CAMPHOR. 



31 



by means of ether. By these means the morphia is obtained in a 

 crystalline state ; it is next neutralized with sulphuric acid. It oc- 

 curs in fine needle-shaped crystals, freely soluble in water. The 

 solution is officinal, (Liquor morphias sulphatis, U. S.) It contains 

 one grain to f3j of water; — dose, f3j. 



The hydrochlorate and acetate of morphia are also used : their 

 properties are similar to those of the sulphate. The best tests for 

 the presence of morphia are the sesquichloride of iron ^ which causes 

 a blue colour; and nitric acid, which strikes a blood-red tint. 



The salts of morphia are much employed endermically ; they pos- 

 sess all the valuable properties of opium. 



Lactucarium. 



The inspissated juice of the Lactiica saliva^ or garden lettuce^ 

 which abounds in a milky juice, especially at the period of flower- 

 ing. It is prepared by pressing out the juice with water, and eva- 

 porating to a proper consistence. It is of the consistence of a dry 

 extract, of a brown colour, and strongly resembles opium in its 

 effects, except that it does ^ot produce constipation. Its dose is from 

 two to five grains. 



Camphor. — (Camphora, U. S.) 



Product of the Cainphora qfficinaruni, or the Laurus camphora of 

 Linnseus, an evergreen tree of considerable height, growing in China 

 and Japan. All parts of the tree abound in 

 the odour and taste of camphor, but this is 

 yielded in greatest abundance by the roots 

 and young branches, when they are cut 

 up, boiled in water, and sublimed into 

 inverted straw cones. Thus obtained, it 

 constitutes the crude camphor of com- 

 merce. It is purified by resublimation, 

 along with quicklime, when it becomes 

 refined camphw. 



It is solid, colourless and translucent, 

 with a crystalline texture, tough and dif- 

 ficult to pulverize ; has a strong pene- 

 trating odour, with a bitter pungent taste, 

 followed by a sense of coolness ; rather 

 lighter than water ; very volatile and in- 

 flammable ; but slightly soluble in water ; very soluble in alcohol, 

 ether, the fixed and volatile oils. 



Borneo camphor is in white crystalline fragments ; it occurs in 

 solid masses in the cavity of the wood of the Dryohalanops cam- 

 'phora. 



Effects on System. — In moderate doses, it produces a gentle ex- 



