CHAPTER IX 



POISONING FROM OPIUM, SOLANACEAE AND PLANTS THAT CONTAIN SAPONiNS. 



The use of opium by Chinese and other races is as Fliickiger and Han- 

 bury say, "in the words of Pereira, the most important and valuable used in 

 medicine of the whole Materia Medica; and we may add, the source by its 

 judicious employment of more happiness by mankind." Blyth in his work on 

 Poisons, states that in England and Wales 1505 deaths were attributed to the 

 use of opium or its active constituents between the years 1898-1903. Of these 

 882 were accidental or because of negligence, 621 were suicidal. In France 

 opium and morphin poisons are said to cause about 1 per cent of the cases of 

 poisoning. Various patent medicines contain opium or some of its products 

 and in the past have been the cause of frequent cases of poisoning. 

 The use of the drug in patent medicines for children in the United States in 

 the form of soothing syrups was once more common than now. The use of 

 opium for infants is a common practice in India, according to Blyth who 

 quotes from Dr. Chevers. 1 



In general the opium and morphin poisoning are as follows : The beats of 

 the heart are at first accelerated and then diminished. Large doses introduced 

 into the circulation diminish the pulsations without acceleration and may even 

 cause heart paralysis. "The arterial blood pressure, at first increased is after- 

 wards diminished. If morphin is in sufficient quantity thrown into the circula- 

 tion, then tetanus at once occurs. Depression and stimulation depend on dosage. 

 The common form occurring in 99 per cent of the cases; excitement, narcosis, 

 and coma, bowels nearly always constipated. (2) A very sudden form in which 

 death occurs rapidly, the person sinks into a deep sleep almost immediately. 

 (2) An abnormal form in which there is no coma but convulsions. 



Blyth in referring to opium eating says : 



The consumption of opium is a very ancient practice among Eastern nations, and the 

 picture, drawn by novelist and traveler, of poor, dried-up, yellow mortals addicted to this 

 vice, with their faculties torpid, their skin hanging in wrinkles on their wasted bodies, the 

 conjunctivae tinged with bile, the bowels so inactive that there is scarcely an excretion in 

 the course of a week, the mental faculties verging on idiocy and imbecility, is only true of a 

 percentage of those who are addicted to the habit. 



In the case of opium poisoning the stomach tube should be used to empty 

 the stomach, and wash with warm water, then coffee may be given. Per- 

 manganate of potash is a perfect antidote and should be given when at hand. 



The alkaloid codein also found in opium produces sleep but its effects are 

 different. Large enough doses produce death and cause epilepti-form convul- 

 sions. Thebain found in opium produces symptoms that resemble those pro- 

 duced by strychnin, namely tetanic spasms. Apomorphin found in opium is 

 an active emetic. Papaverin causes paralysis of respiration in guinea pigs. 



1 Jurisprudence 232 (3rd ed.). 



