98 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



ever we find unstriped muscular tissue. Large doses 

 produce cerebral and spinal ansemia. The main fac- 

 tor in producing the gangrene of ergotism is the con- 

 traction of the arterioles. Acute ergotism in the 

 horse manifests itself by salivation and colicky pains ; 

 chronic ergotism causes convulsions and gangrene of 

 the extremities. The extremities at first become 

 numb and cold ; soon a small bleb or blister is formed 

 an inch or two above the coronet. This blister has 

 a bluish tint, breaks, suppurates, and gangrene is 

 established. 



Inflammations of mucous surfaces are well treated 

 with ergot both internally as well as locally ; acute 

 dysentery in the congestive stage; arterial hemor- 

 rhage — ergot is one of the best remedies. In parturi- 

 ent apoplexy, cerebro-spinal meningitis, phrenitis and 

 encephalitis, aneurism, cardiac hypertrophy without 

 valvular lesion, myelitis, spinal congestion, inconti- 

 nence of urine, and chronic metritis. Injections of 

 ergotole to reduce aneurismal sacs, fibroid tumors, etc. 



Digitalis — Foxglove. 



The leaves of Digitalis purpurea, natural order Scro- 

 phularineae, collected from plants of the second year's 

 growth. They are from four to twelve inches long, 

 of a dull-green color; odor faint and tea-like, taste 

 bitter and nauseating. The plant grows wild in Eu- 

 rope, is cultivated in this country in gardens for its 

 beautiful spike of purple flowers, and largely by the 

 Shakers for the drug market. According to the most 

 accurate analysis available (Schmiedeberg's), digi- 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



