TREATMENT
This complaint was formerly known as inflammation of the bowels, and
may be caused by injury. It was generally believed to be due to the
presence of foreign substances, such as grape seeds, etc., in the
vermiform appendix, but this idea is exploded.
It is an inflamed condition of the appendix, but the inflammation may have extended from
the colon or from the peritoneum. The most frequent cause is the
caecum (the lower pouch of the colon) getting filled with hardened
faecal matter, in which case the ileo caecal valve is obstructed, and
the natural passages of the bowels stopped. With a clean colon
appendicitis is practically an impossibility.
The accepted medical practice is to remove the appendix by operation,
regardless of conditions; but the mortality in such cases is high.
Others put the patient to sleep with tincture of opium, or veratrum
viride, and let Nature right herself, if possible. If Nature can
maintain herself against the doctor and his drugs from seven to nine
days, the patient may get round, but not well.
TREATMENT.
Use the "Cascade" promptly on the first sign of an attack, injecting
all the water possible (at a temperature of not less than 102 Fahr.),
so as to reach the caecum, where the trouble is located. If the attack
is an acute one, use the "Cascade" every third hour until relieved.
If the obstruction (which is usually present) does not give way, inject a
pint of hot water and a pint of castor oil mixed; but before injecting
it (with a bulb syringe) raise the patient's hips several inches
higher than his head; then turn the patient on his right side, and
stroke the reverse way of the colon, applying a firm but gentle
kneading movement in the region of the appendix. This injection should
be retained at least half an hour--longer if necessary.
If this does not break loose the obstruction, resume the use of the "Cascade." Hot
fomentations over the appendicular region are valuable. Give no
medicine, it can do no good, but may do infinite mischief.
After the bowel has been emptied let the patient have absolute rest, and if
there is much pain and inflammation present, apply cracked ice, in a
rubber bag, over the affected part. The diet should be absolutely
liquid until all danger has passed. This is of the highest importance.
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