Opisthotonos

A tetanic condition of the muscle especially of the back, whereby there is an archie ward of the trunk, which thus rests upon the and heels. This condition is seen in tetanus, n-poisoning, hydrophobia, hysteria, and other ic conditions. pisthural (o-pis' -thu-ral). Of, or pertaining to, the opisthure. pisthure. In biology, the posterior termination of the caudal axis of certain fishes or their embryos. (o'-pe um). The inspi ated juice of the unripe capsules of the Papaver or poppy, obtained by incising the capsules and collecting the milky juice which is exuded. Most of the opium in the American market comes from Smyrna, Asia Minor. Opium is a very complex substance and contains, besides morphin and codein, a large number of le important alkaloids;narcein, narcotin. thebain, laud an in, papaverin, porphyroxin, crypto pin, meconin, opianin, paramorph in, and meconic, tiiebolactic, and sulphuric acids, in addition to a variety of extractives. Good opium should yield at least 9 per cent, of morphin. The dominant physiologic action of opium is the relief of pain. It also causes slowing of the respiration and pulse, contraction of the pupils, diaphoresis, constipation; more rarely nausea and vomiting, headache, itching of the skin, erythema; occasionally instead of sleep, wakefulne , delirium, even convulsions. In toxic doses it produces sleep followed by deep coma, with very slow respirations, and pin-point pupils; death is due to paralysis of the centers of respiration. Therapeutically, opium is a most useful drug; it induces sleep, allays excitement, relieves pain and irritation, checks vomiting and diarrhea, and is sudorific. Small doses stimulate; large doses depre . O., Acetum, vinegar of opium, " black drop, " prepared with nutmeg, sugar, and dilute acetic acid. Opium-strength 10 percent. Dose O., Confectio. (B. P.) Dose gr. v-xx. O. denar cot is a tum, powdered opium freed from su: stances soluble in ether; 14 per cent, of morphin and a varying per cent, of narcotin. Dose gr. O., Emplastrum, extract of opium 6, Burgundy pitch, 18, lead-plaster 76 parts. O., Enema. contains g of the tincture of opium and 3 ij of starch-mucilage. O. et Glycyrrbizae, Troch., each contains gr. -fa of opium. Dose j-iv. O.