LIVERWORT, ENGLISH — LOBELIA. 95 



LIVERWORT, ENGLISH. Lichen caainus. 



Synonym — Liverwort Moss, Ground Liverwort. 



Part used — Lichen. 



Action — Deobstruent, slightly purgative. Held in 

 esteem as a remedy for liver complaints, but is generally 

 combined with other remedies. Was believed to be a 

 specific against rabies, but has fallen into disuse. The 

 infusion of i ounce to a pint of boiling water is taken 

 in wineglassful doses, repeated frequently. 



Preparation — Fluid extract : Dose, \-i drachms. 



LOBELIA. Lobelia inflata. 



Synonym — Indian Tobacco, Puke Weed. 



Part used — Herb, seeds. 



Action — Expectorant, emetic, diaphoretic, ant- 

 asthmatic, stimulant. This plant is extensively 

 employed, and is regarded as one of the most valuable 

 remedies ever discovered. It is chiefly used as an 

 emetic, and may be prescribed wherever one is indicated. 

 In bronchial troubles and pulmonary complaints its 

 action is speedily and wonderfully beneficial. All accu- 

 mulations of mucous is instantly removed after a full dose 

 of the infusion, and many lives have been saved by its 

 timely use. In croup, whooping cough, and asthma, it 

 is specially valuable, and it may be regarded as certain 

 to give relief in the distressing paroxysms which charac- 

 terize the last-named disease. In cases of infantile 

 cough and bronchitis, when the child seems likely to be 

 suffocated by phlegm, a dose will remove obstruction. 

 Dr. Thomson recommends Lobelia in nearly every 

 complaint, and there is no doubt of its general applica- 

 bility in some way to most diseases. In liver or 

 stomach troubles an emetic of Lobelia will remove all 

 immediate obstructions, and pave the way for the use 

 of other remedial medicines. Mixed with powdered 

 Slippery Elm it forms a stimulating poultice for inflam- 

 mations, ulcers, swellings, &c. The infusion of i ounce 



