SCROPHULARIACEAE — FIGWORT FAMILY 



717 



3 i. of digitalis, or gr. J4 of digitalin. The symptoms exhibited are chiefly concerned with the 

 digestion and circulation. They consist in dulness, lassitude, loss of appetite, nausea, flatulence, 

 diarrhoea, infrequent, full pulse (reduced 6-10 beats in the horse), and contracted pupils. 

 There is vomiting in dogs. In fatal cases these symptoms are followed by severe colic and 

 tympanites; rapid, feeble, dicrotic, irregular or intermittent pulse (120-140 in horses), while 

 the heart may be heard and felt beating wildly and strongly, and a systolic blowing murmur 

 can frequently be detected. This is due to mitral or tricuspid regurgitation caused by ir- 

 regular contraction of the columnae carnse. The pulse is imperceptible because of the failure 

 of the heart to fill the vessels. The extremities are cold, the eye is protruding, and salivation 

 occurs. Bloody diarrhoea is very often present and the urine may be suppressed. The breath- 

 ing finally becomes difficult and death ensues within a few hours, or as late as several days. 

 Treatment. — Evacuation of the stomach and bowels. Tannic acid, as a chemical antidote, 

 alcohol, opium, and aconite, which is the physiological antagonist in depressing the action of 

 the heart and lowering blood tension. In addition, external heat should be applied and com- 

 plete quiet and rest secured. 



Fig. 429. Digitalis purpurea. Flowering branch-diminished. 

 Flower natural size. A well known medicinal and poisonous 

 plant. (From Vesque's Traite de Botanique). 



4. Gerardia (Plumier) L. Gerardia 



Erect herbs or a few shrubs; leaves generally opposite and sessile or the 

 upper alternate; flowers showy purple or yellow; calyx bell-shaped, 4-toothed 

 or 5-lobed ; corolla somewhat irregular, bell-shaped, 5-lobed, slightly 2-lipped ; 

 stamens 4, somewhat unequal; filaments pubescent; capsule many seeded. About 

 40 species native to America. 



