NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACE^. 
whatever. But there is no doubt, that, when mixed with caustici 
it diminishes the pain which would otherwise ensue, probably by 
decreasing the sensibility of the part. Injected up the rectum, it 
has all the effects of Opium taken into the stomach ; but to answer 
this purpose, double the quantity is to be employed. Applied to 
the naked nerves of animals, it produces immediate torpor, and 
loss of power in all the muscles with which the nerves communi- 
cate. Opium, taken into the stomach, in an immoderate dose, 
proves a narcotic poison, producing vertigo, tremors, convulsions, 
delirium, stupor, stertor, and finally, fatal apoplexy. 
The officinal preparations of this drug are Opium purifi- 
catum, pilulce ex opio, pulvis opiatus, tinctura opii, and tinctura opii 
camphorata : it also enters the pulvis sudorificus, halsamum anody- 
num, electuarium japonicum, pulvis e creta composita, &c. 
The requisite dose of Opium varies in different persons, and 
in different states of the same person. A quarter of a grain will 
in one adult produce effects which ten times the quantity will not 
do in another ; and a dose that might prove fatal in cholera or 
colic, would not be perceptible in many cases of tetanus or mania. 
The smallest fatal dose, to those unaccustomed to take it, seems 
to be about four grains ; but a dangerous dose is so ajDt to produce 
vomiting, that it has seldom time to produce death. When given 
in too small a dose, it often produces disturbed sleep, and other 
disagreeable consequences ; and in some cases it seems impossible 
to be made to agree in any dose or form. Often, on the other 
hand, from a small dose sound sleep and alleviation of pain will be 
produced, while a larger one occasions vertigo and delirium. Some 
prefer the repetition of small doses ; others the giving a full dose 
at ojice, when its operation lasts about eight hours. 
It is well known, that by the continued use of Opium, the 
dose requires to be increased, to produce the effect desired ; and 
we are told of some instances in which it was increased to ten 
drachms a day 
