j 38 NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACEiE. 



the patient. Beside.s the sedative power of Opium, it is known to 

 ;vct more or less as a stimulant, exciting the motion of the blood ; 

 but this increased action has been ingeniously, and, as we think, 

 rationally ascribed to that general law of the animal economy, by 

 ■which any noxious influence is resisted by a consequent re-action 

 of the system. By a certain conjoined effort of this sedative and 

 stimulant effect. Opium has been thought to produce intoxication, 

 a quality for which it is very much used in some of tlie eastern 

 countries. 



We shall now proceed to consider the use of Opium in par- 

 ticular diseases, beginning with fevers. 



In most continued fevers of this climate, though originating 

 i'rom contagion, or certain corruptions of human effluvia, &c., 

 there is at the beginning more or less of inflammatory diathesis : 

 and while this continues. Opium would generally aggravate the 

 svmptoms, and prove dangerous. Its use is likewise forbidden in 

 the more advanced stage of this fever, whenever topical inflamma- 

 tion of the brain is ascertained, which sometimes exists, and pro- 

 <luces delirium, though other symptoms of the nervous and putrid 

 kind prevail. But when irritation upon the brain is not of the 

 inflammatory kind, and debility has made much progress ; or 

 where delirium is accompanied with spasmodic affections. Opium 

 is a sovereign remedy, and may be employed in large doses 

 every eight hours, unless a remission of the symptoms, and sleep 

 take place. 



In intei-mittent fevers. Opium, in combination with other med- 

 icines, was much used by the ancients ; but since the introduction 

 of the Peruvian bark, Opium is seldom trusted to for the cure of 

 these disorders. This medicine, however, has been strongly re- 

 commended as an effectual means of stopping the recurrence of 

 the febrile paroxysms ; and has been given before the fit, in the 

 cold stage, in the hot stage, and during the interval, with the best 

 effects, producing immedis^te relief, and in a short time cui'lng the 



