84 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA. 



other. The only way in which Opium could cause death in 

 such a manner, must be by calling forth some disposition to 

 natural disease. The case was probably one of ramollisseinent, 

 or inflammation of the substance of the brain. 



We have an account, in the Memoirs of the Academy of 

 Sciences at Paris, of the death of a young man at Cairo, from 

 his being decoyed into taking a large dose of this medicine. 

 Among a number of young people in that city, who frequently 

 drank together, there was one who always boasted of his 

 superior power to bear a large quantity of liquor ; and his 

 companions, determined to get the better of him for once, 

 dissolved, without his knowing of it, a drachm of Opium in 

 the liquor he was to drink. The consequence was, that in- 

 stead of falling asleep, as they expected he would, he fell into 

 violent deliriums, and afterwards into a profound and dead 

 sleep. The next morning his comrades went to see him, and 

 triumphed in their victory, but found him dying, looking livid, 

 without pulse, and with his mouth closed ; they sent for assist- 

 ance, but in vain. After the death of the person, the body, 

 arms, and thighs became covered with livid tumours, as big as 

 the head of a young child, and these emitted an intolerable 

 stench, almost as soon as the corpse was cold. There is one 

 singular incident in regard to this case, which is, that this 

 stench allured all the cats from the neighbouring houses, who 

 came with great eagerness, and were hardly prevented from 

 devouring the body. 



Dr. Sigmond says: " It is only since the year 1716 that we 

 have become acquainted with the marvellous stories which have 

 been reported of the extraordinary excitement produced by 

 Opium, an excitement totally different from that caused by 

 vinous and alcoholic drinks. Free use of wine and spirits is 

 followed by a high degree of irritation, but the use of Opium 

 by calmness and quiescence. There is no ferocity or violence 

 like that which succeeds the drinking of brandy to excess nor 

 any of that absolute dejection which is produced by whiskey 



