Lobelia inflata. 185 
am aware that the same effect on these animals, has beewascribed to 
the Euphorbia hypericifolia (not E. maculata, which is a small pro- 
cumbent or adpressed plant, and does not grow in cultivated 
grounds )—to the Hypericum perfoliatum, or common St. John’s wort, 
and other plants. ‘The Indian tobacco is more likely, from its sensi- 
ble properties, to produce the disease mentioned, than either of the 
other vegetables, ; Pass 
_.. MEDICAL PROPERTIES. 
et x 8 
Lobelia inflata is decidedly one of the most active of our native 
vegetables. | It might perhaps be said with truth, that the United 
os Ts Pe 2 ee 
States do not yield a plant of more powerful and uneq ope- 
ration on the human system. And since poisons are generally, 
under judicious use, good medicines, the Indian tobacco seems to 
have an undoubted claim to a place in the Materia Medica. It is 
possessed of an emetic, sudorific, and powerful expectorant effect ; 
dl ‘ie ly remarkable for the first of these ‘operations on the sys- 
tem. “When given with a view to empty the stomach, it operates ve- 
\d speedily ; producing, however, great relaxation, debi- 
: lity, and perspiration. Like other active emetics, it sometimes 
