FOXGLOVE. 343 



its action, since from its continued administration this will in no 

 long time be established, and without that hazard which is 

 otherwise incurred from this peculiarity in its operation." 



The Pharmacopoeias order an infusion and a tincture of digi- 

 talis, but owMng to the careless manner in which the leaves are 

 dried, there is great uncertainty in their operation. Dr. Thom- 

 son*, from experiments made, proposes ether as a vehicle for 

 ensuring a preparation of a definite strength. 



INFUSION OF FOXGLOVE f. 



Take of dried Foxglove leaves a drachm ; 



Boiling water half a pint. 



Macerate for four hours in a lightly-covered vessel, and strain : then add 

 half an ounce of spirit of cinnamon. 



The dose is from half an ounce to an ounce, twice a day. 



TINCTURE OF FOXGLOVE 



+ 



Take of dried leaves of Foxglove four ounces; 



Proof spirit two pints. 



Digest for fourteen days and filtre. 



The dose of this tincture, which is the usual mode of adminis- 

 tering Foxglove, is from three or four drops cautiously increased 

 to thirty, forty, or more drops, according to the effect produced, 

 and the capacity of the patient for bearing its operation. In 

 conclusion, it is proper to observe, that many persons can bear 

 much larger doses of the Foxglove than are here mentioned ; 

 but we cannot by any means recommend the use of so powerful 

 a medicine in inexperienced hands ; for which reason we have 

 confined ourselves to the more common and safe doses, repeat- 

 ing again the absolute necessity of having a medical practitioner 

 of experience to superintend and watch its progress. 



* Thomson, Blat. Med. vol. i. p. 580. 

 -j- Infusum Digitalis, Pharm. Lond. 

 :{: Tinctura Digitahs, Pharm. Lond. 



