Palpitation of the Heart. 153 



Treatment. — Careful avoidance of sudden excitement and 

 over-exertion are to be looked to in the first place. Full 

 doses of digitalis, say J drachm of the powdered leaves, may 

 be given twice a day in the food for several weeks. Indi- 

 gestion and constipation must be prevented by appropriate 

 treatment. 



Frequently the digitalis may be combined with salines 

 with advantage, as : — 



No. 155. Powdered digitalis leaves, 30 grains. 



Chlorate of potash, 5^ oz. 



Or, nitrate of potash, 1 oz. 



To be given once a day. 



When the palpitation is associated with increased size of 

 the heart, and a full and strong pulse, it is better to use acon- 

 ite. 



No. 156. Tincture of aconite root, 20 drops. 



This amount may be used in the above prescription instead of the pot- 

 ash, or dropped in the drinking water twice a day. 



Sometimes it is well, as Mr. Duri suggests, to begin with 

 the aconite and when the force at the heart is reduced, to 

 substitute for it the digitalis. 



Another useful agent is belladonna. It may often, es- 

 pecially in cases where there is general debility, be advan- 

 tageously given with nux vomica, as : — 



No. 157. Extract of belladonna, 1 drachm. 



Powdered nux vomica, ^ drachm. 



Mix with liquorice powdered and molasses into a ball, and give once 

 or twice a day for a considerable time. 



ENLAEGEMENT OK HYPERTEOPHY OF THE HEART. 



Causes. — Long continued overwork, constant indigestion, 

 and diseases of the valves '^ of the arteries lead to a growth of 

 the heart much beyond its ordinary size, w^hich should be 

 considered an unsoundness. It also accompanies broken 

 wind and other impedimeiits of free breathing. 



