Observations and Experiments on Opium, 31 



ever, it exercises very remarkable effects on the constitution, 

 differing materially in its action on different individuals. A 

 case is mentioned in the Archives Generates de Medicine for 

 December, 1826, of a lady of nervous temperament, who on 

 taking a draught in which there was half a grain of acetate 

 of morphia, suddenly sank into a state of syncope, which 

 continued for two or three hours ; it was several times re- 

 peated at intervals of an hour or two and attended with the 

 same results. Dr. Dewees met with an instance in which the 

 opium invariably purged, and was in the habit of employing 

 it as a purgative in this case in doses of two grains, purga- 

 tives not producing their usual effects ; he has also met with 

 one instance in which opium excited violent coughing, even 

 when administered in enema. Dr. Rousseau informs me that 

 he had a case somewhat similar to the former, (an unmarried 

 lady of 34 years,) where opium universally acted as a pur- 

 gative ; the denarcotized laudanum administered by Dr. Rous- 

 seau to the same patient, did not produce this singular effect 

 although continued for several days.* The same gentleman 

 also informs me, that it is not unfrequent in his practice, to 

 mget with cases in which opium will act as a purgative, and 

 he has discovered that the addition of tartaric acid conside- 

 rably increases its purgative effects. 



It is stated that highly rectified aether is the only men- 

 struum for the solution of narcotine. If so, I cannot under- 



drunk indifferently with opium or with brandy. There is a decoction 

 made of the shells and seeds of the poppy ; this the Persians call Loc- 

 quenor, and they sell it publicly in all their cities as they do coffee. The 

 Persians say it entertains their fancies with pleasant visions, and a 

 kind of rapture ; they very soon grow merry, and then burst into a laugh, 

 which continues till they die away in a swoon. It is found by those 

 who have a disposition for jesting, to increase that extremely. After 

 the operation of the remedy the body grows cold, pensive and heavy, 

 and in this dull and indolent situation it remains till the dose is repeat- 

 ed. It is curious to observe the countenances of those who use this de- 

 coction before it operates, and when its effects have taken place. 

 When they come into the decoction-house they are dull, pale and lan- 

 guid, but as soon as the remedy begins to operate, they are quite chan- 

 ged, they run into all the extravagancies of mirth and laughter, and 

 such an uproar is produced that it would be more proper to give it the 

 name of mad-house than decoction-shop." (Crumpe on opium.) 



* Dr. Rousseau has since informed me that on a further continuation 

 of the denarcotized tincture, the purgative effects recurred, and he was 

 consequently obliged to suspend its administration. 



