January 4, 1885 – On this day was performed the first successful appendectomy in America. 22-year old Mary Gartside of Davenport, Iowa was deathly ill, and she was suffering from a sharp pain in her gut. Dr. William Grant diagnosed her with acute appendicitis, which was almost always a death warrant as there was no way to treat it.
Surgical Tools from the 1880s
Dr. Grant knew he had to try something, so he administered anesthesia and cut into Mary’s side. He located the infected appendix and removed it. Mary made a full recovery.
For most of medical history, the appendix was called a vestigial organ with no apparent value to the body. It doesn’t merit much attention unless it became inflamed, and then it’s usually a routine procedure to snip and remove the little worm-like appendage. At long last researchers now believe the appendix has a very important role to play and it isn’t just along for the ride.
Turns out that the appendix is like a reserve tank filled with all kinds of good bacteria that the digestive system needs to keep things on track. Normally our guts are teeming with these beneficial germs, but once in a blue moon a case of cholera or dysentery can roll through and wipe out all the good bacteria. That’s when the appendix kicks into high gear and reboots the digestive system with its stockpile of germs.
It’s still recommended that the appendix be removed if it becomes inflamed, but now we know a little more about what we’re losing.
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