OPIUM — MORPHINE 



14.1 



probably due to the emetic and purgative action. The respirations 

 are somewhat deeper than normal but they are so much slowed that 

 there is a decrease in the amount of respired air per unit of time. 

 In the later stages of poisoning, the respiration may become shal- 

 lower and irregTilar. The irregiilarity may be intermittent, a series 

 of deep inspirations being followed by a series of shallow ones, and 

 then by complete suspension for a few seconds. The breathing then 

 commences with slight movements, followed by a series of increasing 

 regularity in strength and then again decreasing. (Cheyne-Stokes 

 respiration.) In fatal cases, the respirations become slower, shal- 

 lower and finally cease. 



1/MMlji' f#v*M^^^ ff 



j'le. 17, — Dog. Cheyne-Stokes respiration after a large dose of morphine. 



Down-stroke inspiration. 



Temperature, The temperature ofteu falls slightly under 

 the influence of morphine, due probably to less active movements 

 and dilatation of the cutaneous glands and sweating. 



Eye. In man the pupils contract and in fatal cases so much 

 so that there is the pin hole pupil until just before the final as- 

 phyxia when it dilates widely. In the dog there is the same effect, 

 but in animals in which there is increased movement and excite- 

 ment the pupils are dilated. This action is probably central, since 

 morphine does not cause this action from local application. 



Absorption and Elimination. Morphine and opium are 

 rapidly absorbed. Morphine is excreted very largely by the diges- 

 tive tract, in the saliva, stomach and bowels. It has been found in 

 the mouth in two and one-half minutes after hypodermic injec- 

 tions, and in the stomach in three minutes. In dogs about 30 per 

 cent. 'of the hypodermic doses can be recovered from the stomach, 

 a fact which shows the necessity of washing the stomach in cases 

 of poisoning. From 30 per cent, to 40 per cent, more can be 

 recovered from the feces. This makes it very evident that there must 

 be a considerable amount of reabsorption and reexcretion of the 

 drug in the digestive tract with the final destruction of the mor- 

 phine or its evacuation with the feces. It is also eliminated to 

 some extent by the sweat, urine and milk; and some authors say 

 that sufficient 'is excreted by the last named channel to be dangerous 

 to the young. 



