99-3 
should be treated as in the preceding species, The resulting tincture should be 
of a clear reddish-orange color by transmitted light, and have a very acrid pene- 
trating tobacco-like taste, a peculiar characteristic odor, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Loéelina.1 This alkaloidal body was discov- 
ered by Calhoun,’ though Procter was first to isolate it.? Bastic,t working with- 
out a previous knowledge of its discovery, also isolated the principle. Lobelina 
exists after separation, especially when carefully sealed, as an oily, yellowish fluid 
having a decided alkaline reaction, this is especially noticeable in its watery solution. 
Its taste is acro-pungent, very like that of nicotia. It exhibits, even in very small 
doses, the poisonous action of the herb. It is somewhat volatile, decomposing 
and losing its acridity at a temperature above 100° (212° F.) either alone or in 
the presence of dilute acids or caustic alkalies. It is soluble in water, alcohol, 
and ether. Lobelina neutralizes acids, and except with acetic, forms crystallizable 
salts, more soluble in water than the alkaloid itself. 
Lobelacrin.— This glucoside (?) was discovered by Pereira ® and corroborated 
by Enders.° Lewes (1878), who made a thorough analysis of this drug, suggests 
that this body may be Lodeliate of Lobelina, a salt of lobelina formed by the free 
acid in the plant itself. Lobelacrin, according to Enders, exists as acrid, brownish, 
verrucose tufts, decomposing rapidly in water at 100° (212° F.), and resolving 
under the action of acids or alkalies into sugar and 
Lobelic Acid.—This acid is crystallizable, non-volatile, soluble in water, alco- 
hol, and ether, and yields an insoluble plumbic and soluble baric salt. 
Lobelianin.—This body, so named by its discoverer, Pereira, is now considered 
to be the volatile oil, Zode/zn, a compound body isolated by Reinsch, and now 
considered indefinite. 
Oil of Lobelia.—This oil may be extracted from the seeds, which, when 
bruised between heated rollers, generally yield about 30 per cent. According 
to Procter its specific gravity is 0.940, and its drying quality and consistence quite 
similar to that of linseed oil. Dr. John King states’ that the oil possesses all the 
medicinal qualities of the seed. , 
Beside the foregoing, caoutchouc,**” extractive,’ resin,’ *®™ and fat,° have 
been determined. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Thanks to much reckless prescribing by many 
so-called Botanic physicians, and to murderous intent; as well as to experimentation 
and careful provings, the action of this drug is pretty thoroughly known. Lobelia 
1 Lobelin, Lobeline. 2 Fourn. Phil. Coll. Pharm., 300. 
3 Am. Four. Phar., 1838, p. 98; and farther idid., 1871, p. 1; and 1851, p. 456. 
41850. Jbid., 1851, p. 270. 5 Mat. Med., Vol. 2, part 2, p. 12. 
6 1871, in an analysis made for the authors of the Pharmacographia, |. ¢., p. 400. 
T Am. Disp., 1880, p. 492. : 8 Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot., 1817, Vol. 1, p. 179. 
9 Reinsch. 10 Pereira, /. ¢. Procter, /. ¢. 
