Digitalis is very uncertain in its action. When given medicinally its effects should be watched, as in some cases it probably accumulates in the system, but in others, especially in heart disease, it may be given for months or years without hurt, and even with advantage. A poisonous dose seems to produce vomiting, purging, colic, headache, slowness and extreme irregularity of pulse, dimness of vision, dilated pupils, lethargy, prostration, convulsions, and coma. In two instances death occurred within twenty-two hours. The appearances found afterwards have been chiefly congestion of the cerebral vessels and slight inflammation of the stomach. _Digitalin_ has acquired a certain importance from the trial and execution of De La Pommerais for poisoning the widow Pauw by its means. The facts were altogether inconsistent with his innocence, and though digitalin was not separated from the woman’s body, yet extracts of the vomited matters killed dogs with the symptoms of poisoning by digitalis. The extracts obtained from the stomach and bowels did not prove fatal. Tardieu and Roussin, who were engaged on the case, came to the conclusion that the woman had been poisoned by some vegetable poison, probably digitalin. The woman’s symptoms, which were not, however, carefully noted, were violent vomiting and extreme depression. In addition to the administration of emetics and castor oil, some infusion containing tannin, as strong tea, &c., should be given as an antidote in poisoning by digitalis. Substances containing tannin render the digitalin inert. Strong tea or coffee, with brandy, will likewise be needed, to lessen the depression and exhaustion. CALABAR BEAN (_Physostigma venenosum_).—This bean, which grows on the West Coast of Africa, is generally used as an ordeal. According to the superstition of the natives the innocent vomit and are safe, the guilty die. Its most characteristic effect is contraction of the pupil. It seems to act by paralyzing the motor muscles, leaving the senses intact. There is great interference with the heart’s action, it beating tumultuously, but death seems to follow paralysis of the muscles of respiration. In some cases, one fatal, occurring in Liverpool, there was much vomiting. TOBACCO (_Nicotiana tabacum_).—All parts of this plant are very poisonous. An infusion of the leaves, exhibited as an enema, has, on several occasions, speedily proved fatal. Persons in attempting to acquire the habit of smoking often suffer from severe nausea, vomiting, great prostration, and insensibility; while in some instances, more severe effects have ensued. Symptoms very much resembling those of apoplexy have also been produced by the excessive use of snuff. A celebrated French poet died in fourteen hours, from swallowing the contents of his snuff-box, which had been mixed with his wine, as a joke. Snuff or tobacco is also sometimes used for drugging persons with a view to nefarious purposes, as robbery and such like.