APPENDICITIS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2651, 30 October 1906, Page 5

APPENDICITIS.

! A NEW THEORY AS TO CAUSE. OPERATIONS NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY. The question as to whether it is advisable to operate so frequently for appendicitis continues to arouse the interest of French physicians. M. Bhinchard, a shining light in the French medical world, now conies forward with a startling new theory which entirely upsets all preconceived notions. Ho asserts—and says his assertion is hacked by Professor Metchnikotr, of the Pasteur Institute—that appendicitis is undoubtedly caused by intestinal worms. These are of three kinds, and the most dangerous is that known as the trygocephal, which causes the sharp pains and symptoms which indicate appendicitis. Microscopic examination in every case of appendicitis that has come under the observation of Professors Blanchard, and Metchnikoff has revealed the presence-of these parasites in the appendix. ' Appendicitis,' says Professor Blandchard, ' more especially occurs during ths hot weather, and although not contagiouß or infectious, it frequently assumes the character of an epidemic in certain disfricts.' Now according to the professor, market gardens in the neighborliO'.d'of great cities, such as Paris and i/r..!(iii, are frequently manured and fertilised by the deodorised and chemically trea'ed product of the city sewers, lii iliepe market gardeuß the vegetables an; forced, raid examination shows that they contain numerous intestinal parasit 1 ?, and especially the eggs of the dieadod trygocephal. The professor snys that a surgical operation is unnecessary, and it should never be performed unless some hard substance, such as a cherry stone, has been accidenily swallowed by the patient. He U'ges legislation to forbid the use of deodorised and chemically treated sewage as manure, and that thymol should be extensively used against intestinal worms. When appendicitis is not the consequence of the accidental swallowing of some hard substance, it is undoubtedly caused by the parasite to be found in cabbage, turnips, carrots, and cauliflower. The danger lies in eating vegetables that have been forced by manures or watered by contaminated well and 'spring water.