484 
THE COMPOSITION OF CHLORODYNE. 
comes a matter of first importance to be thoroughly assured upon this head. 
If Mr. Smith would add to our obligation to him already incurred, by giving 
us a distinct assurance with respect to this ingredient, his formula (with the 
addition, may I say, of a little caramel?) will, in all probability, become the 
standard of chlorodyne throughout the British realm. 
We may consider that, subject to Mr. E. Smith’s final verdict on the propor¬ 
tion of hydrocyanic acid, the problem of the composition of Dr. Browne’s 
Chlorodyne is now finally solved; and no hysterical protestations that my 
“ Chlorodyne never contracts the pupil,” and therefore does not contain mor¬ 
phia, will any longer avail. We have ascertained with positive certainty that 
there are present in it only three ingredients of an active character, viz. 
morphia, hydrocyanic acid, and chloroform ; and the last of these, of which 
only 2^ minims are contained in a 30-drop dose ( = 20 minims) of chlorodyne, 
is so homoeopathic in quantity, and so evanescent in quality, that it may pro¬ 
perly be remitted to the other “ adornments,” leaving only the first two as the 
possibly operative forces. 
Hydrocyanic Acid. If Mr. Smith should confirm his first analysis, each 30 
drops of chlorodyne will contain 2\ minims of this ingredient also; a very 
allowable quantity in itself, while, in event of the dose of chlorodyne ascending 
by easy steps to double, or even quadruple its original quantity, the system would 
readily become tolerant of the increased doses. But the effects of this acid, 
like those of chloroform, although in a less degree, are comparatively transient, 
and would be wholly exhausted by the time the effects of the morphia had fully 
developed themselves. If it be considered an advantage that the hydrocyanic 
acid should fill up, by its more instant, but early perishable effects, the interval 
which the morphia requires to mount to its effective level, then, and so far, 
hydrocyanic acid is a valuable adjunct to chlorodyne. But, in the vast ma¬ 
jority of cases, no such instant effect is required, and half an hour may very 
easily be allowed before the influence of the medicine need attain its maximum ; 
in all such cases the presence of the acid is, at the least, indifferent, even if it 
be not positively an impertinent intrusion. From all of which premises I infer 
that hydrocyanic acid, unless in some rare and special cases, is quite superfluous 
as an ingredient in chlorodyne, and contributes nothing to the more permanent 
and beneficent action of that remedy. 
The influence of chloroform and hydrocyanic acid having been eliminated as 
practically = 0, there remains nothing to which the efficacy of chlorodyne can 
be ascribed but the morphia.—Q. E. D. 
Morphia. The real question which has been in dispute is, not whether Dr. 
Browne’s Chlorodyue contains morphia,—for this (Dr. Browne’s insinuation to 
the contrary notwithstanding) no sensible man has doubted,—but how much of 
the effects of his Chlorodyne are due to this alkaloid ? Shall we say one-half, 
or three-fourths, or nine-tenths, or the whole? Such is the question which I 
have really designed to raise; I myself maintaining, that certainly at least 
nine-tenths, more probably the whole, of any effects produced by normal doses 
of chlorodyne are due exclusively to morphia. Nothing can be easier of proof. 
The test is in the hands of every practitioner who has been accustomed to pre¬ 
scribe chlorodyne. Let him only prescribe instead, an equivalent dose of a 
chlorodyne of his own preparation, containing, besides morphia, only the usual 
adornments of mint, capsicum, and just enough chloroform for flavour, with 
treacle, etc., for the vehicle, but no hydrocyanic acid, and the question will 
speedily be decided, to his conviction, at least, if not to his satisfaction. For 
■one does not \ike to see a friend, whose virtues one has extravagantly vaunted, 
proved to be no better than his neighbours,—shown up, in fact, as a bit of a 
humbug. How the makers of chlorodyne must laugh in their sleeves at the— 
shall we call it ?—ingenua fides of their medical patrons ! who, seduced by the 
