Page:Linda Hazzard - Fasting for the cure of disease.djvu/298

 of this symptom demands immediate operation and removal of the appendix. Observation of numbers of cases leads to the belief that an inflamed appendix is a symptom most rare in occurrence. The modern craze for cutting living flesh is responsible for snap judgment in diagnosis, and gas in the caecum, gall stones, inflammation of the ovary or of the bowel in the ileo-caecal region, all have been mistaken for an inflamed appendix and have occasioned unnecessary operations with serious and perhaps fatal shock.

In the treatment of any intestinal inflammation, appendicitis included, no assistance is needed other than that which complete rest of the digestive tract and constant application of the enema afford. Pain ceases and fever is reduced in every uncomplicated instance by the end of the third day, and the sole necessity for the continuance of the fast is found in seeking perfect results and the general welfare of the patient.

A young man, 23 years of age, offers a case of the insanity of syphilis. The blood taint was acquired by contact, and, when observed and first under treatment, presented what is known as the secondary stage of the