We have already acquired some knowledge of several of these anomalies, to which belong:

An increase of consistence in the muscular substance of the heart in hypertrophies, which is occasionally very considerable, especially in the right ventricle;

A diminution of consistence in passive dilatations and in some forms of atrophy:

A peculiar diminution of the consistence of the muscular substance of the heart, associated with decoloration, and as the result of pericarditis, and more especially hemorrhagic, purulent, and tuberculous exudations, which impart to it something of the character of half-boiled meat. (See p. 111).

Another form of diminished consistence, of which we have only spoken cursorily, and which will be considered more fully in a future page, is that which accompanies adiposity of the heart.

The cases that have been regarded by many observers as softening of the heart's substance, most probably belong to one or other of these forms of extreme diminution of consistence. It is not unlikely that many of these may have originated in an inflammatory centre in the tissue of the heart.

The diminution of consistence, or a relaxed condition in which the tissues can be easily torn, and which is occasionally observed as the result of typhus, is a mere symptomatic and simple diminution of consistence not depending upon any disturbance of texture.

Softening of the valves will be considered when we speak of the diseases of these structures.