Medical Treatment of Appendicitis.

Abstract

Oneida, N. Y., Jan 10, 1898. <h3>To the Editor:</h3> —Much has been written of late years on the surgical treatment of appendicitis, but very little on the medical treatment. In a practice of nearly forty years I have had my share of cases, ranging from five to twenty yearly, and thus far have had no case that I have found it necessary to operate more than to aspirate in case of abscess. I have had only one death, a boy 15 years of age, who was hurt while playing at school, and this case, in my opinion, died from lack of good nursing. My treatment can be given in brief. Although adopted more than thirty-five years ago, I have never witnessed another line of treatment that has caused me to change my own. Unfortunately, many physicians are not correct in their diagnosis, and frequently call peritonitis (especially if pelvic) appendicitis.