth month of
life is the time when a certain form
Of intestinal obstruction is most
frequently observed. This is tele-
scoping Of the bowel, or intussu-
sception. This comes on very sud-
denly, with evidences Of severe
colicky pain, causing the baby TO
draw his legs up, cry and become
pale. Later, mucous and blood may
be passed in the stool. The condi-
ton i. relatively infrequent, but
operation is the only known way
10 save life and should be done
early.
Ruptures of several types are
seen in the young and operation is
indicated as the only form Of treat
ment in most cases. There il no
reason why they should be allowed
to linger on and no reason why
baby or child who is otherwise we'll
cannot be cured surgically at al
most any age. The end results of
operation for rupture appear TO
be better when performed in early
rather than in adult life.
Acute Appendicitis
No discussion Of the subject Of
abdominal surgery in childhood
would be complete without men,
tioning one OF the great menaees
TO young life-acute appendicitis.
In childhood the appendicitis placed
low, is relatively large and the
omentum, which protects adults, is
short. Nature, in other words, pro-
vides none Of the projections TO
children with appendicitis that it
does 10 adults.
Surgical interference must be
prompt and efficient in these cases
IL life is to be spared. In babies
the recognition Of collie and abdom.
insl pain is naturally not as easy
as in adults, but in babies as well
as in adults, the use Of cathartics
in any acute collie is TO be avoided
except under medical advice. Ca
thartics seldom do any good and
may make q mild condition very
much worse.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
L. L.;-Wouid arthritis cause
ones teeth to becoms sensitive to
hot or cold drinks? What should
be done for sensitive teeth?
Answer: Sensitive teeth of the
kind you describe usually mean
some infection or arrangement Of
the teeth and instead Of arthritis
causing this. il is not unlikely that
this causes the srthritis. The only
thing 10 be done for sensitive teeth
Is 10 have a thorough dental eI-
animation, including X-rays, and
clear up the fundamental trouble.
NJ Liam diphtheria in child
hood cause physical weakness in
later life?
Answer: Yes, one Of the rare but
unfortunate sequelae Of diphtheria
is a form Of paralysis or semi
paralysis which may affect any
muscle in the body.
gimme a double Scotch. Heaven
knows wanted a temperance