Dating back to the Renaissance, many scientists have taken special interest in the appendix, with the first drawings of the appendix in 1492 and later the first description of the appendix in 1521(Prystowsky, Pugh & Nagle, 2005). The function of the appendix in the adult human is still unclear, but it is likely related to the role of the lymphoid tissue in immunologic processes (Debas, 2004). It was not until 1711 that the first account of appendicitis was reported and then verified in an autopsy of a criminal (Prystowsky, Pugh & Nagle, 2005). In this account, appendicitis was described as a gangrenous appendix with a small perforation. Today, appendicitis is deemed as an inflammation of its inner lining that has the ability to spread to its other parts. Interestingly enough, the cause of appendicitis remains unknown, as over half of the cases of appendicitis remain elusive, but regardless of the specific details of the specific case of appendicitis or of the decided course of treatment, there is universal agreement that the best outcomes of acute appendicitis are associated with early diagnosis.
In order to understand the pathophysiology of appendicitis, one must first have a general understanding of the anatomy of the appendix. The appendix arises from the cecum, and like the cecum, includes circular and longitudinal muscle layers (Prystowsky, Pugh, & Nagle, 2005). Additionally, the appendix contains many lymph follicles in its submucosa. The appendix lays approximately 2.5 cm below the ileocecal valve and is usually 5 to 10 centimeters in length with an average width of 0.5 to 1 centimeter. Although part of the appendix appears to be continuous with the cecum, the remainder of the appendix is free, which accounts for its va...
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... back to the Renaissance, appendicitis is a common condition occurring in 250,000 United States patients yearly (Prystowsky, Pugh, & Nagle, 2005). Along with its controversial cause, the diagnosis of appendicitis can be tricky. The diagnosis of appendicitis can be made through a physical examination or with imaging techniques, but no matter how appendicitis is diagnosed, it is always vital that appendicitis be caught early on in the disease. The combination of an early diagnosis and surgical treatment promises the expulsion of the progression of the disease prior to the point of perforation, which is associated with increased morbidity. However, the diagnosis of appendicitis does become more difficult in atypical cases, such as those involving the elderly, young children, those with a uniquely placed appendix, or with those with a complicated medical history.
Christopher Hamlin, “Edwin Chadwick, ‘Mutton Medicine’, and the Fever Question,” Bulletin of the History of Medicine 70 (1996): 233-265.
(What is....2016). The first documented case of Crohn’s disease suspected was King Alfred in 850 A.D. This disease is named after a Jewish man named Dr. Burrill Bernard Crohn (1884-1983) who became interested in the condition as his father, also a Dr, suffered from a disorder of the bowel. He devoted his career to “regional enteritis” the disease that now bares his name. It is necessary to understand the disease to be able to provide care for people who are afflicted by it (de Campos and Kotze 2013). Especially since Crohn’s is a chronic disease or a lifelong affliction it’s important to understand etiology, it’s symptoms, treatments, and to maintain the disease and the psychological well being of the patient managed (Crohn’s...2015).
A remarkable breakthrough in medicine occurred in the late 1800s through the work of Louis Pasteur. Pasteur's experiments showed that bacteria reproduce like other living things and travel from place to place. Using the results of his findings, he developed pasteurization, which is the process of heating liquids to kill bacteria and prevent fermentation. He also produced an anthrax vaccine as well as a way to weaken the rabies virus. After studying Pasteur's work, Joseph Lister developed antisepsis, which is the process of killing disease-causing germs. In 1865 before an operation, he cleansed a leg wound first with carbolic acid, and performed the surgery with sterilized (by heat) instruments. The wound healed, and the patient survived. Prior to surgery, the patient would've needed an amputation. However, by incorporating these antiseptic procedures in all of his surgeries, he decreased postoperative deaths. The use of antiseptics eventually helped reduce bacterial infection not only in surgery but also in childbirth and in the treatment of battle wounds. Another man that made discoveries that reinforced those of Pasteur's was Robert Koch. Robert Koch isolated the germ that causes tuberculosis, identified the germ responsible for Asiatic cholera, and developed sanitary measures to prevent disease. (1)
and European society scrambled to find a cure to this mysterious disease. This study ponders the effects of medieval methods of treatment on this once ravaging disease.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, medicine was hardly the enlightened profession it is today. Medical practices were often barbaric, employing methods that had been used for centuries, yielding little or no results and often killing the patient with a different affliction than the original ailment. Leeching (or blood letting), purgation, poor liquid diets, and cold water dousing were common practices as late as the 1850's. Even after newer, more effective methods of medical treatment had been introduced, many of the physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries hesitated to use them. Fearing the loss of their reputations, they hung on to superstitious beliefs, doubting the effectiveness of su...
The pancreas is an elongated and flattened gland located within the abdomen. Not only is it a vital part of the digestive system, but it is also a key controller of blood sugar levels. (The Pancreas). The pancreas has been divided into four regions which are the head, neck, body, and tail. Being the widest part of the pancreas, the head is twenty-three millimeters. The part of the head that hooks towards the back of the abdomen is the uncinate (Chronic Pancreatitis Imaging). Between the head and body of the pancreas is the neck, which is about nineteen millimeters. The body of the pancreas is twenty millimeters, between the neck and the tail. The tail is the smallest part of the pancreas, measuring at only fifteen millimeters. (Parts of the Pancreas). The length of the pancreas in total ranges from four point seven to seven point one inches. The pancreas also weighs from seventy to one-hundred grams (How does the Pancreas Work?).
The term autopsy also referred to as “Post-mortem examination”, “necropsy”, “obduction” and “ autopsia cadaverum” originates from the Latin language and denotes to “open, cut/dissect”. Another origin is from two Greek terms “aut” (self) and “opsie” (to see, to conduct a personal inspection) hence, autopsy refers to the opening/dissection of a cadaver to see for oneself, through observation, the cause of death or the nature of disease contrary to what has been reported by another party. Autopsy practice has been in existence since over 3000 years ago. It was however, not until the Renaissance in Europe that autopsy became standard practice (1,2). The link between clinical syndromes and postmortem findings is credited to the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (3).
An arab doctor in 10th century; Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi observed a family which suffered a great loss of males in the family who were dying from bleeding caused by a small injury. American Dr Ott...
I was once involved in a care of an Autistic teenager who brought in to the Emergency Department for sustaining fever and increased of irritability for three days. After several diagnostic testings, he was diagnosed with Appendicitis, and had to go for emergency surgery. The surgery team performed Exploratory Laparotomy. Coming back from the Operating Room, p...
Firstly, Appendicitis is the swelling of the appendix. The appendix is similar to a tube, the size of a finger that forms a sack, which is attached to the large intestine. Appendicitis can occur because of numerous effects such as toxic bacteria building up on the appendix, a genetically ruptured appendix and an appendix that has a clogged opening because of the large intestine. There are many symptoms of Appendicitis such as abdominal pain, minor fever, loss of appetite, extreme nausea or vomits and excessive coughing. By using ultrasound, Appendicitis can be exposed as quickly as exposing flu or a cold. It is a very fast and effective process that can be done easily without the need of having a doctor present in the room. Some scientists may recommend using a CT Scan instead of ultrasound however the use of ultrasound is cheaper, safer and better for Appendicitis. It is cheaper because it is done as a basic study and the operational cost (both technical and professional) is very insignificant compared to a CT Scan. The ultrasound device is just as efficient to use and much cheaper than other modalities, making it cheaper on the New Zealand Government to purchase such an effective device. Also, it is safer for one major reason. Using a CT Scan instead of ultrasound would result in unnecessary radiation that may...
"Renaissance Medicine | History of Medicine | PlanetSEED." Renaissance Medicine | History of Medicine | PlanetSEED. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. Citation (2)
Throughout the course of my sixteen-year old life, I have experienced the unfortunate incident of taking a trip to the emergency room several times. The majority of them however were only for the typical injuries of an individual who shares in my liking for an adrenaline rush, and a lack of common sense. I never actually considered being seriously injured as a possible consequence of my actions. Of course, I have never tried to attempt any incredibly dangerous act without thinking it completely through. Nonetheless, previously I thought being alive could consistently be taken for granted, and as a result I never felt as thankful for living as I should have been. It was not until January 2009 that I truly was in a situation where I was in danger of losing my life, and ironically I had no responsibility in causing the incident.
Inflammatory bowel disease is a life long disease, and it particularly targets the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach small intestine, large intestine (appendix, cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid), and rectum), and anus. The gastrointestinal tract is very important to the human body; some of its functions include mechanical and chemical digestion of food, the movement of food and waste from mouth to anus, secretion of enzymes and mucus, and the absorption of nutrients. These are some reason why it’s so destructive when this part of the body becomes impaired or even damaged.
In the late 19th century, health officials began to notice an increase of patients with acute stomach conditions, many with abnormal symptoms that are not common with typical digestive problems; populous metropolitan areas, including Chicago experienced high mortality rates, some as high as 174 per 100,000 people. Health officials later determined the cause to be Typhoid fever, a disease that dates back to early Victorian times.
The term autopsy also referred to as “Post-mortem examination”, “necropsy”, “obduction” and “ autopsia cadaverum” originates from the Latin language and denotes to “open, cut/dissect”. Another origin is from two Greek terms “aut” (self) and “opsie” (to see, to conduct a personal inspection) hence, autopsy refers to the opening/dissection of a cadaver to see for oneself, through observation, the cause of death or the nature of disease contrary to what has been reported by another party. Autopsy practice has been in existence since over 3000 years ago. It was however, not until the Renaissance in Europe that autopsy became standard practice (1,2). The link between clinical syndromes and postmortem findings is credited to the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (3).