RT Journal
A1 McLAUGHLIN CW, Jr., DAVIS HH
T1 SUrgical aspects of acute abdominal disease in infancy and. in childhood
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1939
FD December 1
VO 39
IS 6
SP 901
OP 925
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1939.01200180002001
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1939.01200180002001
AB Few medical problems offer greater difficulties than early, accurate diagnosis and correct treatment of the acute abdominal diseases of infants and children. Because of the treacherous behavior of these diseases, the general surgeon who observes relatively few of the children suffering from them is at especial disadvantage. The purpose of this paper is to present our surgical experience with a series of patients varying in age from birth to 12 years, together with a review of the recent literature.It has generally been recognized that surgical treatment of infants and children must differ greatly from surgical treatment of adults. In patients under the age of 12 years the unstable metabolism influences markedly the reaction to acute peritoneal lesions. Requirements of food and fluid are more constant in children than in adults because of growth and its demands on the tissues; temporary interruption of these supplies is detrimental and may in