ANT. ] , 28 
ANTISPASMODICS. 
These are substances capable of arresting and — 
subduing undue muscular actions, called spasm— 
in the excess of inordinancy, termed convulsion; and i 
of assuaging pain, not by the mere production of bo- 
dily quietude, but yet unaccompanied by that high — 
state of insensibility induced by substances of nar-_ 
cotic power. I am of opinion that all the remedies — 
isually denominated antispasmodics, do more or — 
less induce mental insensibility, or rather apathy. — 
‘Their operation in allaying pain differs from that — 
of narcotics, which, more certainly have this effect, : 
-—by involving the sensorium in a less degree. The — 
effect of musk, galbanum, assafcetida, castor, am- 
pe saffron, cajeput oil, valerian, &c. &c. in — 
controling muscular spasm, has always appeared 
to be accompanied by some transient insensibility ; 
nor can I well conceive of a substance of unequivo- 
cal ee virtue, commanding the actions 
of muscles but through the same channel from 
which they derive the moving spring of their healthy 
action. a ifications of the narcotic effect of 
all anti dic substances given. ‘The remedies 
under consideration, are not singly that set char- 
acterized by the virtues of musk, assafetida, 
but comprise a vast assemblage of other medica- 
ments, which have an equally powerful effect in 
_ controling the associative actions of the mind and 
body, but which are arranged by those who classi 
the articles of the Materia Medica, under other 
classes. ‘These are narcotics, tonics, diaphoretics 
