10 
ON LOBELINA. 
then allowed to evaporate spontaneously, and the hydrochlo- 
rate of lobelina obtained in four-sided prisms, terminated by 
pyramids. 
The sulphate was obtained in a similar manner by em- 
ploying sulphuric acid. It crystallizes in acicular crystals ra- 
diating from centres, but they were too small to admit of their 
shape being distinguished correctly. 
The nitrate also crystallizes in prisms of irregular shape. 
The oxalate crystallizes in minute silky needles. 
The lobeliate of lobelina was also obtained in a crystalline 
form, but the difficulty of isolating the acid in a perfectly pure 
state prevented the salt from exhibiting perfect crystalliza- 
tion. 
The salts of lobelina are more soluble in water than the al- 
kaloid itself. They are also soluble in alcohol and less so in 
ether. They do not possess any odor, but, when tasted, 
exhibit all the acrimony of the base. 
To ascertain if lobelina was really the active principle, 
one-fourth of a grain of that substance in solution was admi- 
nistered to a cat. In less than two minutes it produced violent 
emesis and much prostration, from which the animal fully re- 
covered in three hours. 
Again, one grain of lobelina in one fluid ounce of water was 
administered directly into the stomach of the animal by an 
elastic tube. Immediate and total prostration was the conse- 
quence, which for half an hour rendered the animal almost 
motionless — the pupils of the eyes were much dilated. The 
animal gradually recovered its strength, but the effects of the 
prostration were evident for fifteen hours afterwards. No eme- 
tic or cathartic effects resulted, and the long continued nar- 
cotic action of the substance may be attributed to its remaining in 
the stomach. Other symptoms of narcotic action were evident, 
which it is unnecessary to mention. From these remarks it is 
evident that lobelina is not so active an agent as nicotine. 
