that the temporary efficacy of the drug, in the case of a po pular physician, the late Dr. Huck Saunders, in the year 1785; was the chief occasion of its being again received into the London Pharmacopoeia of 1788, and of its frequent use by the London physicians: but only as a remedy for dropsy. We find, however, that Dr. Darwin, twenty years ago, and ac that time physician at Litchfield, recommended the Digitalis as a remedy not only for dropsy but for pulmonary consump tion; see Experiments on mucaginous and purulent Matter.Cadell. 1780. Other botanical writers (Ray, Parkinson, Salmon, Boerhaave, &c.) speak of the emetic and purgative effects of Fox-Glove, as well as of its efficacy in consump tions, hæmoptöë, epilepsy, and scrophula. It has antiently been used in the form of ointments, and lately Dr. Ferriar has applied the infusion as a lotion in dropsical inflammations. In all likelihood, this virulent medicine fell into discredit and disuse among regular practitioners, from the intolerable nausea. and frequently poisonous effects produced by it but still recipes for it were preserved in private families; and, in provincial situations, the leaves were collected for use, espe cially in dropsies.

This brief and imperfect history does not serve greatly to encourage us in the farther trials of the deleterious plant in question; seeing that it has already been very extensively tried for a great length of time, without that success which can render us sanguine. Nevertheless, as a remedy in dropsies, the Digi talis has maintained some ground in practice ever since Dr. Withering's publication in 1785: but it is only within these two, or at most three years, that it has been much recommended for consumptions, and some other diseases. Among a number of tracts of the present day on the virtues of Digitalis, is the one before us by a respectable practitioner; of which it is our duty now to give a faithful representation. From the following paragraph in the preface, we have a right to expect good evidence to warrant the author's opinion:

I have been careful not to over-estimate the powers of Digitalis, and I hope that I have not been mistaken in repeated observations at present, I regard it as a remedy of the highest class: its exhibition has become as familiar in my practice, as that of Peru viani Bark or Opium, with which it deserves to be ranked, and I give it with as little dread, (though never without caution) as either of those medicines. If I am not greatly deceived, it will be found eminently serviceable in a wide range of diseases; and in the present state of our knowlege, the investigation of its effects promises ample scope for the exercise of skill and ingenuity.'

It is from the action of the remedy on the that Dr. F. expects the most beneficial effects. 9

arterial system,

If

any man,'

says

says he, had expressed an opinion, a few years ago, that we should discover a medicine capable of reducing the pulse, without danger, from 120 in a minute, to 75 or 85, at the will of the practitioner, he would have been ridiculed as a visionary. Such, however, under proper management, is the power of the Digitalis.' Another ingenious author expresses himself in much more confident terms: "I daily see many patients in pulmonary consumption advancing towards recovery with so firm a pace, that I hope consumption will henceforward be as regularly cured by the Fox-Glove as ague by Peruvian Bark." (Dr. Beddoes.)-Our readers shall now judge of Dr. Ferriar's evidence for the efficacy of the present remedy, in active hamorrhage; in which disease he gives it freely in private and hospital practice.

A case is related of Epitaxis, and others of Menorrhagia. In the latter disease, the discharge stopped on the first dose of Fox-Glove in powder. The true characteristic of the medicine is its reducing the pulse, although it often at the same time increases the urinary secretion. The rationale of its action in hæmorrhage is referred to its sedative effect on the arterial system, and to its diuretic power, conjointly.

On the subject of hæmorrhage, from the Nose especially, but also from the uterus, every experienced practitioner must know that the virtues of medicines are rendered equivocal by the discharges spontaneously curing themselves; and we cannot immediately impute the cessation of the discharge to the medicines, without much more extensive and varied trials. Nevertheless, we approve of the Fox-Glove being preserved as a resource, although it is not likely to be ever wanted in epistaxis, and but rarely in menorrhagia.

The author next gives an account of the remedy in question from his experience in the first stages of pulmonary consump tion, of the kinds called scrophulous. The chief principle on which the Digitalis was used was, to diminish the impetus of the circulation, which may lead to a suspension of the diseased action. Fox-Glove was also expected to be beneficial, like squill, from its diuretic power; and, in the advanced stages, it was hoped that the hectic fever might be abated by its effects as a sedative. Half a grain at bed-time was given at first, and then gradually increased to two or three grains in a day. The symptoms were removed or abated, in a number of cases: but Dr. F. owns that he was generally disappointed, as the disease broke out again, and with more rapidity in consequence of the transient delay. Yet he considers Digitalis as a valuable remedy, if it should only mitigate the sufferings

* See Rev. vol. xxix. N. S. p. 281.

and

and prolong life: but opium gives great temporary relief, while, by suppressing expectoration, it hurries the patient into his

grave.

Dr. Ferriar adds that the Digitalis, in combination with the use of Ferrum vitriolatum and myrrh, and also with bark and other tonics, in the scrophulous consumption, is very efficacious; while the Digitalis with opium, mucilaginous medicines, and diuretics, may be opposed to the florid consumption. It appears, then, that Digitalis has not been found to cure, but frequently to palliate the symptoms of phthisis."

The author next speaks of this remedy in cases of spasmodic asthma; in which it has been serviceable in conjunction with opium, by suspending the symptoms; as appeared from the return of them when it was omitted.

In coughs, from water in the chest, attended with anasarca of the lower extremities, the Digitalis is asserted to have given more relief than any other medicine,

In palpitations of the heart, this remedy has been found serviceable, when they have depended on the passions; and even in organic leesions."

In dropsies which do not bear purgatives, the Digitalis in half-grain-doses, every 5 to 8 hours, till it alters the pulse, is beneficial: but, if it does not act speedily as a hydragogue or a diuretic, it is useless to persevere in it.

Though unsuccessful alone, we are told that Digitalis be comes efficacious on being joined with calomel and Dover's powder. From a theoretical principle, not from experience, the Digitalis is considered as a valuable remedy in hydrocephalus; in all active inflammations; in gangrene; in croups and perhaps as an injection in gonorrhoea. In mania, the trial was unsuccessful.

Dr. Percival, in a letter subjoined to this pamphlet, agrees with the author in his experience of the Fox-Glove in dropsies and consumptions. He gives the medicine along with opium and flores benzoes, each one grain in the course of a day. What was remarkable, opium in every other form and combination disagreed with a patient, but in this produced no inconvenience. It is also suggested that Fox-Glove may act in cases of hemoptöe, in a way analogous to the effect of ipecacuanha, as many years ago prescribed by Dr. Bryan Robinson, of Dublin.

Digitalis is also recommended by Mr. Simmons, to aid in the absorption of Pus in deeply seated abscesses; and, lastly, lotions of infusion of Fox-Glove, in herpetic eruptions, infammations of the skin, and eruptions of different kinds on the face.

REV. JAN. 180c.

F

To

To the result of the experience of the Manchester practitioners, may be added, from other publications, that of Mr. Henry, in favor of the opium with Fox-Glove, in cases of harassing coughs and consumptions; although he says he never knew a formed phthisis cured by it. He has used it also in active hemorrhages, and in acute rheumatism: but then opium, in the dose of a grain, was given with half a grain of Fox-Glove.

Dr. Maclean seems to coincide very nearly with Dr. Ferriar. He says "I have found it (Fox-Glove) a most valuable remedy; and although I trust it will be found by others the most efficacious that has hitherto been resorted to, yet its powers are limited, even, in the early stages of consumption." The formula used was the tincture of Digitalis. This remedy he recommends for the hooping cough, asthma, and various other affections of the chest. In the pleurisy, it acted like a charm, and rendered bleeding unnecessary. Epilepsy is ano- ther disease in which Digitalis has been serviceable. To produce permanent benefit, the constitution must be kept under its influence for some weeks, by giving gr. i. of the powder, or gtt. xv-xxv. of the tincture, thrice in a day.

Dr. Bree administered the Fox-Glove at Birmingham, in a number of cases of phthisis, without curing, or perhaps being beneficial to any one, as he candidly states.-Dr. Drake * 13 most sanguine from especially two successful cases of phthisis; and he is convinced that the Digitalis will be found adequate to the cure of tubercular consumption in even its second stage, and will suspend its progress in almost every instance; that in catarrh, in homoptöe, and in vomica, it will in some measure approach to what is commonly implied by the term Specific."-Dr. Fowler + relates some favorable cases of the treatment of phthisis with the Fox-Glove.

From these additional results, it appears that practitioners by no means agree in their accounts. We may conclude, however, very justifiably, 1. That the evidence of the cure of a real pulmonary consumption by Digitalis is equivocal. 2. That its power of suspending the progress of the disease is equally equivocal. 3. That, in many cases, it disorders the stomach, and the whole constitution. Evidence might be collected of fifty remedies occasionally being followed by a cure of consumption, and frequently by benefit: but they have on subsequent trials been found to fail. However, we do not wish to extinguish inquiry, because we trust that good will in Some way arise from it.

* See Review for September last, p. 70.

+ Ibid. p. 71.

Аят.

ART. XII. Biographical Memoirs of the French Revolution. By John Adolphus, F. S. A. 8vo. 2 Vols. About 500 Pages in each. 16s. Boards. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1799.

WE 7E are assured by the author of these memoirs, that he has made it his business faithfully and diligently to examine both sides of the question; to select, combine, and compare the discordant accounts of the same transaction; to weigh the motives which various parties have assigned for their own conduct and that of their oponents; and to draw such probable results as were warranted by circumstances and authorities.' This is certainly the duty of the historian: but the author of this work lives too near to the political agitations which he undertakes to describe, to be supposed capable of strict impartiality. A French writer says, "Les évènemens actuels sont comme ces pâtés, qui ne deviennent bons à manger que lorsqu'ils sont refroidis." (Mercier.) If in general this principle holds true, it applies with peculiar fitness to the events of the FrenchRevolution; which have convulsed all Europe, affected the recesses of literature, and destroyed the tranquil contemplations of the philosopher in his closet.

Mr. Adolphus has certainly performed his task as well as he could; and we would not impute to him any intended error:' but we must suggest to him, and to his readers, the extreme difficulty of now executing such a work as he has undertaken, to the satisfaction of posterity. When parties run high, betraying the most intemperate and sanguinary ferocity, writers on each side will partake of the violence of their adherents; will assert and deny with the boldest effrontery; and we not only give their own colouring to facts, but will often think themselves bound to misrepresent them, and to substitute palpable falsehoods in the room of truth. Hence a multitude of authorities (if they be indeed deserving of such a name) are at hand, ready to be quoted as occasions may serve; and two historians, viewing the same series of events through the medium of different principles, will both be able to fill their margins with references in support of the most jarring statements and opinions. Even in tranquil times, it is difficult to obtain the strict historical truth.

We are told in Coxe's Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, (Vol. i. p. 762.) that he said to his son Horace, (the late Lord Orford,) who was preparing to read some historical performance, "O! do not read history; for that I know must be

* An ingenious modern writer (Dr. Ferriar) observes" that, in books of good character, we find more facts than can be credited."