OPIUM ALKALOIDS 471 



chloride or codeine hydrochloride in sealed tubes with 

 hydrochloric acid (B.P.). It occurs in small, greyish- 

 white, shining, acicular crystals, soluble in sixty parts cold 

 water, and more soluble in rectified spirit. It is neutral to 

 litmus solution. It is a prompt and effectual emetic in 

 animals that vomit, acting on the vomiting centre. When 

 gr. J, dissolved in water, is swallowed by either man or dog, 

 repeated vomiting occurs, but is not followed by so much 

 nausea as usually follows the use of tartar emetic. In dogs 

 and cats, freshly prepared solutions have the advantage of 

 producing emesis usually in three or four minutes, when used 

 hypodermically in doses of gr. ^ to ^ . It increases bronchial 

 salivary, and intestinal secretions. It appears to act speci- 

 ally on the medulla, stimulating the vomiting centre to 

 produce emesis and also the respiratory centre causing 

 quickened respiration. Large doses in cats, dogs, as well 

 as in rabbits, cause excitation of the higher brain-centres 

 cerebrum and cerebellum producing inco-ordinate manege 

 movements and tetanic spasms. Subsequently the excite- 

 ment gives way to depression, loss of reflexes, difficult 

 breathing, and muscular paralysis. Friedberger states that 

 sucking lambs, suffering from gastric obstruction produced 

 by wool, are reported to have been promptly relieved by 

 1^ to 3 grains, given hypodermically. F. Smith states that 

 2-grain doses given to horses produce intense delirium and 

 nervousness, constant movement of the limbs, sweating, 

 and every appearance of approaching dissolution. The 

 B.P. Injectio Apomorphinae Hypodermica contains 1 grain 

 of apomorphine hydrochloride in 110 minims. Dose, as an 

 emetic for the dog, gr. -^ to gr. ^ ; small dogs, gr. -% to 

 gr. -^ ; cats, gr. -^ to gr. T ^, given subcutaneously. 



Thebaine or Paramorphine is present to the extent of 

 O3 per cent., is obtained in minute, colourless, rectangular 

 prisms, melting at 380 Fahr., has an alkaline taste and 

 reaction, is almost insoluble in water, but soluble in forty- 

 five parts of rectified spirit, and in ether and chloro- 

 form. It has very slight hypnotic action, prominently 

 exhibits the excitant effects of opium, stimulates the 

 motor tract of the spinal cord, and causes, like strychnine, 

 muscular rigidity and convulsions. One to two grains, 



