390 



SCROPHULARIACE^E 



ingredient, crystalline (insoluble in water, and sparingly soluble in 

 alcohol, deposited as a sediment from the alcoholic preparations 

 of the leaf). Digitoxin, by recent experimentation, is found to yield 

 with hydrochloric acid digitoxigenin, C 22 H 32 O4, and a glucose, 

 digitoxose, CgHigOe. the former in colorless crystals. 

 DIGITALIS PRINCIPLES. The search for pure principles representing the 

 complete action of the drug seems to be hopeless, but many pro- 

 prietary preparations have been 

 countenanced, in a measure, 

 by the Council of the A.M.A. 

 These are: Digitalein, Crude; 

 Digitalin, True; Digitalin, 

 "French;" Digitalin, 

 ' ' German ; " D igitoxin ; D igi- 

 toxin-Merck. These principles 

 are all described in "New and 

 Non-official Remedies." Ash 

 not to exceed 15 per cent. 

 TEST. If made into a fluidextract 

 and assayed biologically the 

 minimum lethal dose should 

 not be greater than o.ooc6 mil 

 of fluidextract, or the equiva- 

 lent in fluidextract of 0.0000005 

 Gm. of ouabain, for each 

 gramme of body weight of the 

 frog. 



Preparation of Digitalin. A con- 

 centrated fluidextract is first treated 

 with water acidulated with acetic acid 

 and charcoal. The filtrate is neutral- 

 ized with ammonia, then precipitated 

 with tannin. The washed precipi- 

 tate is then rubbed with lead oxide, 

 boiled with alcohol, decolorized, and 

 filtered. Evaporate to solid and wash 



FIG. 223. Digitalis turpurea Flowering branch, with ether. In this way a digitalin 



of indefinite composition is obtained, 



consisting of such glucosides as digitin, digitonin, etc. 



ACTION AND USES. Cardiac tonic and stimulant and diuretic. It slows 

 the heart's action and increases its force, and by stimulating the 

 vascular nervous system causes contraction of the arterioles and 

 therefore greatly increases arterial tension. Its efficient diuretic 

 action in cardiac diseases is due to its peculiar effects upon the general 

 and renal circulations. Dose: i to 2 gr. (0.065 to -3 Gm.). Dose 

 of digitalin: ^fo g r - (0.006 Gm.), much depends on the quality. 

 Digitalin, "French." Homolle's Digitalin, for example: Dose: 



