CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Abstract

Digitalis has been used in the treatment of cardiac disease for nearly a century and a half, but there is still no general agreement as to when it should be given. Although a complete review of the literature will not be attempted, the following brief résumé will suffice to illustrate some of the disputed points. For the sake of clarity it should be stated here that the term "regular rhythm" as used in this paper includes persons who have sino-auricular rhythm either with or without premature beats. 1.<i>Is digitalis of value in auricular fibrillation?</i>All authors agree on an affirmative answer. 2.<i>Is digitalis ever of value in patients with regular rhythm?</i>Sir James Mackenzie (1920) believed that the drug was of little value except in patients with auricular fibrillation. Later (1925), however, he stated, in speaking of cardiac failure without valvular disease and with regular rhythm: "Without why