OITLFKPIR'S OOMPLXTl HSEBAL. t81 



snuJl white seed. The whole plant is full of a bitter milk, 

 of a strong, virose, unpleasant smell. 



Place, — It grows wild in Ireland, but it is cultivated in 

 the gardens in England. 



Time. — It flowers during the months of Summer. 



Oovemment and Virtues.— It is under the dominion of 

 the Moon. The seed-vessels are the parts to use. Syrup 

 of diacodium is a strong decoction of them, boiled to a con- 

 sistence with sugar. The syrup is a gentle narcotic, eas- 

 ing pain, and causing sleep ; half an ounce is a full dose 

 for an upgrown person, for younger it must be diminish- 

 ed accordingly. The seeds, beaten into an emulsion, with 

 barley-water, are good for the strangury, and heat of the 

 urine; but they have none of the sleepy virtues of the sy- 

 rup, nor of the other parts of the preparations of the pop- 

 py. Opium is nothing more than the milky juice of this 

 plant, concreted into a solid form. It is procured by 

 wounding the heads, when they are almost ripe, with a 

 five- edged instrument, which makes as man^ parallel inci- 

 sions from top to bottom; and the juice which flows from 

 these wounds is the next day scraped off", and the other 

 side of the head wounded in like manner. When a quantity 

 of this juice is collected, it is worked together with a little 

 water, till it acquires the consistence and colour of pitch, 

 when it is tit for use. Opium has a faint disagreeable 

 smell, and a bitterish, hot, oiting taste ; taken in proper 

 doMa, it procures sleep, and a short respite from pam, but 

 great caution is required in administering it, for it is a 

 very powerful, and, consequently, a very dangerous medi- 

 cine in unskilful handa It relaxes the nerves, abates 

 cramps, and spasmodic complaints ; but it increases para- 

 lytic disorders, and such as proceed from weakness of the 

 nervous system. It incrassates thin serous acrid humours, 

 and thus proves a speedy cure for catarrhs and tickling 

 coughs, but must never he given in phthisical or inflamma- 

 tory compUiints ; for it dangerously checks perspiration, un- 

 less its effects are counteracted by the addition of amiuoniac 

 or SQuills, and by producing a fulness and distention of the 

 whole habit, it exasperates all inflammatory symptoms, 

 whether internal or external. It promotes perspiration, 

 but checks all evacuations, and is good for stopping purg- 

 ing! and vomitings ; and this is effected by small aoses, 

 judiciously given. With regard to the dose, half a grain. 

 or at most, a grain, in all common cases is sufficient : ana 

 tren when larger dotes are required, it is more advisable 



