(From digitus, a finger). Aralda, digitalis purpurea Lin. Sp. Pi. 758. It is a hairy plant, with serrated leaves; a thick angular stalk, on which are numerous purple tubulous flowers, resembling the finger of a glove, hanging downwards, in a row along one side, each on a short pedicle; the flower is followed by an oblong pointed capsule, full of small angular seeds. It is biennial, grows wild in woods and on heaths, only in gravelly soils, and flowers in June, July, and August.

The leaves are bitterish and nauseous to the taste; they yield their virtue both to water and to spirit. Dr. Hulse recommends an ointment made by boiling it in butter, as an application to scrofulous ulcers, with gentle purging two or three times a week.

Dr. Withering considers this as one of the most certain diuretics in the whole materia medica. The leaves, which are chiefly employed, are given from one to three grains, in powder, twice a day, alone, or united with aromatics, and sometimes formed into pills with soap and gum ammoniac: the dose may be gradually increased; but four grains are generally sufficient in dropsical cases. A drachm of the dried leaves may be infused in half a pint of boiling water, for four hours, adding to the strained liquor an ounce of any spirituous water: two table spoonfuls, or an ounce given twice a day, is a moderate dose for an adult: if the patient be stronger than usual, or the symptoms very urgent, this may be given once in eight hours; but, in many instances, half an ounce will be sufficient. When this medicine purges, it is said to fail of success, and opium may be advantageously joined with it: but when the bowels are too tardy, jalap may be added. It seldom succeeds in men of great natural strength, of a tense fibre, warm skin, florid complexion, and a hard pulse. But if the pulse be feeble, or intermitting, the countenance pale, the lips livid, the skin cold, the belly soft and fluctuating, the anasarcous limbs readily pitting with pressure of the finger, we may expect the diuretic effects to follow in the most salutary manner. If given in the form of extract, it must be joined with exercise and tonics. The decoction is occasionally preferred to the powder, and given in the following form: Digitalis purpureas recentis iv. aquae distillate ij. coq ad i. et liquo-ri colato adjiciantur spt. vinosi ij. fiat decoctio.one large spoonful is to be administered every morning, in every variety of idiopathic dropsy, and repeated every hour, till the patient has taken from three to eight or nine spoonfuls, or till sickness, or some other disagreeable sensation, be induced. The hydropic fluid generally disappears on the next or on the third day, without any repetition of the medicine; and frequently without any apparently increased evacuation; at other times, with vomiting and a large flow of urine; and sometimes with purging stools.

Such is the flattering account of Dr. Withering; but we cannot confirm it from experience in every part. The digitalis is of a suspicious order, and its exhibition is attended often with inconvenience. Vertigo, sickness, and faintness, frequently follow. More than one patient has died suddenly during its exhibition; and, though these sudden terminations in dropsy are not uncommon, we have apprehended that this poisonous plant may have had a share in the event. We have, therefore, always prescribed it with a trembling caution, and have scarcely ventured giving above two grains three times a day. After some time the pulse becomes slower, the patient weaker, and it seems to be owing to the general relaxation which takes place that the urine passes off. It is singular, but undoubtedly true, that it should be useless in dropsies of the young and strong.

From its lowering the pulse, it has been given freely in spasmodic asthma, and hectic, so far as our experience goes, without success. The pulse is, indeed, rendered slow; but the other symptoms remain with little melioration.

The unguentum digitalis is made in the same manner, and applied to the same uses, as that of cicuta; the ingredients arc equal parts of the digitalis purpurea, recently gathered, and hog's lard. (For the process, see,

Cicuta.) It is also a name of the sesamum orientate. See Sesamum verum.

Digitalis minima. See Gratiola.