538 DIGITALIS 



The toxic dose of amorphous digitalin for horses is 2 J grains ; 

 for dogs, J grain ; and for cats, J grain. 



A horse was poisoned in twelve hours by two ounces of 

 dried powdered leaves (Moiroud). One ounce, and in some 

 cases six drachms, given to horses in bolus, caused, in three 

 to ten hours, loss of appetite, frequent urination, fluid faeces, 

 sometimes tinged with blood, a pulse at first full and 

 increased, but afterwards small, slow, and irregular, con- 

 traction of the pupil, difficulty of breathing, languor, and, 

 after twelve or sixteen hours, death (Hertwig). Bouley 

 and Reynal, administering large doses to horses, observed 

 quickened circulation, diuresis, abrupt and energetic heart- 

 beats with a vibratory thrill, and subsequently a bellows 

 murmur, with intermittence, the pulse, as death approached 

 numbering 120 to 140. Smaller doses, after slight accelera- 

 tion, lowered pulsations 20 or 25 beats per minute, and 

 rendered the several cardiac sounds particularly distinct. 



The following cases, in which Dun gave full medicinal 

 doses of digitalis to healthy horses, illustrate its effects on 

 the heart, its nauseating action, and its irritation of the 

 digestive organs. 



In February, powdered digitalis was given to three horses in good health, 

 and receiving daily 12 Ibs. hay, 5 Ibs. oats, and 5| Ibs. bran. On the 20th 

 they each received a drachm of the powder at 12 noon, and another drachm 

 at 6 P.M. ; on the 21st and 22nd one drachm at 6 A.M., at 12 noon, and 

 6 P.M. ; and on the 23rd a drachm at 6 A.M. in all, nine doses of a drachm 

 each in three days. 



No. 1. Brown Mare, 3 years old : 



Feb. 20, 12 noon, pulse 38, respirations 8 

 21, 34, 6 



3' 22, >) 55 28, ,, / 



23, 28, 7 



On the evening of the 22nd she became dull and refused her food. 23rd, 

 10 A.M., still dull, without appetite, pupil contracted, passing flatus, with 

 small quantities of fluid faeces ; 4.30 P.M., pulse 32, more distinct than at 

 noon, pupil considerably contracted, rather less dulness. On the 25th, two 

 days after the medicine was withdrawn, the mare was eating and perfectly 

 well again. 



No. 2. Bay Gelding, 3 years old : 



Feb. 20, 12 noon, pulse 36, respirations 7 

 11 21, ,, 36, ,, 8 



22, 30, 6 



,, 23, ,, ,, 32, ,, 6 



23rd, 12 noon. Pulse, both yesterday and to-day, slightly irregular ; no 

 appetite, very dull and stupid, with the pupil somewhat contracted. 



