Lobelia. U. S., Br.
Lobelia. U. S., Br.
Lobelia. Lobel.
Preparations: Tincture of Lobelia
"The dried leaves and flowering tops of Lobelia inflata Linné (Fam. Lobeliaceae), without the presence or admixture of more than 10 per cent. of stems or other foreign matter." U. S. "Lobelia is the dried flowering herb of Lobelia inflata, Linn." Br.
Indian or Wild Tobacco, Asthma-weed, Puke-weed, Gag-root, Vomitwort, Bladder Pod, Eyebright; Lobelie enflee, Fr. Cod.; Herba Lobelia, P. G.; Lobelienkraut, G.; Lobelia, It.
Lobelia inflata, often called Indian tobacco, is an annual or biennial indigenous plant, usually a foot or more in height, with a fibrous root, and a solitary, erect, angular, very hairy stem, much branched about midway, but rising considerably above the summits of the highest branches. The leave's are scattered, or alternate, petiolate, the upper sessile, ovate, or oblong, about two inches (5 cm.) long, irregularly toothed, pubescent, pale green. The flowers are numerous, small, disposed in leafy terminal racemes, and upon short axillary footstalks. The calyx is five-toothed and much inflated in fruit. The corolla, which is of a delicate blue, has a labiate border, with the upper lip divided into two, the lower into three segments. The united anthers are curved, and enclose' the stigma. The fruit is an oval, striated, inflated capsule, crowned with the persistent calyx, and containing, in two cells, numerous very small, oblong, reticulated brown seeds.
Lobelia inflata is a very common weed, growing in the roadsides and in neglected fields throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. Its flowers begin to appear towards the end of July, and continue to expand in succession until the occurrence of frost. All parts of it are medicinal, but, according to Eberle, the root and inflated capsules are most powerful. The plant should be collected in August
[The balance of the Lobelia text is missing. -MM.]
Lobeline Sulphate.—This occurs as very deliquescent yellow friable pieces soluble in water and alcohol. It is asserted to be a very valuable anti-spasmodic drug, being of especial use in the treatment of asthma. Its incompatibilities are the same as those of alkaloids in general and it is a very active poison, emetics and tannin followed by systemic stimulants being the antidote. Dose, one-third to one-half grain (0.02-0.03 Gm.).
