372 ORD. XXI! Rheeades. PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM, 
other juices which they have in common. with vegetable matters 
‘in general. The liquor, strongly pressed out, suffered to settle, 
clarified with whites of eggs, and evaporated to a due consistence, 
yields an extract which is about one-fifth or one-sixth of the weight 
of the heads. This possesses the virtues of opium, but requires to 
be given in double its dose to answer the same intention, which 
it is said to perform without occasioning a nausea and giddiness, 
the usual effects of opium, This extract was first recommended 
by Mr. Arnot;° anda similar one is now received in the Edinburgh 
‘Pharmacopeeia. It is found very convenient to prepare the syrup 
from this extract, by dissolving one dram in two pounds and a half 
of simple syrup. The syrupus papaveris albi, as directed by both 
Colleges, is a useful anodyne, and often succeeds in procuring 
sleep, where opium fails; it is more especially adapted to children. 
White Poppy heads are also used externally in fomentations, either 
alone, or more frequently added to the decoctum pro fomento. _ 
Opium, as we have already observed, is obtained from the heads 
or capsules of this species of Poppy, and.is imported into Europe 
from Persia, Arabia, and other warm regions of Asia. The manner 
‘in which it is collected has been described long ago by Kampfer 
and others; but the most circumstantial detail of the culture of 
the Poppy, and the method of procuring the opium from it, is that 
given by Mr. Kerr, as practised in the province of Bahar: he says, 
_** The field being well prepared by the plough and harrow, and 
** reduced to an exact level superficies, it is then divided into 
** quadrangular areas of seven feet long, and five feet in breadth, 
“ leaving two feet of interval, which is raised five or six inches, 
** and excavated into an aqueduct for conveying water to every | 
“« area, for which purpose they have a well in every cultivated 
“ field. The seeds are sown in October or November. The plants 
* are allowed to grow six or eight inches distant from each other, 
“ and are:plentifully supplied with water. When the young plants 
*« are six or eight inches high, they are watered more sparingly. 
* Medical Essays & Obs. by a Society at Edinb. vol, 5. p. 108. 
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