Homoeopathy — Page 305
Digitalis 305 Digitalis 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 short- lived. 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