Digitalis is stated as possessing properties which 

 are combined in no other substance. It is a direct 

 sedative, diminishing, most powerfully, the actions 

 of the system, without occasioning previous excite- 

 ment. Administered with caution, a pulse of 70 

 beats or more in a minute, will frequently be redu- 

 ced to 40, or even less. But when thrown into the 

 constitution too suddenly, or if the quantity be too 

 great, it induces vertigo, sickness, convulsions, 

 coldness of the body, extreme debility, and death. 



Another powerful quality of this plant, is that of 

 an active diuretic. But when employed as such, 

 great care is required, lest its sudden diminution of 

 the vascular action, should induce so great a degree 

 of debility as to prove fatal to patients of a weakly 

 or diseased constitution. 



Notwithstanding the usual influence of this plant 

 on the human frame, still its powers are not certain ; 

 and constitutions have been met with whereon it had 

 no manner of effect, even in excessive doses. In a 

 few cases its effects have not been evinced till its use 

 has been continued for some time; when, at length, 

 its powers have burst forth with the greatest vehe- 

 mence, so as to endanger the lives of those to whom 

 it was administered. 



We have been thus particular, in relating the 

 effects of this plant; and advise that it never be 

 administered but under the direction and super- 

 intendance of a medical man. That the unskilful 

 may be informed how small a portion of this delete- 

 rious plant is sufficient to act injuriously on the 

 system, we shall briefly state, that of the dried 

 leaves, one to three grains twice a day is a full dose. 

 Hort. Kew. 2, v. 4, 29. 



