Opium

Evaporated juice obtained from the unripe capsules of the white poppy ( Papaver somniferum ). It is cultivated largely in Egypt. Turkey and British India. It is found in the market as flattened balls, of a reddish brown color, somewhat resinous in appearance. It contains a number of alkaloids, the most important being morphine and codeine with meconic acid. The morphine varies from 3 to 15 per cent. An analysis of Smyrna opium gave morphine 10.3, codeine 0.25, narcotine 6.8, narceine 6.7, meconin 0.8, meconic acid 5.1, fat 2.2, caoutchouc 6, resin 3.6, gummy extract 25.2, gum 1, vegetable mucus 19.1, water 9.8. Its chief uses in medicine are to allay pain and produce sleep; the medicinal dose is + to 3 gr. The early sensations after taking a moderate dose are sensually pleasure able, and this, in connection with its anagesic and soporific properties, easily produce opium inebriates of those who have used it occasionally. The intoxicating effects may be obtained by smoking the drug, using morphine hypodermically, or by using either opium or its preparations by the mouth. Large doses of opium are poisonous; the heart beats slowly aud feebly, the respiration is slow and stertorous, the pupils contracted, and the person is either unconscious or is aroused with difficulty. Death occurs from the paralysis of the respiratory centers in the brain, in two hours or le . The smallest fatal dose was 4 gr., with infantsgr. To treat a case of opium poisoning, if po ible empty the stomach; administer strong coffee freely and endeavor to keep him aroused by forced walking. Atropine and strychnine are given hypodermically. Belladonna is a physiologic antidote to opium and should be given freely to keep up the action of the heart. A large proportion of deaths by poison is due to opium and its preparations. The opi opium habit is very common throughout the world, 3 to 12 gr. per day being taken by an opium eater. Opium smoking is very prevalent in India and China. Morphine habit is also prevalent, taken internally or by hypodermic injection. Medicinal dose is to gr.