PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 
79 
when sufficiently inspissated in the sun to form into masses, these are 
covered with tobacco or poppy leaves. An inferior sort of opium, 
possessing the property of the genuine opium in a very slight degree, 
is obtained by evaporating a strong decoction of the stalks, leaves 
and capsules to a due consistency ; this sort is seldom used in this 
country but for the purpose of adulterating the genuine opium. 
Sensible Properties. Opium when good, is a solid, opaque, 
tenaceous substance, somewhat brittle, of a dark brown colour, and of 
a strong heavy smell, and bitter taste; when cut through the surface, it 
is compact and shining; when broken, the fracture earthy ; not fusible, 
but the heat of the hand is sufficient to soften it ; when dried, reduced 
to powder with difficulty, unless in the cold ; when powdered, of a light 
brown ; giving but little colour to the saliva when chewed; highly in- 
flammable, burning with a white flame : partially soluble in water and 
alcohol ; boiling water dissolves about five ounces out of one pound 
troy ; the watery solution is not decomposed by alcohol. The clear 
watery solution of Turkey opium yields a precipitate with any of the 
carbonates of potass or soda, with ammonia, acetate of lead, mu- 
riate of mercury, nitrate of silver, sulphates of iron, copper, and 
zinc ; nitrate of mercury, and the infusion of galls. The narcotic 
properties of opium are impaired by long boiling in water, but 
nothing rises in distillation with that liquid. 
Chemical Properties and Analysis. According to the 
analysis of the chemists, M. M. Derosne, Sertuerner, and Robiquet, 
opium is composed of,— 1st. a fixed oil ; 2nd. of a matter ana- 
logous to caoutchouc ; 3rd. of a vegeto-animal substance not yet 
investigated ; 4th. of mucilage ; 5th. of feculent matter ; 6th. of 
resin; 7th. of vegetable fibre; 8th. of narcotine ; 9th. of meconic 
acid ; 10th. of another vegetable acid ; and 11th. of morphine. As 
the active properties of opium seem to reside in the two newly dis- 
covered alkalies, morphine and narcotine, which enter into its 
composition, we shall speak of each separately; not indeed from ex- 
perience, as opium in this concentrated form, has not, that we know 
of, as yet been prescribed in this country. 
Morphine. This substance does not exist in opium in its pure 
alkaline state, but united to an acid, to which the name of meconic 
acid has been given. Accordijig to M. Braude, the ultimate elements 
contained in pure morphine, are — 
