The Lettsomian Lectures on Diseases and Disorders of the Heart and Arteries in Middle and Advanced Life [1900-1901]Bruce, J. Mitchell (John Mitchell)
Science
The Lettsomian Lectures on Diseases and Disorders of the Heart and Arteries in Middle and Advanced Life [1900-1901]
Bruce, J. Mitchell (John Mitchell)
Arteries -- Diseases; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases; Heart -- Diseases; Middle-aged persons; Older people
I would not have dwelt so long upon the measures calculated to
prevent degeneration of the heart, were it not that they have to be
employed with equal strictness and perseverance in the treatment
of cardio-vascular disease when it is already established and our
assistance is sought with anxiety. The etiological indications have
still to be respected faithfully; on this I need not dwell. The
next question is:--What can be done for the pathological changes
wrought on the arteries and the valves and walls of the heart? In
syphilitic lesions we do not hesitate to say that potassium iodide
should be given freely: it is a specific remedy of great value.
Can the atheromatous process be influenced with equal or with any
success? It depends on toxæmia and anæmia; the obvious indication is
to purify and enrich the blood. This, at least in respect of gout,
glycosuria and corpulence, as we have just seen, must be effected by
a thorough reform in every department of personal hygiene. Arsenic
and moderate doses of iodides, combined with an excess of alkalis,
are calculated to promote the same end. Dr. Mott has shown that
atheroma, whether of valves or of vessels, can be traced in many
instances to disease of the _vasa cordis_ and _vasa vasorum_. This
carries us a step forward in our quest for indications, but the
practical conclusion remains--that the healthy nutrition of the
smaller arteries has to be restored by attention to the blood and
the use of specific remedies.
So much for valvular and vascular lesions. There remains to be
discussed the fulfilment of the greater indication for treatment:
the one which directs and governs the employment of the most
important and successful of all the measures comprised in cardiac
therapeutics. This is the establishment and maintenance of
compensation. The nutrition and activity of the myocardium can be
increased and sustained by means of specific cardiac stimulants
and tonics, such as strychnine, ammonia and the digitalis group of
drugs; by hæmatinics, stomachics and laxatives to afford an abundant
supply of healthy blood; by insuring wholesome nervous influences,
one of the conditions of hypertrophy; and by the employment of the
non-medicinal measures now so extensively used to increase the
vigour and benefit the metabolism of the cardiac walls, particularly
active and passive exercises and baths. This is a comprehensive
statement of the lines of treatment calculated to benefit more or
less all the kinds of cardiac degeneration which I have had occasion
to notice. Of the individual pathological changes, and the rational
treatment indicated for each from this point of view, I will refer
to three only which will serve to illustrate the considerations
which ought to guide us in practice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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