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Who taught doctors how to cure dropsy?

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By Chelsie Vandaveer

October 29, 2002

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Hydrops or dropsy was a watery illness—edema. Blood returning to the heart was under low pressure, fluids leaked from the capillaries filling the tissues, the body became bloated. Medical practitioners cut drains in a sufferer's abdomen to allow fluids to escape. It brought temporary relief, but surgery without anesthesia or antibiotics was its own grief.

Foxglove Midsummer Mix of Pastels. Its name means "fairy gloves"--derived from the fingerlike flower spikes. Hues of amethyst, ruby, garnet and pearl in a glowing mix, 2-4 feet tall. Prefers partial shade. Bareroot. Zones: 4 - 8 (-20° F.)

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Soon even movement was impossible; the sufferer simply sat upright waiting for death. Dropsy was a symptom and a major cause of death for thousands of years.

It is said that Dr. William Withering spent so much of his practice treating the poor that he earned approximately one-third the salary as his fellow doctors. In 1775, one of Withering's patients had dropsy. As the good doctor could do nothing for him, the man tried an herbal mix created by a housewife in Shropshire. He recovered and Withering sought out the woman and her recipe.

"Digitalis, or foxglove (Digitalis purpurea Linnaeus) had been used by illiterate farmers and housewives in England and on the Continent for centuries. These people knew nothing about medicine, but they were wise enough to use a concoction that included Digitalis in treating dropsy. In Shropshire, Yorkshire, and other counties, the home remedies always contained Digitalis leaves, and it was Withering who had the ingenuity and imagination to select this substance as the probable active ingredient." (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, Medical Botany, 1977)

Withering tested Digitalis on his patients and kept careful records. In 1785, he published An Account of the Foxglove, and Some of Its Medical Uses, with Practical Remarks on Dropsy and Other Diseases. Withering was the first to understand the correlation between heart activity and dropsy by observing the action Digitalis had on his patients' hearts.

The College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island has posted photographs of the two principle sources of the cardioactive drugs. To view common foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, click on the link:

http://www.uri.edu/pharmacy/garden/images/pic8_3.jpg

To view Grecian or grey foxglove, Digitalis lanata, click on the link:

http://www.uri.edu/pharmacy/garden/images/pic16_3.jpg

The Moody Medical Library, University of Texas has a portrait of Dr. William Withering. To view his portrait, click on the link:

Click here to view his portrait

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Foxglove, Mixed

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Outstanding in early summer borders. Towering stalks, up to 4' tall, are covered with bell-shaped florets in a mix of bright colors. Hummingbirds can't resist the Mixed Foxglove! Fast-growing biennial plants are resistant to most pests and diseases. Beautiful in woodland gardens, cottage gardens and borders. Space 2-3' apart.

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Digitalis purpurea

Zone 4 to 10

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Unique Characteristics: Old fashioned flower. Towering stalks of deep-cupped flowers make an outstanding display. Excellent mix of colors.

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Digitalis purpurea ‘Camelot Mix’ Zone 4 to 9

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Digitalis 'Pam's Choice'

Zone 4 to 9

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Unique Characteristics: White bells with maroon throats create a dazzling display. Butterflies and Hummingbirds love them. Excellent for the mixed border or mass planting.

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