Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... Lobelia; Flnidwn (U. 8. P.).--Fluid Extract of Lobelia. Done, mi-x. Lobditu.--Impure Alcoholic Extract. Dose, gr. ss-j. Pharmacology.--Lobelia consists of the leaves and tops of Lobelia inll.-ii.-i (Lobeliaceae) collected after a portion of the capsules have become inflated. It is a small herb, common by the waysides, with alternate leaves, an erect, hairy stem, with blue flowers in the axils of the leaves. The herb has a slight odor and a burning, tobacco-like taste. The chief constituent is a liquid alkaloid, Lobeline, combined with Lobelic acid and Lobelacrin. It forms crystallizable salts. The seeds contain about 30 per cent, of oil. The preparation sold as lobeliu is an impure resin or powdered extract. Physiological Action.--Lobelia has no local action, but there is some danger that it may be absorbed and produce systemic effects if applied too freely to the skin. Internally, it is a powerful depressant in large doses, and sialagogue, expectorant, emetic, and purgative, according to circumstances. This drug frequently produces headache and vertigo, and may cause death from exhaustion, or by paralysis of the respiratory centre. It depresses the circulation and action of the heart, favors diaphoresis through the violent emesis which it causes, and also lowers temperature. Lobelia also promotes the discharge of urine and has some narcotic properties. Should alarming symptoms follow an overdose of lobelia the proper treatment consists in washing out the stomach with a solution of taunic acid, the external application of heat, hypodermatic injection of alcohol, ether, ammonia, or strychnine. Subsequently, moderate doses of opium will allay vomiting. Therapy.--An infusion of lobelia (1 ounce to the pint) has been used as a lotion in..