SYMPTOMS-The patient experiences a sudden sharp griping pain in the abdomen, usually referred to the navel, and followed by nausea and it may be vomiting. It time the pain and tenderness become localized to the right side of the belly,. below other level of the navel. Soon after the onset the temperature begins to rise, and at the end of eight or twelve hours reaches 10 degree r 101 degree F. the pulse is accelerated 90 to 100). the bowels do not move, and no flatus is passed.
If the infection is confined to the appendix he pain gradually passes off and the symptoms subside in. the course of from twelve to thirty-six hours, and nothing mains but a little tenderness in the region of the the appendix.
If one the other hand the infection spread to the peritoneum, the pain persists and becomes more severe, the belly-wall in the right lower quadrant ceases to move with respiration, becomes rigid from muscular contraction, a and excessively tender to touch. the symptoms go general illness continue, vomiting may persist, the temperature, remains elevated and the pulse quickened.
At this stage also the progress of the disease may become arrested and the severity of the illness-abate. On the other hand suppuration may occur and an abscess form, which if left to itself will bust on the skin surface or internally. If the infection reach the peritoneum before adhesions wall it off, it tends to spread widely and the phenomena are those or diffuse peritonitis. the s symptoms are more severe and progressive, and tonic symptoms assume a graver type. The feature become drawn and pinched, and the expression anxious. Vomiting is usually persistent and occurs without retching. the abdominal wall is contracted and does not move on respiration. The patient may die within thirty-six hours of the onset of the illness, and often fails to realize the gravity of his condition.
TREATMENT-There is unfortunately no means of determining in any given attack whether it is going to subside or not. By early operation the patient is relieved without risk, without danger of a prolonged illness, and of unpleasant sequelae, and without the possibility of recurrence.
Aconitum-Predominance of febrile symptoms. A dose every hour till relief is experience. It is also acquired early in he disease, in alternation with any other remedies selected. A low dilution should be used
Bryonia -Stinging and burning pains, greatly increase on movement; constipation, general uneasiness, etc.
Mercurius Cor-Sallow skin, yellow-coated tongue, and when Tympanitis and Abscesses occur.
Belladonna-Brain disturbance-headache, e flushed face, throbbing, etc. A few doses usually suffice.
ACCESSORY MEANS-Hot fomentations to the abdomen to relieve pain; perfect quiet; frequent sips of hot water. Enemata of hot water 9up to two pints at a temperature of 105 degree F. ) When the acuteness of the attack is passed mild, unstimulating diet, and some cases cold compresses do more good than hot fomentations. Belladonna or Veratrum vir. may be applied locally.
RECURRENT Appendicitis – A first attack of appendicitis is followed by reoccurrence in a proportion of cases. After the original attacks the patient may remain well for weeks, months, or even years, before being troubled again, or the attacks may recur at short intervals, so that he is never really well and is unable to continue his occupation.
The removal of the appendix after a first attack of appendicitis is indicated if the patient wishes to insure his life;l if he desire to enter one of the public services; if he is compelled to reside where he is out of reach of surgical assistance. Operation is advisable also in children and young adults, because if recurrence rakes place it is often of grave type. The operation is as a rule of simple one.
176.- Chronic Intestinal Toxaemias.
The possibility that many chronic diseases depend on poisoning from the Intestinal Canal is a conception that is gaining ground. It is even recommended by some surgeons to excise the whole colon, on occasion, as a disastrous breeding ground of pathogenic germs. Although much work is being done on the subject it is too early yet to speak dogmatically, but enough is known to warrant the statements that in many chronic diseases of most varied types, certain bacteria (generally one or other of three main divisions) can be cultivated from the stools that vaccine treatment directed to them is often very successful in curing or relieving the chronic disease; that when a deep acting remedy is successful (as it often is) in these chronic cases, the bacteriological results are comparable to those of a vaccine; and the more obvious local symptoms, though often palliative, is seldom curative. In fact these intestinal infections recall Hahnemann’s doctrine of Psora, and deserve every attention from homoeopathists.
Cases in which toxaemias of this sort may be suspected range from chronic arthritis, to chronic skin disease. Neurasthenia in some degree is almost invariable; neuralgia, paroxysmal headache, epilepsy and migraine, suggest always this kind of poisoning. Gastric and intestinal symptoms are nearly always present, through often masked by other more prominent ones. Constipation is the rule.
Further, it is at least possible that many diseases of ductless glands (q.v.) are due to such toxaemias as these and even Cancer may turn out to be at least encouraged by them. Diabetes is less certain, but not impossible as a result, and duodenal and other chronic ulcers of stomach and intestine. Pyorrhoea is certainly encouraged by these infections.
The possibilities therefore that underline these toxaemias are deeply important. The part they play is largely that of gradually undermining strength and disease-resisting power and to treat them is to treat a fundamental cause of trouble. In every chronic case that resists other treatment, the aid of the bacteriologist should be sought and if an organism be found a vaccine of it should be tried. But the cardinal principles of this treatment are to realise that these diseases are of long standing (years generally), that resistance to them develops slowly and that long intervals must be given between vaccine doses to allow of response. Three, four or six months is not too long to wait, and the homoeopathist can usually palliate troublesome symptoms meantime but appropriate remedies, which should, however, not be used in high potencies.
An additional dietetic treatment is the administration of fine, uncooked oatmeal (half an ounce or more three times a day), stirred into milk or water. The purpose of this is to encourage the growth of the lactic acid bacilli in the large intestine, for where they thrive, pathogenic germs are hindered. Further, the excessive eating of meat and consumption of stimulants, encourages these harmful bacteria and those who harbour them do well to eat largely of fruits (nuts in particular) and salads, and eschew meat and fluids. A raw vegetable diet for a time is often very helpful, for probably the digestive system of man is as yet imperfectly adjusted to the amount of cooked food (often twice cooked) which in civilized states is commonly eaten, to say nothing of tinned food, and food to which preservatives have been added.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."