Some aspects of cardiovascular disease with special reference to public health

Abstract

o1.The statistics relating to cardiovascular disease are given.2.Evidence supports the hypothesis that heredity is a factor in the aetiology of cardiovascular disease.3.Rheumatic heart disease is the most important group from the public-health aspect. Various factors such as the haemolytic streptococcus, overcrowding, poverty, climate, etc., are analysed. The value of tonsillectomy, sulphonamides, etc., are dealt with. A scheme for the prevention of acute rheumatism and rheumatic carditis is discussed.4.For practical purposes, cardiac syphilis is syphilitic aortitis. This disease can best be prevented by earlier diagnosis and by treating every syphilitic efficiently at the time of primary infection. It is suggested that it is advisable to x-ray periodically patients whose history indicates that they are liable to this disease. The statistics relating to cardiovascular disease are given. Evidence supports the hypothesis that heredity is a factor in the aetiology of cardiovascular disease. Rheumatic heart disease is the most important group from the public-health aspect. Various factors such as the haemolytic streptococcus, overcrowding, poverty, climate, etc., are analysed. The value of tonsillectomy, sulphonamides, etc., are dealt with. A scheme for the prevention of acute rheumatism and rheumatic carditis is discussed. For practical purposes, cardiac syphilis is syphilitic aortitis. This disease can best be prevented by earlier diagnosis and by treating every syphilitic efficiently at the time of primary infection. It is suggested that it is advisable to x-ray periodically patients whose history indicates that they are liable to this disease.