An Account of the Foxglove, and Some of its Medical Uses

This 1785 scientific treatise documents William Withering’s systematic observations regarding the medicinal properties of Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as the foxglove plant. Through detailed case histories and botanical descriptions, Withering outlines his discovery that controlled doses of the plant act as a potent diuretic, specifically effective in treating dropsy, or edema. He identifies the physiological effects of the herb on the human pulse and circulatory system, establishing precise protocols for harvesting leaves and determining chemical concentrations to prevent toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Historians of medicine and practitioners interested in herbal pharmacology read this text to understand the empirical origins of digitalis as a treatment for heart conditions. It provides a foundation for modern cardiology by recording the shift from folkloric remedies to standardized clinical administration. Readers gain a technical understanding of eighteenth-century botanical medicine and the methodology used to isolate active properties from toxic flora. The book serves as a primary source for those studying the evolution of dosage regulation and the historical intersection of botany and medicine.

Outward-looking, growth-minded and clear-cut; a moderate read.

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