414 COMPOUND PRODUCTS. CHAP. I. 



SECTION XI. 



Narcotic Principle. 



Whence THERE is a species of medical preparations known 

 by the name of Narcotics, which have the property 

 of inducing sleep ; and if administered in large 

 doses, of occasioning death. They are obtained 

 from the milky and proper juices of some vege- 

 tables, and from the infusion of the leaves or stem 

 of others, all which have been supposed to contain 

 in their composition some common ingredient, 

 which chemists have agreed to designate by the 

 name of the Narcotic Principle. It exists in great 

 abundance in Opium, which is the concrete juice 

 of Pa paver album or the White Poppy, from 

 which it is obtained pure in the form of white 

 crystals. 



Properties. It is soluble in boiling water and in alcohol, as 

 well as in all acid menstrua ; and it appears that 

 the action of opium on the animal subject depends 

 on this principle. When distilled it emits white 

 vapours, which are condensed into a yellow oil. 

 Some water and carbonate of ammonia pass into 

 the receiver ; and at last carbonic acid gas, am- 

 monia, and carbu retted hydrogen, are disengaged, 

 and a bulky charcoal left behind. 



Many other vegetable substances besides opium 

 possess narcotic qualities, though they have not yet 



