HEART DISEASE TREATMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1920, Page 1

HEART DISEASE TREATMENT

BIG MEDICAL DISCOVERY

LONDON, March 22,

The statement that as; a result of experifliGhts on dogs "we 9re on the eve of important discoveries which will assist in the relief or cure of heart disease was made this evening by Dr Elliot iii a speech opposing the second reading of a Bill brought forward by Sir Frederick Banbury to prevent vivi-seetion ol dogsi

Last March the same measure, was before the House and was then rejected. Immediately alter the rejection of that bill, 'said Dr Elliot, researches were begun l)y Professor Lewis, of London University, which were leading to important ■results in the treatment of heart disease. It would lie a groat boon to thousands of sufferers from palpitation of the heart.

“Have, you a remedy to stop,it?” inquired Mr Will Thorne. “Give jus another year and we will have found it out,” replied Dr Elliot. Holding up some diagrams, he said: “Here are diagrams of the heart-beat in dogs and in men, arid they are practically identical. Here are also diagrams showingMiseasc of the heart in dogs and in men: 'These experiments ' have proved practically and conclusively what is the cause of heart disease,” To illustrate how the heart behaves in heart disease Dr Elliot used tho simile ef electricity., “The heart-beat starts by an impulse beginning at the top of tiie heart and passing down through the muscle in a sort of current. 11l heart disease the wires are faulty, the circuit is bad, and instead of passing straight down through the heart the impulse is broken up and the heart goes into what is called fibrilation.

“Each muscle fibre begins twitching independently, and in some cases: one single impulse gets loose, so to speak, and courses round and round the heart.”

“If the circuit is faulty we must improve the circuit, and by altering the chemical composition of the blood by means of certain chemical salts, we hope we will he'able to improve it and to set this fluttering, useless', palpitating heart beating strongly, steadily, unci' regularly.”