102 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
tice, states, in a communication to Dr. Thatcher, that he 
had been afflicted with spasmodic asthma for ten years, and 
was entirely relieved of it, by a tincture of this plant, made 
by himself, of which he took a table spoonful every ten min- 
utes, until slight vomiting was produced; which occurred with 
the third dose. (Barton's Botany.) Dr. Randal observes 
that he has administered the Lobelia inflata to many persons 
of various ages suffering from asthma and catarrh. In the 
former he has found it to relieve the paroxysm in a short 
time, and restore the patient to quietude and ease, when given 
in doses of a fluidrachm of the tincture several times repeated. 
In the latter, when administered in small and frequently re- 
peated doses it has operated as a sure and speedy expectorant, 
producing effects of the most important character, very analo- 
gous to those of antimony and squills. 
The Doctor also remarks, that he has not observed any nar- 
cotic effects from its use when given in small doses. 
Lobelia inflata is generally considered by the medical 
writers of the day as an acrid narcotic, possessed of poisonous 
properties, and capable of producing death when taken in over 
doses, if not speedily evacuated from the stomach. On the 
contrary the Thomsonians assert that its administration is 
attended with no narcotic or cathartic effects, that the unplea- 
sant symptoms of anxiety, &c. can be attributed to other causes; 
and that it is not poisonous. But their opinion respecting its 
narcotic effects is no doubt founded in their ignorance of the 
true application of the term, believing that to be a narcotic, if. 
must positively have a soporific action on the system — hence 
their error. I have been informed by persons entirely dis- 
interested, as respects Thomsonianism, that they have de- 
rived and observed very beneficial effects to result from its 
use as an emetic, in a variety of instances. 
Lobelia inflata can be administered as an emetic in sub- 
stance, of which the dose is from 10 to 20 grains; as a tincture 
of which the full dose is half a fluid ounce: and as an infusion 
of which a wine glassful may be given and frequently re- 
peated. 
