198 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



injection (r^, -5^, or even -fa gr. of sulphate of atropia to 1 gr. 

 of morphia), to prevent certain unpleasant effects of the latter. 

 It is found that the immediate sickness and depression, and the 

 subsequent dyspepsia and constipation, may thus be avoided, 

 and a more natural sleep induced. The combination is pre- 

 ferable when morphia is given as a hypnotic or anodyne ; in 

 conditions of cardiac depression and disease of the lungs ; in 

 obstruction of the bowels ; and to relieve spasms in general. 

 The atropia should be avoided in cerebral excitement, especially 

 mania. 



Use as mutual antidotes. Sulphate of atropia, in doses of 

 T^O- g r -> mav be injected subcutaneously every quarter of an 

 hour in opium poisoning, the pulse and respiration being care- 

 fully watched. Three or four doses may thus be given ; but 

 the ordinary means of resuscitation, especially artificial respira- 

 tion, must not be for a moment interrupted. 



In poisoning by belladonna, morphia should be given sub- 

 cutaneously, with the same precautions, in doses of j of a 

 grain. 



Apomorphia. C 17 H 17 N0 2 . APOMORPHIA. (Not 

 Officinal. ) 



Source. Made by heating morphia in a closed tube, with 

 concentrated hydrochloric acid, whereupon the alkaloid loses one 

 molecule of water Ci 7 H l9 N0 3 = C 17 H 17 N0 2 + H 2 0. 



Characters. A white powder, becoming green on exposure 

 or in solution, without loss of its properties. Soluble in ether 

 and alcohol. The hydrochlorate of apomorphia, which is 

 generally used, occurs as minute greyish crystals, soluble in 

 water. Solutions should be freshly prepared for use. 



l)ose of the hydrochlorates. ^ to gr., by the mouth ; 

 fa to tk gr., hypodermically. 





ACTION AND USES. 



Apomorphia is the most certain of all emetics, acting upon 

 the vomiting centre, and not on the stomach, i.e. being an 

 indirect emetic. In from five to twenty minutes it induces 

 moderate nausea, repeated vomiting, and the disturbances of the 

 respiratory and circulatory organs, characteristic of this class of 

 remedies. If the dose have been sufficient, the evacuation of the 

 stomach is certain and complete. Larger doses cause prostration 

 and paralysis of the voluntary muscles, depression of the respir- 

 atory centre, acceleration of the heart, and fall of temperature, 

 Small doses are expectorant. Apomorphia may be used for the 



