448 THE TREATMENT OP DISEASES. 



As a rule, patients with heart disease complain but little of palpitation, whilst 

 those with digestive derangements often regard it as the essence of their malady. 

 That palpitation is in the majority of cases merely functional is evident from 

 the number of young persons who suffer from it, and who afterwards attain a 

 hale old age. In young people especially, every passion and every affection acts 

 on the heart and changes its healthy beat, and over-exertion, or any little 

 error in diet, may produce the same result. In some instances palpitation arises 

 from prolonged mental application and over-work, as in the case of literary men, 

 barristers, and others whose pursuits are psychical rather than physical. Occa- 

 sionally palpitation is met with as a symptom of retrocedent gout the pain 

 in the joints suddenly subsides, and then the sufferer complains of his heart. 



And now as to the future of these cases. Do people get cured of palpitation, 

 or do they die of it? Nine times out of ten they recover completely. It is 

 very essential to bear in mind that palpitation is not only not invariably associated 

 with grave disease, but that it is often a mere nervous abnormality of little or 

 no importance. This is also true of intermittency of the heart's action. A recent 

 writer says : " On mere intermittency of the heart alone, no practitioner is justified 

 in giving an opinion as to the existence of heart disease. The suffering and 

 misery entailed by hasty medical opinions as to the existence of heart disease 

 of a grave character, and its proneness to sudden death, is something fearful to 

 contemplate. I know well a hale north - country yeoman of unusually fine 

 physique, whose peace of mind, years ago, was ruined by a rash medical opinion, 

 formed most unjustifiably, and so strong was the impression then made, that no 

 amount of assurance of his health can free him from the terrible bondage of 

 this idea." Palpitation of violent character, such as obtrudes itself forcibly 

 on the patient's attention, is more decidedly the characteristic of some nervous 

 affection than of organic disease of the heart. In heart disease, palpitation is 

 often to be regarded almost as a good sign, affording evidence as it does that the 

 heart has still strength to palpitate. Before doing anything in the way of 

 treatment it is very important to make sure of the diagnosis. If after reading 

 our description you have any doubt whether your palpitation is due to heart 

 disease or not, you had better go to a doctor and get him to decide for you. 

 It is of no use trying to treat yourself if you are not sure what you are 

 suffering from. If you at any time in your life have had rheumatic fever, and 

 suffer from palpitation, we should advise you to get your chest examined. 



The treatment of nervous palpitation is not a very difficult matter. When an 

 attack comes on the patient should be made to lie flat on his back, the neck and 

 chest being bared, and a liberal allowance of fresh air insisted on. A little sal volatile 

 may be given in a wine-glassful of water, or a bottle of eau de Cologne may be held 

 to the nose to smell. It is important to avoid all appearance of alarm, and to avoid 

 exuberant sympathy. When the palpitation has been induced by a sudden effort, 

 rest, quiet, and the administration of a little stimulant, with the addition of fifteen 

 drops of either tincture of belladonna or digitalis, will be found useful. Cold 

 brandy-and-water can always be obtained in an emergency, and is an excellent 

 remedy for occasional use. When the attack is over, treatment must be directed to 



