INDICATIONS FOR THE INTERNAL USE OF OPIUM 347 



Fliiid preparations are generally desirable in securing 

 more rapid absorption, but opium produces the best result 

 in diarrhoea, when given in pill or ball. Enemata composed 

 of thin, boiled starch solution and laudanum at the body 

 temperature are to be recommended in diarrhoea of the 

 young, dysentery and pain arising from strangury or disease 

 of the genito-urinary organs. Opium suppositories are of 

 value in canine practice for the same purposes, and will 

 relieve irritation and pain caused by piles. 



Uses External. — Opium is applied externally in various 

 ways. In the form of laudanum it is sprinkled on poultices 

 and prescribed in liniment (laudanum and soap liniment, 

 equal parts) for its anodyne action, but has probably little 

 medicinal virtue upon the unbroken skin. On raw surfaces, 

 sores and ulcers, opium does relieve pain, and for this pur- 

 pose laudanum may be conjoined advantageously with lead 

 water (1-25). 



INDICATIONS FOR THE INTERNAL USE OF OPIUM. 



1. To relieve pain and spasm. 



2. To lessen secretions. 



3. To allay motor excitement, diminish muscular action, 

 and prevent hemorrhage. 



4. To abort inflammation. 



5. To act as a stimulating and supporting agent. 



The sudorific action of the drug upon the lower animals 

 is slight and comparatively unimportant. Among the pre- 

 ceding indications the first three naturally follow from the 

 physiological action of opium, while the latter two are 

 deduced solely from clinical experience. 



1. Although the anodyne and sedative action of opium 

 is not so marked in its influence upon veterinary patients 

 as in human subjects, yet it is by far the most valuable 

 agent we possess for relieving pain of any description, parti- 

 cularly when combined with atropine. In spasmodic colic 

 of horses, opium arrests pain by preventing irregular and 

 violent peristaltic action. It may be given as morphine 



