The Importance of Gangrene

         Gangrene is the death of the tissues in a part of the body, such as a toe or foot. Death of this kind is called “mortification”. In dry gangrene, the part turns black and loses all feeling. The healthy tissue near the gangrene shows a red inflamed zone, called the “zone of demarcation”. Theoretically, if the diseased part came off by itself, it would separate from the rest of the body just beyond this zone. Moist Gangrene has the same symptoms as the dry kind, but in addition there may be blisters, oozing fluid, and disagreeable odors. Bacteria which cause the flesh to decay play an important part in moist gangrene, but not in dry.

       Some of the causes of gangrene are diabetes, plugged arteries in old age, freezing and frostbite, bad wounds, and infections. Formerly, gangrene often followed infection of wounds. Certain hospitals were not often used for operations, because so many cases of “Hospital gangrene” occurred in them. In World War II there were many cases of gangrene among aviators who were frostbitten at high altitudes, and among men who were forced to stand in cold water for several days. Raynaud’s Disease is one of a small group of diseases that tend to cause dry gangrene.

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