PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 95 



them, is in like manner wholly denied. Let us compare on 

 this subject the excellent treatment of Dr. George Schmid, 

 who, next to Hahnemann, has given the best commentary on 

 the physiological effects of Opium. At all events, Opium 

 deserves on the part of the homoeopathic physicians, as George 

 Schmid very truly remarks, greater consideration than has been 

 given by them, more especially in acute diseases (a considerabl< 

 number of which, as English physicians experience, may br 

 checked and cut short in their further development by the 

 employment of Opium)." 



The following are some of the chief affections, according to 

 Noack and Trinks, in which Opium has been successfully 

 employed. Ailments consequent on fright and fear. Excessive 

 sensitiveness of the nervous system to external impressions. 

 Starting of the body after severe surgical operations. Lethargy. 

 Soporous condition in typhoid fevers. Coma in fevers. Soporous 



intermittent fever. Typhus cerebralis. Delirium tremens 

 potatorum. Vertigo, particularly after fright. Apoplexy, both 

 sanguineous and nervous. Acute hydrocephalus during the 

 comatose stage. Hemicrania and megrim. Cerebral affec- 

 tions from a stroke of the sun. Colica saturnina. Neuralgia 

 cocliaca. Obstinate constipation. Spasms. Eatiguing tight 

 cough, constantly followed by yawning. Neurocarditis, with 

 great excitement, trembling, and double beating of the heart. 

 Anguish and oppression, and as a valuable palliative in organic 



affections of the heart. 



Antidotes.— Pereira {El of Mat. Med., p. 1767) gives th< 

 following directions. " In the case of poisoning by Opium, the 

 first indication is to remove the poison from the stomach ; the 

 second is to neutralize any of it which may be retained in the 

 system; and the third is to obviate its injurious effects. Until 

 other and more powerful evacuant means can be obtained, we 



should have recourse to tickling the throat with the finger, or 

 with a feather dipped in oil. As domestic emetics, mustard or 

 salt may be administered, a dessert-spoonful of flour of mus- 



ic 



