840

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

some

quency of the pulse is in general more readily induced in weak a ^litated constitutions than in robust and plethoric ones. Occasiona_ ;obvious effect on the number, force, or regularity of the pulse is P r0( ■*

individuals or cases than in others ; thus the reduction of

■ JlOe<b

though the foxglove may be given to an extent sufficient to excite v° .ing and cerebral disorder. Shroek (quoted by Wibmer, Wirk. d- Arzu. Gift. Bd. ii. S. 311) experienced, from two grains of foxglove, naiheadache, small, soft, and quick pulse, dryness of the gums and t ^giddiness, weakness of limbs, and increased secretion of saliva-hours after he observed sparks before the eyes, his vision becameand he experienced a sensation of pressure on the eye-halls. ^ QgeS

A most important fact connected with the repeated uses of smallof it, is the cumulative effect sometimes observed. It has notquently happened that, in consequence of the continued use of •,doses of this medicine, very dangerous symptoms, in some cases tnating in death, have occurred. The most prominent of these were fedepression of the vascular system, giddiness, want of sleep, convu ^and sometimes nausea and vomiting. (See the cases published b)Withering, op. cit. Also a fatal case recorded by Dr. Blackall, On J u s

of any other remedy succeeding. My experience, however, m

accordance with Dr. Withering s.

since foxglove

is sometimes found acting

as

(1

p. 175, 4th ed.) A knowledge of its occasional occurrence imp resse ] v -,with the necessity of exercising great caution in the use of this renparticularly with respect to the continuance of its administration ^increase of dose; and it shews that after the constitutional effep .become obvious, it is prudent to suspend from time to time the e . x ^ lX gcii-of the remedy in order to guard against the effects of this alarmingmulation. I may add, however, that I have used it, and seen 0 yemploy it, most extensively, and in full doses, and have rarely see ”, B u'dangerous consequences; and I believe, therefore, the effects of apelation to be much less frequent than the statements of authors oj t ff g {eswould lead us to expect. The experience of Dr. Holland {Med-and Reflections, p. 544) is to the same effect. “ Though employ 01 # t amedicine somewhat largely in practice,” he observes, “ I do not reco ncase in which I have seen any injurious consequences from this caU . se ’ 0 n-The diuretic operation for which we employ foxglove, is very 1 i sstant. Dr. Withering stated, that this medicine more frequently suC . „ceas a diuretic than any other, and that if it fail, there is hut little c ^ ^

...we 11111

_ ° ,

in exciting diuresis, and have often found the infusion of common[Cytisusscoparius) subsequently succeed. It has been asserted by s ^that the diuretic effect of foxglove was only observed in dropsical c ^and that it, therefore, depended on the stimulus given to the absoi ^vessels, and not to any direct influence exerted over the kidnej s >the statement is not true,

I have frequently seen foxgl 0 ^ 0)1 i

ore

diuretic even in health. In some , .

irritahle thin ne.T .1 th « some cases the bladder has appearec

nued use of moderate doses of foxglove ])r °rit v

first noticed this effect. Dr 2 n ^ trie) ^

also seen it produced from ordinary Isis ' ** J ™* rv **** )

J^ltll e T d de(/ 'n ° 1>erati,m of digitalis, or that ordinarily

suiting fiom the use of too large or too long-continued doses, is manifest