Nat. order. PAPAVERACEiE. 137 



remotest times. It differs from the Meconium, which by the 

 ancients was made of the expressed juice or decoction of the ^ 



Poppies. » 



Opium is imjiorted into this country in flat cakes, coverea < . 

 with leaves, to prevent their sticking together ; it has a reddish 

 brown color, and a strong, pecuHar smell ; its taste at first is nau- 

 seous and bitter, but soon becomes acrid, and produces a slight 

 warmth in the mouth. A watery tincture of it forms an ink, with 

 a chalybeate solution. According to recent experiments, it ap- 

 pears to consist of about five parts in twelve of gummy matter, 

 four of resinous matter, and three of earthy, or other indissoluble 

 imjjurities. For further particulars regarding the properties and 

 their proportions, we would refer to the United States Dispen- 

 sa:ory. " 



The use of this celebrated medicine, though not known to 

 Hippocrates, can be clearly traced back to Diagoras, who was 

 nearly- his cotemporary ; and its importance has ever since been 

 gradually advanced by succeeding physicians of different nations. 

 Its extensive practical utility, however, has not been long well un- 

 derstood ; and in this country perhaps may be dated from the 

 time of Sydenham. Opium is the chief narcotic now employed : 

 it acts directly upon the nervous power, diminishing the sensibility, 

 irritability, and mobility of the system ; and, according to a late 

 ingenious author, in fi certain manner suspending the motion of 

 the nervous fluid, to and from the brain, and thereby inducing 

 sleep, one of its principal effects. From this sedative power of 

 Opium, by which it allays pain, inordinate action, and restlessness, 

 it naturally follows, that it may be employed with advantage in a 

 great variety of diseases. Indeed, there is scarcely any disease 

 in which, under some circumstances, its use is not found proper ; 

 and though in many cases it fails of producing sleep, yet if taken 

 in a full dose, it occasions a pleasant tranquillity of mind, and a 

 drowsiness, which approaches to sleep, and which always refreshes 



