New-York tribune., 1905-06-19
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
HEART DISEASE SCHOOL,.
iPbUs;cian AdUocates Instruction OF
afflicted Persons.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; In your issue of June 13 you published an
article on the enormous increase in deaths from
heart disease. The report of the Board of Health
shows q death rate OF l2s from heart disease last
week while there were only 81 for the correspond
ing week last year.
These figures bear out Health Commissioner
Darlington's recent report, in which it is SHOWN
that the mortality from heart disease is enormously
the increase In 1853 the death rate from heaII
disease was only s15 per 1000 population, whereas
In 1904 It was s.0co. or five times great.
When we think of this appalling death rate from
this malady X behooves US as medical men 10
impress upon our patients the necessity of living
g simple life gearing our energies at a lower
pressure and refraining from excesses in eating
drinking or living
The recent interest manifested in the public press
in the treatment of Secretary Hay at Bad Nauheim
seems a fitting time to make some observations on
the treatment of chronic heart disease. Tnis
rnalady is far more common than it is usually
thought to be. but under proper advice and treat
rnent It is less fatal than many other ailments
usually considered of little consequence. It is much
better for the majority Of patients to know they
have a diseased heart and live accordingly q
don't mean the life Of invalid than to be un-
aware of their crippled member and presume TO
live the life of robust and healthy person.
Not infrequently this latter procedure results
either life of chronic invalidism or even in sud-
den death What need is school for heart
ease. where they viii be taught how to live. what
TO eat and what not to eat; also few simple
rules IN hygiene and exercise
The subject of diet is most important IN heart
disease. The indulgence in sugary and starchy
food produces fermentation in already con-
gested stomach AS a result Of this have ex-
cessive formation Of gas In the digestive tract
.asses the breathing. The heart, being cramped
for room becomes irregular and feeble.
II indigestion produces sucn distressing syInp-
toms where there is disease of the heart how
much grave is the situation when chrome
heart disease exfStSg
The subject OF exercise should be properly un-
derstood by all who have diseased hearts. The
amount and the kind will depend upon the conol-
tion of the heart ,,,,
IN the treatment of chronic heart disease. They
may be made light or as strong as the paIenI
r1inistered by trained attendant, under the super
vision Of physician - -
The establishment Of a training school for pa
tients with heart disease, where they WouIu pe
taught how TO live eat drink and exercise. would,
,n NV opinion, be the means Of lengthening many
OF their lives. and saving others from becoming
Drugs such as digftals, strvchnine nitrogycerine,
etc have comparatively limited field of useful-
ness IN the treatment OF heart disease. ,
OF all the therapeutic measures employed for tne
relief of heart disease believe the saline carbona-
ted bath (Naufeim treatmenD is the only one wmeh
gives lasting benefit. The physiological erect OF
these baths is to take the pressure on the neaTt,
to slow the pulse, contract the heart more hrnIy
and to give strength to the heart muscles.
The value of the Nauheirn baths would be limited
indeed If the good results could only be obtained
by bathing in the natural springs at Bad Nauheim,
ally. and similarly good results obtained
In order to the best results IN the treatment OF
heart disease physicians should famiilarlZe theIn-
selves with the Nauheim treatment ana az ne
game time give explicit directions to their patients
in regard to diet, hygiene and exercise @ \,
NeU York J,1ne l. 1895