Dilatation of the Heart. 439 



cause of the disease before it has been developed to a dangerous 

 extent. When the malady is manifested by the symptoms above 

 enumerated the subject is rendered permanently unfit for service 

 and will probably die suddenly under some slight exertion. Fat- 

 tening animals in a condition of quietude will often lay on flesh 

 for an indefinite length of time, notwithstanding that the heart 

 is considerably dilated. (See note on digitalis, strophanthus and 

 arsenious acid in dilated heart, under the head of hypertrophy') . 

 To relieve the asthmatic attacks attending on an overtaxed heart 

 Zuill strongly recommnnds the combination of iodide of potassium, 

 digitalis, nux vomica and coca. But heart tonics are often much 

 more effective after the bowels and portal system have been 

 unloaded by a laxative. 



