Clinical pharmacology of digitalis materials

The pharmacologic actions of digitalis which have been observed in the laboratory animal and in man are reviewed and correlated. It is shown how, in most instances, the findings in the former have a direct bearing on the application of digitalis materials in the clinic. An attempt is made to clarify some of the more poorly understood aspects of digitalis action. Cardiac slowing by digitalis is explored and explained in some detail. The basis of digitalis dosage and cumulation is discussed. An attempt is made to indicate how knowledge of the pharmacologic actions of digitalis materials can be used to better exploit them therapeutically.