843
or r r pP e p*’ where the frequency of pulse bears no relation to the local0 °/ S / 7 ^ U ^ 0n ^ s y m P toms °P fever, foxglove may be serviceable,eas'e's ln ^ amn } a ^ U)n -—Foxglove has been employed in inflammatory dis-til ’ P nnci P all y on account of its power of reducing the frequency ofj n n P U se > though some have referred part of its beneficial operation to itsOla U y DCe over the absorbent system. Inflammation, of a chronic kind,du ^ » 0in S on ' n one part of the body, to an extent sufficient to pro-Pat -6 C0I11 P^ ete disorganization, and ultimately to cause the death of thee nt, without the action of the larger arterial trunks (i. e. of the systembeing remarkably increased. In such cases, digitalis is, formost part, of little use. Again, in violent and acute inflammation,in °, ln P an ^ e d with great excitement of the general circulation, especiallyPlethoric subjects, foxglove is, in some cases, hurtful; in others, it is' ial and unimportant remedy; and we therefore rely, in our treat-fox 1 ° n k}°°d'letting, and other powerful antiphlogistic measures ; andglove, if serviceable at all, can only be used after the other means.
. s a remedy for inflammation, foxglove is principally useful in lesset d cases, particularly when accompanied with increased frequencytj P l d se > an d occurring in subjects not able to support copious evacua-s of blood. Moreover, it has more influence over inflammation of® Parts of the body (as the arachnoid membrane, the pleura, the peri-mum, and the lungs) than of others. In gastric and enteritic inflam-non, it would appear to be objectionable on account of its irritant1 operties; while its specific influence over the brain would make itoubtful remedy in phrenitis. In arachnitis of children it is certainly’post valuable agent.
la conclusion, then, it appears that digitalis, as a remedy for inflam-a hon, is principally valuable where the disease has a tendency topinnate in serous effusion. But in no case can it be regarded as a sub-j for blood-letting. Its powers as an antiphlogistic remedy have,Aspect, been greatly over-rated.
j 3- Dropsy. —Of all remedies for dropsy none have gained more, and^ w s ° much, celebrity as foxglove. It has been supposed to owe its^neficial operation to its repressing arterial excitement (a frequent cause0 dropsical effusion), to its promoting the functions of the absorbentv 6ssels, and particularly to its diuretic effects. Whatever may be itsrn od?/,? operandi, its powerful and salutary influence in many dropsiesCannot be a matter of doubt. Dr. Withering has correctly observed,aa t “ it seldom succeeds in men of great natural strength, of tense fibre,* Warm skin, of florid complexion, or in those with a tight and cordyPulse .” “ On the contrary, if the pulse be feeble or intermitting, the'puntenance pale, the lips livid, the skin cold, the swollen belly soft andmictuating, or the anasarcous limbs readily pitting under the pressure of116 finger, we may expect the diuretic effects to follow in a kindlyplanner.” In those with a florid complexion, blood-letting and purga-l ' es will often be found useful preparatives for foxglove. In some formsot dropsy, foxglove is more serviceable than in others. Thus, anasarca,? s cites, hydrothorax, and phlegmasia dolens, are sometimes benefited by? > whereas ovarian dropsy and hydrocephalus are not relieved by it.■its diuretic effect is greatly promoted by combining other diuretics withespecially squills (as in the Pilules Digitalis et Scillee, Ph . Ed.),Ca lomel, or the saline diuretics (as the acetate of potash). A combination