288

Materia MedicA. ■— Digitalis folia,

PART II.

combining it with myrrh and sulphate of iron. * Its use hasalso been extended to venereal ulcerations, chronic rheumatism,hooping-cough, and some spasmodic affections : and as an ex-ternal application Hufeland recommends it to be used in theform of fomentation for dispelling glandular swellings.

As a diuretic the use of foxglove was introduced by Dr. Wi-thering in 1775. " He found that its beneficial effects in drop-sies were more certainly obtained in those constitutions inwhich there is a laxity of fibre, pale countenance, feeble inter-mitting pulse, and cold skin; and where the swelling easilypits. But in florid habits, with great strength, tense fibre, anda hot dry skin, its sedative effect is perceived, but no diuresisfollows. " If the belly in ascites be tense, hard, and circum-scribed ; or the limbs in anasarca be solid and resisting, wehave but little hope." 3 Experience has confirmed these ju-dicious observations; and it is found that where this favoura-ble state does not exist, it may be produced by bleeding, andthe free use of neutral salts, calomel, and squill, all of whichlower the system. The diuretic effect is checked when muchnausea is present; and Withering says purging also checks it;but I have not found this to be the case. The kinds of dropsyin which its effects are most useful, are ascites, anasarca, hy-drothorax, and that species of dropsy which succeeds parturi-tion, where the legs and thighs swell, become pale and semi-transparent, with pain in both groins. It has also been foundof the greatest service when conjoined with nitrous acid, in thedropsy which occurs m broken-down constitutions, that havebeen long Viarrassed by mercury." Digitalis will not cure adropsy attended with palsy, unsound viscera, or other com-plications of disease: but by allaying the urgency of the symp-toms, it gains time for other medicines to act. No benefit has hi-therto been obtainedfrom its use in hydatids, and hydrocephalus.

Foxglove is administered in substance, or in decoction, orthe watery infusion, or in tincture (see Preparations). Whengiven in substance, it is frequently combined with aromatics,soap, or ammoniacum; and most advantageously with calomeland opium, when it is required only to produce its diuretic ef-fects. It is always proper to begin with a dose not exceedinggr. j. of the powdered leaves given in a pill, twice a day; andgradually to increase it till its effects are apparent either on thekidneys, the stomach, the pulse, or the bowels. The medi-cine must then be discontinued; but in dropsy it may be re-

1 Essay on the Medical Properties of Digitalis.

- He was induced to try it from finding it the active ingredient in a familyrecipe for the cure ot dropsy, regarding which his opinion v. as asked.■ } Withering s Account, <Sc. 186.4 Carmiehaelon Diseases which have been confounded with Syphilis, 4to= p. 5S-S,