168 NAT. ORDER. LOBELIACEJE. 



that class of medicines in the Materia Medica : he also informs me 

 of a case now under treatment, of a lady about fifty-five years of 

 age, who has received the seventh shock of the palsy, attended with 

 locked-jaw : he being immediately sent for, administered the concen- 

 trated tincture in the dose of only seven drops, when the muscles 

 began to relax, the saliva flowed freely, and in fifteen minutes the 

 patient was able to talk freely ; and he continued to give it in small 

 broken doses, until the paralytic symptoms were entirely subsided. 



From its speedy operation as an emetic, and its stimulating 

 eflfects on the mouth and fauces, beneficial results may always be 

 expected from its use in croup and whooping cough. In croup it 

 may be resorted to with confidence, and generally with success. All 

 who have had occasion to use the common antimonial and other 

 emetics in croup, have seen cause to lament their occasional want 

 of activity ; and the plant in question really seems well entitled to 

 the notice of the medical profession, as an emetic, antispasmodic 

 and expectorant in that complaint. 



This medicine may be given by injection, for croup, especially 

 when the throat is much clogged, or that the medicine cannot be 

 administered without difficulty ; its effects are equally certain as an 

 emetic, and it will inmiediately arrest the disease. 



The plant should be gathered in the months of August and 

 September, while in flower at the top of the branches, and full of the 

 inflated capsules below. The whole plant should then be carefully 

 dried for use, pulverized or made into tincture — that made from the 

 recent plant is mucli more active than that made from the dried 

 leaves and pods. From five to ten, and from that to twenty grains 

 of the powdered leaves, will produce emesis in an adult; but, as it 

 acts speedily, the dose should be small, and repeated every five or 

 ten minutes, until it operates. ■ - 



