NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACE^. 21 



of languor and sleepiness, which continue only for a short time, 

 unless the dose be renewed. Such practises, however, render 

 them very stupid, sorrowful, and inattentive to the common con- 

 cerns of life. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Opium is one of the most pow- 

 erful remedies we possess, in allaying irritability and pain ; and, 

 in very small doses, acts as a stimulus, occasioning temporary ex- 

 citement. The diseases in which it has been administered are too 

 numerous for us to enter minutely into the subject at this time ; 

 and we shall therefore refer the reader to a more general descrip- 

 tion, under the head of Palaver somniferuin. Vol. II., page 133 of 

 this work. We will, however, enumerate some of the principal 

 diseases in which this drug has been so highly extolled, without 

 attending to the various opinions of its modus operandi. 



In inter mitten ts, a full dose of opium, given a short time be- 

 fore the paroxysm is expected, is said to be one of the most efiec- 

 tual remedies for setting it aside ; but it should never be continued 

 between the paroxysms, as it will have a tendency to create very 

 U7ipleasant symptoms. 



In continued fevers, it will not be generally admissible, unless 

 there should be some symptom present, indicating its use, as diar- 

 rhoea, watchfulness, or the low delirium of typhus, connected with 

 a state of irritability from want of sleep ; for it will probably oc- 

 casion congestion about the head, and constipation, symptoms 

 which are to be dreaded in fevers. 



In all spasmodic diseases, opium is by a certain class of physi- 

 cians considered the great sovereign remedy, particularly when 

 the spasm is occasioned by calculi irritating the gall ducts, or ure- 

 ters : also in colic, spasms of the chest and stomach, and tetanus. 

 In most cases where spasm exists, it is advisable, unless any idio- 

 sjTicrasy in the patient should forbid its exhibition. 



