IN TWO previous reports from this clinic, all cases of patients with appendicitis admitted to the Cincinnati General Hospital between 1915 and 19341 and 1934 and 19392 respectively were reviewed. The present study is a continuation of this series and will include all cases of patients with appendicitis treated between Jan. 1, 1939 and Jan. 1, 1944.
In the preceding articles the general trend toward a reduced mortality rate from appendicitis as seen in this hospital was noted. This favorable trend was attributed to (1) the adoption of the McBurney incision in 1922 for appendectomy and (2) the intensive educational campaign concerning management of appendicitis directed toward physicians and the public. This campaign, fostered by the Public Health Federation and the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, is still in progress. The sustained and commendable improvement resulting from the campaign may be gaged by a comparison of certain phases