NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACE^. 
137 
remotest times. It differs from the Bfeconium, which by the 
ancients was made of the expressed juice or decoction of the 
PopjDies. 
Opium is imported into this country in flat cakes, coverec 
with leaves, to prevent their sticking together ; it has a reddish 
brown color, and a strong, pecuHar smell ; its taste at first is nau- 
seous and bitter, but soon becomes acrid, and produces a slight 
warmth in the mouth. A watery tincture of it forms an ink, with 
a chalybeate solution. According to recent experiments, it ap- 
pears to consist of about five parts in twelve of gummy matter, 
four of resinous matter, and three of earthy, or other indissoluble 
impurities. For further particulars regarding the properties and 
their proportions, we would refer to the United States Dispen- 
se -ory. 
The use of this celebrated medicine, though not known to 
Hippocrates, can be clearly traced back to Diagoras, who was 
nearly his cotemporary ; and its importance has ever since been 
gradually advanced by succeeding physicians of different nations. 
Its extensive practical utility, however, has not been long well un- 
derstood ; and in this country perhaps may be dated from the 
time of Sydenham. Opium is the chief narcotic now employed : 
it acts directly upon the nervous power, diminishing the sensibility, 
irritability, and mobility of the system ; and, according to a late 
ingenious author, in a cei'tain manner suspending the motion of 
the nervous fluid, to and from the brain, and thereby inducing 
sleep, one of its principal effects. From this sedative power of 
Opium, by which it allays pain, inordinate action, and restlessness, 
it naturally follows, that it may be employed with advantage in a 
great variety of diseases. Indeed, there is scarcely any disease 
in which, under some circumstances, its use is not found proper ; 
and though in many cases it fails of producing sleep, yet if taken 
m a full dose, it occasions a pleasant tranquillity of mind, and a 
drowsiness, which approaches to sleep, and which always refreshes 
