1. Chronic Valvular Disease Of The Heart

This condition of the heart leads to a disturbance of the work of the kidneys, because of a change of the volume of blood flowing through them and of the blood pressure. For similar reasons it disturbs the action of the lungs and sometimes even of the digestive organs. The dietetic watchword should be abstemiousness, beginning with low protein and using a considerable amount of milk or milk and cream as a staple article of diet, adding such other easily digestible and nourishing cereals, meats, fruits, and vegetables as will make up a moderate diet. Whenever there is a dilatation of the heart as a complication of the condition, the volume of water imbibed should be reduced to a minimum.

2. Arterial Sclerosis

This diseased condition of the arteries is due to immoderation: immoderate eating, immoderate working, immoderate drinking. It is a disease following excesses, and is therefore likely to be associated with gout. The treatment should be the same as outlined above under Chronic Nephritis. The principal thing to be observed in the dietetic change is low proteins.

3. Angina Pectoris And Aortic Aneurysm

For these conditions no specific diet has been devised; the general rule of a low protein diet, moderate in quantity and made up of simple, easily digestible foods, seems to be best adapted to the condition.