A manual of the diseases of the heart : their pathology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment / by Robert Hunter Semple.

  • Semple, R. H. (Robert Hunter)
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A manual of the diseases of the heart : their pathology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment / by Robert Hunter Semple. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    chief seat of disease. But it will be found, in most cases, that the affection is only a sympathetic one, and is caused by some derange- ment of the stomach, or the bowels, and, in women, of the uterus, the derangements of which, and even the performance of its natural functions, are often the fertile sources of much cardiac suffering. Palpitation.—Of all the disturbances of the heart's action, unas- sociated with organic disease, undoubtedly the most common is palpitation, which, however, it must not be forgotten, may also accompany structural mischief. But, putting the latter category of cases aside as having been already sufficiently described, palpitation may arise from very different or even opposite causes, or it may be impossible to connect it with any known cause at all. Thus it may be associated with a plethoric condition of the system, or with the opposite state, which latter is by far the more common ; it may be due to dyspepsia in either sex, or to disordered menstrual function in the female, or to the presence of the gouty diathesis, which more usually exists in the male ; and it is a prominent symptom in exophthalmic goitre, as will be hereafter more particularly explained. Palpitation usually occurs in paroxysms, the patient being con- scious of the violent and tumultuous beating of the hearty and this consciousness is one of the most distressing features of the affection, for the mind is constantly directed to the symptom, and the most gloomy forebodings are inspired or even cherished. It is in vain for the medical attendant, in many such cases, to attempt to dissipate the patient's fears, for the present suffering and uneasiness are so great that worse results are almost invariably anticipated, and as the palpitation very often comes on at night, the sufferer is worn out with want of rest in addition to his other causes of uneasiness. The malady, however, being paroxysmal, the suffering is relieved after a period of longer or shorter duration, but only to be renewed after an interval equally uncertain. Many causes have been assigned for the production of this painful affection, amongst which may be mentioned mental emotion and excitement, a very common cause, especially in this active and enter- prising age; the influence of the passions, especially that of love; the pursuit of study to an excessive degree, as in the candidates for University honours or for competitive examinations; the indulgence to excess in alcoholic drinks—a vice unfortunately too common throughout the civilised world; the use of tobacco, which induces palpitation of the heart in some constitutions; the consumption of