612
DIGITALIS.
whitish and tomentose underneath, greenand rather wrinkled above, and dentated onthe margin. It has a somewhat virousodour, and a disagreeable, nauseous, acrid,and bitter taste.
It contains, according to Leroyer, analcaloid, Digitaline, which is the source ofits activity.
In an excessive dose, it occasions nausea,emesis, catharsis, then vertigo, delirium,convulsion, and finally, death. In a lessstrong dose, it induces irritation of thegastric passages, evidenced by the nausea andcolical affections which it then occasions; atthe same time it augments the urinary se-cretion and accelerates the circulation. Ata still less dose, it generally diminishes thenumber of pulsations of the heart and arte-ries, in a progressive manner ; which effectfrequently continues for some time after thedigitalis has ceased to be taken.
It is employed as a sedative, in nervous af-fections, asthma, haemoptysis, and towardsthe end of pulmonary catarrhs ; as a diuretic,in hydropical affections ; as an excitant, inscrofula ; is a contra-stimulant, in internalinflammations, particularly in acute peri-pneumonia.
Dose, from one grain to six grains ormore, progressively, of the powder.
In the following formulae, the Digitalispurpurea is that which is referred to.
POWDER OF DIGITALIS.
Pulvis Digitalis purpurea. (Mil. Copen.;Cast. Borus. ; Augustin ; Van Mons)
R. Dried Leaves of Digitalis, 1 of each,White Sugar, J one dram.
Make a powder. (Van Mons)
This is to be divided into twenty-fourdoses ; one to be taken once, twice, orthrice a day, in dropsy, particularly inascites.
R. Leaf of Digitalis, one grain.
White Sugar, one scruple.
Mix. (Mil. Copen.)
For one dose.
R, Leaf of Digitalis, two grains.
Root of Sweet Flag, five grains.
White Sugar, thirteen grains.
Mix. (Cast. Borus. ; Augustin)To be taken at twice.
R Leaf of Digitalis,Tartaric Acid,Camphor,Sugar,
Mix. (Augustin)
one grain.
three grains.
two grains.
ten grains.
diuretic powder. (Fuld. ; Brera ;Hufeland)
R. Leaf of Digitalis, \ of each,
Cinnamon, one scruple.
White Sugar, "1 of each,
Acetate of Potass, J four scruples.
Mix. — Dose, from fifteen to twentygrains. (Fuld.)R. Leaf of Digitalis, fifteen grains.
Nitrate of Potass, three drams.
Supertartrate of Potass, four drains.Mix, and divide into six parcels, one tobe taken every two hours. (Brera)R. Leaf of Digitalis, one grain.
Peroxide of Manganese, three grains.
Liquorice Powder, half a scruple.
Mix. — For one dose, to be repeated everyfour hours. (Brera)R. Leaf of Digitalis, 1 of each,
Squill, one grain.
Oil of Juniper, two drops.
Borated Cream of Tartar, "1 of each,
Liquorice, J one scruple.
Cinnamon, two grains.
Mix. — To be repeated twice or thrice a day.
nauseant powder.Pulvis deprimens et nauseam ciens. (Brera)
R. Leaf of Digitalis, one scruple.
Ipecacuanha, eight grains.
Mix, and divide into eight parcels. — Dose,one, every two hours.
sedative powder. (Sainte-Marie)
R. Leaf of Digitalis, eight grains.
Aqueous Extract of Opium,
four grains.
Sugar, one ounce.
Oil of Peppermint, four drops.
Mix, and divide into eight or ten parcels.
— It is recommended in palpitation of the
heart. — Dose, one parcel every evening in
a glassful of water.
ANTI-SPASMODIC POWDER. (PiERQUIN)
R. Assafœtida, , .. .... ..
Castor, } of each, half a dram.
Root of Valerian, two scruples.
Leaf of Digitalis, ten grains.
Proto-chloruret of Mercury, six grains.
Sugar Candy, one dram.
Mix, and divide into twenty-four parcels.Dose, one parcel in a little sweetened water,morning and evening ; in the convulsionsresulting from hydrocephalus, in children offrom one to three years of age.
purgative and diuretic powder.(Bories)
R. Sulphate of Soda, two drams.