40 JYarcotine, and Sulphate of Morphine. 



much as eighteen per centum of the Morphine is lost, in the process 

 for its separation from Opium, and therefore it is altogether probable 

 a priori, that there is another principle, upon which its virtues may 

 in part depend, more especially as the Strychnos Nux- Vomica, and 

 several species of Cinchona are now well known to contain two 

 principles, possessing medicinal powers, similar in kind, and differing 

 mainly in degree. Nothing else beside Narcotine, and another very 

 doubtful substance called extractive matter, having, as is said, an 

 intensely bitter taste, has yet been obtained from Opium, which can 

 reasonably be suspected of contributing to its remedial effects. 



For the purpose of ascertaining the precise powers of Narcotine, 

 I have recently instituted a course of experiments, fourteen in num- 

 ber, upon healthy subjects it is true ;* but they have afforded re- 

 sults much more satisfactory, and Vt^ithout doubt much more anala- 

 goos to what will be its effects in disease, than could possibly be ob- 

 tained from experiments upon brute animals, and especially on those 

 which have suffered the lesion of a ligature upon the esophagus, im- 

 mediately after being forced to swallow the agent, whose powers are 

 to be ascertained. As a detail of the experiments themselves would 

 probably be incompatible with the general plan of this Journal of 

 Science, it will be reserved for some journal exclusively medical, 

 and this communication will contain only a summary of the results 

 obtained by the experiments in question, preceded by a few defini- 

 tions, which are necessary to show the precise acceptations in which 

 I employ the terms, that will be applied to the several operations of 

 the Narcotine. 



I? regard to the subjects of my experiments, it is not necessary to 

 malje any further statements, than barely to say that one was a young 

 physician belonging to the State of Massachusetts, — that another be- 

 longed to the State of New York, — that two others belonged to 

 Connecticut, — and that I was myself the fifth subject. The four 

 gentlemen above mentioned, happened to be in New Haven together 

 and at leisure for about a week, and they therefore volunteered their 

 assjstance in this business, entering into it with a degree of interest 

 and zeal, which fully evinced that with them, their profession is not 



* It is altogether probable that the state of health may be taken as a medium state 

 of susceptibility to the inlluence of this article. Under certain circumstances, much 

 more may be required, and under certain other circumstances, much less, in order 

 to ptoduce given effects. 



