?56 
PROF. H. D. HANSON. 
cular coats of the arteries through the nerve ganglions at the 
branehes or divisions of the vaso-motor nerves going to the ar¬ 
teries. 
There is a rise in arterial pressure by its action on the mus¬ 
cular fibres, by the increase of the heart’s aetion, and by the 
vaso-motor spasm. The diastole is prolonged, the systolic power 
is increased, eausing an inereased amount of work under its in- 
fluenee. The peripheral ends of the inhibitory nerves, as well 
as the eardiac, are stimulated. 
In repeated medieinal does, the pauses between the pulse 
beats become longer, the individual beat slower, longer, fuller 
and stronger, showing that the heart is acting with more force 
than normal. 
Digitalis is a eardiae stimulant, and is given to produce or 
increase the contractile power of the heart’s musele and help it 
to regain its normal size. Its aetion is principally on the ven- 
trieles and does not cause all of the fibres to act equally, and 
thus a streaked appearance is shown, the fibres affeeted beeom- 
ing paler in color. Digitalis increases the systole of the heart 
at the expense of the diastole. 
Large and toxic doses produce nausea and vomiting (in 
those animals that vomit), muscular weakness, cold sweat, ir¬ 
regular heart, diuresis, diarrhoea, labored breathing, extreme 
prostration, a rise in blood pressure, soon followed by a lowering 
of the same, stupor or delirium, eonvulsions and death. 
The change of position causes a change in the pulse. If re¬ 
cumbent and quiet, the pulse may be slow and strong, while 
exeitement or change of position causes the pulse to become 
rapid, irregular,’small and feeble. 
There is an over-balancing of the systolie irritation over the 
diastolie stimulation, eausing the pulse to become dichrotic on 
account of the diastole being interrupted by the abortive sys¬ 
tole. 
The apex of the heart does not dilate, the aorta is empty be¬ 
cause the ventrieles do not dilate to receive the blood. 
When given for a long time to the well or to the siek, death 
