JVarcotine, and Sulphate of Morphine. 51 



Opium. It is also soporific; but under my observation, it has invari- 

 ably been more speedy in producing its nervine, antirritant and ano- 

 dyne operations, and less speedy in producing its soporific effects, 

 than Opium. It is probable, that a variation in dose, and method of 

 management, might occasion some variation in this respect. How- 

 ever, its soporific effects appear to me to be considerably less, in 

 proportion to its other operations, than the soporific effects of Opi- 

 um. When deep or sound sleep is produced by this article, it seems 

 to be more laborious, respiration is more affected, the subject of it is 

 less easily roused, and more heaviness, and more disagreeable sensa- 

 tions remain after the sleep passes off, than occur from the operation 

 of Narcotine ; but, I am inclined to think, less than result from the 

 operation of Opium. However, the observations that 1 have had op- 

 portunity to make, on a powerful degree of the soporific operation of 

 Sulphate of Morphine have been few, and are therefore not abso- 

 lutely conclusive. 



Dr. Bally says that Morphine occasions dimness of sight, and that 

 in brutes it occasions dilatation of the pupils, but not in man. He 

 admits that this effect is produced only by large doses. I have never 

 witnessed either dimness of sight without dilatation of the pupils, or 

 dilatation of the pupils, from the Sulphate of Morphine ; but as every 

 active narcotic, when taken to a sufficient extent, seems to be capable 

 of producing the former of these operations, I think it may be fairly 

 presumed that this will not be found to be an exception. 



When taken in full doses, Dr. Bally says that Morphine sometimes 

 produces slight, but transient, or fugitive, (neuralgic ?) pains, in the 

 umbilical region ; which however, he says, do not occur, when the 

 system has become a little accustomed to it. I have never w^itnessed 

 this operation from the Sulphate of Morphine. Dr. Bally also in- 

 forms us, that Morphine sometimes produces nervous tremors, and 

 sometimes muscular agitations, neither of which have I ever observed, 

 from the Sulphate. 



When taken either in a single large dose, or in moderate and uni- 

 form doses, at regular and short intervals, and for a sufficient length 

 of time, the Sulphate of Morphine diminishes the contractility of 

 the urinary bladder, and thus occasions difficulty in passing urine. 

 Sometimes even a complete retention or suppression takes place. 

 This effect passes off, when the influence of the agent upon the sys- 

 tem is completely at an end. Dr. Bally mentions this effect, from 

 large doses of Morphine, but he supposes that men only are sus- 

 ceptible of it, and that it never occurs in women. Now I have very 



