Some nocturnal delirium is one of the first bad results of digitalis. Pallor, coldness of the extremities, trembling, and contraction of tbe pupils are im portant indications to suspend the drug. Some patients die suddenly of syncope, others gradually. Death froni is most frequently met with in Bright's disease, arthritic and anrernic subjects, and in persons with aortic incompetence or delirium tremens. Occasionally there is melancholia and night-terrors. An unusual result is pulmonary apoplexy. Potain (Jour. de Med., Apr. 10, 1900).
Therapeuticl—Digitalis is one of the most abused drugs of the materia medica.
One of the most universal abuses is the habit of prescribing it for a pa tient without advising him to abstain from exercise while under its influence. There are very few physicians who have not been disappointed by its results from the counteracting influence of exercise. All patients taking di,gitalis should live in perfect physical and mental quietude, as otherwise there is danger of adding to the perils of the diseased conditions demanding its use. English
(Med. and Sing. Rep., Aug. 22, '96).
In disease, rest in bed and a regular diet will alone cause diuresis in 60 per cent. of eases in from 2 to 5 days. The ureal excretion is similarly increased. In 26 cardiac cases treated by digitalis an increase in excretion of solids and fluids took place in 22 cases, and the best re.sults were obtained from the tincture, 15 minims every four hours, or from Nativelle's granules, one three times per day. Out of 13 cases in which strophan thus was used, S showed diuretic effects, though not so marked as from digitalis, and much more disagreeable gastro intestinal symptoms followed. Diuretin increased the urine in 6 out of 12 cases, its advantage being the rapidity of its action, but its toxic symptoms were more marked than digitalis and its effect less prolonged. In Bright's disease, however, it acts more favorably than digitalis or strophanthus. In cardiac dropsy digi talis is the drug par excellence. J. A. MaeCaren (Med. Chron., Sept., 1900).