NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACE^. 141 



its known effects in restraining all the excretions, except that of 

 sweat ; but unless the hoemorrhages be of the passive kind, or ex- 

 cited by irritation, unattended with inflammation. Opium may pro- 

 duce considerable mischief, and therefore its use in these com- 

 plaints requires great caution and judgment. 



In dysentery. Opium, though not to be considered as a rem- 

 edy, may, however, be occasionally employed to moderate the 

 violence of the symptoms. 



In diarrhoea, especially when the acrimony has been carried 

 off by a continuance of the disease. Opium is a certain and effica- 

 cious remedy. In cholera and pyrosis, Opium is the remedy 

 chiefly trusted to. 



In colic it is employed with laxatives ; and no doubt often 

 2)revents ileus and inflammation, by relieving the spasm. Even in 

 ileus and in incarcerated hernia, it is often found to allay the vom- 

 iting, the spasms, the pain, and sometimes to diminish the inflam- 

 mation, and prevent the gangrene of the strangulated gut 



Opium has been recommended for the cure of venereal ; and 

 instances are related where it jaroved successful, where mercuiy 

 failed ; yet {ew practitioners, we apprehend, will trust to either 

 one alone in these com^jlaints. Its use in preventing and stopping 

 t!ie progress of gangrene is well established. 



Opium is successfully used in different species of tetanus, and 

 affords relief to various spasmodic and convulsive symptoms oc- 

 curring in several diseases, which it would exceed our limits to 

 describe particularly. Of these we may mention asthma, epilep- 

 sy, dyspepsia, hypochondriasis, rabies canina, chorea sancti viti, 

 mania, &c. 



Respecting the external application of Opium, authors seem 

 not sufficiently agreed. Some contend that when applied to the 

 skin it allays pain and spasm, procures sleep, and produces all the 

 salutary or dangerous effects which result from its internal use ; 

 while others assert that thus applied it has little or no effect 



