62 Scrophularineae [CH. 
Symptoms. Digitalis is an active heart poison, and causes nausea, 
pressure in the region of the stomach, with diminished pulse, darkening 
of the field of vision, dizziness, buzzing in the ears, and usually dilated 
pupils. 
According to Pammel the symptoms in animals are dullness, lassi- 
tude, loss of appetite, nausea, flatulence, diarrhoea; infrequent, full 
pulse (reduced 6-10 beats in the horse); and contracted pupils. 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 irregular contraction of the 
columnse carnse. The pulse is imperceptible because of the failure of 
the heart to fill the vessels. The extremities are cold, the eye is pro- 
truding, and salivation occurs. Bloody diarrhoea is very often present 
and the urine may be suppressed. The breathing finally becomes diffi- 
cult and death ensues within a few hours, or as late as several days. 
The following account of the symptoms of poisoning in various 
animals is collected by Lander : 
Horses. On the first day sleepiness, swollen eyelids, dilated pupils, 
injected conjunctives, considerable swelling in submaxillary space; 
respiration normal, temperature 103-5 F. ; pulse full, between 65 and 
75, very intermittent, being occasionally normal; the second heart 
sound frequently obliterated. On the next day laboured breathing, 
head immensely swollen, tongue greatly enlarged and protruding, pulse 
80 and most erratic, temperature very slightly up, great restlessness. 
Respiration became more difficult and stertorous, tongue and buccal 
membranes livid, jugular standing out. 
A mare experimentally poisoned showed on the third day dullness 
and loss of appetite ; fourth day nauseated ; nose, mouth, and ears cold ; 
abdomen blown, with colicky pain, and occasional pawing; pupil 
somewhat contracted, pulse firm at axilla and heart, but not perceptible 
at jaw ; at 4.30 p.m. she was down, much pained, and attempting to 
roll; pulse 82, but unequal; fifth day, pulse, imperceptible at jaw, 
about 120; respiration 25, and very much laboured: lips retracted 
and saliva dripping from the mouth ; enormous abdominal tympanites, 
and much pain ; rapid sinking : died sixth day. 
Cows. Fed erratically, breathed hard, lay down after feeding. 
Pulse almost imperceptible, contracted pupil, and excessive urination. 
Pigs. Languid and sleepy: refused to eat or drink, attempting to 
