An inaugural dissertation on opium embracing its history, chemical analysis and use and abuse as a medicine / / by William G. Smith.

  • Smith, William G., active 1832.
Date:
April 2, 1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inaugural dissertation on opium embracing its history, chemical analysis and use and abuse as a medicine / / by William G. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

    19/32 (page 15)
    NARCOTIN, OR DEROSNE'S SALT. Qualities.—This also is a proximate principle of opium; usually obtained in white, silky needles, insipid, and ino- dorous. It is neither acid, nor alkaline ; it does not form salts with acids, which dissolve it simply. It is also dis- solved by the oils, and ethers ; in water, on the contrary, it is almost insoluble, requiring 100 parts of cold alcohol, and 24 of this menstruum when boiling, to dissolve it. According to Dr. Bally's experiments, this substance has little action on the animal economy. Orfila, on the con- trary, believes that it exercises a stupifying and deleterious influence, when taken into the system ; while Dr. Magen- die thinks it acts as a powerful excitant. Narcotine, the subject of such various and contradictory opinions, is not used as a remedy ; it is obtained by digest- ing opium in ether. Besides the Meconic, opium would appear, also, to con- tain another acid, which is not volatile, and which has no peculiar effects upon the salts of iron ;—designated by Ro- binet, Codeic Acid. Forms of Exhibition.—Opium is given in subtance, or under the form of tincture. A grain of solid opium is an ordinary dose, to be varied according to circumstances. If opium, in powder, be made into pills with resinous sub- stances, it will be more gradual in its operation. If with mucilage, or syrup, it will be more speedy. When a very prompt effect is desired, laudanum is preferable to undis- solved opium. An aqueous infusion, made by infusing powdered opium in boiling water, will often operate, with- out producing that distressing nausea and headache, which so frequently follow the use of this substance. But there is a difficulty in regulating its strength; hence an objection to the use of opium in this form. If the stomach readily rejects opium, it may be thrown into the rectum, as an enema. In this case, double the quantity should be employed. Opiate injections, or suppositories, are also indicated when the rectum, or parts in its vicinity, are the seat of the complaint, as in dysentery and stranguary. In the above forms, it also affords relief in spasmodic affections of the