MATERIA 
nnilant, as volatile alkali, essential oils, 
etlier ; sedative, as camphor, musk, opium. 
As the action of the medicines referred 
to this class, depends entirely upon the pre- 
sence of a morbid state, what has been ad- 
vanced with rcf^ard to their nature, will, in 
a good measure, serve, to illustrate their 
use. The indications of cure which, as an- 
tispasniodics, they are capable of fulfilling, 
are entirely to be derived from their influ- 
ence on the nervous energy : whence they 
may be used, to remove spasmodic contrac- 
tions taking place in different muscles, to 
allay convulsive agitations. These indica- 
tions may be illustrated and confirmed from 
practical observations concerning the ef- 
fects of antispasmodics, as employed in 
cases of epilepsy and cramp. The circum- 
stances claiming attention in the employ- 
ment of antispasmodics, which respect ei- 
ther the nature of the medicine itself, the 
condition of the patient in whom it is used, 
or the necessary regimen, are different ac- 
cording to the particular order which is em- 
ployed. They will easily be understood 
from what has already been said of stimu- 
lants and sedatives, considered as separate 
classes. 
There is, perhaps, no condition of the 
body which will contra-indicate the use of 
every individual referred to the class of 
antispasmodics. But the same morbid con- 
ditions, which have already been mention- 
ed, as contra-indicating the use of stimu- 
lants and sedatives, will likewise contra-in- 
dicate the orders of antispasmodics denomi- 
nated from these classes. 
15. Of Narcotics. 
These are medicines which have a power 
of diminisliing the animal energy, and hence 
inducing torpor and sleep, during which 
this energy is usually recruited and restor- 
ed. They diminish the sensibility of the 
part to which they are particularly applied. 
They diminish the action and tonic povv'er 
of its muscular fibres. They produce a pe- 
culiar sensation iu the system in general. 
They diminish the energy of the sensorimn. 
The changes induced in the system from 
the primary effects of narcotics are ; retar- 
dation of the blood’s motion in the part 
more immediately acted upon ; diminution 
of the force of circulation in the systetn in 
general: diminution of excitement in the 
powers of sensation and reflexion: and di- 
minution of vigour in muscular action 
through the system. 
Narcotics may be divided into those 
MEDIC A. 
which act directly, and those which act in- 
directly. Of the former tribe are poppies, 
opium, hyoscyamus, hops, and lettuce; of 
the latter, neutral salts and acids. Their 
use may be calculated from the following 
sources: 1. From their affecting the circu- 
lation ; whence they may be employed to 
diminish the force and celerity of the blood’s 
motion where morbidly augmented ; to di- 
mmish the impetus of the blood again^ 
parts morbidly affected. 2. From their 
acting on the powers of sensation ; whence 
they may be employed to abate violent 
pain ; to procure sleep, in cases of preter- 
natural watchfulness. 3. And from their 
acting on the moving fibres; whence they 
may be employed to restrain inordinate mo- 
tions, and to moderate excessive evacuations. 
These indications may be illustrated and 
confirmed from practical observations con- 
cerning the effects of this class of medicines, 
as employed in cases of inflammation, tooth- 
ach, and dysentery. The cautions to be ob- 
served in the employment of this class of me- 
dicines, as derived tfom their natiwe, chiefly 
respect, the insensibility which they pro- 
duce ; the atony they occasion in the mus- 
cular fibres, particularly in tire blood-ves- 
sels ; and the suspension of the powers of 
sensation with which they are sometimes 
followed. The conditions of the system 
which chiefly require attention in tlieir em- 
ployment are, irritable and relaxed habits ; 
and such as are constitutionally liable to de- 
lirium from their use. The circumstances 
chiefly to be attended to in the necessary 
regimen, respect the regulation of the dose 
of the medicine employed ; the avoiding all 
stimulating caiKes during their operation ; 
and the guarding against their becoming 
habitual to the system. Narcotics are 
chiefly contra-indicated by a preternatural- 
ly languid circulation ; a peculiarly lethar- 
gic disposition, and great morbid torpor in 
the system. 
16. Of Anthelmintics. 
By anthelmintics are meant those medi- 
cines which, without endangering the life of 
the patient, are effectual in procuring the 
removal of worms lodged in the human 
body. The direct effects arising from this 
class of medicines are intended to be exert- 
ed only on the worms themselves ; but 
there are at the same time few, if any, me- 
dicines, which, when employed with this 
intention, do not also produce some effect 
on the animal body: to enter upon the 
consideration of these, however, w'ould be 
