186 FLOR.V HISTORICA. 



it seldom succeeds in men of great natural strength, 

 tense fil^re, warm skin, and florid complexion ; or 

 in a tight cordy pulse. If the belly in ascites be 

 tense, hard, and circumscribed, or the limbs in 

 anasarca be solid and resisting, we have but little 

 hope. On the contrary, if the pulse be feeble, or 

 intermitting, the countenance pale, the lips Uvid, 

 the skin cold, the swollen belly soft and fluctuating, 

 the anasarcous limbs readily pitting under pressure 

 of the finger, we may expect the diuretic effects to 

 follow in a kindly manner. 



It is only within the present age that the conti- 

 nental physicians have used the Digitalis as an in- 

 ternal medicine. But within these last few years 

 it has come into such high repute with the Parisian 

 apothecaries, that they frequently ornament the. 

 outside of their houses with paintings of this flower 

 on their door-posts, or on the piers between their 

 windows. 



As the Digitalcs w^hich are natives of this country 

 are either of a purphsh red colour or perfectly white, 

 we are at a loss to account for the origin of the 

 name of Fox-glove, unless it were from its growing 

 abundantly in situations and soils where foxes ge- 

 nerally earth. Our early poets notice it under this 

 name only. Cowley says : 



The Fox-glove on fair Flora's hand is worn, 

 Lest while she gathers flowers she meet a thorn. 



