Acetum Lobeliae.—Vinegar of Lobelia.
Related entry: Lobelia (U. S. P.)—Lobelia
Preparation.—Take of lobelia seed, in powder, 4 ounces; diluted acetic acid, 2 pints. Macerate the lobelia seed with the diluted acetic acid, in a close glass vessel, for 7 days; then express the liquor, filter, and add to the filtered product, alcohol (or concentrated acetic acid), 1 fluid ounce. The whole amount of fluid thus procured should measure 2 pints. This medicated vinegar may also be prepared by percolation.
History.—In this old eclectic preparation the alcohol is added to impede the decomposition, and as its quantity is very small, no objection can reasonably be made to its presence. We have known this preparation to retain its activity for two years, when kept well corked and not exposed to the action of light. We use lobelia seed instead of the herb, as employed in the National Formulary (see Related Preparation).
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Vinegar of lobelia is an emetic, nauseant, and expectorant, and is a valuable relaxant, in spasmodic affections, especially in spasmodic and congestive disorders of the respiratory tract. It may be given to fulfil all the indications for which lobelia is administered. Externally, it forms an excellent application in several cutaneous diseases, as salt-rheum, erysipelas, poisoning by rhus, etc. Dose, as an emetic, from 1 to 4 fluid drachms, repeated every 1 minutes; as an expectorant, from 5 to 30 drops or more, every half-hour, in elm or flax-seed infusion. One part of vinegar of lobelia added to 1 part, by measure, of syrup, forms a very pleasant preparation for children.
Related Preparation.—ACETUM LOBELIAE (N. F.). (U. S. P., 1880). Vinegar of lobelia. Formulary number, 2: "Lobelia, in No. 30 powder, 100 grammes (100 Gm.) [3 oz. av. 231 grs.]; diluted acetic acid (U. S. P.), a sufficient quantity to make 1000 cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎︎]. Moisten the powder with fifty (50) cubic centimeters [1 fl℥, 331.5♏︎︎] of diluted acetic acid, pack it firmly in a conical glass percolator, and gradually pour diluted acetic acid upon it until one thousand (1000) cubic centimeters [33 fl℥, 391♏︎︎] of percolate are obtained"—(Nat. Form.).
