NAT. ORDER. — LOBELlACEiE. 167 



is highly dangerous, ahnost under any circumstances, as a medicine. 

 This is simihir to liie accounts of other writers on the poisonous 

 quahties of this phint, and this is the general prevailing opinion 

 throughout the country, that this herb is poisonous and dangerous — 

 corrosive-sublimate, mcrcwn/, arsenic, digitalis, fox-glove, or any other 

 poison is swalloweii without any hesitation ; but speak of Lobelia, 

 and you frighten your patient almost out of his senses. From well 

 authenticated facts, and the testimony of nearly a thousand physi- 

 cians, we are able to prove clearly and satisfactorily, that the Lobelia 

 possesses none of those deleterious properties which have been as- 

 cribed to it. I have my.self made use of the seeds and leaves of tliis 

 plant as an emetic, and have universally, on all occasions, found it the 

 most desirable of all emetics. I consider it safe in all stages of dis- 

 ease, properly administered, and under any circumstances where an 

 emetic is desired. It does not possess in the slightest degree any 

 poisonous or deleterious properties. I have administered it hundreds 

 of cases to the amount of ten times the quantity that Prof. Bige- 

 low says will destroy life, and have never experienced the least in- 

 dications that it is capable of producing any injury properly given, 

 more than our most harmless medicine, and I therefore speak with 

 confidence, and recommend it as the most safe emetic which can be 

 administered. 



In cases of hydrophobia, a strong decoction of the seeds of Lo- 

 belia combined with Sceutilaria laterifolia, has been given with 

 marked success, and so far as our knowledge extends, it may be con- 

 sidered as one of the best remedies in the treatment of that distres- 

 sing complaint. As an antispasmodic, in cramp, convulsions, locked- 

 jaw, «S:c., no remedy has ever yet come to our knowledge, possessing 

 so valuable properties. Dr. T. W. Sweet, of this city, a gentleman 

 of the highest respectability, informs me tliat he has made constant 

 use of the Lobelia in his practite, and for mildness and certainty of 

 its operation, activity and diffusiveness of its influence, he considers 

 it as the most valuable of anv emetic known, and ranks it first in 



