250 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



to a much greater extent the severe symptoms, 

 such as diminution of sensibility and muscular 

 motion. 



CCLXXI. In those individuals who have died 

 from the effects of opium, we remark no traces of 

 inflammation ; nor should we expect to find such, 

 if we consider that inflammation can arise only 

 from two general causes, viz. such as destroy 

 or act violently on a part to which they are applied, 

 or such as directly or indirectly tend to increase the 

 oxygenated properties of the blood. The influence 

 of opium lessens the natural stimulus of the 

 blood, and acts principally on the nerves, increas- 

 ing or diminishing the action of the organ to 

 which they are distributed, and does not injure 

 the texture like the class of acrid substances. 



CCLXXI I. Guided by the views already de- 

 veloped, it is not difficult to explain the different 

 appearances observed in the examination of those 

 who have died from the effects of opium. The 

 lungs are found congested, occasionally present- 

 ing large dark patches ; the heart full of black 

 blood, or its vessels much engorged ; the sto- 

 mach, although not inflamed, exhibits greater 

 vascularity than usual, and the veins of the tho- 

 rax, abdomen, and brain are often found dis- 

 tended with dark venous blood. From the first 

 stage of the narcotic effect, the sanguineous fluid 

 has gradually lost its vital powers, assuming the 

 character of venous ; and when the heart ceases to 



