[3] The celebrated Morgagni has recorded some cases of organic disease of the heart discovered by dissection, the symptoms of which do not exactly accord with those observed in this and the succeeding cases. It should be remembered, however, that many of the subjects of those cases were not examined by him, while living, and others but a very short time before death. But it appears, that, in the last stage of this disorder, some of the most important symptoms may be materially changed, especially the state of the pulse, dyspnœa and palpitations. Thus in the case related above, and in some others, the pulse became regular, the palpitations subsided, and the dyspnœa was less observable. The cases of that accurate anatomist, therefore, are not so contradictory of those related here, as might at first be imagined.
[4] Governour Sullivan was born December 4th, 1744, and died December 10th, 1809.
[5] The symptoms of this patient were related by Dr. Rand, sen. to whose politeness and love of medical improvement I am indebted for the opportunity of examining this and the following case.
[6] The symptoms of this case were related to me by Dr. Rand, sen.
[7] See plate first.
[8] The symptoms in this case were related to me by Dr. Warren, sen.
[9] This dissection was performed by Dr. Gorham.
[10] See plate second.
[11] In this case, and in [case first], the vena cava ascendens had been divided, before the brain was examined.
[12] Morgagni uses this term, which he borrows from Ambrose Pare, to express dilatation of the cavities of the heart. It seems to be as applicable to the dilatation of the heart, as to that of an artery. I have therefore adopted it in this enumeration.