20-2 
The only remedy in our Materia Medica derived from this order, beside the 
three here represented, is Opium, the inspissated juice obtained by incising the 
unripe capsules of the South European and Asiatic White Poppy (Papaver somunt- 
ferum, Linn.) ; our other remedies, Papaverinum and Morphinum, being also 
derived from the same substance; the only other remedy used in general med- 
icine being the petals of the Red Poppy (Papaver Rheas, Linn.) ; they have a 
slightly narcotic action, but are as yet principally used as a coloring-matter for 
pharmaceutical preparations. 
History and Habitat.—The Prickly Poppy is indigenous to tropical and sub- _ 
tropical America, from whence it has become scattered even as far north as Vir- 
ginia, and escaped from cultivation in many places still further north. It grows 
with us in waste places and blossoms from April to July. 
The use of the oil of the seeds, the leaves, and the petals of this species has 
been quite prominent among the natives of all tropical countries in which the 
plant grows. Among the ancient Greeks the juice was supposed curative of 
cataract and of opacities of the cornea, The oil of the seeds is spoken of as 
being as active as that of Croton tiglium.* Lindley says that in India the juice 
is employed in chronic ophthalmia and in primary syphilis; and the infusion in 
strangury from blisters (of cantharis?); he also states that the seeds are narcotic, 
and are smoked with tobacco. In Mexico the plant is still held in the pharma- 
copeeia, the juice being recommended, mixed with water, for skin diseases, and for 
incipient opacities, the flowers as a pectoral and narcotic.; In Java the juice is 
said to be employed as a caustic in chancres. In the West Indies the plant 
is administered as a substitute for Ipecacuanha. The juice when inspissated 
resembles, in its physical properties, gamboge. As a whole the plant has gen- 
erally been conceded to be anodyne, detersive, resolutive, hypnotic, diuretic, 
diaphoretic, ophthalmic, anti-icteric, and a hydragogue cathartic; and, according to 
Rafinesque, appearing to unite the properties of Opium, Gamboge, and Celandine. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, gathered while 
in blossom, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by 
weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it 
and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into 
a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture, separated from the above mass by pressure and filtration, has a 
brownish yellow color by transmitted light, no distinguishing odor or taste, and an 
acid reaction. 
The plant, from its history, deserves at our hands a most thorough proving, 
and should by all means receive it; fora new proving the tincture should be made 
while the plant is in fruit, and just before the capsules are ripe. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Morphia, C,,H,,NO,—There is considerable 
doubt that this alkaloid exists in this species, although Charbonnier{ reports its 
presence from his analysis of the carpels and leaves. : 
* Four. de Pharm., xiv. 73. + Maisch, in Am, Four. Pharm., 1885, 506. + Four. de Pharm., 1868. 
