Show HEALTH s I ADVICE 4 By Dr Morris Fishbein Editor Journal of the Iii American Medical Medi Medi- I cal Association The heart Is a powerful muscle It i is a a. motor that drives the blood through the circulation and keeps it moving on a ceaseless round With every contraction the heart I forces out five ounces of ot blood and this tl goes on 70 10 times a minute minute min mm- ute for ab about ut 70 years year In one day the the- heart h gallons of blood and sends that blood through the large arteries arteries arteries ar ar- ar- ar teries at the rate of about 55 feet per minute All sorts of calculations calculations calculations I have been made as to just how much work is really done by the heart each day During a day which a man spends lying in bed his heart produces enough power to carry a man weighing pounds up a hill feet high The heart begins to beat before the child is born and stops at the time of death Since it is such a willing organ and since it adjusts Itself so definitely to the needs of the human body it is not at et all all all- surprising that this organ is over over- worked a. a When a heart is diseased it is obviously not notable able to do its work with as much efficiency or force as when the heart is in the best of or health Like every other organ ergan and tissue tissue sue of the body the heart has a reserve power somewhat beyond the needs of everyday life The average man calls calis on this reserve reserve- when he is compelled to run at high speed or to work rapidly or orI orto orto I to overcome disease When however however however how how- ever the heart itself is diseased it calls on a reserve power which is diminished If the call on the heart is greater great great- er than the heart can possibly meet heart failure follows There are various signs of heart failure Among the most obvious is shortness of breath and a blueness blueness blueness blue- blue ness of appearance due to Inability inability ity to supply the tissues with the L i needed amount of oxygen Among factors which overtax the heart are physical and mental exertion worry anger anxiety overindulgence in food tobacco I. I alcohol or work An insufficient amount of sleep or rest is also a a- factor since the body is not permitted permitted per per- i mUted to recover from its t tion An infection will overtax the heart because it will diminish the vitality of all of the tissues If It there is fever the rate of the heart increases Most important of all of the factors factors fac fac- tors in treatment of the tired heart is rest 3 Rest in bed in the recumbent position is La of course better than rest with the patient sitting in a chair or walking about Absolutely Absolutely essential however is elimination elimination elimination nation of strain and lessening of the work of the heart by slowing showing its rate and the force of its beat In serious cases complete complete- mental mental men men- tal and physical rest in bed is de demanded de dc- absolutely For those who t find it quite difficult to breathe in a flat position a e. position is helpful |