Science Challenge #6 Question 1. What is the name of the substance that as early as 1785 was used to treat heart failure by British physician William Withering. It acts by increasing the force of heart muscle contractions. This substance was (and still is) obtained from the leaves of the foxglove plant ? ANSWER: DIGITALIS Correct responses received from: Sid Gospe, Alex Halliday, Merridy Hance, Curtis Pavel, Larry Coleman, Heather and Dave Banks, Beth Rowen, Daniel McLaughlin