CHAPTER XXIX. 

 OTHER NARCOTICS. 



Narcotics. A narcotic is a substance that deadens the 

 senses and, in large quantities, produces complete insensi- 

 bility. Narcotics are used to deaden pain or to induce 

 sleep, or lack of sensibility. When there is complete lack 

 of sensibility the person will not waken as from sleep. 

 This condition is known as anesthesia. 



The principal narcotics are opium, hashish, belladonna, 

 stramonium, and henbane. 



Alcohol is a narcotic, but is not used for narcotic effects 

 by physicians. 



Ether, chloroform, chloral hydrate, etc., are narcotics, 

 but as their main use is to produce loss of sensibility for 

 surgical operations, they are called anesthetics. 



Opium. Opium is the dried and thickened juice of the 

 head or capsule of a species of poppy. The properties 

 of opium are due to morphia or morphine, which it con- 

 tains. One fourth of a grain of morphine equals four 

 grains of opium. 



Use of Opium. Opium is a stimulant narcotic, the 

 effects of which deaden the sensations of pain and pro- 

 duce sleep. Its habitual use is injurious and difficult to 

 break up. It is classed as a stimulant narcotic, acting 

 almost exclusively on the central nervous system when 

 taken internally ; in large quantities it is a powerful nar- 



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