390 A Treatise on 
prefs the Head, and inflame the Blood and Spirits ; 
they fometimes alfo adhere to the Membranes of the 
Stomach, and occafion Oppreflions, Naufeas, Hick- 
ups, and Vomitings. 
3. The Preparations of Opium with Acids, which 
obtund and deftroy its Force, are ufelefs. Thofe 
with volatile Salts, which by their Acrimony hin- 
der Sleep, are accounted no better, unlefs intended 
to promote Sweat ; for then the Salts are fervice- 
able. Thofe alfo with fixt Alkalies, though they 
provoke Urine, greatly diminifh the foporiferous Vir- 
tue of the Opium. 
4. In the Form of Pills the Operation of Opium is 
flow and uncertain. It is more advantageoufly given in 
a Bolus, fiifficiently extended with other Powders, 
or diflblved in fome proper Liquor : For it operates 
fooner, and agrees better with the Stomach. 
5. It ought never to be given when the Stomach 
is full of Food. Wherefore, after folid Food an 
Interval of four Hours is neceflary, and after Broth, 
at leaft, two Hours. Neither are folid Aliments to 
be taken till the Opium has finifhed its Operation *, 
nor Broth, unlefs upon urgent Neceflity, and only 
three Hours after the Narcotick. 
6. It ought not to be given during the Flux of 
the Menfes , the Child- bed Purgations, periodical 
Hemorrhages, or critical Evacuations. Nor ought 
it to be given without Caution after any large Eva- 
cuation whatfoever, left from a Deficiency of Spi- 
rits, the Patient, already too prone to Sleep, fhould 
be thrown into too long, or perhaps an eternal 
deep, or into a Palfy. 
7. It mult be given with the greateft Caution to 
Men of weakly Conftitutions, of a lax Texture of 
Body, or weakened by long Difeales, to Children, 
pregnant Women, and old People, to fuch as have 
a Weak Stomach and bad Digeftion, and to fuch al- 
