_Treatment._—Though the causes that excite palpitation are numerous, they may all be reduced to two heads—that of inflammation or a state of plethora, and a state of local or constitutional debility. When palpitation can be traced to an inflammatory condition of body it will be necessary, according to the age and the condition of the patient, to reduce the circulation by bleeding, either from the arm, or what is more usual, by leeches, or cupping glasses over the region of the heart, or still better, between the shoulders, low down on the spinal column, at the same time giving nauseating doses of tartar emetic, hydrocyanic acid or tincture of digitalis, or foxglove. The following mixture, combining all the advantages to be obtained from each, may be safely substituted for one or either, having the power to allay inflammatory action, reduce the circulation, subdue pain, and promote a beneficial action on the skin. Take of Camphor Water 6 ounces. Powdered Nitre 1 scruple. Tartar Emetic 3 grains. Laudanum 1 drachm. Dissolve and mix. Give two table-spoonfuls at once, and one spoonful every two or three hours afterwards. At the same time a low diet, rest, quietude, and strict attention to the state of the stomach and digestive organs, are imperatively necessary. Where, however, the exciting cause is debility, the system must be in the first case braced by cold bathing or the shower bath, followed by vigorous friction along the spine with the flesh-brush; tonics and steel in all shapes, as chalybeate waters, or steel, wine or pills, or the usual iron and myrrh mixture; to this must be added change of air, a rich and liberal diet, and exercise either on horseback or by walking. The next affection of the heart is _Syncope, or fainting_, which is characterised by an indescribable sense of distress and feeling of faintness; the eyes grow dim, and are covered with a kind of film, attended with noises in the ears; the face and lips are pale, a cold perspiration breaks out on the body, the mind succumbs and grows confused, the body totters, and if not supported, falls; respiration becomes imperceptible, and the pulse is reduced to an irregular flutter. For a further account and treatment, see FAINTING.