242 poppy. 



" The effect of a small dose is at first stimulating ; the action of the 

 heart and arteries is increased, and a slight sense of fullness is caused in 

 the head. This stimulus in most persons is very slight ; but by repeating 

 small doses fz-equently, it may be kept up for a considerable time in some 

 people. In this way are produced the remarkable effects said to be ex- 

 perienced by opium-eaters *. These effects are described as always in the 

 first instance stimulant, the imagination being rendered brilliant, the pas- 

 sions exalted, and the muscular force increased ; and this state endures for 

 a considerable time before the usual stage of collapse supervenes." 



The abuse of opium will very properly come under this part of our sub- 

 ject. The habitual employment of this drug by the inhabitants of the East 

 is notorious, and it is too frequently resorted to for the purpose of exhila- 

 rating the spirits, by many, particularly females, in this country. The 

 w Confessions of an English Opium-eater" contains a vivid description of 

 its effects. But however baneful the consequences, so enchanting are the 

 temporary sensations, that the infatuated victim is miserable without his 

 ordinary stimulus, although its effects, when long continued, are at first 

 obstinate costiveness, succeeded by diarrhoea, flatulence, and loss of appe- 

 tite, and eventually by impaired vigour both of mind and bodyf. 



" The symptoms of poisoning with opium, when it is administered at 

 once in a dangei-ous dose, begin with giddiness and stupor, generally with- 

 out any previous stimulus. The stupor rapidly increasing, the person soon 

 becomes motionless and insensible to external impressions ; he breathes very 

 slowly, generally lies quite still, with the eyes shut and the pupils' con- 

 tracted ; and the whole expression of the countenance is that of deep and 

 perfect repose. As the poisoning advances, the features become ghastly, 

 the pulse feeble and imperceptible, the muscles excessively relaxed, and 

 unless assistance is speedily procured, death ensues. If the person recovers, 

 the sopor is succeeded by prolonged sleep, which commonly ends in twenty- 



* The Turks take it in graduated doses of from 10 to 100 grains in a 

 day. They have it mixed with rich syrup and the inspissated juices of 

 fruit, to render it more palateable. It is taken in a spoon, or made up into 

 small lozenges mixed with spices, and stamped with Masch Allah, signifying 

 " the gift of God." There are to be found opium-eaters who will swallow 

 in a glass of water 100 grains. (Hobhouse's Journey, vol. ii. p. 945.) It is 

 esteemed a useful means of preventing exhaustion. The Tartar couriers, 

 who travel great distances, and with amazing rapidity, take nothing else to 

 support them during their journeys. (Dallaway's Constantinople, 4to, p. 78.) 



f The Turks, Persians, Chinese, and others, regard opium as aphro- 

 disiac, — "Ad venerem enim ciere integrse nationes norunt, et in hunc 

 usum adhibent ? {Saar. Itinerar. Ind. orient. — Cleyer, Eph. N. C. ii. 10. 

 35.) Foeminas Turcias opio viros incitare refert Jahn. {Mat. Med. ii. 

 2G5.) — Sir A. Cooper and others are of a contrary opinion, judging from 

 individual cases. Most probably, although it acts as a temporary incentive, 

 its ultimate effect is u frangere venereum stimulurn." 



