Causes

Arteriosclerosis undoubtedly occurs generation after generation in some families. It is admittedly most likely to develop in those who do exhausting physical and mental work. It is believed to be caused also by eating large amounts of nitrogenous foods. When high arterial tension is constantly present, the patient ought to be warned of the necessity of abstemiousness in the use of meats, and especially the red meats, and encouraged to drink water and milk with sufficient freedom to maintain active elimination. Indigestion and constipation must be prevented. Excessive physical and mental work should be avoided. Habits of exercise, sleep, and eating must be regular.

Treatment

When the arteries are distinctly sclerosed, greater care must be taken along the same lines. If possible, milk should form a considerable element of diet, vegetables, breads, cereals, fruits, and a modicum of eggs, fish, oysters, and the white meat of fowl may be used.

The following menu for a day will suggest others:

Breakfast

An orange, a cereal, a glass of milk and an egg and one or two small pieces of bread or toast.

Lunch

A cream soup, bread, lettuce salad, water or milk.

Dinner

Fish, boiled potato, peas or string-beans, bread, a simple pudding or fruit.

Meats, especially the red meats, such as beef and mutton, are the chief sources of alimentary toxins that are supposed to be often the exciting cause of the arterial lesion. In mild cases they may be eaten in small amounts occasionally, but not daily. They should not be used at all if headache, insomnia, nocturnal distress, sighing respiration, or other dyspnea suggests intoxication by alimentary toxins. When these symptoms arise, a milk diet should be prescribed for a few days, or one slightly modified by the addition of cereals, breads, a small quantity of vegetables, and fruits. Such a diet will usually relieve the distress very soon. It need not be long continued, but meats should be used sparingly at all times. The necessity of eating moderately rather than heartily is greater in proportion as the lesions of the arteries become more and more considerable. At all times pork, 'high' game, meat stews, rich gravies, greasy soups, preserved meat, crabs, and lobsters must be avoided.

Arteriosclerosis often leads to aortic, cardiac, or renal disease or to hemiplegias. These sequelae or complications sometimes modify the regimen that has been outlined.