CASE OF POISONING BY DIGITALIS. 101 



next wave c was impelled into the arteries before its usual time, the base c' of 

 the wave c found the arterial tension greater than usual, and in consequence 

 is on a higher line. We notice also, that though the amount of blood sent 

 in by this wave, as indicated by its height, is less than usual, yet coming so 

 close upon the last, it has raised the arterial tension higher than usual, as 

 is shown by the height of the top of c being above that of the others. 



Fig 4. December 8. — Tracing taken at 3 p.m. Pulse, 93. Patient lying. 



This tracing was taken about half an hour after patient had had his dinner, 

 and the rapidity of the pulse is probably due to this. 



The pulse is much more regular, and the ligne d^ ensemble nearly straight. 

 The line of ascent is comparatively abrupt, and then presents an ascending 

 plateau. This latter is probably due to loss of elasticity of the arteries from 

 commencing senile degeneration, which it is evident that patient has, from 

 the nature of the tracings after his return to health. The line of descent is 

 tremulous. 



The dimness of sight and pain in epigastrium has been gradually diminishing. 

 This afternoon he had rigors, and went to bed complaining of intense frontal 

 headache. 



Tia. 5. December 9. — Tracing from right radial, 8 p.m. Patient lying. 



Pulse, ^4. 



Pul?e much slower than yesterday. Ligne d^ ensemble of bases pretty nearly 

 straight. The waves vary slightly in height and length, each third one being 

 smaller, and the line of descent straighter, than the others. This is probably 

 due to the influence of respiration. The ascent is comparatively oblique at 

 first, and after ascending some way becomes still more so, and the line of 

 descent gradual, showing high arterial tension. To-day the headache is better, 

 and the shiverings have not returned. 



December 10. — Being Sunday, I did not examine the case. 

 Fig. 6. December 11.— 12.30 p.m. 



"Ligne d^ ensemble is not quite straight. The line of ascent almost perpendicu- 

 lar, then a well-marked ascending plateau. From the little modification that 

 the cardiac impulse has undergone, one would be inclined to say that the 

 elasticity of the arteries was more impared than usual. 



Headache almost gone ; patient much better. 



Fig. 7. December 12. — Tracing taken at 1.50 P.M. 



Plateau less marked ; tops more rounded. 



