Le "droghe cardiache" nel succedersi dei secoli.

Abstract

Plants were the first medicines used by men. From the 16th to the 18th century, the unavailability of medicines having a sure therapeutic effect was the cause of a high death rate, even in the cardiological field. As a consequence of this, the researchers of the 19th century focused their studies and research on same plants, that were considered having therapeutic effects on some cardiac pathologies. The results of the studies of the 19th century are still the starting point for new research about cardiac therapeutic medicines. In this paper the authors explain the main historical events concerning the medicines used in cardiology, from ancient times to the dawn of our times.