JVarcotine, and Sulphate of Morphine. 53 



ed with an increase of the vital energies generally, and an augmenta- 

 tion of the strength of the arterial action. A highly distinguished 

 physician of the present day, in our own country, considers it a 

 strange misnomer to call Opium a stimulant. If the name of this 

 operation must be changed, and the Sulphate of Morphine not allow- 

 ed to be a stimulant. Opium itself must share the same fate. Dr. 

 Bally's notions in respect to the stimulant operation of Morphine seem 

 to be only a revival of the exploded theory of Cullen, in regard to 

 the stimulant operation of Opium. Whether the Sulphate of Mor- 

 phine proves at one and at the same time both stimulant and sedative, 

 or whether it proves sedative only, depends, according to my obser- 

 vations, as much upon the manner in which it is administered and 

 managed, as it does whether Opium operates in one or both of these 

 ways. 



Dr. Bally declares that Morphine will not produce headache, nor 

 any other of the symptons of excitement (!) which follow the use of 

 Opium. Now I have as often known headache produced by the 

 Sulphate of Morphine, as by Opium, in proportion to the number of 

 times that I have used each. It seems to rae extraordinary that the 

 headache, which sometimes results from Opium, even when given in an 

 appropriate case, should be considered as a symptom of excitement. 



Dr. Bdlly concludes that Morphine occasions no thirst, no loss of 

 appetite, and no disorder of the digestive organs. Now, in certain 

 cases, I have repeatedly witnessed each and all these effects, from 

 Sulphate of Morphine; and, in certain cases, where they previously 

 existed, I have known them obviated by it. Whether it occasions 

 these effects or not, depends, according to my observations, upon the 

 disease, the general condition of the system for the time being, the 

 temperament of the patient, and above all, the manner in which it is 

 managed. In a very great majority of the cases in which I have 

 employed the Sulphate of Morphine, certainly no such effects have 

 occurred. 



When administered in full doses, the Sulphate of Morphine is 

 extremely liable to produce nausea and vomiting. Dr. Bally insists 

 especially upon this, but he adds that by beginning with small doses, 

 and gradually and slowly increasing their size, a full dose may, at 

 last, be taken without these effects. The first dose that I ever took 

 myself, consisted of only a quarter of a grain, and in about six hours, 

 it produced a very disagreeable vertigo and nausea, and it would 

 doubtless have produced vomiting, had I not confined myself to my 

 bed, till the whole effect of the article entirely passed by. Even 



