Digitalis Once a heart condition has been diagnosed, the modern day physician has access to a vast array of drugs, each one specific for a condition. It was the 18th century botanist and physician William Withering from Birmingham who singled out foxglove with its thimble-like flowers, as having the active ingredient digitalis, so effective in treating dropsy or congestive cardiac failure. An extract from the leaves of the plant improved the contraction force of the failing heart and dispelled the water logging of the body. The drug slows the pulse rate and remains the sheet anchor even in modern day cardiological dispensations.

Ephedrine The drug occurs naturally in the plant Ephedra sinica and has been in use in China for over 5000 years as 'ma huang'. The drug is an useful vasopressor and raises blood pressure and force of myocardial contraction. More importantly this action also preserves uterine blood flow unlike others of this group of drugs. The drug is also useful for clearing congested nostrils, easing the respiration in asthmatics and helping those with narcolepsy stay awake.

Vaccines Rubella or German measles has been responsible for many congenital malformations of the heart and blood vessels. The Austrian opthalmologist N.M.Gregg first noticed the association between congenital cataracts and the infection. Maternal infection in the first three months of pregnancy can cause defects such as septal defects and vascular malformations in the baby. It is now a routine to immunize adolescent girls and seronegative women in the pre conception stage with the Rubella vaccine.