Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/105

 advances have been made in several directions bearing upon treatment. Thus we are to-day far better able than formerly to deal with this system on rational lines as regards diet, mode of living, particular habits and indulgences, hygienic conditions and surroundings, atmospheric states, and other well-known general factors, founded upon a more intelligent and definite knowledge of its physiology, as well as of the ætiology and pathology of its morbid conditions. The effects produced on the heart and vessels by causes originating in the central nervous system, or by reflex influence from various sources, are also more clearly recognised and understood; as well as the pathological relations of these structures to certain constitutional states or particular diseases. All such knowledge may not only be often utilised and applied with conspicuous advantage in active treatment; but is of still greater importance from a preventive point of view, if duly appreciated. Again, as is well known, several groups of therapeutic agents affect the heart and circulation indirectly, and are now utilised in treatment on more judicious and rational lines than formerly, such as purgatives,, diuretics, diaphoretics, general tonics, alteratives, especially iodide of potassium, and remedies acting upon the central nervous system, or influencing the digestive functions.

Various well-known local measures or applications are often of conspicuous service in relation to the