LIQUOR  OPII  COMPOSITUS. 
These  are  the  two  objections  that  are  to  be  met,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, removed,  in  the  revision  of  the  formula  for  compound  solu- 
tion of  opium.  The  much  more  forcible  objection  of  a  compli- 
cated formula,  and  a  multiplicity  of  detail  involving  sufficient 
knowledge  and  skill  to  make  a  correct  opium  assay,  can  only  be 
met  by  the  arbitrary  opinion  or  judgment,  that  he  who  cannot 
make  such  a  preparation  when  lall  the  details  are  laid  down  step 
by  step  before  him,  is  unfit  to  be  trusted  with  the  dispensing  of 
medicines.  It  has  been  made,  and  skilfully  made,  by  persons  of 
only  ordinary  pharmaceutical  acquirements  ;  and  many  have  re- 
fused to  make  it  from  the  insufficient  reason  that  it  involved  too 
much  pains  and  labor.  As  the  essential  points  or  supposed  ad- 
vantages of  the  preparation, — namely,  its  uniformity  of  strength 
independent  of  the  character  or  quality  of  the  opium  from  which 
it  is  made,  and  its  freedom  from  many,  if  not  all  of  the  useless 
and  hurtful  constituents  of  crude  opium,  whilst  retaining  the 
useful  constituents  in  their  natural  combinations, — as  these  points 
are  considered  essential,  are  the  only  objects  of  the  process,  and 
can  be  attained  in  no  better  or  more  simple  way  known  to  the 
writer,  this  objection  must  stand  with  its  full  and  acknowledged 
weight  against  the  preparation,  with  the  simple  remark  that  in 
pharmacy,  as  in  other  arts,  the  best  results  are  not  often  attaina- 
ble without  commensurate  skill  and  labor. 
So  much  for  the  revision  of  the  formula,  in  regard  to  the  ob- 
jections that  have  been  justly  raised  against  it.  The  next  ques- 
tion that  arises  is,  can  it  be  therapeutically  improved?  And  to  this, 
within  the  knowledge  and  judgment  of  the  writer,  and  of  those  ob- 
servant physicians  with  whom  he  is  in  frequent  intercourse  for 
counsel  and  advice,  it  must  be  answered  that  it  probably  cannot 
be  materially  improved  in  this  respect.  All  opiates,  no  matter 
how  made  or  how  used,  will  disagree  with  many  persons,  and 
with  some  more  than  others ;  whilst  that  opiate  which  is  best 
borne  by  some  sensitive  persons  may  be  badly  borne  by  others. 
All  opiates  will  constipate  almost  all  persons  under  all  ordinary 
circumstances,  and  will  produce  a  nervous  reaction  proportionate 
to  the  initial  action,  or  at  least  in  proportion  to  the  initial  over- 
action  or  overdosing.  Then  as  all  derivatives  of  opium  must  in 
the  nature  of  things  partake  of  the  character  of  opium  somewhat 
