18 
NAT. ORDER. LOBELIACE^E. 
in powder, infusion, or tincture of the leaves and pods, or the seeds, 
either simply by itself or compounded with other articles." — 
Howard. 
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 gardens, 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 pound. 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 shops, we cannot but express 
our conviction that its cultivation might be made extremely profit- 
able. 
Tincture of Lobelia Jierh. Take of lobelia herb, either fresh or 
dry, any quantity, press it close in a tin 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- 
ing is induced. This tincture is valuable not only as an emetic, but 
also as an external application to w^ounds, 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. 
