JYarcotine, and Sulphate of Morphine. 45 



of that preternatural watchfulness, which so often results, both from 

 Sulphate of Morphine, and from Opium. From the circumstance 

 that Sulphate of Morphine possesses this last mentioned propertj^ in an 

 eminent degree, and that Narcotine is destitute of it, it follows that 

 the same property of Opium is dependent upon its Morphine, and 

 not upon its Narcotine. In short, the quality of the nervine opera- 

 tion of Narcotine is considerably different from that of Sulphate of 

 Morphine, and consequently more or less different from that of 

 Opium. 



7th. Narcotine appears to be considerably diaphoretic, and it com- 

 monly produces more or less itching of the whole surface, which is 

 first perceived, and is most considerable, on the inside of the thighs, 

 and about the nose. 



8th. Narcotine is most prominently and most decidedly narcotic. 



As soon as it begins to produce a decided effect upon the system^ 

 it occasions a very peculiar expression of the countenance, which is 

 more easily recollected than described. There seems to be a pecu- 

 liar elongation of all the features, and a kind of lateral shrinking of 

 the whole face, which, together with the effect upon the eyes, and 

 particularly the contraction of the pupils, more unequivocally indi- 

 cates the operation of a narcotic, than any expression of the counte- 

 nance, which is produced within my knowledge by any other agent. 

 While in the early stages of its operation, and before my family 

 knew any thing of the experiments, one individual of them after an- 

 other, noticed this expression, and made remarks upon it. One said 

 I appeared as if about to be attacked with some acute disease — an- 

 other inquired if I had got Sick-headache, (to which I am sub- 

 ject,) and each made some comment. Similar remarks were made 

 to the other gentlemen. One was met in the street by another phy- 

 sician, who immediately pronounced that he was under the influence 

 of some active narcotic. 



Narcotine very materially and very greatly reduces the frequency 

 of the pulse ; it allays very effectually certain sorts of cough ; it oc- 

 casions indistinct vision, or the sensation of a blur before the eyes ; 

 and when a person is strongly under its influence, it occasions a con- 

 traction of the pupils. It produces also a sensation of dryness and 

 clamminess in the mouth, though it appears sufficiently moist to the 

 eye ; and it produces not only a change in the sound of the voice, 

 (while a person is under its influence,) but likewise very consider- 

 able hoarseness. These effects occasionally take place quite early 



