18 NAT. ORDER. LOBELIACEiE. 



ill powder, infusion, or tincture of the leaves and pods, or the seeds, 

 either simply by itself or compounded with other articles." — 

 Hoicard. 



It should be gathered in the fall, at the time the leaves begin to 

 turn yellow, as the seeds are then ripe, and the whole plant valuable 

 for medicinal uses. This plant may be transferred and cultivated 

 in o-ardens, where it will thrive much more luxuriantly than in the 

 wild state. In fields where it is found growing, if some of the stalks 

 are left standing, it will sow itself, similar to our garden mustard, 

 and I see no good reason why it could not be made a source of 

 profit which would well repay for its cultivation, as the seed is in con- 

 siderable demand, always finding a ready market and commanding 

 a price of about one dollar per pouud. Thus, taking into con- 

 sideration the increased consumption of this invaluable plant, 

 and that too by a very limited number of physicians in this country, 

 the price at which it is sold, and a prospect that our native plant, 

 will not even meet the wants of our shojis, we cannot but express 

 our con\iction that its cultivation might be made extremely profit- 

 able. 



Tincture of Lobelia herb. Take of lobelia herb, either fresh or 

 dry, any quantity, press it close in a thi or earthen vessel, so that it 

 may be compact ; then add proof spirit sufficient to cover the herb, 

 stop the vessel close, and let it stand for two or three days, then 

 strain and press out the liquor from the herb, flavor it with essence 

 of sassafras, and bottle it for use. Dose as an emetic, from two to 

 three tea-spoonsfull, to be repeated every ten minutes, until vom- 

 inff is induced. This tincture is valuable not only as an emetic, but 

 also as an external application to wounds, bruises, inflamations, ulcers, 

 eruptions of the skin, and poisons of every description. 



Compound tincture of Lobelia. This is the most powerful of 

 all other preparations, and is given only in such cases as require im- 

 mediate relief, such as lockjaw, fits, spasms, &c. Dose, from eight 

 to twenty drops, repeated according to circumstances. 



