The Cure of Rupture by Paraffin Injections — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Cure of Rupture by Paraffin Injections
John Stuart Mill · en
Paraffin injections may be made in the physician's office and there is
no condition produced which renders it difficult for the patient after
injection to go to his home, if he must not travel more than a
moderate distance. The reaction may be such as to make it advisable for
the patient to remain quiet for a week or even two weeks, though this
is exceptional, yet such avoidance of exertion is not looked upon in
the same light by patients as two weeks strict confinement to bed.
The probability of escaping confinement is a great incentive to a
patient to submit to an injection, when he would refuse operation.
Injections are not necessarily unphysiologic as the sufferer from a
hernia has a physiologic deficiency which the paraffin accurately
fills with normal connective tissue.
The dangers of injection can be eliminated. The technic is not
difficult even when all precautions are taken.
There is less likelihood of suppuration following the injection
treatment than following the cutting operation.
The consequences of suppuration are less. If suppuration occur after
the open operation failure is likely, not to mention the danger of
peritonitis. Such is not the case following injection, and while
consequences are less serious suppuration is avoided much more readily
than following the open operation.
Only the operator thoroughly acquainted with the manner of disposition
of paraffin should attempt the injection of hernia.
Simplicity.
To the skilled operator the injection treatment is exceedingly simple
and the injection method must always be far more simple than the open
operation can ever become.
A hernia can be injected without haste in from two to four minutes.
An assistant is of no use.
The open operation cannot be performed without the aid of several
trained assistants, and without elaborate and expensive preparations,
it is not feasable as anything but a hospital operation.
Hospital surgeons may be expected to condemn the injection treatment
of hernia, as it will open to thousands of the profession a field
which has hitherto been monopolized by the surgeons with hospital
facilities.
Experimental injections before human injections.
Before injecting a hernia the operator should be thoroughly <a
acquainted with the manner of diffusion of paraffin in the tissues.
This experience can be gained by the making of numerous injections
into the carcass of a small animal and the subsequent careful
dissection of the animal. A dead cat, dog, rabbit, or chicken may be
used for experimental injections and many such injections should be
made.
Hyperinjection of a hernial canal should be religiously avoided.
Should the operation fail and the patient suffer from the presence of
the paraffin it can be removed by surgical means and at the same time
the open operation performed.