540 DIGITALIS 



Pigs poisoned by decoction of the leaves are reported to be 

 languid, attempt to vomit, strain, and pass small quantities 

 of faeces ; whilst after death the mucous coat of the stomach 

 and small intestine is inflamed, the kidneys slightly con- 

 gested, the bladder empty. 



MEDICINAL USES. Digitalis exerts its curative effects in 

 one or more of the following ways first, by strengthening 

 the action of the heart ; second, by lessening the frequency 

 of the heart-beats ; third, by correcting irregular action of 

 the heart. 



When the heart is enfeebled or acting irregularly, as in 

 horses suffering from influenza or other exhausting disease, 

 in cattle convalescing from pleuro-pneumonia or peri- 

 carditis, in dogs debilitated by distemper, digitalis improves 

 cardiac co-ordination and expulsive power, and gives 

 tone to relaxed capillaries, rendering the quick, weak 

 irregular pulse-beat slower, stronger, and steadier. Diffi- 

 culty of breathing and dropsical effusion resulting from 

 imperfect action of the heart, especially if due to valvular 

 disease, are usually relieved, and general as well as cardiac 

 nutrition is improved. In such cases digitalis is usefully 

 conjoined with potassium chlorate or nitrate, or with alcohol, 

 or ether. Palpitation in horses resulting from over-exertion, 

 or from fast work performed shortly after a full meal, oc- 

 casionally persists for several days ; the violent, irritable 

 impulse of the heart, accompanied by lifting of the flanks, 

 comes in paroxysms ; repeated doses usually control such 

 inordinate, tumultuous, functional disturbance. In the 

 more violent of these cases digitalis may be conjoined with 

 small doses of aconite, and in other cases with belladonna. 

 In dilatation of the heart, with mitral insufficiency, carefully 

 regulated doses of digitalis abate the dyspnoea, cold ex- 

 tremities, venous pulse, and oedema. In dilatation or 

 hypertrophy of the left ventricle common in hard-worked, 

 aged horses even when accompanied by slight valvular 

 disease, the full, intermittent pulse is usually moderated, 

 and the breathing relieved by digitalis. 



In pericarditis, after the more acute symptoms have been 

 subdued by salines, digitalis frequently lessens the embar- 

 rassed breathing and reduces the excessive pulse rate. In 



