476 OPIUM MORPHINE 



opium dissolved in water ; the pulse in eight minutes fell 

 from 44 to 34 beats per minute ; the superficial muscles 

 were relaxed, the nasal mucous membrane blanched, and 

 the animal was dull and dejected. After half an hour four 

 drachms were given, increasing the dulness and lowering 

 the pulse to 32. Half an hour later the- animal, continuing 

 in the same state, was destroyed by cutting the carotid 

 artery. A mare, aged and rather feeble, had drachm doses 

 in solution thrice a day. She exhibited dulness, loss of 

 appetite, torpidity of the bowels, diminished force of the 

 pulse, and died on the fourth day, having received nine 

 doses. One drachm, given thrice a day to a healthy 

 donkey, induced after the sixth dose acceleration of the 

 pulse to 88, restlessness, vertigo, nausea, champing of the 

 jaws, and death on the third day. 



In horses, Harley and Mavor hypodermically injected 

 four grains of morphine acetate, and recorded marked 

 acceleration of the pulse, increase alike of its force and 

 volume, restlessness, pawing, augmented moisture of mouth 

 and skin, elevation of temperature, and slight dilatation of 

 the pupils. Twelve grains, dissolved in three drachms of 

 water, injected by three punctures, produced light drowsi- 

 ness, followed after three hours by excitement, restlessness, 

 and slight delirium, continuing about six hours. Thirty-six 

 grains, in seven drachms of water, introduced by three 

 punctures into a seven-year-old hunter in good condition, 

 caused drowsiness and stupor, coming on in fifteen minutes, 

 and continuing for three hours, slight muscular tremors, 

 awkward, staggering gait, leaning against the sides of his 

 box, dilated and fixed pupils, blindness and insensibility to 

 light ; the respiration, at first slow and sighing, gradually 

 became accelerated. The dilatation of the pupil is opposed 

 to the contraction so constantly seen in man. After the 

 third hour restlessness and delirium set in, continuing for 

 seven hours ; he walked rapidly, and even ran round his 

 box ; his pulse was 96, full and thrilling ; the skin damp 

 with perspiration ; the membranes of the eyes, nose, and 

 mouth intensely injected. For twenty-four hours the effects 

 continued ; the secretions were, however, unaffected, but the 

 horse was left exhausted. 



