OPIUM. '183 



PAPAVERACE.E. 



Papaveris Capsulae POPPY CAPSULES. 

 The nearly ripe dried capsules of the White Poppy, 

 Papaver somnifftmm. Cultivated in Britain. 



Characters. Globular, two or three inches in diameter, 

 crowned by a sessile stellate stigma. 



Composition. Poppy capsules contain a little opium and 

 woody fibre ; the seeds a bland oil. See Opium. 



Preparations. 



1. Decoctum Papaveris. 1 in 10. 



2. Extractum Papaveris. Aqueous. 3 in 1. Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 



3. Syrupus Papaveris. 1 in nearly 2. Dose, I fl.dr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The action of poppy capsules is the same as that of opium, 

 but much weaker. The warm decoction is a favourite anodyne 

 fomentation. The extract and syrup are uncertain remedies, and 

 opium preparations are in every respect preferable. 



Opium OPIUM. The juice, inspissated by spon- 

 taneous evaporation, obtained by incision from the 

 unripe capsules of the Poppy, Papaver somniferum. 

 Grown in Asia Minor. 



Characters. Irregular lumps, weighing from four ounces 

 to two pounds ; enveloped in the remains of poppy leaves, and 

 irr in -rally covered with the chaffy fruits of a species of rumex ; 

 when fresh, plastic, tearing with an irregular slightly moist 

 t 'in 'stunt-brown surface, shining when rubbed smooth with the 

 finger, having a peculiar odour and bitter taste. 



. This is a modification of the process for making 

 hydrochlorate of morphia. (See page 186.) 100 gr. of opium 

 ought to yield at least 6 to 8 gr. of morphia. 



Varieties. There are two varieties of officinal opium, 

 Smyrna opium, and that of Constantinople. 1. S>ni/rna f 

 Turkey, or Levant _ opium is the best. It occurs in irregular 

 rounded or flattened masses, seldom more than two pounds in 

 weight, enveloped in poppy leaves, and surrounded with the 

 fruits or seeds of a species of rumex. Good Smyrna opium 

 yields about 8 per cent, of morphia. 2. Constantinople opium 

 is of very uncertain quality, generally inferior to Smyrna. It 



