DISEASES OF THE CIROULATOKT SYSTEM. 223 



Define this condition. 



This may be defined to be a functional cardiac disorder, char- 

 acterized by an increased frequency of the heart's action and an 

 irregularity of its rhythm, which at times becomes intermittent. 



What is arrhythmia? 



This may be defined to be a condition where one or more of 

 the beats of the heart are dropped (an intermittent heart). 



Define tachycardia. 



Tachycardia, or rapid heart, is where there is a rapidity of the 

 heart's action, which may, in some cases, be perfectly normal. 



What is brachycardia ? 



By this is meant to be a slowness of the heart's action, and may 

 be divided into physiological and pathological conditions, the latter 

 being seen in convalescence from fevers, digestive disorders, diseases 

 of the blood and circulation, of the nervous system, or may be due 

 to toxic agents. 



What is the aetiology of palpitation of the heart ? 



Overwork, fear, excitement, kicks, blows, etc., continued di- 

 gestive disorders, irritation of the cardiac ganglia, chronic liver 

 troubles and the like are among the principal causes. 



What are the symptoms ? 



They vary with the intensity of the affection; it may be slight, 

 there being only a fluttering of the heart, or in other cases the 

 pulsations are increased, the beats are more forcible (they may or 

 may not be irregular), the arteries throb, the respirations become 

 difficult, and signs of great distress are present. 



The physical signs are usually negative; the sounds are clear 

 and metallic on auscultation, and the shock can be obtained by 

 palpation. The symptoms may last a few minutes, or, in other 

 cases, an hour or so. 



How is the affection diagnosed ? 



By the absence of the physical signs of organic disease; by 

 the rapidity of the action of the heart; by its irregularity of rhythm, 

 and it possibly being intermittent. 



