Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-03
BROKEN HEART
TRULY OCCURS,
SAYS SCIENCE
Play of Emotions Produces
Chemicals Which Result
in Reaction.
HATE PRODUCES POISON
Bv FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

NEW YORK CITY-The broken
heart" so frequently encountered in ro-
mantle fiction, is now declared to be a
scientific fact Hearts actually do break,
a famous heart specialist finds. and such
breakages are by no means uncommon.
"She died Of a broken heart can no
longer be considered a mere figure OF
speech. Perhaps she really did.
surprising thing about broken
hearts. moreover, according to this
scientist, is that they are more often
caused by joy than sorrow. Perhaps it
is Just as well that the worlds supply of
joy is limited In the light of this new
discovery, in fact, the joy-killer, now an
unappreciated figure in our midst, is
seen to be in some cases a public bene-
factor
Broken hearts," says this British doc
tor, occurs not only among human be-
ings. but among animals. I, myself. have
known an animal to rupture its heart
through Joy. Indeed, have seen this as
il happened.
'The disaster is not caused by grief,
the emotion, nor by joy, the emotion
but indirectly II is the result Of the
presence In the blood Of a chemical sub
stance poured into II as the result Of one
Of those curious reactions Of which we
know so little. Grief. joy, worry, love
all these emotions and probably others
produce definite chemical reactions re-
sulting in the generation Of actual sub
stances. Hate, for example, produces a
chemical poison. which affects the blood
of him who hates. And so for all other
emotions Those that are produced by
JOY seem most likely to break the heart.
The fatal result is caused by an over
stimulation of the heart nerves"
This is undoubtedly the most interest
ing information that has yet been con-
tributed to the meager data which ex-
lists concerning the heart and its various
idiosyncracies The heart is perhaps the
least understood of mans organs. Its
breakdown, If not its actual breakage,
causes more deaths today than any other
affliction. Over 100000 persons die OF
heart disease in this country every year.
In New York City alone the annual
death rate from organic diseases Of the
heart is over 10000 or about the same
as the entire national death rate from
automobile accidents 1t is estimated
that 10000 children in the New York
schools are already handicapped by per
manently damaged hearts, and that an
even greater number of industrial work
ers are suffering from various forms Of
heart disease. and it is known that per
cent Of the boys examined in the draft
were rejected because of damaged heart.
COMBATING
HEART TROUBLE.
While it has by no means done enough,
New York has probably done more to
combat this greatest of national afflie
tions than any other city. 1t has an
Association for the Prevention and RelIei
of Heart Disease. which has accomplished
splendid work in promoting the study
of heart ailments and in providing spe-
eial facilities for cardiac patients. About
fifteen cardiac clinics are now operated
IN connection with city hospitals. while
various convalescent homes for cardlaes
have recently been opened.
Yet none Of these activities have
thrown great light upon the origin of
clined to place most of the responsibility
upon environment. They point out that.
like tuberculosis. heart trouble is found
chiefly among the poor and those who,
by bitter necessity or by carelessness.
live under unfavOrable conditions. II
the disease is discovered in its early
stages and the patient given plenty Of
rest. proper food fresh air and we'll
ventilated sleeping quarters. 1t Is usually
easily cured, they assert. but where the
disease has existed for a number OF
years. the cure is extremely difficult
While they believe with the British spe-
cialist that emotional excitement is prob
ably a contributary cause of heart trou-
bic, bad living habits have the most to
do with it.
The heart may be damaged by certain