Foxgloves in medicine.

Date:
1951
  • Film

About this work

Description

After briefly outlining the work of William Withering (1741-1799) and Sir James Mackenzie (1853-1925) on the use of digitalis in the treatment of heart disease, the film describes the chemical composition and medcinal properties of the crystalline glycosides found in the leaves of the common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), and shows how digoxin is extracted from the leaves of the white Danubian foxglove (Digitalis Lanata). The pharmacological action of digoxin is demonstrated on isolated rabbit and frog heart preparations and rabbit auricles, and clinical cases are used to show its therapeutic values in congestive heart failure. Animated diagrams are used to show the relation between cardiac action and electrocardiograms in the normal heart and in cases of auricular fibrillation, and to explain the therapeutic effects of digoxin. A patient with mild congestive heart failure is seen before and after treatment with digoxin. A severe case of congestive heart failure with auricular fibrillation receives digoxin intravenously and is also seen after treatment.

Publication/Creation

UK : Wellcome Film Unit, 1951.

Physical description

21 film reels (27 min. each) : sound, colour

Notes

This film is also available with Norwegian, Danish and Finnish sound tracks.

Creator/production credits

Wellcome Foundation Film Unit with Dr A. Hollman (University College Hospital, London) -- producer and director, Florence Anthony; photographer, Douglas Fisher.

Copyright note

Wellcome Trust.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • Copy 0

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    268FM
    By appointmentManual request
  • Copy 1

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    268F
    By appointmentManual request
  • Copy 2

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    268F
    By appointmentManual request
  • Copy 1

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    268F
    By appointmentManual request
  • Copy 1

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    268F
    By appointmentManual request

Permanent link