ses of the heart
should be quite frequent. Violent and long continued exercise, great
anxiety and agitation of mind[14], excessive debauch, and the habitual
use of highly stimulating liquors, are among them.

[Footnote 14: It has been remarked by the French physicians,
and particularly by M. Corvisart, physician to the emperor of
France, that these organic diseases were very prevalent after
the revolution, and that the origin of many cases was
distinctly traced to the distressing events of that period.]

The treatment of this complaint is a proper object for investigation.
Some of its species, it is to be feared, must forever remain beyond
the reach of art; for it is difficult to conceive of any natural agent
sufficiently powerful to produce absorption of the thickened parietes
of the heart, and at the same time diminish its cavities; but we may
indulge better hopes of the possibility of absorbing the osseous
matter and fleshy substance deposited in the valves of the heart and
coats of the aorta. A careful attention to the symptoms will enable us
to distinguish the disease, in its early stages, in which we may
undoubtedly combat it with frequent success.

Although it may not admit of cure, the painful symptoms attending it
may be very much palliated; and, as they are so severely distressing,
we ought to resort to every probable means of alleviating them.
Remedies, which lessen the action of the heart, seem to be most
commonly indicated. Blood-letting affords more speedy and compleat
relief, than any other remedy. Its effect is quite temporary, but
there can be no objection to repeating it. The digitalis purpurea
seems to be a medicine well adapted to the alleviation of the
symptoms, not only by diminishing the impetus of the heart, but by
lessening the quantity of circulating fluids. Its use is important in
removing the dropsical collections; and for this purpose it may often
be conjoined with quicksilver. Expectoration is probably promoted by
the scilla maritima, which, in a few cases, seemed also to alleviate
the cough and dyspnoea. Blisters often diminish the severe pain in the
region of the heart, and the uneasiness about the liver. It has been
seen, that the excessive action of the heart sometimes produces
inflammation of the pleura and pericardium, and that the distention of
the coat of the liver has the same effect upon that membrane in a
slighter degree. Vesication may probably lessen thos