SCROPHULARIACEiE. 523 



by insensibility and convulsions. Where these symptoms occur, the stomach 

 should be promptly evacuated if it is supposed that any of the poison re- 

 mains in it, and the condition of the system combated by the administration 

 of the diffusible stimuli, as brandy and volatile alkali. 



Digitalis is empldyed to fulfil several indications : to produce diuresis, to 

 promote absorption, to reduce the activity of the pulse, and sometimes though 

 more rarely as a cerebro-spinant. For the former of these purposes it is 

 often administered in dropsy, and has attained much celebrity for its powers, 

 though it frequently fails in producing any good effect, and it requires some 

 judgment in the selection of cases in which it may be beneficially employed. 

 Withering has justly stated that it seldom does any good where the pulse is 

 vigorous and the strength unimpaired, whilst in an opposite state of things it 

 constantly succeeds ; nor does it display equal effects in all forms of dropsical 

 disease, those of a general character being more benefited by its use than 

 those of a confined nature, as hydrocephalus or ovarian dropsy. Notwith- 

 standing its value in these complaints, it is of much more marked benefit in 

 those cases where it is of importance to restrain the activity of the circulation, 

 as in diseases of the heart and great vessels, and in some forms of hemor- 

 rhage ; in these cases its beneficial effects have been unequivocal, especially 

 when aided by repeated abstraction of blood and low diet. 



As regards its efficacy in the cure of Phthisis, notwithstanding the eulogies 

 of Beddoes, Ferriar, Fowler and others, it has been shown by more accurate 

 observation that it possesses no curative powers, and only acts as a palliative 

 by diminishing the rapidity of the circulation, but does not in any degree re- 

 tard the progress of the tubercular disease. It has also been given in per- 

 tussis, asthma, chronic bronchitis and the mental affections, and has occa- 

 sionally been efficacious, from its double power of repressing vascular excite- 

 ment, and of acting on the brain and nervous system. 



Formerly it was much used in fomentations and ointments, and so highly 

 was it esteemed by the Italians, that they have an adage " aralda tutte le 

 piaghe salda," foxglove cures all wounds. It is now seldom employed ex- 

 ternally, though -Murray (Apparat. Med. i. 491), speaks highly of it, and an 

 endermic use of it might be advantageous, where it could not be given inter- 

 nally. 



Digitalis is prescribed in powder, in doses of about a grain, two or three times 

 a day, gradually increasing the dose, until its peculiar effects manifest them- 

 selves, when it is to be reduced or wholly omitted. It should be noticed that 

 this remedy is very permanent in its operation, as when it once affects the 

 system, its action continues for some time, without an additional quantity 

 being administered. It is also frequently given in infusion and tincture, both 

 of which are officinal. The dose of the first is from half an ounce to an 

 ounce, to be repeated as with the powder ; of the tincture ten drops, in the 

 same manner. An extract has also been recommended, but without great 

 care in its preparation, all the properties of the medicine are destroyed, nor 

 is such an article needed, as the original substance is sufficiently energetic. 

 The decoction is the worst form in which it can be administered, as the 

 powers of the medicine are much impaired or even destroyed by heat. 



Several other species or varieties of Digitalis are used, as the D. tomen- 

 tosa, ambigua, epiglottis, ferruginea, &c, which are said to be identical in 

 their effects with the purpurea. The D. lutea is stated by Careno to possess 

 much greater diuretic powers, though in other respects to be analogous to the 

 common species ; this, however, is denied by Vilet (Mat. Med.), Trousset, 

 and others. 



