Vicious circles in disease / by Jamieson B. Hurry.

  • Jamieson Boyd Hurry
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Vicious circles in disease / by Jamieson B. Hurry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Hypertrophy of the heart in cases of valvular lesion is a beautiful example of Nature’s method of breaking the Circle. Thus in acute aortic regurgita¬ tion the coronary arteries are inadequately filled, the myocardium is enfeebled, leading to a feebler systole and increased regurgitation. But if only the work of the heart is lightened by physical and mental repose, compensatory hypertrophy will in time largely make up for the valvular defect, and enable the heart, even though unsound, to carry on the circula¬ tion. Sleep is another of Nature’s methods of breaking Circles, especially in neurotic disorders which are complicated by insomnia. The obstinate correlations may continue in operation, until the nervous system is completely exhausted. But at length “ Tir’d Nature’s sweet restorer—balmy sleep ” breaks the Circle,1 EXTRA-ORDINARY MECHANISMS At other times some extra-ordinary mechanism or unusual effort is called for. This may be illustrated by a case of gastrectasis in which the dilatation and 1 There are many other ways in which such neurotic Circles may be broken. Dr. Claye Shaw tells of a lady who was cured of the Circle of insomnia, depression and head¬ ache by the very natural process of having a baby. Lancet, 1911, Vol. I., p. 357.