1889-90.] Mr Dott and Dr Stockman on Morphine. 
377 
coalesced together), tricodeia and tetracodeia , on cats and dogs. 
These all had a very similar action to codeine. 
The substances C 68 H 81 IN 4 O 10 .4HI from codeine and 
C 68 H82l 2 N 4 Oio.4HI from codeine and morphine in doses of 1-3 
decigrammes had little effect beyond causing looseness of the bowels 
in dogs. 
The experiments are not sufficient to enable us to determine the 
action of these substances beyond saying that they have a generic 
resemblance to morphine and codeine. 
Oxydimorphin. — C 34 H 30 N 2 O 6 (2 molecules of morphine minus 
2H). This is the oxymorphine (C 1 ^H 19 N0 4 ) of Schiitzenberger. 
According to Diedrich this substance has no narcotic action. 
It weakens the heart and causes diarrhoea and vomiting. The 
emesis occurs after subcutaneous injection, and, according to Died- 
rich, is due to an action on the medulla. Its frequent intravenous 
administration caused changes in the gastric mucosa, hypersemia, 
swelling, and ulceration. Probably, therefore, it is excreted from 
the blood into the stomach and bowel, and by its local irritation 
acts as an emetic and purgative reflexly through the vagus. 
Nothing is known as to its constitution, but it is probably allied 
to apo morphine more closely than to morphine. 
Marme and Diedrich express the opinion that morphine is 
converted into oxydimorphine in the blood, and hence its frequent 
nauseating and purgative effects when given subcutaneously. It is 
more probable, however, that the excretion of morphine into the 
stomach (Alt) causes these symptoms independently of any chemical 
change. 
Summary. 
I. The methyl (codeine), ethyl (codethyline), and amyl ethers of 
morphine form a group of substances having exactly similar actions. 
In all the same hydrogen atom has been replaced in morphine by an 
alkyl radical ; they are therefore substitution derivatives. It seems 
to be a matter of indifference which radical is introduced, so long as 
it replaces the same hydrogen atom in morphine. In all the narcotic 
action of morphine is much diminished, the tetanising action and the 
paralysing action on motor nerves are increased, while the lethal dose 
(on account of the greater tendency to convulsions) is much smaller. 
