[572] Deutsch. Arch. f. klin. Med., vol. xix. p. 125.
[573] Archiv f. d. Ges. Phys., vol. v. p. 153.
[574] On Digitalis, with Some Observations on the Urine, Lond., 1868.
§ 543. Action of the Digitalins on the Muco-Intestinal Tract and other Organs.—In addition to that on the heart, there are other actions of the digitalins; for example, by whatever channel the poison is introduced, vomiting has been observed. Even in frogs this, in a rudimentary manner, occurs. The diuretic action which has been noticed in man is wanting in animals, nor has a lessened diminution of urea been confirmed.
Ackermann found the temperature during the period of increased blood pressure raised superficially, but lowered internally. According to Boeck[575] there is no increase in the decomposition of the albuminoids.
[575] Intoxication, p. 404.
§ 544. The Action of Digitalin on the Common Blow-fly.—The author has studied the effects of digitalin, made up into a thin paste with water, and applied to the head of the common blow-fly. There are at once great signs of irritation, the sucker is extruded to its full length, and the fly works its fore feet, attempting to brush or remove the irritating agent. The next symptom is a difficulty in walking up a perpendicular glass surface. This difficulty increases, but it is distinctly observed that weakness and paralysis occur in the legs before they are seen in the wings. Within an hour the wings become paralysed also, and the fly, if jerked from its support, falls like a stone. The insect becomes dull and motionless, and ultimately dies in from ten to twenty-four hours. A dose, in itself insufficient to destroy life, does so on repetition at intervals of a couple of hours. The observation is not without interest, inasmuch as it shows that the digitalins are toxic substances to the muscular substance of even those life-forms which do not possess a heart.