60S 
EFFECTS OF DIGITALIS. 
the least accelerated or laborious; the dejections were perfectly 
healthy ; there was no manifestation of pain ; and upon applying 
to that unerring guide, the pulse, my fears were greatly dimi¬ 
nished. The digitalis had here done its duty to its fullest extent, 
or rather, perhaps, it had exceeded its duty, for, after every 
two pulsations, there were two intermissions : if the intermissions 
had not occurred, the number of the pulse would have been 48, 
but the actual number of pulsations under the effects of the drug 
was only 24, and it is to this fact I am inclined to attribute the 
symptoms that were exhibited :—a deficiency or temporary ces¬ 
sation of the circulatory powers readily accounts for the colder 
extremities and surface of the body, and the dingy hue of the 
Schneiderian membrane, &c. After-events tend greatly to 
strengthen this opinion. On the following day, decided im¬ 
provement had taken place ; the appetite was moderate ; the skin 
and extremities had acquired nearly their natural heat, and the mu¬ 
cous membranes appeared of a healthy colour. The pulse clearly 
explained this:—there was one intermission after each third 
beat, which reduced the actual number of pulsations to 33; if 
the intermission had not existed, the number would have been 44. 
This case scarcely requires a comment; but, as I have not 
before heard of a similar instance, I thought its publication 
might be of some benefit, because, if such a case were to occur 
to a practitioner new to the use of digitalis, he might discard it 
from his pharmacopoeia as a dangerous remedy. I am con¬ 
vinced, that, if its administration were carried to a much greater 
extent than in the preceding instance, its injurious effects would 
very speedily subside ; but even if such were not the case, we 
ought not to condemn a drug because injury follows an over¬ 
dose : if we pursue that line of conduct, farewell to all our best 
medicines. 
Since transcribing the foregoing case, I have been reminded 
by a friend, that it is the practice of Mr. Sewell, and many other 
veterinarians, not to administer digitalis until other sedative 
means have been pursued to their extent, i. e. until bleeding 
has been resorted to to that degree which is thought advisable 
or safe, and nauseating medicines have been tried in vain* Now, 
I most respectfully differ in opinion from those who adopt the 
above practice, and candidly acknowledge that, in the sterility 
of my imagination, 1 cannot conceive the reasons which should 
induce us to refrain from the administration of this medicine in 
the very early stages of febrile diseases. I do not recollect that 
I ever had an opportunity of hearing a statement of the grounds 
upon which the practice in question is established, therefore I 
cannot attempt a refutation of the arguments of the adverse 
