The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-11-10
Heart Failure.

wish to say a few words about heart failure.
We almost daily see reports of deaths attributed
to heart failure. Now. what wish to ask is what
it is the heart fails to do? have always cOnSd-
cred the heart the most perfect organ of the ami
NAL economy, and one that never shirkS its duty.
1t commences its labOrS during the early stages
of pregnancy, and goes on until the last moment
of life, without one seconds rest. night or day;
often without the intermiSSiOn of single pulSa-
tiOn for 100 years or more. At every beat it pro-
pels two ounces of blood through its structure
At Is pulsatiOnS per minute pounds of blood is
sucked in and pumped out. Every hour, $40
pounds; every day, 1850 pounds; every year.
4.73O,+OO pounds. every 100 years, 473O4O,OOO
pounds. Verify good organ and all performed
without one moments rest
Now, the heart has the very meaneSt and most
contemplate neighbor that ever an organ had.
namely the stomach; a drunkard, gluttOn, a
tresspasser. and almost everything else that is
bad. Verify, it ought to be walled in and COM
PEELED to keep Oh its own grounds.
The stomach lies directly under the heart, with
only the diaphragm between, and when it fills
with gas it is like a small balloon, and lifts up till
it interferes directly with the hearts action
The stomach never generates gas, but when filled
with undigested food fermentation takes place
and gas is formed. and the interference depends
upon the amount of gas in the stomach. To over
come this obstruction the heart has to exert it.
self in proportion to the interference. more blood
is sent to the brain. and the following symptoms
are the result:
dizzy head, flushed face, a loss of sight.
spots or burs before the eyes, flashes of light.
Zig-Zag lines chains, etc, often followed by the
most severe headache. These symptoms are llsu
ally relieved when the gas is expelled from the
stomach.
Now, when this upward pressure upon the
heart becomes excessive. more dangerous symp-
toms supervene. larger quantity of blood is
sent to the brain. some vessel ruptures and a
blood clOt in the brain is the result, and the pa
tent dies of apopleXy or. if he lives. is cripple
for life.
When sick person, or and old one. or one
with feeble Digestion sleeps, digestion is nearly
or quite suspended. but fermentation goes on.
and gas is generated as before stated.
A man is found dead in bed, and the medical
attendant prOnOunces it the result of heart fail
ure, and such is the certificate of burial given.
Now, the man was out. partoOk of a late supper,
and ate roast beef. turkey. chicken. lobster. Oys-
tiers, mince pie. plum pudding, ice cream. cake,
an orange nuts and raisins, three or four cups of
coffee, etc. ETC., went home at midnight. retres
and dies of heart failure before O'Clock the next
morning. What did the heart fail to do?
Again a man is sick with typhoid fever OF
pneumonia, or almost any other disease. an(
dies, it is said, from heart failure: but what ha.
his diet been during his sickness? At present it il
very fashionable to commence at once with wha
might well be called the stuffing process. Ice(
milk, which is so cool and grateful to the patient
from three pnts to one gallon during the da!
and night. But if l might be allowed to maxi
the suggestion, wOuld suggest in place of i
clam chOwder thickened with gravel. stone. eggs
beef tea, whisky cream and all the other goo,
things the poor patient can be persuaded to swal
IOw.-Medcdl Brief.