Rotell,+Michael1


 * Chemical Compound(Digitalis)**

Digitalis is a chemical that affects heart function of humans. The chemical is classified as a cardiac inotrope. An inotrope is a substance that in some way has a direct effect o muscle contraction. If it increase the speed or the strength at which a muscle contracts the chemical is called a positive inotrope. If it has the opposite effect such as slowing or weakening the contraction of a muscle the substance is a negative inotrope. Digitalis is a positive inotrope as it increases the speed at which the heart muscle contracts. The chemical is able to bring about these effects by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase enzyme. When this enzyme is inhibited intercellular sodium concentration increase, which will then increase the concentration of calcium in cells as well by decreasing the action in the sodium-calcium exchanger. As calcium plays a large part I the contraction of muscles, the increased concentrations of calcium allow the muscle to contract faster and with more force than it could have if there were normal levels of calcium. Digitalis also has an effect on the nervous system by having a negative chronotropic effect. This effect will slow down the electrical signals sent from the brain to tell the heart muscles to contract. This property has lead Digitalis to be the oldest and most widespread treatment for a number of heart diseases such as congestive heart failure. Digitalis is used to stall the terminal stages of heart diseases such as the aforementioned congestive heart failure. With the advancement of the disease delayed corrections can be made to the problems that have brought about symptoms of the disease. If no corrections can be made patients can remain of digitalis for many years.
 * Uses**

Digitalis, when used in the incorrect quantities, can act as an extremely deadly toxin. ** Incorrect dosage of Digitalis can cause either bradycardia or tachycardia depending on the dose and the condition of the affected heart. Symptoms of Digitalis poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wild hallucinations, delirium, and severe headache. Depending on the severity of the toxicosis the victim may later suffer irregular and slow pulse, tremors, various cerebral disturbances(especially of a visual nature), convulsions, and deadly disturbances of the heart. Many treatments for the condition that Digitalis overdose cause are counter productive to helping a patient and can make their condition worse. Lidocaine is the most effective drug used in Digitalis poisoning. More than 10mg of Digitalis is considered fatal for most adults.
 * Danger of Digitalis[[image:MatieresToxiques.jpg width="99" height="89" align="right"]]

The first early source of the chemical compound Digitalis was derived from the plant //Digitalis purpurea// also known as purple foxglove. The plant receives the name Digitalis because the plant displays purple finger shaped flowers. The effects of the chemical was first observed by William Withering who experimented on the extract in fowls and humans. Digitalis is no longer commonly extracted from the //Digitalis purpurea// plant, but rather synthetically made where it is used in a large number of heart drugs. The following section will include chemical and physical properties of the drug Digoxin, which includes the Digitalis compound within its structure.
 * Source**
 * Chemical and Physical Properties**

Solubility - 64.8mg/L at 25°C Melting Point - 249°C
 * Molecular Weight - C41H64O14

Density - 1.36 g/cm3

Boiling Point - 931.6 °C

Enthalpy of Vaporization - 153.77 kJ/mol

Apperance - Clear or cloudy liquid, colorless to pale yellow color

Sources** []) [] [] http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Digitalis_glycosides.png http://www.sci.muni.cz/bot_zahr/fotografie/venkovni%20rostliny/Digitalis%20purpurea.jpg http://www.graphicsbydezign.com/images/clip-art/human-heart-clip-art.jpg http://dclips.fundraw.com/zobo500dir/MatieresToxiques.jpg

The content is very good and the overall format is nice and organized. I think the page could use some more color and some more pictures. NRD