116 Analysis of Scientific Books. 



veins, this intention seems capable of being fulfilled, and thus the first indis- 

 pensable step in the cure of Hydrophobia gained. Nor is this reasoning hy- 

 pothetical, or merely analogical. A late experiment of Professor Dupuytren 

 at the Hotel Dieu* has given a direct and striking proof of the power of opium, 

 when thm introduced into the circulation, to tranquillize the symptoms of Hy- 

 drophobia. His is, I believe, the first instance on record of injecting opium 

 into a vein, as a remedy in that disease. But the quantity injected by M. Du- 

 puytren was insignificant ; in the whole, apparently not more than twelve to 

 fourteen grains, in not less than as many hours. However, after the first injec- 

 tion into the saphoena vein of about two grains of the mucous extract of opium, 

 the patient appeared more quiet, which suggested to M. Dupuytren the idea of 

 doubling the dose of the injection in the evening. He then made choice of 

 the cephalic vein, and introduced into the circulation four grains of opium. 

 The patient remained for ' three hours in the most perfect tranquillity' — and so 

 indeed did M. Dupuytren. Not the slightest advantage appears to have been 

 taken by him of this all-important conquest of the spasms, for the introduc- 

 tion of any active remedies into the stomach. After the long and precious 

 interval of apparently twelve hours had elapsed, then six or eight grains more 

 were injected. It was too late. The patient did not survive tlie last injection 

 more than half an hour. Here was a specimen of /a medicine erpectante in 

 Hydrophobia. M. Dupuytren, in short, seems to have relied solely and exclu- 

 sively upon the injection of opium into veins for a cure; whereas this measure 

 is only preliminary. The practitioner is not to trust to this measure alone, 

 but to employ it as a preparatory step, by which the spasms and nervous irri- 

 tability may be subdued, and the patient brought into a calm and tractable 

 ■ state. ' The disease must then be treated on the general therapeutical prin- 

 ciples, rendered applicable to it in common willi other diseases, and being re- 

 duced to their level, opportunity is given and must be used, for administering 

 remedies both liquid and solid, in the usual wayt. 



" From the experiments of M. Majendie, made by injecting opium into 

 the jugular vein of a rabid dog J , analogy would lead me to infer that the 

 same mode of introducing narcotics into the human system, when affecled 

 with Hvdrophobia, can be expected to prove little better than nugatory, unless 

 it be followed up with considerable vigour and decision. 



" I consider the acetate of morphine as far preferable to opium, for the pur- 

 pose of being injected into the veins of the hydrophobic patient. Its dose and 

 powers are more definite than those of opium, which latter substance varies in 

 intensity of narcotic power according to the source from which it is derivedij. 



•' In the actetate of morphine we have, in a very concentrated form, the ano- 

 dyne and sedative powers, divested of that stimulant principle, which pro- 

 duces the excitement experienced by those who take opium, before its seda- 

 tive effects are felt. The diaphoretic property of acetate of morphine also 

 strongly recommends it in the present instance ; since, at all times the animal 

 frame is most disposed to be quiet and free from irregular actions, w hen there 

 is a general moisture on the surface. In many cases of rabies such a state of 

 body has been found unquestionably serviceable. 



"" In conducting the injecting process, I would begin at once by introducing 

 twenty-four minims of the solution of acetate of morphine, (equal to four 

 grains of opium), mixed with two drachms of distilled water, into the ce- 

 phalic vein, and waiting for about <e/i minutes to observe the effect, (which 



* Orfila on Poisons, vol. ii. p. 246. 



f See the EJ. Med. and Sur. Journal for soi)je practical hints on this sub- 

 ject, by my learned friend Dr. Richard Pearson, to whom I acknowledge my- 

 self indebted for his valuable communications, of which 1 have availed 

 myself. 



I Ftreign Med. Review, 1822. 



§ Thompson's London Dispen. 



