NAT. ORDER. LOBEUACE^. 17 



emetics, evincing the magnitude of its power, and the surprising 

 energy upon the liuman system, which often terrify those who are 

 acquainted with its operation. Its effects are different on different 

 individuals, and upon the same individual at different times. Some- 

 times it produces severe pain in the stomach and bowels; strange, 

 agitated, and indescribable, unpleasant sensations. Convulsive mo- 

 tions of the lower jaw, often attended with a convulsive and rapid 

 respiration. General distress, or a universal sickening feeling per- 

 vades the whole system. Sometimes the patient is perfectly easy 

 and quiet, without the power to move a hand or a foot, or rolling 

 the eye balls in their sockets ; and at other times great restlessness 

 and anxiety, with symptoms of a most alarming character, prevail. 

 In some instances the countenance becomes pale, and the skin cold, 

 with the appearance of approaching death ; whilst in others, the 

 countenance assumes a florid ai:)pearance, bearing the marks of 

 health. 



These symptoms, together with a great variety of others, which 

 it would be impossible for us to describe, are often attendant on 

 the administration of a lobelia emetic, and frequently prove very 

 alarming, even to those who are well acquainted with its effects. 

 Dr. Thomson, who claims the honor of first introducing the lobelia 

 into general notice, speaking of them, says, " they appear to be the 

 last struggle of disease, and are certain evidences of a favorable 

 turn of the disorder. The alarming effects of lobelia are probably 

 caused by the restoration of a healthy action to diseased parts, which 

 have long been accustomed to a morbid sensbility and a diseased 

 action. A healthy operation being thus suddenly restored, and the 

 organs not being properly prepared to receive the new impulse, an 

 unusual and oftentimes alarming train of symptoms are produced." 



"As an antidote to poisons of all kinds, whether animal or 

 vegetable, the lobelia stands unrivalled ; particularly in the cure of 

 hydrophobia. Several well attested cases of cures of this terrible 

 and fatal disease, have come to our knowledge. The lobelia is used 



