Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-14

Functional Disorders Of the Hear,
with Eaipitations, SPnsn,s, Painting
Gl0dineAs.

"a isAS sc NuMoeT Oh people are afflicted with
arrangements or disorders Of the heart whic h
cannot be called diseases, because there is no
real disease of the substance Of the heart. or of
the surrounding Serious membrane present in
these cases.
The disorder consists Of disorder Of the func-
tons or working power Of the heart connected
with too sensitive condition of tue numerous
nerve-cells and nerve-tibers which control Its
beats; hence the heart beats irregular.y some
times very fast and sometimes very slow. and ia
very SUBJECT to nervous impressions nom any
citelnent OF the brain. such as arises through
anxiety. anger. fear, sudden blows fright dis
gust. and the like.
The female sex. especially from sixteen wears
OF age upwards, is subject to this heart deranye-
ment.
Let rs suppose case in point: young girl
who suffers from this heart dcranremeut. ia
passing along, when she sees some one nearly
run over by a passing vehicle; the excitement ia
communicated to her brain and conveyed thence
by one or two nerves to the numerous nerve
cells or gangiia OF the heart and the latter he
comes so affected that for a time the action of
the heart is paralyzed, the muscular substance
beats slower and slower. the face becomes
banChed, the brain also has its blood SUNNY
nearly cut off, and the young person faints
away. Fantne SIS is due to want of blood in the
Dram. whereby the senses are lost or no longer
act. and the mind is in state of letharry If
cold water is dashed into the face and the
tanting person Is made to drink q glass of the
same or few drops OF a strong stimulant, the
heart is set beating again, the blood returns to
the face and brain. the senses are quickly re-
stored and the person RECEIVERS
Here the stinulant absorbed by the blood
vessels is conveyed to the heart aud brain and
stimulates directly all the nerye-cels, especially
the ganglia of the former SO that the heart is
set beating, for no muscle can be affected ey-
cept by its own nerves.
This instance is given to show how the heart
can be instantly aud severely impressed hy the
excitement OF the brain, but whilst such case
or 1dlntlng may occur. even with persons of or
binary suSceptibIlities persons suffering from
heart arrangements are still further affected by
very small and trivial causes which would have
no effect upon other people.
1heir symptoms are real and distressing to
themselves. although they may not arise from
any corresponding disease of the heart either
IN valves OF substance or surrounding mem
brane. ~
These symptoms arise from the functional dis
oroef OF the heart. and can be traced by noticing
the beats of the heart and the pulse The for
mer are usually weak, either too slow or too
RAPID, put even under the least excitement be-
come violent and the sharp impulse of the heart
against the ribs can be felt. The heart is usually
slnalt and the iITesuiaritY Of its beats is due to
its faulty action.
The pulse is at times irregular and even inter
mittent, which means that the heart beats cnce
twice, three times, then no beat, again three or
four times and no beat.
Sometimes this intermisslon win only occur
ana be observable in a large number of beats
The other symptoms of these heart derange-
ments are
l. The Heart.
l, PGtp3t0tjon-The person snfferfn~ fnnls the
healt beat violently, especially on eYerfion or
BREATH ~
., Iden.-Ihs is sometimes accompanied by
pain IN the region of the heart. or kind of
spasm IN the left SIDE due to a too powerful
contraction OF the hearts muscular substance
or imitation of its nerves. and it is increased nv
indigestion. -
3. Fdtnting.-This is due to the loss of blood
IN the brain by partial or total cessation of the
hearts action VIZ
4, S~ide'. flushing or ro3easess Of tie face from
symptom.
ii. The Brain
l. Giddness is due to the same causp and 10
common III the morning. especially from want
OF the regular firm contraction of the heart.
z. Some persons SO suffering have eonstant
headache or pain in the head These are some
OF the chief symptoms. but there are others
when may occur. namely, dyspnpa, Indigestion
lnahility OF eAertion, peeyishness and general
irrtaoility. 1'NN-' ''
III The Lungs.
!. pySpnGa is common symptom. that is
difficulty OF breathing or catching of the breath
on ascending several flights Of stairs, or on run
ming or other violent exertiOn.
~. Digestion.
This is usually feeble and accomganied with
diminished secretion Of bile and gastric luce, so
tnat persons so affected suffer from cDrTcd
tongue and wind. The bowels are costiyp
il"fe are no special symptoms OF the skin or
urine, except from the cause which often inter
feres with these complants-drink
Persons suffering from heart deranremants
cannot undertake much eXertiOn. and are nsuaIiv
iiStiesS and dispiritcd If the neI.vons ternnnra
mcnt is supcraddcd to this heart disorder the
person may become an invalid. with such acuta
Sehsipit'iieS as are troublesome TO him or herself
and annoying to others. Often the sammino of
"a door or any slight noise is annoying to the
sufferer ~ ''0
Again, it is possible that entire gastric de-
fangeineRt occurs with this disorder of tho
heait and lets the patient take bat little food
ne becoming sufferer from wind. dry. fayeraJ
tongue and costiyeness or diarrhRa
CAUSES OF HEART DERANGEMENT.
I'reiiSposjhg CatsSes.-These are derived from
inherited disorder Of the nerves from the PARENTS
especially the mother
ActIre CdGSes.-Late hours; close study: con-
slant worry or anxiety; overstlaining the nerves
such as IN sitting up to late hours continually.
Special Cause.-The most special cause is
di-11At-that is, the use OF alcohol in one of IFS
forms, especially the constant use of small
Ia''hIitico VI SIilitS, SUCH as brandy. whisky or
gin. -
In these cases, both the liver and the kidnevs
are deteiioIated and undergo changes.
TREATMENT OF HEART DERANGFNFNrs
These cases, so frequent in modern life. sbonld
never be attacked harshly but the patient
should be taught not to give way to the feelings
of anxiety, depression aud faintness. to Rather
strive and master them by the power CT the will
The general treatment is:
l. Early hours for rest about ten o'clocl. at
the latest; moderately early hours for rlsin0
about seven O'clock.
2. The avoidance ofail those sources ofanyiaty
to which these patients are most liable.
3. Regular meals, and especially an early
breakfast at half-past seven or eight Great caro-
to take only those foods which agree: not too
much meat, but a light diet. A small sumner at
nine, as no long period must intervene between
taking nOuriShment.
4. Moderate exercise by early walks. Suffer-
efs from heart arrangements should never ston
indoors all day. No persons benefit so much nv
fresh country and sea air as these and nervons
people. Baths of slightly warm water are very
useful
5. The greatest care in taking alcohol. At
best to stop its use altogether as it NAV become
habit. If alcohol is taken it is an inmediatc
and great relief to the sufferer, and NAV easily
be resorted to constantly for relief ultimately
tir,.r Il.