In  cardiac  diseases  the  curative  actions  of  caffeine  cor-
respond closely  to  digitalis,  and  as  it  docs  not  cause,  prop-
erly speaking,  a  distinct  rise  of  tension,  it  is  far  safer  than
digitalis.  Again,  cAfll^ine  has  a  stimulant  effect  on  the
centres  of  animal  and  organic  life  without  imposing  addi-
tional work  on  (he  laUiring  heart  by  an  increase  of  the


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HYPODEnMATJC  MBDWATIOS.
tendon  due  to  contraction  of  the  calibre  of  the  peripheral
Vfssels.  In  my  own  experience,  caffoine  has  acted  admi-
rably in  doses  of  5  to  10  grains  twice  each  day.  The  weak
and  arhjlhinical  heart  has  taken  on  tone  and  re^larity.
Besides  the  beueiidal  etimulatino^  action  of  caffeine,  there
are  the  added  advantages  of  an  active  diuretic  effect,  which
contributes  materially  to  the  curative  resulu  in  a  case  of
cardiac  droppy.
Caffeine  is  also  made  use  of  in  adynamic  states  with
great  advantage.  Dr.  Henri  Huchard  reports  a  case  of
pneumonia  in  wliicb,  after  the  right,  the  left  aide  waa  also
invaded;  the  depression  was  profound;  Ryncope  waa  con-
stantly threatened,  bo  feeble  was  the  action  of  the  heart;
and  a<lded  to  this  serious  complexus  of  symptoms  was  an
attack  of  dysentery  of  severe  type.  The  patient  recovered.
Dr.  Huchard  administered  during  the  space  of  thirty  days
ninety-five  injections  of  caffeine  of  4  grains  each.  Other
cases  of  pneumonia,  less  formidable,  received  the  same
iiyection  with  evident  advantage.  In  typhoid  fever  it
proved  to  be  highly  effective  in  the  adynamia  of  various
sources.  It  must  be  regarded  therefore  as  a  cardiac  and
respiratory  stimulant  of  great  power  and  of  practical  value.
