MICKOBE OF APPENDICITIS 229 



ease, but the germs which the speck brings with 

 it. 



Another thing: During certain diseases, like 

 the typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and so on, the 

 bacillus coli communis is enormously multiplied 

 in the small intestine. Hence, incident to such 

 diseases, more of these germs than usual pass into 

 the large intestine. By the greater number here, 

 some are the more apt to enter the appendix. 

 Hence the appendicitis is apt to follow such dis- 

 eases. 



But what shall be done? Call the up-to-date 

 physician. External applications are first tried. 

 If they do not relieve, and swelling appears, it 

 means the formation of pus. The pus must be re- 

 moved to prevent bloodpoisoning. Hence the 

 surgical operation. 



In case of this last resort, the greatest possible 

 care must be taken to sterilize room, bedding, 

 hands and clothing of doctor and nurse, and all 

 material used. Sterilize, and keep sterilized, 

 everything, until all danger is passed. 



Last, but not least, use only the honest knife. 

 Too often is the appendix cut out when nothing 

 ails it. Two such cases, a girl of seventeen and a 

 boy of ten, have just come within my personal 

 knowledge. Thousands occur every year. The 

 money fee, flOO or more, is a strong temptation. 

 Knowing the operation on the sound appendix is 

 safe, doubles the temptation. Knowing that the 

 State Medical Association furnishes money to any 



