240 ON ANIMAL AND 



grown; when the watering is stopped, and they 

 begin to collect the opium. This they effect, by 

 making at sun set, two longitudinal incisions of 

 the capsule from below upwards without penetra- 

 ting the cavity, with an instrument which has two 

 points, as fine and as sharp as a lancet. The 

 incisions are repeated every evening until each 

 capsule has received six or eight wounds, and 

 they are then allowed to ripen their seeds." 



" The juice which exudes, is collected in the 

 morning, and being inspissated into a proper 

 consistence by working it in an earthen pot in 

 the sun's heat, it is formed into cakes for sale." 



" This article is often adulterated by the addition 

 of other substances which are kept a secret ; but 

 it has been ascertained that these extraneous 

 additions have seldom exceeded one part and a 

 half out of twelve of the opium imported into 

 this country." 



Genuine opium is of a reddish brown colour, 

 and possesses a strong, peculiar smell, and a 

 nauseous, bitter, and acrid taste, followed by 

 a slight warmth in the mouth. It dissolves in 

 water, in wine and in alcohol, and it readily 

 blends with solid substances, thus admitting of 

 a variety of pharmaceutical preparations, so as 

 to meet the views and intentions of the prescrib- 

 ing, physician, when used as a remedy. 



Considered as a medicine, opium may deserv- 

 edly be ranked among one of the greatest blessings. 



