Rhubarb and Glauber’s salt for external application in the anti-inflammatory treatment of appendiceal abscess. Last week, anonymous reports indicated that for cases of acute appendicitis with swollen appendix, approximately j()% ~ 20% were treated simply with antibiotics based on sensitivity results, but this approach did not lead to longer-term therapeutic success. In the past five years, I have used rhubarb and Glauber’s salt externally as an additional treatment (besides standard antibiotic therapy), and the results have been satisfactory with minimal side effects.
Case grouping: 4 cases were randomly divided into two treatment groups. Group one included 38 cases, 18 men and 20 women, aged between 22 and 70 years old, with an average age of 46 years old and a disease course of 4~14 days. Control group: 36 cases, 20 males and 16 females, aged between r and 7{J}, with an average age of 45 years old and a disease course of 6d1.2.
Diagnostic criteria: Based on palpable mass in the lower abdomen, fixed pressure point, heat sensation, and according to the presence of an acute mass resembling a stone segment in the lower abdomen. Blood tests showed WBC > 10 × 10^9/L, and N > 0.75. Ultrasound imaging confirmed signs consistent with periappendiceal abscess.
Treatment methods:
2.1 Treatment group: Rhubarb, Glauber’s salt, and borneol mixed in a 10tl proportion applied topically to the affected area using gauze soaked in the mixture, replaced every 24 hours. Additionally, ampicillin and metronidazole were administered intravenously for anti-inflammatory treatment.
2.2 Control group: Simple application of benzyl cyanide Qingzao cord, neomycin, and metronidazole administered intravenously for anti-inflammatory treatment.
Results:
3.1 Efficacy standards:
① Cured: Body temperature dropped to 37°C within 5 days, abdominal pain and local tenderness disappeared, palpation did not reveal any mass or blockage.
② Effective: Mass dissipated within 10 days, body temperature dropped to 37°C, abdominal pain and local tenderness disappeared or became mild, mass reduced by more than 2/3 upon palpation and B-ultrasound examination.
③ Invalid: Body temperature remained above 37°C, abdominal pain and local tenderness showed no improvement or worsened, mass size increased instead of decreasing upon palpation and ultrasound examination.
3.2 Efficacy comparison between the two methods is shown in the attached table.
Therapy cases: Teaching cured effectively invalid total efficiency (%)
Treatment group: 38 27(71) 9(29) 0(0) 38(100)
Control group: 36 14(39) 13(33) 9(28) 27(71)
By inspection, p < 0.05, indicating significant differences in cure rate and total efficiency between the two groups. This suggests that the treatment group had a higher cure rate and total effective rate compared to the control group.
Blindly biological activity of drugs grabbing a wide range of Chinese medicine has the effect of clearing heat, breaking product line stasis, and detoxification. Rhubarb contains rhein and emodin, which have strong antibacterial effects; in vitro tests show that the most sensitive bacteria are staphylococcus and streptococcus. Rhubarb also contains Senna glycosides A, which can induce an increase in gastric emptying movement, accelerating the excretion of toxins and reducing self-poisoning step-by-step. The topical application of Glauber's salt has the effect of reducing swelling and softening hardness, while borneol promotes resuscitation and relieves heat and pain. These three components, when mixed in proportion and applied topically, can promote blood circulation, soften hardness, reduce swelling and relieve pain, thereby promoting the absorption of periappendiceal abscess. Combined with Taiwan antibiotics treatment, it demonstrates high efficacy. (Received 1996.03.20)