ADENOIDS.--Should be removed early when they obstruct the breathing. In
another part of the book the reasons are given. The same advice is given
for tumors and malformations in the nose passages. Such conditions should
not be allowed to go on until the parts are permanently deformed or
diseased. These operations are done very frequently and successfully now,
and many people are saved years of worry and suffering. For more extended
account see department of nose and throat.
APPENDICITIS.--There has been a great deal of discussion about this
disease. It is no doubt true that many healthy appendices have been
removed, but it is also true that many lives have been saved by operation.
There is more discrimination now than formerly in this disease. Blood
tests, etc., aid in telling when an operation is necessary in acute cases.
There is very little danger in a chronic case if the operation is done
during the interval of the attacks.
CATARACT.--The operation for this trouble is gloriously successful and the
blind are daily recovering their sight through this operation.
MASTOID.--Operations on the Mastoid cells are frequently performed now and
save many lives. When there is swelling behind the ear or there is much
pain there a careful examination should be made. Chronic cases of Mastoid
disease usually demand this operation.
[664 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
OVARIES, TUMORS OF THE.--The operation for tumors is very successful. If
the ovary is simply enlarged by congestion, medicine will frequently
reduce it; but when the enlargement is due to a tumor, it should be
removed if it continues to enlarge. Sometimes there is cancer of the
ovary. If so, it should be operated upon early. Tumors of the womb, such
as fibroids, are often observed. They sometimes require removal if they
grow large. The symptoms will indicate when an operation is needed. These
tumors often grow so large as to necessitate the removal of the womb.
PERINEUM AND CERVIX.--The perineum and cervix are sometimes torn during
labor and should be immediately repaired. The perineum is the support for
the organs of generation and if it is not solid the ovaries, tubes, womb
and vagina will sag and fall. Neglect of this simple operation at the
proper time results in backaches, headaches, etc. Many women have suffered
for years and doctored for other complaints when proper attention to the
real trouble would have saved all that expense and pain. Your physician
should be requested, in advance, to attend before he leaves to any
laceration that may occur during labor. At this time it causes little or
no pain. If postponed until next day or later it would be painful and
require an anesthetic. Many cases of cancer are caused by neglected
lacerations.
PILES.--It is often necessary to operate both for external and internal
piles. The result is usually complete relief and cure.
CANCERS.--Cancers should be operated on early. A sore on the womb, lip or
tongue, or lump on the breast that continues for a little time without
getting better, is dangerous. It may soon spread in the surrounding tissue
and general system. Operations on the womb and breast, performed in time,
are very successful. Such tumors or sores should not be neglected. A lump
in the breast should be examined early. The womb should be examined if
there is a discharge from the vagina that continues. In such a case the
family doctor can determine what should be done. A sore on the lip,
tongue, face, etc., that continues and refuses to heal should cause
suspicion and be shown to a physician.
PLEURISY.--"Water in the chest" sometimes follows pleurisy. This, if not
absorbed, must be drawn off and is quite easily done. After some cases of
pneumonia the lung does not clear up properly and pus forms in it. An
operation is sometimes necessary to evacuate it. This should be performed
before the patient becomes very much exhausted. Some people allow it to
continue too long and thus lessen the chances of recovery when an
operation is at last performed.
SQUINT.--There is no need for any person being cross-eyed if attention is
early given to the trouble. Sometimes properly fitted glasses will correct
this trouble, but an operation is often necessary and is very successful
and not serious or painful.
[OPERATIONS 665]
TRACHEOTOMY AND INTUBATION.--The operation of tracheotomy, opening of the
wind-pipe, is performed where there is choking from a foreign body in the
wind-pipe or when it has become suddenly closed in diseases such as croup
and diphtheria. It is always an emergency operation and is only resorted
to when it is evident that unless severe measures are taken the patient
will choke to death. Intubation is more frequently practised in disease
when the breathing has become difficult owing to the growth of membrane in
the larynx. A tube of the proper size is placed in the wind-pipe and
allowed to remain there until the disease has lost its force and the
membrane no longer obstructs the air passage. This tube allows the patient
to breathe freely as it furnishes an opening for the air and an attendant
notices the change immediately. Intubation should be performed before the
patient has become weak.
TONSILS.--A person who is subject to enlarged tonsils should watch them
carefully. If they contain pus for any length of time they should be
removed, for they not only obstruct the breathing, but are a menace to the
health. Enucleation is usually the best method of removal. Enucleation
means the operation of extracting a tumor in entirety after opening its
sac, but without further cutting. Removal of the tonsils is a simple
operation, usually not requiring the use of anesthetics and most
physicians advise the removal of an enlarged or troublesome tonsil.
CALCULI OR STONES.--Calculi or stones are removed from the gall bladder,
gall ducts, kidneys, ureter and bladder by operations, when it has been
ascertained that the patient cannot "pass them." Many physicians prefer to
locate the calculus by use of the X-rays before deciding to operate, and
there can be no doubt as to the wisdom of this. In these, as in all
operations, success depends largely upon the general condition of the
patient. They are not considered dangerous operations, but the final
decision as to their necessity should rest, in each case, with a competent
physician or surgeon.
KIDNEYS, STOMACH, PROSTATE, ETC.--Little can be said in this brief
paragraph concerning the many operations that are now performed upon the
different organs. What applies to one applies, in general, to all.
Operations are now performed, and successfully, for pus in the kidney,
floating kidney, etc. Ulcers and cancers are removed from the stomach and
reproductive organs. In some cases it has been necessary to remove the
organs in their entirety. Pieces of the intestines have been removed with
gratifying results in cases of ulcers and injuries. Enlarged prostate
nearly always necessitates an operation before relief can be expected. It
is impossible here to say much concerning the chances for recovery in each
individual case, since they are decided by the strength and temperament of
the patient, the care and skill of the surgeon and nurses, and whether the
patient has submitted to the operation soon enough in the course of the
disease. Let it suffice here to say that the majority of the
above-mentioned operations are successful and result in the relief and
often the complete recovery of the patient.
[666 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]