On Idiopathic Cardiospasm and the Results of Treatment with Starck's Dilatator
Abstract
(FROM THE OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE RJGSHOSPITAL. CHIEF: PROF. A. THORNVAL M.D.) On Idiopathic Cardiospasm and the Results of Treatment with Starckâs Dilatator. By AKSEL JUUL. The term cardiospasm, first used in 1882 by M i k u 1 i c s covers n number of affections of differing etiology, as for instance secondary, reflex, or symptomatic cardiospasm caused by other affections in the vicinity of the cardia which result in secondary spastic states in the cardiac region with, perhaps, a n ensuing dilatation of the esophagus. In contradistinction to these, idiopathic cardiospasm denotes a primary affection as to the etiology of which investigators are not yet agreed. Idiopathic cardiospasm, which was already described by B 1 a s i u s in 1674, may occur a t all ages and in both sexes, most frequently in women (C r e a d y). Heredity has not been proved. That the affection is fairly common appears from the fact t h a t in 1926 L o t h e i s en could collect more than 600 published cases; and a t the Mayo Clinic alone more than 900 cases have now been treated. The symptoms of