Poisoning or toxic effects caused by excessive use of digitalis or its compounds, or the practice of treating with digitalis.
From 'digitalis' plus '-ism,' meaning a state, condition, or practice. The root 'digitalis' comes from Latin 'digitus' (finger).
Digitalism was a real problem in medical history—doctors finally had an effective heart drug, but the difference between a helpful dose and a lethal one was razor-thin, and patients would gradually accumulate toxin in their bodies, leading to nausea, hallucinations, and irregular heartbeats.
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