372 ^Treatise on 
Ounce and feven Drachms ; and in Calcination, 
thirteen Ounces, three Drachms and twelve Grains. 
There is, therefore, a larger Proportion of vo- 
latile urinous Salt in Opium, than in the Leaves of 
the Poppy, or the Heads. But not only an alka- 
line urinous Salt is found in Opium, as Pitcairn 
imagined, but likewife an acid Salt, and even a 
powerful one: Which is proved both by its Ana - 
and alfo by pouring its Solution to the Tinc- 
ture of Turnfole ; for it changes the Colour of this 
Tindlure into a fiery red. 
From the acid and the alkaline Salt, in Combination 
with the Oil, arifes a refinous and gummous Com- 
pound, which is inflammable in the Fire, where- 
of the greater Part diflblves in Water, and a mo- 
derate Portion in Spirit of Wine. The thick Sul- 
phur, contained in Opium, is capable of the great- 
efl Rarefaction, as is apparent from the ftrong Smell 
of Opium difperled in the Diflillations : And to 
this condenfated, and rarefiable Sulphur, I am of 
Opinion, that its Virtues are owing, as I fhall be- 
low endeavour to demonftrate. 
All Authors are not agreed upon the Qualities 
of Opium. Some confidering, that when given in 
the Quantity of a few Grains it opprefles the Head, 
caufes Sleep, obtunds the Senfe of Pain, flops 
Refpiration, and puts an End to Life in Sleep, 
have pronounced it not only cold , but have aflerted 
it to be fo in the fourth Degree. Others, attend- 
ing to its bitter, acrid and cauflick Tafle, have de- 
termined it to be hot . Nor are they lefs divided 
upon its Virtues. Some, accufing it of a narcotick 
Virulency, have entirely rejected its Ufe. Others 
put the higheft Value upon it, and honour it with 
many Titles and Elogiums. Many of the ancient 
Greeks , according to Diofcorides , were afraid of 
ufing it, either internally, or externally. “ We are 
i “ feldom 
