M.T. Ahmad J.T. Kent
Digitalis is a renowned form of treatment used frequently in the diseases of the heart. In allopathy, it is used to control rapid heartbeat (tachychardia), as well as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It slows down the pulse rate and controls its irregularity. However, it has to be used for longer periods with increasing dosage, but its beneficial effects last only for a short period. Since it needs to be given in more and more amounts, it can accumulate in the body and cause an injurious effect. Under these circumstances, all allopathic doctors are compelled to stop this medication. As soon as it is stopped, the beating of the heart becomes extremely fast and uncontrollable again. The power of the heart muscles becomes like an ineffective flutter after which the heart starts to fail. In fact, the slowing of the heart is a temporary effect. It does not increase the strength of the muscles of the heart. It only restricts the heartbeat to a certain limit. The result is that these muscles, gradually, fail completely. Fluid starts accumulating in the lungs due to the backlog of blood that cannot be satisfactorily pumped through the valves of the heart. The obvious result is that the person cannot breathe (cardiac dyspnoea). The homoeopathic use of Digitalis, however, is without these dangers. In fact, it is a very useful and good cardiac tonic.
The homoeopathic form of Digitalis works in every heart patient in whom the liver function has also been deranged and the pulse has become light and weak. It also has a beneficial effect on the function of the liver, spleen, as well as the lungs. Homoeopathic use of Digitalis should not be abandoned for the reason that its allopathic use is not completely successful. It must always be remembered in the treatment of heart diseases. According to Dr. Kent, who has been practising allopathy for a long time, the misuse of Digitalis has resulted in more deaths than saving lives. Its action is very shortlived. It deteriorates the heart muscles and knocks out the conducting system of the heart. This comment of his does not apply to the homoeopathic use of Digitalis but unfortunately, some homoeopathic doctors are still very fearful of using it.
One thing to remember is that in Digitalis, the patient does not have a fever, except occasionally. The pulse is slow; the liver is enlarged and tender to touch. Once the liver dysfunction has set in, the stools become either light-coloured or clay-coloured. The patient may have jaundice. There is a feeling of emptiness and a sinking sensation over the stomach. This particular symptom is noted only in a few remedies. The patient of Sulphur also feels weakness however, he will find relief on taking food. But in Digitalis, food does not relieve the symptoms. This particular sensation is not due to a stomach upset, but it is due to the weakness of the heart (sinking of the heart). It is an established fact that sometimes the pain due to the heart is perceived over the stomach or in the left, upper part of the abdomen, so much so that even the expert cardiologist may not be able to diagnose it in time. Similarly, some stomach problems may be referred to the heart and will not respond to treatment with cardiac medication.
If the food increases rather than decreases the discomfort at the stomach and the blood pressure rises, this is a symptom of a heart problem and of Digitalis.
In Digitalis, the patient is very restless during his sleep. He experiences nightmares in which he observes many frightful scenes, a sensation of falling down and a desire to run. He dreams of falling from heights. In fact, it is the sinking of the heart that results in the dreams of falling down. During his sleep, the patient may feel jolted due to the weakness of his heart and nervous system. As soon as he goes to sleep, sudden jolting wakes him up (similar to Grindelia).
In Digitalis, there is bluish discoloration on the face due to the disturbance of the blood circulation. The hands and feet also become cyanotic, while in Grindelia, there is no such symptom. However, blue coloration is found in Cuprum also, which is due to the other ailments rather than due to the weakness of the heart.
In Digitalis, the pulse is slow at the onset of disease, but later on becomes fast. If the basic symptoms of Digitalis are present it will be the most appropriate medication, even if the pulse is very rapid to start with. Its use should not be discarded due to the rapidity of the pulse. In general, the pulse is weak in Digitalis, yet it may be fast at times. In Arsenic, the pulse is rapid but thready and tense.
Digitalis is also useful in the treatment of heart problems arising out of grief. The heart flutters or may even be felt to be stopping altogether. There is intense restlessness. The feeling that the heart is going to stop is typical of Digitalis. Digitalis would cure the cough due to heart failure (cardiac dyspnoea). It does not work on the cough arising primarily from lung diseases. Sometimes, the patient wakes up from sleep due to the feeling of suffocation even without any obvious jerking. This means that the sensation of the breathing being about to stop was due to the disturbance of the automatic system of breathing (Herring Breaur reflex). When the respiration rate starts decreasing progressively, the patient must be awakened periodically or he may die in the state of sleep. A progressive slowing down of the breathing is also a sign of the gastric patient. This is due to the build-up of pressure in the stomach, pressing on the diaphragm. The difference is that in a heart patient this condition is constant, while in a gastric patient the condition is occasional and noticed during gastric upset. A feeling of suffocation or choking is also seen in Lachesis, Phosphorus and Carbo Vegetabilis.
Unfortunately, the use of Digitalis has been attached to heart disease only, so most physicians do not consider using it for any other kind of ailment. Yet, it is a strong and effective treatment for an enlarged prostate in older age. The enlargement of the prostate at any age has been found to respond well to Sabal Serrulata and Chimaphila in Mother Tincture form. However, this form of treatment should be continued for a long period. Also, Belladonna, Arsenic and Thuja in high potency have also proved to be useful. However, if the prostatic problem is associated with a heart ailment then Digitalis should be the first choice. It makes the prostate gland gradually shrink back to normal size. In fact, very few medicines have the capability of reducing the size of enlarged glands. So, Digitalis should be used in low potency of 30 over a long period. Such conditions that establish and progress gradually will not respond to the high potency but will respond well to lower potency used over a longer period. The potency may, however, be increased later on. In my practice, I have used Digitalis in potency 30. I have not found it necessary to use a higher potency. But, if the original relief offered by Digitalis 30 has stopped, it should be tried in higher potency.
Loss of appetite and intense thirst are peculiar to Digitalis. Sometimes, as in Colchicum, even the smell of food may suppress the appetite altogether, yet in Digitalis, unlike Colchicum, there is no vomiting or tendency to become unconscious. The thirst flares up while the appetite gradually disappears. This symptom is common in the liver diseases and jaundice. If the constitutional symptoms of Digitalis are found in the patient, Digitalis alone may be curative.
The restlessness of Digitalis is even worse than that of Arsenic. The restlessness of Arsenic intensifies on lying down or remaining still in one position, while the restlessness of Digitalis is constant. It does not decrease by taking rest or by physical movement. If restlessness is due to the progressive weakness of the heart muscles, Digitalis alone should be administered. I am of the opinion that the deleterious effects on the heart resulting from excessive prolonged allopathic use of Digitalis may be treatable with high potency like Digitalis CM, although I have not experimented this in my practice. I suggest that if at all a homoeopathic doctor wants to try this, he may do so only on a patient in moribund state with no apparent hope of survival, and that too, after getting permission from the patient and his relatives.
Itching is also found in Digitalis. Red spots appear on the back. Symptoms are made worse on sitting tiptoes after food or listening to music, whereas the open air and empty stomach ameliorate the symptoms. Camphor relieves the ill effects of Digitalis. China is not compatible with Digitalis. So China and Digitalis should only be used one after the other with utmost care. Crataegus happens to be an important adjuvant medicine.
Potency: 30
by Mirza Tahir Ahmad
DIGITALIS
History: This drug as used by the Old School has done more mischief than any one drug in their Materia Medica. Every patient who had a fast heart, or anything the matter with the heart, was given Digitalis.
It has caused more deaths than any drug. If administered when the heart is going fast it will soon produce a peculiar kind of paralysis; the heart then having lost its balance-wheel, compensation gives out, the patient sinks and finally dies.
They do not know that many patients would have lived through fevers, pneumonia and other acute diseases if it had not been for this medicine, used as they have used it in the tincture, in many-drop doses, until the heart was slowed down.
They call it sedative; yes, it is a sedative. It makes the patient very sedate. You have seen how very sedate a patient looks after he has been in the hands of an undertaker and has on his best garments. That is what Digitalis does. In that way it is a sedative in the hands of the allopath. A homoeopathic physician never prescribes to bring down the pulse. He prescribes for the patient and the heart's action takes care of itself.
Digitalis is a very poor fever medicine. Instead of being indicated when the pulse is fast, the proving says it is indicated when the pulse is slow. The allopath gives it when the pulse is fast to make it slow; if given to a well person it will make the pulse slow, and when indicated in a sick person the pulse is slow.
Liver: It produces a great disturbance of the liver.
"Congestion and enlargement of the liver.
Soreness of the liver."
Tenderness about the liver-but during that time the pulse is slow. It makes the bowels very sluggish, produces inactivity of the liver, and stools are bileless, light colored, putty-like-and the pulse is slow.
Add to that jaundice and you have a grand picture of Digitalis: jaundice with slow pulse, with uneasiness in the liver, pale stool, and even if you have never seen or beard of Digitalis before you will scarcely miss it. Now, you might add a myriad of little symptoms, but it does not change the aspect of things. It is Digitalis.
Stomach: Another group of symptoms that belongs with the Digitalis heart, the Digitalis liver and the Digitalis bowels, is a gone, sinking feeling in the stomach. It seems as if be would die, and he does not get better from eating. It is a nervous, deathly sinking that comes with many heart troubles.
You would not be surprised to find in Digitalis much nervous prostration. Restlessness and great nervous weakness.
"Feels as if would fly to pieces.
Anxiety.
Feels that something is going to happen."
Seems as if his whole economy were full of anxious feelings and restlessness. Lassitude, faintness exhaustion and extreme prostration. Faints on the slightest provocation. It begins in the stomach; an awful sensation of weakness in the stomach and bowels.
Sleep: His sleep is full of horrible dreams, nightmare, fright. Dreams of falling, that is very common with cardiac affections. When the pulse is too slow, when it is irregular, the brain is irregularly supplied with blood during sleep, and there is a turbulent state.
A shock goes through the body like an electric shock, like internal jerkings, twitchings. Sudden muscular movements, as if a current of electricity passed through the body. This, with slow pulse, with a sense of faintness, and great weakness. Bluish paleness of the lips in persons who suffer at times with cardiac spells - it seems at times as if the pulse would cease. Face becomes blue, the fingers become blue. Wants to lie on the back. Frequently startled in sleep; jerking at night.
The heart symptoms are numerous, but none is so important as the slow pulse. The pulse is slow in the beginning of the case. It may now be flying like lighting.
Pulse: He is anxious, restless, has horrible dreams and sinking in the stomach - that sounds like the advanced stage of Digitalis - but I want to know if in the beginning, the pulse was slow.
The patient himself seldom knows, but someone says that in the beginning the pulse was 48; that is Digitalis. If the pulse in the beginning was rapid do not think of Digitalis, for it will not do any good.
The Digitalis pulse is at first slow and perhaps remains so for many days, until finally the heart commences to go with a quiver, with an irregular beat, intermits, feels as if it would cease to beat, and then we have all these strange manifestations.
Weakness is the very character of the Digitalis pulse, and all these characteristics go along with it. First it is slow, and sometimes strong. Slow, strong pulse when rheumatism is threatening the heart.
"Violent. but not very rapid pulse.
Sudden violent beating of the heart, with disturbed rhythm."
The slightest motion increases anxiety and palpitation. When the pulse is going very slow, sometimes down to 40, the patient turns the head and the pulse flutters and increases in its action. If he turns over in bed it seems as if the heart would stop. If he moves he feels it fluttering all over him, and it settles back and is slow again; but, finally, it changes and flutters all the time.
Palpitation of the heart originating in grief. Sudden sensation as though the heart stood still. Fluttering of the heart, The least muscular exertion renders the heart's action labored and intermittent in a feeble heart.
Cough: A person with an enlarged liver, with a slow pulse, with jaundice and pale and stool. With that he will have a troublesome cough. Digitalis is not much of a remedy for a cough unless it is a cardiac cough.
Cough at midnight. Cough, with expectoration of "boiled starch." Cough, with expectoration of bloody mucus in hypostatic congestion of the lungs.
Cough, brought on by talking, walking, drinking anything cold, bending the body. These are coughs associated with other troubles.
Respiration: The same thing is to be said of the respiration. There are difficulties of respiration, along with cardiac troubles and liver troubles.
"Respiration irregular and performed with great difficulty.
Constant desire to take a deep breath.
When he goes to sleep the breath seems to fade away, then he wakes up with a gasp. Lachesis, Phosphorus, Carbo veg. and some other remedies have that; remedies that affect the cerebellum particularly, producing a congestion of the cerebellum.
When a patient goes to sleep the cerebrum says to the cerebellum:
"Now you carry on this breathing a little while, I am getting tired."
But the cerebellum is not equal to the occasion. It is congested, and just as soon as the cerebrum begins to rest the cerebellum goes to sleep, too, and lets the patient suffer; and in that way we get suffocation. The cerebellum presides over respiration during sleep and the cerebrum presides over respiration when the patient is awake. We might learn that from the provings of medicines if we never found it before.
"Fear of suffocation at night."
Now, to analyze that. He knows from experience that every time he drops into a sleep he suffocates, and hence he fears to go to sleep for fear he will suffocate. The fear of suffocation at night is from this origin. It is the same if he falls asleep in the day time.
"Can only breathe in gasps."
Digitalis is a useful medicine when there is a filling up of the lower part of thy lungs. The patient is sitting up in bed, and there is dullness in the lower part of each lung and plenty of resonance in the upper portion. Then it is, if he lies down, he will suffocate. Digitalis likes mostly to lie flat on the back with no pillow, when there is no filling up of the lungs. But when there is hypostatic congestion he suffocates. If early in the case the pulse was slow and it has become fast, Digitalis may be of some benefit.
Urinary organs: Now, a feature in connection with the genito-urinary organs. In old cases of enlarged prostate gland I do not know what I would do without Digitalis. Where there is a constant teasing to pass urines.
In many instances where the catheter has been used for months or years because he is unable to pass urine in a natural way, and where there is a residuary urine in old bachelors and old men, Digitalis is a good remedy.
It diminishes the size of the prostate gland and has many times cured.
"Dropsy with suppression of urine."
In uraemic poisoning and in various phases of Bright's disease of the kidneys we have symptoms indicating Digitalis. Retention of urine; dribbling of urine. Spermatorrhea, Nightly emission. In persons addicted for years to secret vices. Enlarged prostate gland.
It is capable of curing chronic gonorrhoea. It has cured acute gonorrhea. It has cured inflammation of that thin, delicate membrane covering the glans penis. Dropsical swelling of the genitals.
Food: "Loss of appetite and violent thirst."
Most doctors give Sulphur when the patient drinks much and eats little. The nausea of Digitalis is not like that of Ipecac. and Bryonia. It is a singular nausea. The smell of food excites a deathly nausea, a sinking, a goneness, associated with cardiac troubles, with Jaundice and liver troubles.
The nausea is accompanied by a deathly feeling, as if be is sinking away. Sometimes the nausea is relieved by eating, but the sinking remains after eating, showing that it is something besides hunger.
"Persistent nausea.
Extreme sensitiveness, in the pit of the stomach.
Faintness and sinking in the pit of the stomach as if be would die.
No appetite, but great thirst.
Soreness and hardness in the region of the liver.
Sensitiveness to pressure in the region of the liver."
Now remember the liver and the heart symptoms, the jaundice, the slow pulse, the awful sinking in the stomach, the enlargement of the prostate gland, the gray stool, and you have the principal symptoms of Digitalis.
After all that I have said you are not surprised at the horrible anxiety that the Digitalis patient carries with him all the time.
He wants to be alone; sadness, melancholy, despondency and restlessness. He can’t decide upon anything that be ought to do; tremulousness.
The stomach, bowel and liver troubles are just what you see sometimes in a hard drinker after trying to break off. He is prostrated; his heart gives out, is irregular, weak, slow; and he has sadness and melancholy; inability to apply himself. Digitalis will help him straighten out.
by James Tyler Kent