VARIOUS CARDIAC INFLAMMATIONS. 1 43 



must be looked for in the chapter on that disease), always con- 

 nects Aconite with diseases of the heart; w^hen the impulse of the 

 heart is increased and the pulse at the jaw is full, bounding and 

 rapid the same conclusion is arrived at; exhaustion and distress 

 accompanied by palpitation point to Aconite; it will be thus seen 

 that the conditions vary, but the drug is a far-reaching one and at 

 the same time an exceedingly reliable friend in circumstances of 

 extreme urgency. 



Aetata racemosa ix. — In breeding establishments or in stables 

 where mares are kept, this is a valuable remedy because of the 

 intimate relation which seem to exist between it and the female 

 system; it is well-known that a remarkable sympathy exists at 

 times between the uterus (womb) and the heart; take a mare 

 that is with foal or has recently had a foal, or one in work whose 

 -sexual desires have been excited, and she becomes the subject of 

 an attack of rheumatism; it is no uncommon thing for these two 

 organs, the uterus and the heart to be the two chief seats upon 

 which the poison of rheumatism expends its force; its influence 

 upon the heart may be recognized by the outward manifestations 

 already so many times referred to; should the uterus be also im- 

 plicated the mare will give evidence of pain by turning her head 

 to the side, prostrating herself for a stretch with the hind legs, 

 uneasiness, unwillingness to lie down, the urine will be high- 

 colored and diminished in quantity, together with the ordinary 

 febrile symptoms indicated under rheumatism, when this remedy 

 may be relied upon to afford relief. 



Arse7iicum album 3X. — While Aconite appears to act upon the 

 blood and through it, upon the circulation generally. Arsenic 

 would seem to act directly upon the principal organ of the system, 

 liaving the power to inflame not only the muscular tissue but also 

 the endocardium (or internal lining membrane) and therefore also 

 the valves; special symptoms indicating its selection may include 

 extreme systemic prostration ; a tendency to faint after exertion ; 

 feebleness of the heart's action; pulse almost imperceptible; pal- 

 pitation, difficulty of breathing; dropsy as indicated by swelling 

 along under part of chest and abdomen, with the legs. 



Cactus grandiflorus ix. — By some authorities the palm is given 

 to this drug over Aconite in heart diseases; certainly from the ex- 

 perience of those well quahfied to offer an opinion, it deserves to 



