30 MATERIA MEDIC A. 



laxation of the muscles, and death. The treatment consists in an 

 immediate evacuation of the stomach, either by the stomach pump, 

 or by a prompt emetic (zinci sulp. et ipecac), counteracting the 

 tendency to sleep by external irritation ; arousing the sensibility by 

 dashing cold water upon the face and chest ; and supporting the 

 system, when it begins to sink, with diffusible stimulants. 



Therapeutical Applications. — Opium is employed in a great num- 

 ber of diseases ; it is perhaps the very best anodyne., and, is used for 

 this purpose to relieve the pain of neuralgia, cancer, colic, &c. As 

 a hypnotic or soporific., it is used in cases of morbid vigilance, except 

 when dependent on inflammation of the brain. As a stimulant it is 

 valuable in low forms of fever. As an antispasmodic, it controls 

 spasm more effectually than most other remedies ; in tetanus very 

 large doses are required. As a diaphoretic it is useful in bowel 

 affections, typhoid pneumonia, rheumatism, &c. It is also employed 

 to arrest morbid discharges. On certain constitutions it produces 

 peculiar effects, as obstinate wakefulness, nausea, delirium, and a 

 tingling of the skin, attended with a miliary eruption. 



The average dose of opium is one grain ; but in mania-a-potu 

 and tetanus, enormous doses are required. It may be applied ender^ 

 tnically with advantage, in cases where the local effects are required ; 

 also by enema. 



The following preparations are officinal in the United States Phar- 

 macopoeia : 



Tinctura Opii — Laudanum — Thebaic tincture. — Prepared by 

 macerating opium, 3ijss. in diluted alcohol, Oij. It is a saturated tinc- 

 ture, and should always be of uniform strength. When long kept its 

 strength is increased by the evaparation of the alcohol, in which 

 case danger might result from administering it to infants. The dose 

 equivalent to a grain of opium is n:i'xiij. or 25 drops. Laudanum 

 is frequently used as an external application. 



Tinctura Opii Camphorata — Paregoric Elixir. — Prepared by the 

 action of dilute alcohol on opium, benzoic acid, camphor, oil of 

 anise, and honey. It contains two grains of opium in every fluid- 

 ounce. It is much used in diarrhoea and coughs ; — dose, about f3j. 



Tinctura Opii Acetata — Acetated Ti^ictiire of Opium. — Prepared 

 by macerating opium in alcohol and vinegar combined ; — dose, v(x,x. 



Acetum Opii — Black Drop. — Prepared by macerating opium, 

 nutmeg, and saffron in distilled vinegar. It is a strong preparation ; 

 — dose, 7 to 10 drops. 



Vinum Opii — Wine of Opium. — Made by macerating opium and 

 some of the aromatics in wine ; — dose, rr^'x. 



Morphice Sulphas — Sulphate of Morphia. — Prepared by acting on 

 a strong watery infusion of opium, with ammonia, which combines 

 with the meconic acid, precipitating the morphia in a crystalline 

 state ; purified by boiling alcohol, and separated from the narcotina 



