Digitalis Purpurea

Where are our pathogenesis of Digitalis found ?

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura and the Chronic Diseases ; Baehr's Prize Essay ; British Journal of Homoeopathy , Vols. IV. and XXI.

What is Digitalis, its active principles and preparation ?

The Purple foxglove ; tincture from the leaves of the second year's growth, gathered before flowering. Must be imported. The active principles which are glucosides are Digitalin, Digitoxine, Digitalein, Digitonin and Digitin .

What is the general physiological action of Digitalis ?

It is mainly confined to the circulatory organs, other parts being affected secondarily. It causes greatly increased arterial tension and very slow intermitting pulse, dropsy of external and internal parts. A dangerous drug in physiological does always. More so if its use is prolonged.

How does Strophanthus compare ?

It is more rapid in action, has greater diuretic power, does not disturb the digestive organs, is not cumulative and is generally safe for children and the aged.

What are the symptoms that to us as Homoeopaths indicate its use in heart troubles ?

There is uneasiness and tightness about the heart, it feels as if it stood still ; sinking in the epigastrium and sharp pains about the heart ; the pulse is slow, even slower than the heart beat ; the patient is cyanotic, his sleep is restless and he starts up from sleep as if falling from a height ; there is a slow respiration and a desire to take a deep breath ; constriction of chest. There is weakness and numbness of the left arm, often blueness of the body, cyanosis, disturbed sleep, apprehensiveness. Sick feeling in stomach after eating.

What is the mental condition in these heart affections ?

Anxious, low spirited ; gloomy and apprehensive, and a desire to be alone.

What are the indications for Digitalis in dropsies ?

Dropsies from cardiac affections ; urine scanty, dark, hot.

What are the liver symptoms of Digitalis ?

Jaundice from cardiac troubles, with white, ashy stools ; liver enlarged, sore and bruised ; bitter taste ; tongue clean or whitish yellow ; slow pulse ; drowsiness ; high-colored urine, jaundice due to functional imperfections of the liver.

What are the urinary symptoms of Digitalis ?

Strangury and frequent urging to urinate ; urging at night due to enlarged prostate ; thick, yellow discharge from the urethra ; useful in gonorrhoea.

Is Digitalis ever a remedy for pneumonia ?

Pneumonias in old people with a prune-juice expectoration, cold extremities, cyanotic face and feeble pulse will indicate it. Dyspnoea, the least movement causes palpitation.