appendicitis and how it is caused
The operation for appendicitis has become one of the common emergencies in our society. When the appendix is removed it can be split down the centre to reveal a most interesting phenomenon. Very commonly it is found that the outlet of the appendix is obstructed by a fæcalith, which is a stony piece of motion. If the appendix is obstructed it means that the cavity cannot drain and any cavity in the body which cannot drain becomes stagnant. Anything in the body which is stagnant soon becomes infected, pus develops, the infection multiplies, the pressure builds up and then the appendix bursts. Perforated appendix has to be dealt with very quickly indeed. The fæcalith or stony piece of motion is associated with constipation, and this was first described by Professor Short of Bristol in 1920. He showed that appendicitis was repeatedly associated with obstruction caused by a stony piece of motion. It is not pips and prune stones that cause that obstruction, it is constipation. Read more