62 Scrophularinex [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 coUc 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 systoUc 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 conjunctivae, 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 obhterated. 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 Hvid, 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 



