184 DRS CRUM BROWN AND FRASER ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN 



objection. For this reason, Ave were induced to try the effect of iodide of methyl- 

 morphium on man. One of us,* who is perfectly susceptible to the action of 

 morphia, took on one occasion, half a grain of iodide of methyl-morphium, in the 

 form of powder ; but this produced no effect. On another occasion, one grain 

 was taken, also as a powder ; but not the slightest soporific or other action was 

 caused. The latter dose contained about three-fourths of a grain of morphia, and 

 this is certainly much above the usual narcotic dose of this substance. 



It is important to mention, tiiat although we have failed in causing any 

 symptoms in warm-blooded animals with this substance, we have found that it 

 acts with considerable energy on frogs. The nature of this action will be explained 

 in the description of the effects of sulphate of methyl-morphium. 



Sulphate of methyl-moiyhium ((C 17 H 19 N0 3 CH 3 ) 2 S0 4 ), was prepared by pre- 

 cipitating a solution of the iodide by means of sulphate of silver. It forms a 

 white crystalline mass, very soluble in water. It gives the ordinary blue colour- 

 reaction of morphia with persalts of iron. 



This salt of methyl-morphium is much more active than the iodide. By 

 subcutaneous injection, doses of two, three, four, five and eight grains caused 

 marked symptoms ; while a dose of ten grains was sufficient to kill a large 

 rabbit. The effects of eight and of ten grains are described in the two following 

 Experiments. 



Experiment CXII. — Eight grains of sulphate of methyl-morphium, dissolved 

 in distilled water, was injected under the skin, over the two flanks of a rabbit, 

 weighing three pounds and one ounce. In twelve minutes, it appeared to be 

 rather sleepy, and disinclined to move. In fourteen minutes, the head fell on 

 the table, and the animal remained in this position, without any movements, 

 except those that were necessary for respiration. In twenty-five minutes, the 

 hypnotism was extremely well-marked ; it was possible to place the animal in 

 any position, and if this were compatible with stability, sound sleep occurred. 

 A. considerable stimulus was now required before the rabbit could be roused from 

 sleep. In two hours and twenty minutes, this condition still continued, but the 

 observations were now discontinued. On the following morning, the rabbit 

 appeared to be perfectly well. No convulsive symptoms nor exaggeration of 

 reflex activity was observed in this Experiment. 



Experiment CXIII. — We dissolved ten grains of sulphate of methyl-morphium 

 in 200 minims of distilled water, and injected the solution under the skin of a 

 rabbit, weighing three pounds and eight ounces. In seven minutes, difficulty in 

 moving about was observed ; and, in rapid succession, some stumbles occurred, 

 the limbs yielded, and the animal lay in a state of flaccidity, on the abdomen, 

 chest, and lower jaw. It could now be placed without any resistance in almost 



* Dr Fraser. 



