374 A Treatise on 
the Ufe of Opium, when it had been a long Time 
negledted, and, as he fays, almoft trampled under 
Foot. Sylvius de la Boe followed the Sentiments 
of Plater us , and declared, that if it were not for 
Opium he would never pradtife Phyfick ♦, and for 
this Reafon he was called the opiate Doctor. 
But in Order more clearly to difcover the Na- 
ture and Virtues of Opium, we lhall confider what 
are theEffedts of it when taken in a moderate Dofe, 
how People are affedted by an over- large Dofe, and 
laftly, what Symptoms are produced by ufing it 
too long. 
It is ufed either externally or internally. Exter- 
nally it incides, refolves and difculfes Tumours. 
It foftens and relaxes *, ripens and promotes Suppu- 
ration. By lying long upon the Skin it takes off 
the Hair, excites an Itching, and if it be frelh, and 
the Texture of the Skin be tender, it raifes Vefi- 
cles. Applied upon the Perineum it fometimes pro- 
vokes Lull •, and fometimes extinguifhes the fame, 
by ftupefying the Senfe of the Parts. By an out- 
ward Application it often procures Sleep, and eafes 
Pain, though thefe Effedts are very uncertain. Be- 
ing put upon the Sutures of the Head it fometimes 
kills : For it relaxes the Nerves, and brings on a 
Stupor, and Palfy. 
Internally, the Dofe of Opium feldom exceeds 
gr. ij. or iij. though fometimes it is extended to 
3j\ or more. It is given either in Pills, or dilfolved 
in fome Liquor. It exerts its Operation in a lhort 
Time after it is taken •, to wit, in about half an 
Hour if diflolved, and if taken in a folid Form, 
in about an Hour and half. 
When given in a due Dofe it produces a cer- 
tain pleafing Senfation in the Breaft and Stomach, 
and difpofes the Mind to Chearfulnefs, like Wine 
moderately 
