BI-MECONATE OP MORPHIA. 
167 
tjon of the muscles for upwards of fourteen years, and was oblig- 
ed, after trying every other means in vain to have recourse to 
opium. I have taken crude opium , laudanum, the aqueous ex- 
tract of opium, black-drop, liquor opii sedativus, and the ace- 
tate of morphia, and I declare that not one of them has suc- 
ceeded so well as the meconate of morphia, which relieves 
much sooner, and without disturbing the stomach, leaving the 
system altogether in a more natural state of repose. 
Dr. A. T. Thomson in a letter to Mr. Squire, speaks also 
very highly of this salt of morphia. He says, " I have given 
a fair trial of your new preparation of opium, the bi-meconate 
of morphia, which, when separated from many of the other 
constituents of opium, undoubtedly possesses anodyne pro- 
perties superior to any of the other salts of morphia in 
ordinary use." — "I have administered it in three cases in 
private practice, well calculated to illustrate its properties. 
" The first was a neuralgic pain of the left side of the face, 
extending from the temple to the molar teeth of the upper jaw. 
It remitted during the day, but returned with frightful seve- 
rity during the night." Calomel and extract of opium, hydro- 
chlorate and acetate of morphia, black drop, belladonna, ex- 
tract and tincture of hyoscyamus, extract of aconite, disulphate 
of quinia, and arsenical solution, were all successively tried 
without relief. " The strength of the patient was nearly worn 
out for want of sleep, and under these circumstances your so- 
lution was prescribed. Thirty minims were prescribed in a 
fluid ounce and half of camphor mixture at bed-time. Two 
hours' sound sleep was procured, and, on awaking, the patient 
felt the most satisfactory abatement of her sufferings. She 
was ordered to continue it in doses of eight minims, in com- 
bination with fifteen minims of the arsenical solution, every 
third hour during the day, and to repeat the full dose of thirty 
minims at bed-time; whilst at the same time the bowels were 
kept moderately lax. The most gratifying results followed this 
plan of proceeding ; the pain gradually yielded ; in less than 
a week she had comfortable nights, after which the dose of the 
solution was rapidly diminished, its use discontinued during 
