Page:The Harveian oration 1904.djvu/37

16 comes THE HARVEIAN ORATION, 1904 region or lower mass of the heart there is short- ness of breath, the heart is displaced on account of the volume of blood from the abdomen [probably the old idea of the rush of blood enter- ing the heart from the liver]. There may be fever or inflammation of the heart.' At this point comes a passage of some therapeutic interest. "The heart during such disease must be made to rest to some extent if it be possible.' Here we have wise advice from the ancient Egyptians, advice the importance of which we have scarcely as yet recognized, and which we may to-day follow with advantage. If the heart is atrophied (or wastes itself) there will be an accumulation of blood within it. When the disease of the substance of the heart is accompanied by dropsy there is a lessening' [in strength probably] 'in the ventricle or cavity. When the weak- ness of the heart is due to old age there is dropsy. When there is raising or increase of the heart it presses towards the left side, it is increased by its own fat, and is displaced; there may be much fat contained within its covering or pericardium. If in a suppurative disease the heart is pushed forward it floats or sinks in the fluid and is dis- placed.' Here we surely have a reference to pericardial effusion.. 'If the heart trembles or palpitates, has little power, and sinks down- wards, the disease is advancing. When there is much beating at the praecordia, with a feeling of weight, when the mouth is hot and languid, and