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MORPHINE. 



MORPHINE. 



Morphine (CirHipNOs + H 2 O) is an alkaloid of Opium. Opium is the dried 

 juice of Papaver Somniferum, an Asiatic plant. 1 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. The higher cortical centers are depressed, especially 

 the centers of concentration, co-ordination, and summation. Receptive faculties are 

 lowered, especially the apprehension of pain. Later, entire system is depressed, but 

 spinal activity is primarily augmented. 



Muscular system affected by overwhelming doses only. 



Respiration. Morphine slows respiration by centric action, and renders it shal- 

 lower. Later it becomes periodically irregular, weaker, and fainter. 



Heart not affected until late, when it becomes slowed. 



Blood-pressure continues high until late. Facial vasodilatation. 



Pupil is sharply contracted (centric) until death approaches; then it becomes 

 widely dilated (from asphyxia). 



Alimentary Canal. Nausea is induced by centric action. Lessened peristalsis 

 from local action on neurons. 



Secretory glands inhibited somewhat, except the sweat-glands. 



Metabolism. Excretion of CO2 lessened. Increase of lactic acid in blood and 

 urine. Disappearance of glycogen in liver. 



Temperature slightly lowered, from depression of center. 



Absorption is fairly rapid from mucosa and subcutaneous tissues. 



Excretion takes place from parotids, stomach, and bowel. 



Local Action. None whatever. 



Tolerance is readily acquired. 



Symptoms. 



Therapeutic Doses. 



Lessened voluntary movements. 



Lack of attention. 



Drowsiness. 



Somnolence, more or less deep. 



Post-depression, occasionally. 



Morphinism. 



Alternating obstinate constipation 



and diarrhea. 

 Marasmus and cachexia. 

 Cirrhosis of skin. 



becoming 



Toxic Doses. 



Deep, torpor-like sleep. 

 Respiration very slow. 

 Pulse slow and full, 



thin, weak, and rapid. 

 Pupils contracted. 

 Mouth and throat dry. 

 Face cyanosed. 

 Respiratory failure. 



Disorders of motor-nervous system. 

 Marked mental and moral deter- 

 ioration. 



Therapeutics. 



Morphine is used to allay cough (diminished reflexes), to check severe diarrheas, 

 to induce sleep, and to relieve pain. 



Dosage. 



0.008 to 0.016 Gm. 



The action of Codeine is similar to that of Morphine, though to a much less degree. 

 Dose: 0.015 to 0.08 Gm. 



