This drug is a derivative of morphine, and is now used extensively in
human medicine as a substitute for morphine and codeine.
PROPERTIES.--White or colorless, crystalline powder, possessing a
slightly bitter taste. Insoluble in water, but readily soluble in weak
acidous solutions. Heroin hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder,
odorless, soluble in 2 parts of water. Heroin surpasses both morphine
and codeine therapeutically in many ways. It increases markedly the
inspiratory and expiratory force, while lessening the number of the
respiratory movements and exerts a special sedative influence on the
respiratory mucous membranes. The drug acts also as a general motor
depressant, hypnotic and analgesic, but is not comparable to morphine in
these respects. Heroin is about five times more toxic for dogs than
morphine. Heroin is particularly valuable in the treatment of all
varieties of coughs affecting the dog. The after-effects of small doses
are not as nauseating or constipating as morphine.
Heroin can be given in powder, pill or tablet, the Heroin hydrochloride
in solution, every three or four hours.
DOSE OF EITHER.--Horses, ¹⁄₂ to 2 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂₄ to ¹⁄₆ gr.
ACTIONS.--Opium is analgesic, hypnotic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic,
narcotic; also cardiac and respiratory depressant after primary brief
stimulation.
MEDICAL DOSES.--It dries all secretions except the mammae and skin. The
latter being increased, it produces dryness of the mouth and throat,
arrests gastric secretions, retards digestion and causes anorexia (loss
of appetite); it stimulates the brain by increasing the blood supply; in
man it stimulates the mental activity, while in animals it stimulates
motor activity; it does not affect the conductivity of nerves, but it
prevents the consciousness to pain by paralyzing the nerve centers; the
action of the heart is increased and arterial tension is raised; the
pupil slightly contracted; the mind at first stimulated, becomes calm,
sleep follows, disturbed by dreams and headache; constipation and some
depression follows.
LARGE DOSES.--Arrest digestion, cause nausea and vomiting, greatly
increase perspiration, prevents the conductivity of nerves, depresses
the heart and circulation, impairing oxidation and lowering temperature;
it contracts the pupil by stimulating the motor nerve of the eye (in
horses it dilates the pupil) and causes intense puritis (itching),
especially of the nose, often retention of the urine and soon profound
sleep; in some cases coma or delirium, leaving as after-effects nausea,
depression, constipation, vertigo, anorexia, nasal puritis and fetid
pathological secretions.
_Morphine and codeine compared with the action of opium._ Morphine is
more anodyne and hypnotic; it causes more intense puritis (itching) is
less stimulant, less convulsant, less constipating and diaphoretic.
Codeine is a motor paralyzant; it exalts the spinal cord more than
morphine and affects the cerebrum less, producing muscular tremors in
excess of sedation; it reduces the urinary sugar in diabetes and has a
selective sedative influence on the pneumogastric nerve, thus a better
sedative in cough.
_Indications for the use of Opium_:
1. To relieve pain and spasm.
2. To produce sleep.
3. To abort inflammation.
4. To check excessive secretions.
5. To act as a stimulant and supporting agent.
6. As a sudorific (not so active in animals as in man).
Sulphuric ether administered with opium prevents its drying up effects
as well as the nauseating and depressing effects. Used for pain from any
cause except acute inflammation of the brain. Used in low fevers to
support the system when sufficient food cannot be taken, also in
irritation of bronchi, bladder, stomach and bowels, as well as the
uterus.
In inflammation of the serous membranes which line the abdominal walls
(peritonitis) opium can be used freely; combined or alternated with
aconite and diuretics is very highly recommended and tends to prevent
dropsical conditions.
In inflammation of the serous membrane investing lungs and lining the
thorax (pleurisy) opium and aconite will often arrest its development if
administered in its first stages.
In diarrhoea and dysentery opium is said to be one of the best medicines
we have, it can be combined with acetate of lead, prepared chalk, etc.
In inflammation of the bowels, owing to its effect in binding up the
bowels, belladonna alternated with aconite is preferred to opium.
In colds administer Dover’s Powder, or opium, ammonium carbonate,
quinine sulphate and camphor.
In spasmodic colic do not use opium, but give hypodermically three to
four grains of morphine sulphate; it is non-constipating; also use
anodynes, such as cannabis indica, hyoscyamus, etc., are preferable.
In gastritis, opium conjoined with bismuth subnitrate and hydrastis.
In eversion of the rectum or uterus, administer morphine hypodermically
to prevent straining.
In muscular spasms opium is very effective.
In cerebro-spinal meningitis opium should be administered early, before
exudation has set in, with belladonna and ergot, alternated with
aconite.
In diabetes mellitus, codeine is said to be best, as it lessens the
amount of sugar in the urine and should be administered by the mouth; if
given hypodermically it exerts no influence on the sugar.
In catarrhal diseases administer opium to lessen the discharge.
In Thumps administer full doses of morphine subcutaneously.
In inflammation of the eyes morphine sulphate is very efficient combined
with zinc sulphate and distilled water.
TOXIC DOSES.--Produce cold clammy sweat, very slow heart, diminished
quantity of urine, abolished reflexes, coma, the pupil minutely
contracted (except in the horse) but dilated as the end approaches and
death by suspension of respiration, due to direct action of the poison
on the respiratory centers in the medulla.
In case of poisoning. Emetics, stomach pump, permanganate of potassium,
grain for grain of morphine, or 10 to 15 grains dissolved in 8 ounces of
water, given by the mouth for large dogs, and 1 to 2 drachms of
permanganate of potassium in 2 or 3 pints of water for horses.
Artificial respiration, striking the body, keep patient moving, empty
bladder to prevent absorption.