site logo

PERIPROCTITIS. Abscess Around the Anus and Rectum)

Categories: Digestive Organs

This is an inflammation of the tissues around the rectum
which usually terminates in the above named abscess. It occurs mostly in

middle-aged people. Men are affected more often than women.





Causes. Sitting in cold, damp hard seats; horseback riding, foreign

bodies in the rectum such as pins, fish-hooks, etc., blows on the part,

kicks, tubercular constitution, etc.



Symptoms. Inflammati
n of the skin, like that of a big boil, some fever,

throbbing pain, swelling of the part, heat and fullness in the rectum,

these symptoms increase until the pus finds an outlet into the rectum.



PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Periproctitis. Little can be done in a

palliative way. It generally terminates in an abscess. Make the patient as

comfortable as possible, by applying cold or hot things to the part, rest

in bed, mild laxatives to keep the bowels open. Cut it open as soon as

possible, and it should be laid wide open, so that every part is broken

up. Then it should be thoroughly washed and scraped out. Sometimes it is

necessary to use pure carbolic acid to burn out the interior. The dressing

should be as usual for such wounds and removed when soiled and the wound

washed out with boiled water and then gauze loosely placed in the bottom

and in every corner of the wound. The dressing should be continued until

all has been healed from inside out. Be sure to leave no cotton in to heal

over it. Such patients should be built up with nourishing foods, and

should remain quietly in bed. Cod liver oil is good for some patients.

Iron, etc., for others. Keep the bowels regular. Outdoor life and

exercise. If treated right it should not return.



More

;