Part Iii. Organic Diseases of the Heart

Enlargement of the heart is a term which embraces abnormal increase of this organ, as regards either volume or .weight, or, as is commonly the case, increase both in weight and volume. Increase of the volume of the heart, and increase of its weight, are different forms of enlargement, either of which, although they are usually associated, may exist independently of the other. The heart may exceed the limit of health as regards weight, from an increased thickness of its walls,, the normal volume being retained. This is a condition sometimes found after death, although in the vast majority of the cases in which the weight is augmented the volume exceeds the healthy limit.