ON LOBELIA INFLATA. 
101 
matter in the last, it is not fit to be used as a menstruum. 
The only officinal preparation is the tincture, which is made 
by macerating two ounces of the dried plant, in one pint of 
diluted alcohol, for fourteen days; at the expiration of which 
time it should be filtered. An infusion made by digesting an 
ounce of the dried plant in a pint of water at 120° Fah., for 
two hours and strained, possesses its active properties. It 
should be expressly understood that in making those prepara- 
tions of Lobelia which require heat, the temperature must 
not be greater than 160° Fah.; as the acrid principle upon 
which their activity depends, is more or less destroyed by 
greater increments of heat. 
This plant loses 45 parts out of 64 in drying, or about 
seven-tenths. Its pulverization is attended with difficulty. 
The Thomsonians have four preparations of it, viz: first, 
the powder; secondly, a saturated tincture of the green leaves 
and capsules; thirdly, a compound tincture of the seeds, and 
some other articles, and fourthly, a vinegar. 
MEDICAL HISTORY. 
A difference of opinion prevails respecting the medical 
properties of this plant. 
From the general observations of physicians it is emetic, 
diaphoretic and expectorant, and also possessed of narcotic, 
and occasionally of cathartic, powers. According to Dr. 
Cutler, when the leaves and capsules are chewed for some 
time, they produce giddiness in the head, and general tremors, 
followed by nausea and vomiting. When given in the full 
dose, it produces speedy and severe emesis, accompanied by 
distressing nausea, copious sweating, and great prostration. It 
has been said that over doses cause extreme prostration, great 
anxiety and distress, and ultimately death preceded by con- 
vulsions. When administered as an injection it produces the 
same effects. Its principal use has been in spasmodic asthma, 
though it has been found useful in catarrh, croup, pertussis 
and other pectoral affections. Dr. Cutler, upon whose re- 
commendation this remedy was admitted into regular prac- 
