PALPITATION

of the heart is present when tho beating of the heart makes iteclf folt. Tho chicf causes are sudden emotion and indigestion, especially acidity with flatulence. Tho rae om are either attacks of frequent and irregular action of the heart with a feeling of fluttering in the pe or a more forcible action in which the whole chest may feel shaken. These symptoms are accompanied by giddine , anxiety, pain in the chest, and other symptoms. They sre apt to come on at night and awake the sufferer from his first sleep. The treatment during an attack should be a dose of bicarbonate of soda, one to two salt spoonfuls taken in gzome hot peppermint water, or a teaspoonful of sal volatile in half a tumbler of water. Between the attacks the causes of indigestion should be avoided, especially heavy and late suppers, tea, tobacco, rich and sweet food, constipation, ete. There is no ground for fearing the heart is discased, it is the stomach that is out of order. [s. 392]