Liquids in Heart Disease.

In the treatment of heart disease, specialists are now unanimous in the opinion that two things at least are necessary. One that the patient be kept absolutely quiet, especially in extreme cases, and the other that the quantity of liquids taken be materially reduced in dilatation of the heart from valvular disease, especially where there is mitral and aortic regurgitation such as occurs from excessive beer-drinking.

In arterio-sclerosis it is necessary to prescribe liquids to promote the elimination of toxins, but when the dilatation is extreme, the quantity of fluids increases the labor of the heart and raises blood tension. This naturally increases difficult breathing, dropsy, and other evidences of progressive failure of the heart. The older the patient the greater the danger.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.