Periproctitis.  Abscess Around the Anus and Rectum. (Ano-rectal) (Ischio-rectal Abscess).—­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.

[152 Mothers’ remedies]

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.—­Inflammation 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.

Fistula in anus.—­This usually follows the abscess.  It has two openings, one upon the surface of the body near the anus, and the other in the rectum.  There are a great many varieties of fistula, but it is unnecessary to name them.  What can be done for them?

Physicians’ treatment.—­If the general health is good an operation is the best thing to do, but patients in the last stage of consumption, nephritis, diabetes, or organic heart disease, are not apt to receive much benefit from an operation.  The patient in poor condition should be given the treatment suitable to his condition, according to the advice of a trusted physician.

[Kidney and bladder 153]

DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER.

Kidneys.—­The kidneys are deeply placed and cannot be felt or distinctly identified when normal.  They are most accessible to pressure just below the last rib, behind.  The right kidney usually lies lower than does the left, but even then, the lower part of this kidney is an inch above the upper part of the hip bone, or an inch above a line drawn around the body parallel with the navel.  The kidney is about four inches long.  The long axis of the kidneys corresponds to that of the twelfth rib; on an average the left kidney lies one-half inch higher than the right.