GAMOPETALJ^-I 90 



diijifoxln and diyltalhh to the presence of whicli its 

 physiological activities are due. 



Medicinal Properties. — AltJiougli very poisonous, from 

 the Foxglove is prepared a drug tliat is among the most 

 valuable that we possess. When administered in small 

 doses it induces a rise in the blood pressure of the 

 arteries, and tlie heart contracts more powerfully and 

 slowly. The drug lias been appropriately called tlie 

 *' Pendulum of the Heart", since it diminishes undue or 

 abnormal action of that organ and assists its driving 

 poAver when that is deficient. The drug is also used 

 m tlie treatment of dropsy and hsemorrhage. 



Collection. — The National Herb-OTOAvinu- Association 



^ » 



recommends that the following points be observed in 

 collecting: the leaves of Foxdove: — 



^ V.XV. iV.CV>WO Wi. J^ v^.v 



1. That only the leaves of those plants which have 



flowered should be picked, and that discoloure<l 

 leaves should be discarded. 



2. That the stalks should be cut off, and the leaves 



placed on a floor having ample ventilation. 



3. Tliat the leaves should be placed singly, face down- 



wards, and that both at night and wlien the 

 Aveather is damp the w^indows should be closed. 



4. That after two to four days the leaves should be 



placed in a warm place — for exami>le, the rack of 

 the kitchen stove — and kept there till dry arid 



brittle. 



5. That, finally, the leaves be placed in a tin or wooden 



box and kept in a dry place. 



T 



The following points should also be noted by col- 



lectors: 



1 



• Garden -planted Foxgloves are not so satisfactoiy 



as the wild forms. 



