Study of the heart muscle in health and disease

Abstract

This thesis does not purport to bring to light any startling new theories or indeed any new matter at all. It endeavours to examine all heart conditions from the standpoint of the heart muscle and it aims at emphasising the great importance of the myocardium in cardiac disease. Modern research has shown conclusively that whatever kind of heart-lesion may be present, the real factor of importance is the state of the heart muscle. A healthy myocardium can compensate for every defect. The actual condition of the heart muscle is the one guide to treatment and the only sure index in prognosis.