130 
Liquor  Opii  Sedativus. 
(  Am.  Jour.  Pliarm. 
I      Mar.,  1881. 
sion  to  tlie  dispenser,  and,  doubtless,  mistakes  frequently  occur,  as  also 
from  the  fact  tliat  prescriptions  directed  to  certain  druggists,  whose  liquor 
opii  sedativus  is  known  to  the  prescriber,  often  get  astray,  and  are  dis- 
pensed at  establishments  where  preparations  of  different  strengths  are 
used.  Physicians  are,  therefore,  often  disappointed  in  the  results  antici- 
pated, and  not  unfrequently  effects  are  produced  of  a  still  more  serious 
character.  Uniformity  of  strength  in  such  a  remedy  as  this  is  of  para- 
mount importance,  and  I  am  glad  that  this  Society  has  taken  the  initia- 
tory step  to  bring  about  such  a  result. 
The  question  as  to  what  the  standard  of  strength  should  be  is  one 
which  does  not  require  much  discussion.  The  Bi^itish  Pharmacopmiay 
an  authority  which,  in  these  matters,  physician  and  pharmacist  are 
alike  bound  to  respect,  has  already  regulated  this  matter,  and  the  selec- 
tion is  in  all  respects  a  wise  one.  The  liquid  extract  of  opium,  B.  P., 
is  in  strength  identical  with  Battley's  solution ;  the  dose,  10  to  30 
minims,  is  one  easily  remembered,  and  is  not  so  large  as  to  add  unneces- 
sary bulk  to  mixtures  of  which  it  may  form  a  part ;  nor  so  small  that 
it  cannot  l)e  apportioned  and  calculated  with  accuracy,  and  dispensed 
with  ease  and  safety. 
The  next  pi^iiit  that  arises  is  whether  the  liquid  extract  of  opium  can 
be  accepted  as  an  efficient  substitute  for  Battley's  solution,  and  other 
proprietary  preparations  of  a  kindred  character.  This  is  a  question 
not  so  easily  disposed  of  as  that  of  strength,  and  as  it  involves  thera- 
peutical considerations,  must  be  left  to  the  decision  of  the  physician. 
I  may,  however,  perhaps  be  permitted  to  make  a  few  observations  from 
a  pharmaceutical  standpoint,  and  in  order  to  do  this  with  clearness  it 
will  be  necessary  to  allude,  however  briefly,  to  the  chief  constituents  of 
opiinn,  omitting  those  which  are  mere  chemical  curiosities,  and  present- 
ing the  others  in  the  order  of  their  therapeutical  importance. 
First,  then,  is  3Iorphia,  which,  in  good  opium,  is  present  in  the  pro- 
portion of  about  ten  per  cent.,  and  is  in  combination  with  meconic  acid, 
forming  a  salt  that  is  soluble  in  water.  (2)  Codeia:  According  to 
Bouchert  Transactions  French  Academy,"  1872.  ^'Can.  Phar.  Jour.,'' 
vol.  vi,p.  136),  this  alkaloid  has  about  one-third  the  narcotic  power 
of  morphia,  but  it  is  feeble  and  transient  in  its  effects.  It  is  also  solu- 
ble in  water.  (3)  Narceine  :  This  is  stated  to  be  about  one-eighth  the 
strength  of  morphia,  but  Farquharson  speaks  of  it  as  of  little  impor- 
tance except  for  its  ansesthetic  properties.  It  dissolves  in  water,  though 
not  so  readily  as  the  foregoing.    (4)  Cryptopia  :  Xot  used  in  medicine, 
