I have the pleasure, Mr. President and fellow members, of presenting for your consideration and criticism a few remarks and observations on appendicitis, the disease which is attracting so much attention at the present time, and which is possibly not thoroughly understood by the medical profession of the day. The disease is one of frequent occurrence, and its mortality is in direct ratio to the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.
Nomenclature.
—The disease is and has been variously known as iliac phlegmon, typhlitis, perityphlitis, paratyphlitis, cecitis, pericecitis, paracecitis, periappendicitis, ecphyaditis and appendicitis.
History.
—M. Mastivier, in Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, Paris, May, 1759, reports the case of a man aged 45, with a large tumor in the right side near the umbilicus, who presented himself for treatment at the Hospital of St. Andrew of Bordeaux in the year 1757. Operation: evacuation of about a pint of offensive pus;