339 
1889 - 90 .] Mr Dott and Dr Stockman on Morphine. 
Our experiments, while confirming those of Bochefontaine as 
regards the effect of large doses, have led us to the conclusion that 
ethylmorphine has an action identical with that of codeine 
(methylmorphine), and that if the dose he properly chosen one can 
easily distinguish in animals a narcotic and a tetanic stage, just as 
with the other members of the group. Bochefontaine used too 
large doses, thereby completely masking the narcotic effect. It 
seems to be indifferent, therefore, whether a molecule of methyl or 
ethyl be introduced so long as they replace the same H atom in 
morphine. 
In our experiments we used the hydrochlorate of ethylmorphine, 
which is quite soluble in water. 
Frogs . — With doses of 0*005 - 0*025 grm. the narcotic stage is well 
marked; the animal becomes lethargic, the reflexes are diminished, 
movements are not so active, respiration is less frequent, and the 
pupils diminish in size. With the smaller doses this is followed by 
an increase in reflexes, with the larger by tetanus. As the dose 
increases the narcotic stage gets shorter and less pronounced, and 
the tetanus supervenes more rapidly. Exhaustion follows just as 
with codeine. The convulsions are spinal, and occur or continue 
after division of the spinal cord at the atlanto-occipital membrane. 
The pupil is small during the first stage, but dilates as the reflex 
excitability increases. 
During the poisoning the motor nerves gradually become impaired 
in excitability. To avoid repetition we may simply state, that they 
are affected just as with codeine. 
With doses of 0*01-0*015 grm. the heart is considerably slowed, 
and the strength of the beats lessened. 
Direct injection of a solution into the aorta (0*01 grm.) brought 
on tetanus at once without previous depression. 
The minimum lethal dose for a frog is generally about 2 centigrms., 
although smaller doses sometimes prove fatal, probably from ex- 
haustion after the tetanus. 
The following experiment shows its action : — 
Expt. 8. — Frog, 24 grms. 
3.8. — 0*01 grm. ethylmorphine hydrochlorate in J cub. cent, 
water subcutaneously. 
3.12. — Pupil much smaller; rather sluggish. 
