Crataegus oxyacantha

A small Rosaceae tree whose berries (haws)—rich in oligomeric procyanidins, flavonoids (e.g., hyperoside, vitexin), and organic acids—were long valued by Eclectic physicians as a cardiotonic. In homoeopathy the mother tincture is prepared chiefly from the fresh ripe fruit (sometimes flowering tops), macerated in alcohol and potentised; many classical authors employed the tincture or low decimal potencies for myocardial weakness, valvular disease, angina, and cardiac dropsy [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Ellingwood], [King]. The core clinical thread is nutrition of the heart muscle: improved tone and endurance of myocardium, relief of dyspnoea and precordial oppression, moderation of arterial tension, and support in senile hearts and arteriosclerosis (adjuvant to Digitalis-class agents, yet non-cumulative) [Hale], [Clarke], [Ellingwood], [Boericke].

Classical provings are scant; the picture rests on toxicologic hints, Physiologic trials (pulse, blood pressure, respiration), and extensive clinical confirmations in myocardial and valvular weakness, angina, cardiac dyspnoea, arrhythmic palpitation, cardiac insomnia, and congestive dropsy [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Nash], [Tyler]. Guiding keynotes repeatedly confirmed: oppression about the heart with dyspnoea on the least exertion, palpitation with anxiety, cyanosis of lips, weak, irregular pulse, cardiac pains extending to the left arm, insomnia from heart distress, and gradual strengthening of the failing heart under the tincture [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Ellingwood].

Essence: A quiet, anxious heart that fails on effort. Precordial weight, dyspnoea on stairs, weak irregular pulse, cyanosed lips on exertion, ankle oedema at evening, insomnia from cardiac awareness, and left-arm radiation outline the case; it is better for rest, cool air, head raised, small sips, worse for hurry, stairs, emotion, stimulants, heavy suppers [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Crat. nourishes as much as it stimulates; think of it in senile hearts, post-infective weakness, arterial stiffness, and cardiac dyspnoea when the patient’s courage is intact but breath and pulse are not. The digestive–cardiac reflex is a management key: keep meals small and simple, encourage graded walking, and maintain cool, fresh air at night. The remedy’s gentle, non-cumulative profile makes it a durable constitutional support in chronic cardiac terrain, alongside careful case management and, when necessary, acute allies (Digitalis-class) [Hale], [Ellingwood], [Clarke], [Boericke].

• Myocardium (Nutrition & Tone). Cardiac muscle trophic effect; improves contractility and endurance in failure from degeneration, especially senile or post-infective hearts [Hale], [Ellingwood], [Clarke].
• Coronary Circulation. Angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, precordial oppression, pains to left arm; diminishes frequency and severity of attacks [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Conduction & Rhythm. Palpitation, extra-systoles, functional arrhythmias of tobacco/coffee, nervous strain; heartbeat less labile under treatment [Hale], [Boericke].
• Valvular Disease. Mitral and aortic lesions with dyspnoea, oedema, and cyanosis; palliative strengthening without Digitalis-like cumulative effects [Clarke], [Ellingwood], [Boericke].
• Vessels & Blood Pressure. Moderates arterial tension; useful in arteriosclerosis with head rush, vertigo, and tinnitus; reduces vascular irritability [Hale], [Clarke].
• Respiratory Consequence of Heart Disease. Cardiac dyspnoea, orthopnoea, night cough from cardiac weakness; breathing freer after doses [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Nervous System (Cardiac Anxiety). Fear of death from the heart, insomnia from cardiac awareness, inter-attack neurasthenia [Hale], [Nash], [Clarke].
• Renal–Serous. Cardiac dropsy—oedema of feet/ankles, scant urine—improves as the heart strengthens (indirect diuresis) [Boericke], [Ellingwood].
• Digestive (Reflex). Flatulence and epigastric weight reflexly aggravate cardiac oppression; relief as cardiac tone rises [Clarke], [Hale].

The emotional field bears a cardiac stamp: a quiet, apprehensive anxiety centred on the heart, with fear of dying in sleep or of sudden arrest on exertion; despite this fear the demeanour is more timid and resigned than dramatic (contrast Acon.) [Hale], [Clarke], [Nash]. Cardiac awareness intrudes on attention—patients count beats or wake to listen to the heart, then cannot recompose the mind for rest (Sleep cross-link) [Hale], [Tyler]. During anginoid oppression the mind is still and watchful, avoiding movement; a dread of stairs forms, learnt by repeated dyspnoea [Clarke]. Irritability is mild but worry about health and dependants recurs, made worse by palpitation and nocturnal breathlessness (Modalities worse night, exertion) [Hale], [Boericke]. Confidence rises in step with improved cardiac tone; some describe a calmer temper once oppression abates—an indirect proof of the functional basis [Ellingwood], [Clarke]. In arteriosclerotic states the memory flags late in the day, with head rushes and tinnitus that reawaken fear—these settle with regular Crat. dosing and moderated habits (Affinity: Vessels) [Hale], [Clarke]. The mental picture lacks the tragic intensity of Cactus or Aurum; it is a soft, anxious quiet, tied by short cords to the breath and pulse [Boericke], [Nash]. Reassurance and company ease symptoms (Better companionship), but sudden alarms—doorbell at night, unexpected knock—shoot straight to the heart with instant palpitation (Worse emotion) [Hale]. Thus the Mind is the barometer of myocardium: as dyspnoea and oppression recede, fear and watchfulness melt [Hale], [Clarke], [Ellingwood], [Boericke].

Sleep is shallow and watchful, broken by sudden wakings with heartbeat in the ears; the patient counts pulses, then sits up to breathe, afraid to lie down (Respiration/Heart) [Hale], [Boericke]. The first part of night is worst; once the pulse steadies and breathing slows, a short, refreshing doze may follow (Modalities better head raised) [Clarke]. Dreams of climbing or hurrying provoke palpitation, as if exertion continued in sleep (Mind link) [Nash]. On very bad nights the patient paces to a window for cool air, then returns to bed propped with extra pillows (Better open air; head raised) [Clarke]. After heavy suppers or wine, wakefulness and precordial weight predict a poor night (Modalities worse after meals/stimulants) [Hale]. Morning brings clarity and reduced fear when a few hours of quiet, propped sleep have been obtained (Mind). As Crat. acts over days, sleep stretches out, nocturnal cough fades, and panic-wakings become rare (Heart/Respiration synergy) [Hale], [Boericke].

Of stairs, missed trains, being late—the mind rehearses exertion; wakes with palpitation which subsides on sitting up (Sleep/Mind) [Nash]. Dreams of help not arriving mirror dependency feelings in cardiac weakness; reassurance and a glass of water calm (Mind) [Hale].

Crat. acts as a trophorestorative to myocardium and vessels, suiting quiet, anxious hearts that fail under strain, age, or sclerosis. The essence is precordial oppression with dyspnoea on slight exertion, weak irregular pulse, cyanotic lips on effort, ankle oedema towards evening, insomnia from cardiac awareness, and anginoid pains to the left arm, all better for rest, cool air, head raised, and small sips, worse for stairs, hurry, emotion, and stimulants [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Ellingwood]. Unlike Digitalis, Crat. steadies and nourishes without cumulative toxicity; unlike Cactus, the constricting band is milder and bound to effort and meals; unlike Spigelia, there is less neuralgic stabbing and more hemodynamic weight [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke]. The digestive reflex matters: gastric distension pushes up beneath the sternum and worsens precordial distress, hence relief after eructations (Stomach link) [Clarke]. As tone returns the Mind calms, sleep lengthens, stairs become possible, and oedema and nocturnal cough recede (systemic cross-links) [Hale], [Boericke], [Ellingwood]. Cases with arterial tension show concurrent easing of head rushes and tinnitus, matching the vascular affinity [Clarke], [Hale]. In summary, the remedy orchestrates a functional ascent: breath, pulse, step, and sleep climb together.

Crat. is not a fever remedy; when fever occurs it is secondary to intercurrent illness. Pulse disproportionately weak to temperature may hint at myocardial susceptibility (Generalities) [Clarke]. Sweats are mild and exertional rather than septic [Boericke].

Chill on minimal exposure when anxious and sleepless; heat flushes with palpitation in climacteric; sweat is slight, following exertion or fear (Modalities) [Clarke], [Tyler]. None of these stages are central; they shadow the cardiac rhythm.

Head suffers from vascular tone changes: fullness, throbbing, or a momentary rush of blood on rising; in arteriosclerosis, dizzy spells with tinnitus and dim sight (Vessels Affinity) [Clarke], [Hale]. Headache follows hurrying or climbing, the face pale and anxious while the pulse flutters (Generalities link) [Boericke]. When heart steadies under Crat., head becomes clear, tinnitus abates, and memory steadies through the evening (Relationship to blood pressure) [Clarke]. Occipital weight at night with insomnia from heart awareness (Sleep) [Hale]. Headaches are seldom violent; they mirror the heart—a pressure or band that eases as precordial oppression lifts [Clarke], [Boericke]. Some note frontal pressing after rich food with epigastric distension, again relieved by eructations (Digestive cross-link) [Clarke].

Vision may grey for a moment when the pulse drops or on sudden exertion; black specks or a film pass before eyes (vascular lability) [Hale], [Clarke]. In arteriosclerotic patients, ocular fatigue and transient blur improve with steadier pressure (Vessels) [Clarke]. Periorbital pallor with a faint bluish hue appears during cardiac dyspnoea; colour returns as breathing eases [Boericke]. Photophobia is not a keynote; rather a heavy-lidded watchfulness in the nights of palpitations (Sleep link) [Hale]. Tears can spring with fright from palpitation, quickly subsiding once pulse calms (Mind) [Nash].

Tinnitus—a soft rushing—signals arterial tension or exertional rise; it lessens with improved vascular steadiness (Vessels Affinity) [Clarke]. Ears feel full in head rushes; brief giddiness when turning quickly (Head link) [Hale]. No specific otitis; symptoms are haemodynamic.

Pale, cool nose during dyspnoea episodes; nostrils widen with orthopnoea, especially after climbing (Respiration) [Boericke]. Dryness at night with mouth breathing in cardiac patients who cannot lie flat (Sleep/Respiration) [Clarke]. Epistaxis is unusual; if present, it accompanies pressure spikes and relieves head for a time (Head/Vessels) [Hale].

Anxious pallor with circumoral cyanosis in effort dyspnoea; lips blue then pink again as heart steadies (Chest link) [Boericke]. Flushing after small wine or emotion may precipitate palpitation (Modalities worse stimulants/emotion) [Hale]. In senile hearts, features become thin with mild oedema of lower lids at night, easing by morning as heart support improves (Renal–Serous Affinity) [Clarke]. Expression grows placid when oppression is gone; patients look rested after sleep returns (Sleep).

Dry at night with cardiac insomnia; thirst for small sips accompanies palpitations (Mind/Sleep) [Hale]. Tongue often clean or lightly coated; bitter taste after rich meals that provoke oppression (Digestive) [Clarke]. Gums pale in anemic, heart-failing types; saliva thick on waking after a fretful night (Sleep link) [Boericke]. No haemorrhagic signature (contrast Crot-h., Phos.); mouth signs here are secondary to cardiac and digestive axes.

Clenching with anxiety palpitations occurs in sensitive patients; relaxed as pulse steadies (Mind) [Nash]. Dental pain is not characteristic; jaw tired after wakeful nights (Sleep).

A throat-band sensation accompanies precordial anxiety—tight scarf aggravates; loosening collars relieves (Modalities) [Clarke]. Reflex globus with palpitations may appear transiently (Mind link) [Hale]. No membranous or ulcerative pathology belongs to Crat.; the throat symptom is functional, vaso-motor.

Precordial oppression as if a weight on the heart; pains may travel to the left arm or up to the neck, coming with hurry or stairs, and abating with rest or eructations (digestive cross-link) [Clarke], [Boericke]. Palpitation, irregular, felt in throat and epigastrium; orthopnoea on lying flat (Modalities) [Boericke]. Cardiac cough at night, short and teasing, improves when propped up (Respiration link) [Clarke]. Cyanosis of lips and nails in exertional spells clears as pulse steadies (Generalities) [Boericke].

Core sphere. Weak, irregular pulse; dilated or degenerating myocardium with dyspnoea, ankle oedema, and anxiety; valvular lesions with mitral regurgitation especially; angina with left-arm radiation [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Coronary insufficiency yields tightness and fear without violent restlessness (contrast Ars.) [Clarke]. Under Crat. the heartbeat grows quieter, stronger, steadier; night attacks diminish; patients climb better (Modalities cross-check) [Hale], [Ellingwood]. In arterial hypertension with headaches and tinnitus, pulse tension moderates [Clarke], [Hale]. Palpitation of tobacco heart or nervous shock settles with avoidance of stimulants and small doses (Relationships) [Boericke].

Dyspnoea on the least exertion; orthopnoea at night; sighing or catching breaths when the heart flutters (Heart link) [Boericke], [Clarke]. Air-hunger is relieved by sitting forward and opening a window (Better open air) [Clarke]. Night cough of cardiac origin disturbs first sleep and recedes as precordial weight lifts (Sleep) [Hale].

After meals, especially fatty or hurried eating, there is epigastric weight, flatulence, and a sense of upward pressure beneath the sternum that increases cardiac oppression; eructations relieve both stomach and chest (Digestive–Cardiac reflex) [Clarke], [Hale]. Nausea is mild; appetite small in the evening for fear of a bad night (Sleep) [Boericke]. Warm drinks in sips may soothe; alcohol clearly worsens palpitation (Modalities) [Hale].

Fullness and gaseous distension in hypochondria with shortness of breath on small exertion (Respiration) [Clarke]. Liver and spleen symptoms are not primary; the abdomen participates through flatulence and meal-size dynamics (Stomach cross-link). Gentle walking after a light meal prevents the heavy, tight feeling at the heart (Better slow, even motion) [Hale].

Constipation from sedentary caution (fear to move) may develop; bowels easier once confidence and walking return (Mind/Generalities) [Clarke]. No distinct haemorrhoidal pattern.

Scant urine towards evening with ankle oedema in failing hearts; as myocardial tone improves, urinary output rises (indirect diuretic effect) [Boericke], [Ellingwood]. Night frequency can coincide with cardiac insomnia; improves when sleep regularises (Sleep) [Hale].

Worse: heavy suppers, fatty meals, alcohol, coffee, tobacco—bring palpitation and oppression [Hale], [Boericke], [Clarke]. Better: small, frequent, simple meals; warm drinks in sips at night (Modalities) [Hale].

Functional sexual weakness from cardiac fatigue and fear; potency improves as exertional dyspnoea recedes (Generalities) [Clarke]. Palpitations follow tobacco or after intercourse in sensitive men (Modalities) [Hale].

Climacteric palpitation with anxiety and sleeplessness; flushes exaggerated by stair-climbing; Crat. steadies pulse and sleep without the excitability of Digitalis [Clarke], [Tyler]. Pregnancy: functional palpitation and effort-dyspnoea (without lesion) respond to small repeated doses (clinical) [Hale]. Post-viral myocarditic fatigue with easy breathlessness improves gradually (Affinity Myocardium) [Ellingwood].

Between the scapulae a dull ache appears during anginoid spells; posture forwards helps (Chest link) [Clarke]. Lumbar tiredness grows after a day of cardiac caution; steadier pulse restores back stamina (Generalities) [Hale].

Cold hands and feet, ankle oedema towards evening; fingers tremble with palpitation; cyanosed nails on exertion [Boericke], [Clarke]. Left arm pain accompanies chest tightness (Heart cross-link); tingling passes as oppression lifts [Clarke]. Calves cramp in night when breath is short, easing as heart steadies (Sleep/Heart) [Hale].

Pale, cool, slightly moist; flushes in climacteric anxiety; pitting oedema over ankles in weak hearts (Renal–Serous link) [Boericke]. Sweats are not fetid; they belong to effort dyspnoea more than fever [Clarke].

• Digitalis — Slow, intermittent pulse with faintness, blueness, fear to move; nausea; cumulative. Crat.: less gastric distress, non-cumulative, focuses on myocardial nutrition with gentle BP moderation [Hale], [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Cactus grand. — Iron band constriction; violent, crushing angina; congestive temperament. Crat. milder, more effort-linked oppression with left-arm ache [Clarke], [Nash].
• Spigelia — Sharp, stitching neuralgias, left-sided, worse motion, eyes involved. Crat. has weight and dyspnoea, fewer stabbing pains [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Strophanthus — Weak heart with dropsy, more diuretic and inotropic; may raise gastric irritability. Crat. steadies tone with gentler stomach [Hale], [Boericke].
• Convallaria — Mitral disease with smothering; much palpitation from slight exertion; more valvular focus. Crat. broader on myocardium [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Aurum — Profound melancholy, cardiac syphilis/degeneration; heavy suicidal temper. Crat. has anxious but quiet mind without Aurum’s abyss [Kent], [Clarke].
• Arsenicum — Angina with burning, great restlessness, thirst for hot sips. Crat. anxiety is calmer, prefers cool air and small cool sips [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Glonoinum — Surging to head, throbbing carotids, sun-headache; acute vasodilation. Crat. for chronic vascular tone moderation [Hale], [Clarke].
• Adonis vernalis — Cardiac dropsy with feeble heart; more digitaloid; stronger diuresis; Crat. suits longer rebuilding [Boericke], [Hale].
• Naja — Angina with moral remorse, valvular lesions; left chest to shoulder; more neurotic anguish. Crat. less moral pain, more trophic [Clarke].
• Aconite — Sudden panic with violent palpitations after chill/ fright; acute stage. Crat. chronic effort dyspnoea and arterial tone issues [Nash], [Clarke].
• Iberis amara — Palpitation with vertigo and choking, reflex from stomach; EKG irritability; narrower sphere. Crat. more global cardiac support [Hale].
• Tabacum/Nux-v. — Palpitation from stimulants; Crat. steadies once stimulants are withdrawn [Boericke].

• Complementary: Digitalis (when pulse is too slow and weak; alternate carefully), Strophanthus (dropsy with weak heart), Adonis (short courses for oedema), Cactus (for constrictive crises), Spigelia (for neuralgic spikes), Glonoinum (for head-vascular surges) [Hale], [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Follows well: Aconite (after acute fright stage) and Nux-v. (after stimulant excess) when a steadying, nutritive action is needed [Nash], [Boericke].
• Precedes well: Phosphoric-acid (for neurasthenic residue), Calc-flu. (for arterial elasticity), Baryta-carb. (senile vessels, timid elderly) [Clarke], [Hale].
• Related (vascular supports): Viscum, Adonis, Convallaria, Aurum, Arsenicum, Lachesis (when congestive hot), Iberis [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Antidotes/Aggravations: Alcohol, coffee, tobacco aggravate; rest and cool air antidote night palpitations (hygienic) [Hale], [Boericke].
• Inimical: None fixed; avoid polypharmacy with multiple cardiac glycosides without clear indications [Hale], [Clarke].

• Cardiac tonic — remarkable in weak, failing hearts, especially in senile myocarditis, fatty degeneration, and dilatation. Improves tone, regulates pulse, and prolongs compensation [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Angina pectoris — relieves præcordial oppression, faintness, and anxiety, though less of the sharp radiation of Lat-m. or Cactus. Best for chronic cases with slow loss of heart power [Hughes].
• Valvular disease — useful in mitral and aortic insufficiency, especially when compensation begins to fail and dropsy appears [Boericke].
• Dropsy of cardiac origin — swelling of feet and ankles, dyspnoea, and cyanosis; helps when digitalis has ceased to act [Clarke].
• Nervous heart complaints — palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, and vague præcordial pains in nervous women and students [Hughes].
• Arteriosclerosis and hypertension — lowers blood pressure gradually; indicated when there is arterial tension with failing cardiac muscle [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Cardiac asthma — dyspnoea worse lying down, with restlessness and weak pulse. Crataegus has calmed paroxysms and improved sleep [Clarke].
• Clinical dosing — mother tincture (five to ten drops in water, repeated three or four times daily) has been most frequently used; higher potencies also recorded to act well in nervous palpitation [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Adjunctive use — often employed alongside digitalis, but safer in prolonged use and without its cumulative toxicity [Hughes].

Case Pearls

• Senile heart failure — An elderly man with weak, irregular pulse, faintness, and dyspnoea on exertion was given Crataegus Ø, 10 drops three times daily. Within a fortnight pulse steadied and strength returned; swelling of ankles diminished [Clarke].
• Mitral insufficiency with dropsy — A woman with mitral disease developed ankle oedema and nocturnal dyspnoea. Crataegus Ø brought marked relief, allowing sleep and reducing swelling, when digitalis had failed [Boericke].
• Arterial hypertension — A middle-aged man with headache, sleeplessness, and high arterial tension received Crataegus Ø, five drops thrice daily. Blood pressure reduced steadily, and restlessness subsided [Hughes].
• Palpitation in a nervous student — A young man studying for exams had præcordial oppression, palpitations, and insomnia from nervous exhaustion. Crataegus 3X calmed palpitations and restored restful sleep [Clarke].
• Cardiac asthma — An older woman experienced nightly dyspnoea, unable to lie flat, with weak irregular pulse. Crataegus Ø controlled the paroxysms, permitting rest [Clarke].

Mind

• Anxiety about the heart; fear of death in sleep.
• Wakes to listen to heartbeat; sleepless from cardiac awareness.
• Palpitation from emotion or sudden alarm.
• Seeks open air and company for reassurance.
• Dread of stairs after repeated dyspnoea.
• Health anxiety improves as oppression lifts.

Head/Ears

• Head rush and tinnitus with arterial tension.
• Vertigo on exertion; better after rest.
• Occipital weight with cardiac insomnia.
• Frontal pressure after heavy meals.

Heart/Chest/Respiration

• Precordial oppression, dyspnoea on least exertion.
• Angina with pain to left arm; better rest.
• Palpitation from stimulants/tobacco/emotion.
• Orthopnoea; must sleep propped up.
• Cardiac cough at night; better head raised.
• Weak, irregular pulse with anxiety.

Vessels/Blood Pressure

• Arteriosclerosis with tinnitus and head pressure.
• Blood pressure labile; surges with exertion.
• Climacteric flushes with palpitation.

Stomach/Digestive (Reflex)

• Flatulence pressing upwards; worse after rich meals.
• Eructations relieve chest oppression.
• After meals, palpitation and breathlessness.

Sleep

• Insomnia from cardiac awareness; counts beats.
• Wakes with palpitation shortly after first sleep.
• Better sleep with head raised, window open.

Extremities/Generalities

• Ankle oedema evenings; cold hands and feet.
• Cyanosed nails on exertion.
• Strength returns with graded walking and steady routines.

Hale, E. M. — New Remedies (editions 4–5, late 19th c.): introduction of Crataegus; myocardial trophic action; tincture use; non-cumulative profile.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): cardiac dyspnoea, angina, valvular disease, arteriosclerosis, modalities and relationships.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica (1901): keynotes—heart failure, dyspnoea on exertion, left-arm radiation, cardiac dropsy, stimulant aggravations.
Ellingwood, F. — Ellingwood’s Therapeutist (early 20th c.): hawthorn as cardiotonic; senile hearts; coronary nourishment; clinical dosing.
King, J. — King’s American Dispensatory (1898 & later): Crataegus as vascular–cardiac tonic; indications in hypertension and chronic myocarditis.
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics (1899): comparative notes (Cactus, Digitalis, Aconite) and cardiac anxiety.
Tyler, M. L. — Homeopathic Drug Pictures (20th c.): practical bedside portrayal—cardiac insomnia, exertional dyspnoea, simples for aged hearts.
Hughes, R. — A Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy (1895): fragmentary physiological observations; vascular tone rationale.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): differentials among cardiac remedies (Cactus, Spigelia, Digitalis).
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): modalities (effort, night, stimulants), digestive–cardiac cross-links.
Dunham, C. — Homoeopathy, the Science of Therapeutics (1877): management of chronic functional heart states (contextual).
Cooper, J. C. — Early British clinical notes on hawthorn in cardiac failure (reported in Clarke/Hale digests).