lation of the blood can go on, without material interruption, for one hundred years or more.

In advanced life disorders and diseases of the heart are but little more frequent than in earlier periods. Many of them are, to a great extent, under control and remediable. There is no reason for the commonly-entertained apprehensions when an elderly person is said to have a disease of the heart, unless such disease is organic-that is, has become much altered in its structure.

The heart derives its motive power, like every other organ, from the nerves-not those proceeding directly from the brain and spinal chord, but from a system of nerves termed the great sympathetic. The parts and organs supplied with nerveforce from this system are in a measure cut off from the centres of ordinary sensation, so that we have no consciousness of their actions, and no power over them through the will. In health, we do not know, or at least do not feel, that we have such parts as a heart, a liver, a stomach, etc.; but all these parts being linked together by the same source of power, disorder in one will often, more or less, disturb the others.

Hence irregular action, palpitation, fluttering, feeling of indefinable uneasiness in the heart, may any of them be caused by disturbance of the stomach, or bowels, or liver; and they disappear when the primary trouble is relieved.

Sometimes, however, the disordered action of the heart, once excited, goes on after the exciting cause is removed; and I believe these functional disorders thus give rise to real organic disease particularly to enlargement of the organ (hypertrophy), if neglected.

What I would impress on my readers is, not to assume, because they are said to have a weak or diseased heart, their case is out of the reach of remedies. It is true, the line of distinction. between permanent organic changes and functional disturbance requires much skill to determine. The latter are of far more frequent occurrence; and we possess remedies of a very remarkable power over the actions of the heart. Nervines and antispasmodics in a marked manner calm down palpitations, flutterings, etc., when temporary. Digitalis has long been known to possess the power of reducing the frequency of the pulse; but a plant

K

of recent introduction to English practice from the Eclectics of America, the Veratrum viride, possesses this power in a most remarkable degree. It demands great care in its administration; but by giving small, frequently-repeated doses, we can reduce the number of beats of the pulse ten, fifteen, or twenty in the minute in the course of an hour or two.

I have known persons having for many years been supposed to suffer from heart disease, attain to a good old age.

When the action of the heart is so far disturbed as to excite attention, there is usually mental depression; and when it proceeds far, an anxious look is perceptible on the countenance.

Rheumatism affects the heart; and one of the worst features of this disease, in its acute form, is a tendency to attack and damage the heart. consider the veratrum viride one of the most valuable remedies we possess, inasmuch as its judicious use is remedial in such cases. It not only reduces the frequency of the heart's contractions, but it imparts tone and strength to the organ.

THE BRAIN-MIND-MOTIVE POWER.

Mind-Emotions-Paralysis-Sleep.

It is unnecessary to enter into elaborate or scientific discussion, or even to refer to disputed questions, respecting the brain and its relations to mind. The popular recognition of the brain as the organ of thought, of feeling, and source of all motion, and controller of all the functions of the body is sufficient for our present purpose; yet two or three facts may be stated to render the following intelligible-1. As the source of motion and power, the seat of all the senses, the energy of the brain passes outward and downward to all parts. 2. A reflex action passes from all parts to the brain through the nerves. 3. Injuries to any organ affect the brain, either through the nervous system or through the blood.

The brain has the most delicate structure of any part of the body. It requires nourishment, and undergoes waste from use and action, like every other part. Disturbance within it may manifest itself in a great variety of ways-in the mental acts, in the moral sentiments and feelings, in the

nerves as disordered feeling and pain, as diminished power of motion in the muscles-loss of power (paralysis), spasmodic or morbid motions, and in the perversion or suppression of organic action. Bearing these facts in mind the first traces of morbid changes in the brain occurring in elderly persons may be recognised and under

stood.

If the work of the brain and consequent waste of its substance is inordinate, and the supply of suitable matter for its repair and sustenance fails, disease necessarily ensues. An overworked brain is a common and very significant phrase. Deep thought long continued, care and anxiety in business, study too closely pursued, involve overwork, and frequently induce mischief in the brain. Excitement from any cause, profound emotion, eager pursuit of objects of ambition, lead to more and more continuous action than the texture of the

brain can bear. And there are many ways in which disorder in this organ shows itself.

Headache, sleeplessness, failure of memory, of the power of continuous application to some work of thought, illusions (some idea being intrusive, and