MORPHINE. 
§ 366.] 
307 
chemically investigated by Hamberg, who found that the amount of 
acetate was very small, and that the lozenges, instead of morphine 
acetate, might be considered as prepared with almost pure morphine ; 
the content in the three of morphine being respectively 35, 37, and 
42 mgrms. (that is, from half a grain to three-fifths of a grain). There 
was a difference of opinion among the experts as to whether in this case 
the child died from morphine poisoning or not—a difference solely to 
be attributed to the waking up of the child two hours after taking the 
poison. Now, considering the great probability that a large dose for 
a weakly child of that age had been taken, and that this is not the only 
case in which a relapse has occurred, it seems just to infer that it was 
really a case of poisoning. 
As unusual symptoms (or rather sequelse) may be noted in a few 
cases, hemiplegia, which soon passes oh ; a weakness of the lower ex¬ 
tremities may also be left, and inability to empty the bladder thoroughly; 
but usually, on recovery from a large dose of opium, there is simply 
heaviness of the head, a dry tongue, constipation, and loss of appetite. 
All these symptoms in healthy people vanish in a day or two. There 
have also been noticed slight albuminuria, eruptions on the skin, loss of 
taste, and numbness of parts of the body. 
Opium, whether taken in substance, or still more by subcutaneous 
injection, in some individuals constantly causes faintness. 
Some years ago the senior author injected one-sixth of a grain of mor¬ 
phine hydrochloride subcutaneously into an old gentleman, who was 
suffering from acute lumbago, but was otherwise healthy, and had no 
heart disease which could be detected ; the malady was instantly relieved, 
and he called out, “ I am well; it is most extraordinary.” He went out 
of the front door, and walked some fifty yards, and then was observed to 
reel about like a drunken man. He was supported back and laid in the 
horizontal posture ; the face was livid, the pulse could scarcely be felt, 
and there was complete loss of consciousness. This state lasted about 
an hour, and without a doubt the man nearly died. Medical men in 
practice, who have been in the habit of using hypodermic injections of 
morphine, have had experiences very similar to this and other cases, 
and it is evident that morphine, when injected hypodermically even in 
a moderate dose, may kill by syncope, and within a few minutes. 1 
Absorption by hypodermic administration is so rapid that by the time, 
or even before, the needle of the syringe is withdrawn, a contraction of 
the pupil may be observed. 
Opium or morphine is poisonous by whatever channel it gains access 
to the system ; the intestinal mucous membrane absorbs it readily, and 
1 See a case of morphia poisoning by hypodermic injection, and recovery, by 
Philip E. Hill, M.R.C.S., Lancet, Sept. 30, 1882. In this instance a third of a grain 
introduced subcutaneously caused most dangerous symptoms in a gardener, aged 48. 
