The first effective use of digitalis in medicine was made by William Withering and described by him in 1785. A study of the case histories that he outlines in his treatise shows that he was accustomed to give the drug in large doses and was familiar with its toxic effects. He begins his chapter on the therapeutic use of digitalis with this statement: The foxglove, when given in very large and quickly repeated doses, occasions sickness, vomiting, purging, giddiness, confused vision, objects appearing green or yellow; increased secretion of urine, with frequent motions to part with it, and sometimes inability to retain it; slow pulse, even as slow as 35 in a minute, cold sweats, convulsions, syncope, and death. 1 Three cases of visual disorder are mentioned. The following one is most fully described: Case CVI. November 2nd. Mr. S— of B— h—, Aet. 61. Hydrothorax and swelled legs. Squills