466 OPIUM 



CODEINE. Codeina. An alkaloid obtained from opium or 



morphine (B.P.). 

 APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE. Apomorphinae Hydro- 



chloridum (B.P.). 

 HEROIN. Diacetylmorphine. A morphine derivative. 



Opium, one of the most ancient articles of the Materia 

 Medica, derives its name from the Greek word OTTO? (opos), 

 signifying juice. The stem, unripe capsules, and other suc- 

 culent parts of any species of poppy, contain a milk- 

 white narcotic juice, which, as it dries, becomes darker in 

 colour, and constitutes opium. The fresh purple petals 

 of the Papaver rhceas, or corn rose, which contains no 

 morphine, and only minute traces of rhoeadine, are used 

 as colouring agents, but not medicinally. The roots of 

 some species contain a cathartic principle. The nearly 

 ripened poppy heads, or capsules, gathered about twelve 

 days after the petals fall, when digested in hot water 

 produce a mucilage used for anodyne purposes ; when dried 

 they yield less morphine and codeine than when green, 

 and besides contain the feebly alkaline crystalline rhcea- 

 dine. Within the capsules are numerous white or brown 

 reniform seeds, devoid of narcotism, but yielding a bland 

 drying oil, similar to that of flax or rape. The cake or 

 residue left after expression of this oil is used for cattle 

 food. 



The Papaver somniferum the common white or garden 

 poppy is a native of the warmer parts of Asia, but it also 

 thrives in this country. It flowers from May to July, and 

 the capsules ripen about two months later. It is two to 

 four feet high ; has a round, smooth, erect stem, with a 

 few hairs on the extremities and peduncles ; large, sessile, 

 glaucous green leaves, with cut and wavy margins ; large 

 terminal white, red, or purple flowers, drooping before they 

 open ; and globose capsules about the size of a duck's egg, 

 and containing numerous kidney-shaped white or brown 

 seeds. Of the several varieties the white-flowered have 

 hitherto been preferred, but the darker-flowered, especially 

 the purple, are now stated to yield a larger quantity and 

 better quality of opium. 



