Increased action of the heart, indicated by palpitation, or increased number of the beats, may be caused mechanically, as by distention of the stomach, which, by preventing the descent of the diaphragm, excites the action of this organ. Or it may be a sympathetic disturbance produced through the nervous system; thus the emotions and passions may suddenly arouse the heart to excessive action; or the presence of worms in the intestines, improper food, and masturbation, may be the cause. The use of tea, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks excites the heart. We have found that the excessive use of tobacco is very frequently the cause of functional derangement of this organ. Deficiency of the blood, as in anæmia, may be the cause of palpitation of the heart.
Functional disturbance of the heart's action is manifested by palpitation, irregularity, intermissions, a rolling or tumbling movement, and a feeling as if the heart were in the throat. These symptoms often give rise to great apprehension, anxiety, fear, and depression of mind.
Treatment. The curative treatment of functional derangement of the heart must have reference to the causes producing it. If it is in consequence of indigestion, the appetite and digestion should be improved by observing regularity in the time of taking the meals, and eating very easily-digested food. The use of strong tea, coffee, tobacco, and spirits, should be interdicted, and regular exercise, rest, and sleep should be enjoined.
In all cases, the domestic management should include daily bathing, exercise in the open air, regular habits, and the avoidance of all causes which tend to excite the heart's irregularity.
The remedial treatment of these functional affections ought to be confided to some experienced physician, as the remedies are not within the ordinary reach of all families, nor if they were, would they have sufficient experience and knowledge to select and properly administer them.
ORGANIC DISEASE OF THE HEART.
By organic disease we mean disease pertaining to the structure of the heart itself, in contradistinction to functional disease, which has reference merely to the action of the heart. The heart is subject to various organic diseases, but we have only space to consider, in the briefest manner, those which are the most common. It is essential that the reader should have some knowledge of the anatomy and functions of the various parts of the heart in order that its diseases and their effects may be comprehended; therefore the anatomy and physiology of this organ, given in Part I, Chapter VII, of this work, should be carefully studied.
It is very evident that any disease which affects the structure and function of any part of the heart must, necessarily, give rise to certain modifications of the pulse, sounds, etc. It is through the observation and study of these modifications and changes that we arrive at a correct diagnosis as to the precise location and character of the disease.
Until within comparatively recent years, physicians were very much in the dark regarding diseases of the heart. Now, however, with a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the heart and the parts surrounding it, and with the aid of instruments which modern ingenuity has given us, we are able to diagnosticate with precision the slightest lesions of any part of this important organ, and, knowing their nature, to map out an appropriate course of treatment. With the aid of the stethoscope, invented by Laennec and improved upon by Camman, we are able to distinguish the slightest deviation from the normal sounds, and, by noting the character of the sound, the time when it occurs, the area over which It is heard most distinctly, and the direction in which it is transmitted, to locate the lesion which produces it. By the aid of the sphygmograph, first invented by Herrisson, and afterward improved upon by Ludwig, Vierordt, Marey, and lastly by Pond, of our own country, the pulsations at the wrist are registered, and thus made perceptible to the eye.