In this disease the structure of the muscular walls is changed by part of the fibers disappearing and in their place, globules of fat are deposited.

Causes

Beer drinking, excessive use of alcoholic liquors and ice water, excessive corpulency and anaemia are also causes.

Symptoms

Short breathing, flabby tissue, nervousness, irritability of temper, dizziness and frequent fainting.

Palpitation of the heart, and fainting may arise from displacement, caused by a distended stomach.

In valvular diseases of the heart, the changed structure of the valves may prevent their fully opening or closing, so that it takes more power to force the blood through the arteries, and when there is leakage, it is more than double work, for a large part flows back. Any one who has operated a leaky pump will get something of an idea of this condition. The symptoms are much like other diseases of the heart - attacks of fainting, giddiness, shortness of breath, and the necessity of keeping the head elevated when lying down, and in advanced cases, swelling of the feet, face, poor circulation, weak pulse and dropsy.

A large number of deaths result from heart failure. This may happen because of excessive stimulation, so that when the stimulant is withheld the fatigue of the heart results in its stopping.

The same effect may result from poisonous effects of drugs and from long-continued fever. The higher the temperature the more frequent the beats of the heart. Probably more deaths result after fever has left the patient than before. This is usually called exhaustion, but means that there was no nourishment for the overworked heart, Any weakness of the heart due to disease may cause heart failure.

There is still another form of heart trouble known as nervous palpitation, common to narrow-chested and nervous people, especially those addicted to the use of tea and coffee. There is no organic disease in this class of cases, and all that is necessarr is to eat a plain diet with care as to exercise, and avoid excitement and anything that prevents sleep.

The blood vessels are liable to disease somewhat similar to the heart. In the disease called aneurism, the walls of the vessels become stretched in places, so that rupture is liable to occur at any time.

Obstruction to the flow of blood may come from tumors, from pressure resulting from displacement of organs in the body, and from accumulated matter in the bowels, which may cause piles, or other diseases. Obstructions may also occur from tight clothing, hats, corsets, waistbands, and shoes.

The first and most essential thing is to remove the producing cause. Quit liquor drinking - and all other bad habits. If it is from "scorching," quit it. If from contracted blood vessels, eat little or no meat, and wear loose clothes.

In heart disease it is necessary to reduce the volume of blood and increase its quality. This will require a dry diet, and a small quantity of fluids. This is especially true in obesity. The diet may be similar to that in catarrh or dilatation of the stomach, with the exception that the quantity of liquids be much less than in either of these diseases. Where it is complicated with obesity or diseases of the kidneys, the diet must meet the conditions in these diseases.