Narcotine, and Sulphate of Morphine. 47 
from an ordinary night’s rest, except that he has a slight sensation of 
dryness and clamminess in the mouth, a considerable hoarseness, di- 
minished renal secretion, and diminished contractility of the bladder. 
In a moderately excessive dose, in relation to the susceptibility of 
the system, Narcotine produces a mazy and confused state of the 
head, vertigo, nausea and vomiting. ‘Too large a quantity in the 
twenty four hours operates in the same manner. But the effects of 
a moderately excessive dose of Narcotine, are much less disagree- 
able than the effects of an excessive dose of the Sulphate of Mor- 
phine, or of Opium. The mazy and confused state of the head, and 
even the vertigo which it produces, are attended with a decidedly 
pleasurable state of the feelings ; and even the nausea and vomiting 
which it occasions, are by no means distressing, and are far less un- 
pleasant than the similar symptoms produced by Sulphate of Mor- 
phine, and by Opium. The nausea and vomiting which a mode- 
rately excessive dose of Narcotine produces, begin almost instanta- 
neously, and terminate as suddenly ; and, in a very short time, no 
sensations remain, which indicate that nausea and vomiting have oc- 
curred at all,—there is no violent straining, no weakness, soreness, 
or stiffness afterwards. 
According to Magendie, and others, the ultimate narcosis of Nar- 
cotine is made up of the following symptoms, viz: signs of fright; 
backward movements, with incapacity of advancing ; frothing at the 
mouth 5 agitating or tremulous convulsions of the jaws; general con- 
vulsions of the common sort; tetanic spasms of the extensor muscles 
of the neck, throwing the head backwards upon the spine ; a stupor, 
in which the eyes remain open, but from which the subject cannot 
be roused, and under which he dies in the course of twenty four 
hours. These last seem to be the only effects of Narcotine that 
have been heretofore fairly determined, either in Europe or this 
Country, at least within my knowledge. It is obvious that these 
Could not be verified on the human subject, nor is it necessary to 
know them, for the therapeutic application of this agent, in the treat- 
ment of human diseases. Magendie says that these effects are similar 
to those Produced by fatal doses of Camphor ; and what is remark- 
able, he pronounces them to be mere stimulant effects, and not at 
all Indicative of any narcotic powers! I wish that Magendie had 
given us his Precise views of the true nature of an ultimate narcotic 
peration, for I cannot conceive of a purer one, than is indicated by 
* 8ggregate of symptoms. [ venture to assert on the one hand, 
