ON INDIA OPIUM. 141 
count of the physical qualities of the article, comparatively lit- 
tle attention is usually given to its exact chemical analysis. 
In proof of this, I may refer to the papers on Bombay opium 
published in the Transactions of the Medical and Physical So- 
ciety, in which even the principle narcotine is not at all men- 
tioned, and to the records of the Behar Opium Agency, in none 
of which is any exact analysis recorded. Of a multitude of 
specimens marked morphia, which I received on assuming- 
charge of the factory, few contained Jess than 30, many 50 per 
cent, of narcotine and other substances. These inexact re- 
turns were perhaps unvoidable under the defective state of the 
laboratory, and the want of a sufficient number of practical as- 
sistants competent to manipulate analyses under the superin- 
tendence of the first assistant. But as practical native che- 
mists can now be obtained at very moderate salaries, these 
defects, if they still exist, will doubtless meet an early re- 
medy. 
During my employment in this department I made a very 
extensive series of analyses of the opium furnished by each of 
the zillahs composing the Behar division. In the hope that 
they may prove of some utility, I append the processes em- 
ployed, and a tabular view of the results obtained. 
In the subjoined analysis either of the following modes of 
examination was adopted. The first is the quickest in its ma- 
nipulation. The second has the advantage of supplying di- 
rectly a fine muriate of morphia for medical use. 
1st Process. — A quantity of opium (I usually operated on a 
seer) is accurately weighed and well rubbed with the hands 
under distilled water, until it is thoroughly broken down into 
a thin fluid. It is then filtered through Naipal paper, a tex- 
ture of the greatest value in vegetable analysis, as it permits 
very rapid filtration, and is so strong that it may be twisted 
while wet like linen or calico. The washing is continued un- 
til the filtered liquor gives no precipitate with ammonia, and 
the watery solution is then evaporated to dryness on a water 
bath, and marked A. 1. The solid exhausted mark remain- 
ing on the filter is marked A. 2. 
