MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 195 



pruritus, is less stimulant, less convulsant, less constipating and 

 less diaphoretic. 



Codeine is a motor paralyzant ; .. exalts the spinal cord more 

 than morphine and affects the cerebrum less, producing muscular 

 tremors in excess of sedation ; it reduces the urinary sugar in 

 diabetes and has a selective sedative influence on the pneumogas- 

 tric, thus a better sedative in cough. 



Therapy. — The chief indications for the use of opium are : 



i. To relieve pain and spasm. 



2. To produce sleep. 



3. To allay irritation. 



4. To check excessive secretion. 



5. To support the system. 



6. As a suclorific (not as marked in animals as in man). 

 Sulphuric ether prevents its drying up effects as well as the 



nauseating and depressing effects. Used for pain from any cause 

 except acute inflammation of the brain. Used in low fevers to 

 support the system when sufficient food cannot be taken, also in 

 irritation of bronchi, bladder, stomach and bowels, as well as the 

 uterus. 



In Peritonitis opium used freely ; combined or alternated 

 with aconite and diuretics is very good and tends to prevent 

 ascites. 



In Pleurisy, at the outset, opium and aconite will often 

 abort it. — It should be contiued throughout an attack of pleurisy 

 as it seems to prevent the development of Hydrothorax. 



In Diarrhcea — Dysentery, opium is one of the best drugs 

 we have, or can combine opium with lead acetate, prepared 

 chalk, etc. 



In Enteritis. — I don't believe in binding up the bowels with 

 opium, but use belladonna to reduce congestion in preference to 

 opium, alternated with Tr. Aconite or use acetanilid and sodium 

 phosphate (q. v.). 



In Colds give Dover's Powder or opium, quinine, ammon. 

 carb. and camphor. 



Do not use opium in spasmodic colic, but give hypodermic- 

 ally four grains of morphine ; non-constipating anodynes, such as 

 cannabis indica, hyoscyamus, etc., are preferable. 



