28 071 the Effects of Opium 



effects of those powers whose operation is uhi- 

 versally acknowledged. For instance, if it be 

 found that opium destroys the action of a 

 muscular fibre on the instant of its application, 

 and it be contended that this affords prima 

 facie evidence of its power to diminish action, 

 and consequently that it is sedative, I should be 

 induced to examine what are the appearances 

 presented on the application of aether or 

 spirit of wine to a similar muscular fibre, and 

 if it be found that these powers destroy action 

 in like manner as was effected by opium, the 

 conclusion would be, that the single effect of 

 diminished action does not constitute a positive 

 fact favourable to either side of the question. 



To bring the ppint at issue into as narrow a 

 space as possible, it might be thought proper 

 that I should give some definition of the terms 

 sedative and stimulant : If mankind were 

 agreed about the meaning of words this might 

 not be difficult to do, but to avoid any unneces- 

 sary difference of opinion, and as it is proposed 

 to investigate certain points by the way of ex- 

 periment, I would defer any definition of the 

 above terms until such facts are established as 

 will obviate any ambiguity, 



