168 
NAT. ORDER. LOBELIACEiE. 
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 symp- 
toms were entirely subsided. 
From its speedy operation as an emetic, and its stimulating- effects 
on the mouth and fauces, beneficial results may always be expected 
from its use in croup and whooping 1 cough. In croup it may be resort- 
ed to with confidence, and g-enerally 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 medi- 
cal 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 ad- 
ministered without difficulty; its effects are equally certain as an 
emetic, and it will immediately arrest the disease. 
The plant should be gathered in the months of August and Sep- 
tember, while in flower at the top of the branches, and full of the in- 
flated capsules below. The whole plant should then be carefully dried 
for use, pulverized or made into tincture — that made from the recent 
plant is much 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. 
