NAT. ORDER. — PAPAVERACE.E. 
113 
generally through the order. Their seed is universally oily, and 
in nearly all the varieties in no degree narcotic. The oil obtained 
from the seeds of the Papaver somniferum is found to be perfectly 
wholesome, and is, in fact, consumed as food in many parts of 
Europe, in considerable quantities. The expressed oil is also em- 
ployed extensively for the adulteration of Olive oil. At one time 
its use was prohibited in France, by decrees issued in obedience to 
popular clamor, but is now openly sold by all the druggists in that 
country. Meconopsis napalensis, a nipal plant, is described as being 
extensively poisonous, especially its roots. The Sanguinaria cana- 
densis, or Puccoon, belongs to this order. This plant is well known 
to be emetic and purgative in large doses, and in smaller quantities 
stimulant, diaphoretic, and expectorant. See Vol. iii., page 121, for 
particulars. The seeds of Argemone Mexicana are used in the West 
Indies as a substitute for ipecacuhanha ; and the juice is considered 
by the native doctors of India as a valuable remedy in ophthalmia, 
dropped into the eye and over the tarsus ; also as a good application 
to chancres. It is purgative and deobstruent. The Brazilians admin- 
ister the juice of this plant (which they call Cardo santo) to persons 
or animals bitten by serpents — but, from the authority of those who 
have witnessed its operation, without much success. The narcotic 
principle of this plant is an alkaline substance called Morphia. 
An oil is expressed from the seeds of this plant which is used in 
Mexico for shining wood. The yellow juice with which the plant 
abounds, when reduced to a consistence, is not distinguishable from 
gamboge. In very small doses it is probably of equal efficacy, given 
in dropsies, jaundice, and cutaneous eruptions. It is esteemed very 
detersive, and generally used in diseases of the eyes ; but the infusion 
is looked upon as a sudorific and sesolutive. The seeds are said, 
by those who have used them, to be more powerful and a stronger 
narcotic than opium. 
