AN* ESSAY ON LACTUCARIUM. 
33 
I propose, in my turn, freely to examine the question, not, 
most certainly, presuming to resolve it completely, but, at 
least, with the intention of facilitating the solution. 
And in the first place I must call attention to the fact 
that nothing proves that the lactucarium taken in a natural 
state, in pills for instance, according to the express recom- 
mendation of Doctor Francois, is not more active than its 
alcoholic extract, and other preparations of which it may be 
the base. Lactucarium is a complex body, it is true, but is 
it not to be feared that in separating its principles we may 
weaken its properties? If it were possible for us to pro- 
cure opium in tears (the gobaar of the Persians,) a product 
which in certain points of view cannot be compared to any- 
thing so well as lactucarium, should we be disposed to alter 
its nature with the intention of rendering it more effica- 
cious ? I think not; for although this also is a complex 
body, it is not the less the result of a simple exudation, a 
milky juice, thickened on the plant itself. If the opium of 
commerce could, in this respect, be compared to it, none of 
us, perhaps, would ever have conceived the idea of subject- 
ing it to the various transformations it undergoes in our la- 
boratories, leaving out of the question, however, the learn- 
ed chemical investigations to which we are indebted for the 
happy possession of the salts of morphine. 
Besides, less exclusive than M. Francois, I am far from 
thinking that certain preparations of lactucarium are with- 
out efficacy ; I believe them, on the contrary, to be ex- 
tremely active ; still I prefer the lactucarium in substance, 
or associated with other agents that cannot in any manner 
act on its principles. In my opinion it is a substance which 
ought, as much as possible, to be kept out of the reach of 
the action of heat, and be maintained in its integrity ; for I 
am disposed to think it is easily changed by certain influ- 
ences, without, however, having anything very positive to 
produce in support of this opinion ; it is a presumption, 
nothing more. I press this point no further, because I do 
