142 NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACE.(E. 



whatever. But there is no doubt, that, when mixed with caustic, 

 it diminishes the pain which would otherwise ensue, probably by 

 decreasing the sensibility of the part. Injected up the rectum, it 

 has all the effects of Opium taken into the stomach ; but to answer 

 this purpose, double the quantity is to be em23loyed. Applied to 

 the naked nerves of animals, it produces immediate torpor, and 

 loss of 2'>ower in all the muscles with which the nerves communi- 

 cate. Opium, taken into the stomach, in an immoderate dose, 

 proves a narcotic poison, producing vertigo, tremors, convulsions, 

 delirium, stupor, stertor, and finally, fatal apoplexy. 



The officinal preparations of this drug are Opium purifi- 

 catum, pilul(B ex opio, ^nilvis opiatus, tinctura opii, and tinctura opii 

 campliorata : it also entei-s the pulois sudorificus, halsamum anody- 

 num, electuarium japonicum, pulvis e creta composita, &c. 



The requisite dose of Opium varies in different persons, and 

 in different states of the same person. A quarter of a grain will 

 in one adult produce effects which ten times the quantity will not 

 do in another ; and a dose that might prove fatal in cholera or 

 colic, would not be perceptible in many cases of tetanus or mania. 

 The smallest fatal dose, to those unaccustomed to take it, seems 

 to be about four grains ; but a dangerous dose is so apt to produce 

 vomiting, that it has seldom time to produce death. When given 

 in too small a dose, it often produces disturbed sleep, and other 

 disagreeable consequences ; and in some cases it seems impossible 

 to be made to agree in any dose or form. Often, on the other 

 hand, from a small dose sound sleep and alleviation of pain will be 

 produced, while a larger one occasions vertigo and delirium. Some 

 prefer the repetition of small doses ; others the giving a full dose 

 at once, when its operation lasts about eight hours. 



It is well known, that by the continued use of Opium, the 

 dose requires to be increased, to produce the eflTect desired ; and 

 we are told of some instances in which it was increased to ten 

 drachms a day 



