346 Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. [sess. i 
we find that acetylmorpliine closely resembles the other members of 
the group, differing chiefly quantitatively and in some slight matters 
of detail, — that is to say, it acts on the same systems and organs 
of the body, and affects them in a similar manner. 
Action of Acetylmorphine on Rabbits. 
No. 
Weight of Rabbit 
in Grms. 
Dose in 
Grms. 
Dose per Kilo. Body 
Weight. 
Effects. 
1 
1464 
o-ooi 
0-0006 
Was distinctly drowsy for 2 hours. Respira- 
tion fell from 23 per 10 seconds to 11. 
Heart unchanged. 
2 
849 
o-ooi 
o-ooii 
Drowsiness began in 5 minutes and lasted 
about 2 hours. Lay during this time as if 
soundly asleep. After 9 minutes respiration 
had fallen from 19 to 4 per 10 seconds. 
Heart remained same. 
3 
1350 
0*0025 
0-0016 
Same as 2. 
4 
793 
0-0025 
0-003 
In 10 minutes after administration lay on 
belly with chin on table as if soundly asleep, 
and remained so for 3 hours, then slowly 
recovered. Respiration fell from 21 to 6 in 
10 seconds. Pupils were small. Heart 
remained same. , 
5 
1020 
0-005 
0*005 . 
In 2 minutes was drowsy, and pupils smaller ; 
in 4 minutes respiration had fallen from 22 
to 5 per 10 seconds and pupil very small ; 
cannot stand up ; in 10 minutes respiration 
2 ; was considerably narcotised for 5 hours 
and gradually recovered. 
6 
930 
o-oi 
0-011 
Was drowsy in 2 minutes ; pupil very small in 
4 minutes, and respiration fell from 19 to 5. 
Lay for 5 hours as if deeply asleep ; difficult 
to rouse. 
7 
1133 
0-05 
0-043 
Was considerably narcotised for 8 hours. No 
increase in reflexes. 
8 
1474 
o-i 
0-067 
Experiment 12 in text. 
9 
935 
0-15 
0-16 
Experiment 13 in text. 
10 
1077 
0-25 
0-23 
Same as Experiment 9. 
Diacetylmorpliine. 
This compound was prepared by the action of acetic anhydride 
on anhydrous morphine, in the proportion of 25 parts of the 
former to 30 parts of the latter. When a smaller amount of acetic 
anhydride was used, the product was found to be mixed with the 
monacetyl derivative. After digesting the morphine and acetic 
anhydride together for several hours on the water -bath, the product 
