428 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



145. (Fig. 143). OPIUM. U. S. 

 Granulated or powdered. 



The dried juice of Papaver somniferum L, Papaveraceae. 



Rather granular feel, becoming somewhat sticky on warming and 

 brisk rubbing. 



Nearly chocolate brown. 



Heavy, narcotic. The type of narcotic odors. 



Bitter. 



Contains fragments of poppy leaves, epidermal tissue of pods and 

 usually some starch (added by collectors) ; besides such impurities as 

 dirt, sand and the spores and hyphse of fungi. 



Ash 5 to 6 per cent. Impurities must not exceed 15 per cent. 



Chinese smoking opium is a very dark, homogeneous, sticky to 

 brittle (according to age) mass, which always shows abundant prisma- 

 tic crystals which can readily be seen under the low power (No. 2 

 ocular with No. 3 objective) of the compound microscope. Similar 

 crystals may be found in Persian raw opium. 



To test for opium (morphine), make a cold acidulated aqueous 

 extract of the suspected substance (such as pills, powders, tablets, etc.), 

 or take a small quantity (several drachms) of the substance if in liquid 

 form, filter, slowly boil down (% to 1 drachm) to nearly dryness 

 (using a porcelain evaporating dish), with constant stirring. When 

 cool apply a drop of formaldehyde solution (40 per cent.) followed by a 

 drop of concentrated sulphuric acid. If opium (morphine) is present a 

 permanganate purple color is soon developed which gradually changes 

 to very dark. (Sugar and gums interfere with this test somewhat.) 

 Examine a bit of the boiled extract under the compound microscope 

 and look for the crystals like those in smoking opium. 



Among the possible adulterants of raw opium are excess of poppy 

 leaves and pods, excess of starch, sand and dirt. Mold and other 

 fungi are frequently present. (A standard of moisture percentage for 

 gum opium should be adopted.) 



