PALPITATION

n. Pa"lp-i;'-ta's hu3n. Lat., palpitatio (from palp it are, to throb). Fr., p. Ger., Klopfen, Schlagen. A rhythmical or tumultuous throbbing. Arterial p. Intense arterial pulsation isochronous with that of the heart, observed along the aorta in the epigastric region, especially in young neurotic persons. [B; L, 88 (a, 50).] Cajliac p. P. of the abdominal aorta. [L, 88 (a, 34).] Idiopathic p., Nervous p. P. of the heart appearing in the course of diseases located in other organs, especially when characterized by alteration of the blood. [L, 87 (o, 50).] P. of the heart. Lat., palpitatio cord is. Fr., p. du cceur. Ger., Herzklopfen. A violent, rapid, and often irregular beating of the heart, caused by emotional excitement, disease, or exce ive action of any kind. It is usually functional rather than organic, and is most common in youth and middle life, especially among those engaged in sedentary occupations. Among women it is apt to accompany any disorder of the sexual apparatus. It is considered to be due to abnormal innervation of the heart, and in addition to the causes already mentioned are the action of various poisons (especially tobacco and alcohol), gout, rheumatism, and certain disturbances of the stomach and liver. The condition simulates and is often mistaken for organic disease of the heart. [D, 1.] Symptomatic p. Of Andral, violent p. of the heart due to the presence of taenia in the intestine. [L, 87 (a, 50).] [s. 200]