384 ^ Treatise on 
The Ancients, who believed that Opium was 
exceflively cold, endeavoured to correct it by hot 
Medicines, and fuch as diffolve the Blood when 
coagulated. Hence the Lheriaca , Mithridate , Phi- 
Ionium , and other opiate Compofitions. The Mo- 
derns have edablifhed different Methods of quali- 
fying Opium, according to their different Opini- 
ons concerning it. Some corredf its narcotick Force 
with Caflor and Saffron *, others with Vinegar, Ci- 
tron-Juice, Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur, and the 
like acid Liquors *, others with alkaline Salts, both 
dxt and volatile ; others with Spirit of Wine, Bran- 
dy, Wine* or other fermented Liquors *, others by 
Fermentation *, others, again, by Torrefadtion. But 
fince Opium is not preferibed but to eafe Pains, 
and to induce Sleep, they vainly try to corredf the 
Virtue by which it fhould produce thefe Effedls. 
They adt contrary to themfelves. They want a 
Medicine to caufe Sleep, and are afraid of it : They 
give it for that Purpofe, and endeavour, as much 
as they can, to deprive it of its foporiferous Vir- 
tue. There is no Poifon contained in Opium, this 
Virtue excepted : It therefore requires no Corredti- 
on. It needs only to be cleanfed from the Drofs, 
Earth, Gravel and other Impurities •, and nothing 
is to be feared from it, provided that it be properly 
given, and in a due Dofe. 
It is purified from its Drofs, or (as they fayj is 
prepared, by diffolving it in fome proper Liquor 
and draining it. The drained Liquor is often put by, 
and given in Drops under theName of the Tindiure of 
Opium , or Liquid Laudanum. Sometimes the Li- 
quor is evaporated to the Confidence of a folid 
Extradf, and given in the Form of Pills, or in 
Powder. 
As in Opium there are two Subdances, the one 
gummous and the other refinous, it is not equally 
foluble 
