Note 1 — CASES OF ORGANIC DISEASES OF THE HEART, WITH DISSECTIONS.
Reading edition
A careful examination of the works of some of the most eminent English practical writers does not afford evidence of any clear distinction of these diseases of the heart. Dr. Cullen, whose authority is of the highest estimation, evidently enumerates symptoms of them in his definition and description of the hydrothorax. In § 1702 Th. and Pr. he places much confidence on a particular sign of water in the chest, and remarks, that the same sign is not produced by the presence of pus. Now, there is no sufficient reason, why this symptom should not arise from the presence of pus, as well as from that of water; but it probably can depend on neither of those alone. See Morgagni de causis et sedibus morborum, Epist. 16. art. 11. The experienced Heberden says in the chapter “De palpitatione cordis,” “Hic affectus manifesta cognitione conjunctus est cum istis morbis, qui existimantur nervorum proprii esse, quique sanguinis missione augentur; hoc igitur remedium plerumque omittendum est.”—“Ubi remediis locus est, ex sunt adhibenda, quæ conveniunt affectibus hypochondriacis.”
Dr. Baillie’s knowledge of morbid anatomy has enabled him to make nearer approaches to truth; yet it will probably be found, when this subject shall be fully understood, that his descriptions of the symptoms of diseases of the heart and of hydrothorax are not quite accurate, and, that with respect to the former, they are very imperfect.
Some of the French physicians have devoted much attention to this subject; especially M. Corvisart, professor in the hospital of La Charite, at Paris, from whose clinical lectures is derived the most important information.