QUALITIES. _Form_, fragments of a translucent, whitish yellow, and
generally powdered with a whitish dust, occasioned by the friction of
the pieces against each other; _Odour_, when burning is fragrant;
_Taste_, bitterish and acrid. SOLUBILITY. When triturated with water, a
milky solution results, which after some time deposits the resinous
part, and retains not more than three-eighths dissolved. Alcohol
dissolves three-fourths of it, and forms a solution perfectly
transparent. Æther dissolves more than half, leaving a white opaque
residuum soluble in water. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. The latest analysis of
this substance is by _Braconnot_, who found in 100 parts of it, of
volatile oil 8, resin 56, gum 39, and of an anomalous principle
resembling gum, but insoluble in water and alcohol, 5·2 parts. The oil,
in colour and smell, very strongly resembled that of lemons. MED. USES.
It is now less used than formerly; it is however stimulant and
diaphoretic. Pulverized it enters into several popular electuaries for
gleets, fluor albus, &c. and very probably acts by finding a passage
into the urine, without undergoing any change or decomposition.
OPIUM. L.E.D. (Papaver Somniferum.) _Capsularum immaturarum Succus
concretus._ (Turcicus.)
_Turkey Opium._[583]
Two kinds are found in commerce, distinguished by the name of _Turkey_
and _East India_ Opium.
QUALITIES. _Form_, Turkey opium occurs in flat pieces, of a solid
compact texture, and possessing considerable tenacity; _Sp. gr._ 1·336,
so that, when compared with the condensed juices of other plants, it is
heavy, being exceeded only in this respect by opoponax and gum-arabic.
By long exposure to the air it becomes hard, breaks with a glimmering
fracture, owing to the presence of a few saline particles, and affords a
yellowish powder. It is opaque, tenacious, plastic, adherent to the
fingers. _Colour_, a reddish-brown, or fawn. _Odour_, peculiar, heavy,
and narcotic. _Taste_, at first a nauseous bitter, which soon becomes
acrid with some degree of warmth. It is inflammable, but yields no
narcotic odour on burning. SOLUBILITY. It is partially soluble in water,
alcohol, æther, wine, vinegar, and lemon juice; when triturated with hot
water, five parts in twelve are dissolved, six suspended, and one part
remains perfectly insoluble and resembles _gluten_. By long boiling, its
soporific powers are impaired and ultimately destroyed: the alcoholic is
more highly charged with its narcotic principle than the aqueous
solution; but spirit, rather below proof, is its best menstruum. The
watery solution when filtered is transparent, and reddens the colour of
litmus; it undergoes no change on the addition of alcohol, but
precipitates occur from _pure ammonia_ and from the _carbonates of fixed
alkalies_; from the solutions of _oxy-muriate of mercury_, _nitrate of
silver_, _sub-acetate and acetate of lead_, the _sulphates of copper,
zinc, and iron_, and from an _infusion of galls_. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.
Resin, gum, bitter extractive, sulphate of lime, gluten, _Narcotine_
(_see note_) and a peculiar alkaline body, to which the soporific
virtues of opium are owing, and to which the appropriate name of
_Morphia_ has been assigned; and it appears moreover that this new
alkaline body exists in combination with an unknown acid, which has
therefore been denominated the _Meconic Acid_; so that the narcotic
principle of opium is _Morphia_ in the state of a _meconiate_, or
perhaps of a _super-meconiate_.
For these important facts we are indebted to the successive labours of
Derosne,[584] Seguin,[585] Sertuerner,[586] and Robiquet. And the French
codex contains, in its appendix, formulæ for the preparation of
morphia[587] according to the directions of these two latter chemists:
viz. _Robiquet’s_ process. Three hundred parts of pure opium are to be
macerated during five days, in one thousand parts of common water; to
the filtered solution, fifteen parts of perfectly pure magnesia
(carefully avoiding the _carbonate_,) are to be added; boil this mixture
for ten minutes, and separate the sediment by a filter, washing it with
cold water until the water passes off clear; after which, treat it
alternately with hot and cold alcohol, (12, 22, Bé.) as long as the
menstruum takes up any colouring matter; the residue is then to be
treated with boiling alcohol (22, 32, Bé.) for a few minutes. The
solution, on cooling, will deposit crystals of _Morphia_.
_Rationale of the Process._ A soluble _Meconiate of Magnesia_ is formed,
whilst the sediment consists of _Morphia_ in the state of mixture, with
the excess of magnesia; the boiling alcohol with which this residuum is
treated, exerts no action upon the magnesia, but dissolves the
_Morphia_, and on cooling surrenders it in a crystalline form. A
repetition of the treatment with boiling alcohol will procure a fresh
crop of crystals, and the process should be continued until they cease
to appear.
_Sertuerner’s_ method. It differs from the preceding, in substituting
ammonia for magnesia, and in adding to the sediment, separated as before
mentioned, as much sulphuric acid as is sufficient to convert the
_Morphia_ into a sulphate, which is subsequently decomposed by a farther
addition of ammonia; the precipitate thus produced is then dissolved in
boiling alcohol, which on cooling surrenders the _Morphia_ in a state of
crystalline purity. It appears however that the _Morphia_ produced by
this latter method, is less abundant and more impure and coloured, than
that which is furnished by the process of Robiquet.
_Characters of Morphia._ When pure, it crystallizes in very fine,
transparent, truncated pyramids, the bases of which are either squares
or rectangles, occasionally united base to base, and thereby forming
octohedra. It is sparingly soluble in boiling water, but dissolves
abundantly in heated alcohol; and the solution is intensely bitter; in
æther it is far less soluble. It has all the characters of an alkali;
affecting test papers, tinged with turmeric or violets; uniting with
acids, and forming neutral salts, and decomposing the compounds of acids
with metallic oxides. It unites with sulphur by means of heat, but the
combination is decomposed at the same instant; it is incapable of
forming soap with an oxidized oil. It fuses at a moderate temperature,
when it resembles melted sulphur, and like that substance, crystallizes
on cooling; it is decomposed by distillation, yielding carbonate of
ammonia, oil, and a black resinous residue, with a peculiar smell; when
heated in contact with air, it inflames rapidly; the voltaic pile exerts
but little action upon it, yet, when mixed with a globule of mercury,
the latter appears to become increased in bulk, and to change
consistence. When analyzed by means of the deutoxide of copper, it
yields carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; and if ammonia has been employed,
as a precipitant in its preparation, we shall also obtain some nitrogen,
but not if prepared according to the improved process of Robiquet. Its
habitudes with different bodies have not hitherto been sufficiently
investigated, but they are highly important, in as much as they will
explain the operation of those various medicinal compounds, into which
opium enters as a principal ingredient. _Sertuerner_ has given us an
account of the effect of the alcoholic solution of Morphia on himself
and three of his pupils; he found, that repeated small doses of half a
grain produced at first decided excitation; then weakness, numbness, and
tendency to fainting; after swallowing vinegar while in this condition,
violent vomiting was excited, profound sleep intervened in one delicate
individual, and next day he suffered from nausea, vomiting, head-ache,
anorexia, constipation, and heaviness (_Ann. de Chim. et de Phys_. T.
v.) This case is sufficient to shew that although Morphia possesses the
characteristic powers of opium, its strength is by no means commensurate
with its supposed concentration. When uncombined it exerts little or no
action in consequence of its insolubility. The following history of its
saline compounds may be useful.
The _Carbonate_ crystallizes in short prisms.
The _Acetate_ in needles, very soluble, and extremely active.
The _Sulphate_, in arborescent crystals, very soluble.
The _Muriate_, in plumose crystals, much less soluble; when evaporated,
it concretes into a shining white plumose mass on cooling.
The _Nitrates_, in prisms grouped together.
The _Meconiate_, in oblique prisms, sparingly soluble.
The _Tartrate_, in prisms.
Morphia is separated from the above combinations by ammonia.
Morphia is very soluble in olive oil, and according to the experiments
of M. Majendie, the compound acts with great intensity; with extractive
matter, it forms a compound which is almost insoluble in water, but very
soluble in acids.
The solubility of Morphia in acids explains why the administration of
vinegar increases the powers of opium, (_see_ page 135.) _M. Majendie_
considers Morphia to produce a more purely soporose effect than opium,
and that it is moreover exempt from the consecutive operation which so
generally renders opium objectionable. This opinion, however, has not
been confirmed by the trials made in this country; equally gratuitous is
the assertion of the same physiologist, that by ringing changes on the
salts of Morphia, its hypnotic effects may be kept up without increasing
its dose.
As _M. Majendie_ considers the _after_ effects of opium to be
independent of Morphia, it was necessary for him to point out the
particular principle from which these noxious consequences arose, and he
accordingly ascribed them to the _Salt of Derosne_, now more usually
denominated _Narcotine_, and which may be entirely removed from the
extract of opium by macerating it in sulphuric æther; and in this way,
it is said, a preparation is obtained, which, like Morphia, is exempt
from the occasional bad consequences of the common drug; but no
satisfactory trials have as yet been made with it.
The _Meconic acid_, when separated from the residuum of the magnesian
salt, as described above, does not appear to possess any medicinal
activity. Its distinguishing _chemical_ character is, that it produces
an intensely red colour in solutions of iron oxidized _ad maximum_.
EAST INDIA OPIUM is an inferior species;[588] it differs from _Turkey
Opium_, in its _texture_ being less compact, and much softer; its
_colour_ darker; its narcotic _odour_ fainter, but combined with a
strong empyreuma, and in its _taste_ being more bitter, but less
acrimonious. According to the experiments of Mr. A. T. Thomson, _Turkey
Opium_ contains three times more morphia than the _East Indian_ variety.
This latter, when triturated with water, is taken up without any
residuum; hence it contains no gluten, but the sulphate of lime is more
abundant, as appears from the relative proportion of precipitate
produced by oxalic acid. The solution of the acetate of barytes, whilst
it occasions no disturbance in the solutions of the Turkey variety,
produces a copious precipitate with the East Indian.
MED. USES. Are so well known that a few practical remarks will
suffice.[589]
Chemistry, it appears, has developed the principle of its activity, and
accumulated experience has established the value and importance of its
medicinal applications, but Physiology is still unable to demonstrate
the manner in which it produces its effects. It must be admitted that
its primary operation is that of a powerful and diffusible stimulant,
but it is immediately followed by narcotic and sedative effects, which
are far greater than could have been inferred from the degree of
previous excitement, and hence much keen controversy has arisen in the
schools concerning its _modus operandi_, (_see_ page 76.) In large
doses, the primary excitement is scarcely apparent, but the powers of
life are instantly depressed, drowsiness and stupor succeed, and when
the dose is excessive, these are followed by delirium, stertorous
breathing, cold sweats, convulsions, and apoplectic death. Its stimulant
effects are apparent only in small doses, by which the energy of the
mind,[590] the strength of the pulse, and the heat of the body, are
considerably increased, but all the secretions and excretions, except
the cuticular[591] discharge, are diminished; for example, the fæces of
persons, after the use of opium, are not unfrequently clay-coloured,
from the suspension of the biliary secretion; this circumstance suggests
some important precautions with respect to its exhibition. Opium, when
properly directed, is capable of fulfilling two great indications; 1st,
of supporting the powers of life, and 2nd, of allaying spasm, pain, and
irritation, and of blunting that morbid susceptibility of impression,
which so frequently attends fever. Its use is contra-indicated in all
cases where inflammatory action prevails, as in pulmonary affections,
attended with an accelerated circulation and a dry hard cough.[592] It
is employed by some of the oriental nations for the same purposes that
we take spirituous potations: by the Turks especially, to whom our more
generous beverages are prohibited by religious prejudice, opium is
solicited to inspire courage, or to invigorate fortitude;—to soothe
sorrow;—or to dissipate the remembrance of misfortune;—to awaken the
fancy to more brilliant exertions; or to create that mild composure and
serenity of feeling, which is desirable after the cares and solicitudes
of an active, perplexing, and arduous scene: like spirituous liquors
among other people, it is, in short, the support of the coward,—the
solace of the wretched,—and the daily source of intoxication to the
debauchee. Notwithstanding all this, spirit and opium are by no means
parallel medicines; on the contrary, the latter substance offers the
best remedy for the _Mania a Potu_, and in cases of habitual drunkenness
from alcohol, where our wish is to abstract the spirit, but are for
obvious reasons unable so to do, we may frequently alternate its use
with that of opium, with considerable advantage. Many of the beneficial
effects of this remedy are to be referred to its power of allaying
irritability; Sir G. Blane has remarked, that in ill-conditioned ulcers
in the West Indies, opium was found superior to all other internal
medicines for producing a disposition to heal. Under the free use of it,
such ulcers would in place of a sanious discharge produce a healthy puss
succeeded by granulations and cicatrization. It appears to do this by
suspending irritation, and perhaps by promoting absorption.
In combination, the medical powers of opium are wonderfully extended, so
that there is scarcely a disease in which it may not, during some of its
stages, be rendered useful. By diminishing the sensibility of the
stomach and bowels, it becomes a valuable and efficacious _corrigent_ to
many important medicines, and thus frequently favours their absorption
and introduction into the system, as for instance, in the exhibition of
mercurial alteratives, (_Form. 141,_) and in certain diuretic
combinations, (_Form. 100, 106, 107, 110,_) in combination with
antimonials, and with ipecacuan, its narcotic powers are obviated, and
sudorific results are obtained. See _Pulv. Ipecac. co_. (_Form. 117,
119, 124, 125, 127, 130._) FORMS OF EXHIBITION. In substance, or under
the form of tincture. When we wish to continue the operation of opium,
and not to obtain its full effect at once, it may be advantageously
combined with some substance capable of retarding its solution in the
stomach, as _gum resins_. See _Pilulæ_ and _Form. 10, 11, 12, 13_. A
watery infusion, made by infusing powdered opium in boiling water, will
often operate without producing that distressing nausea and head-ache
which so frequently follow the use of this substance. With respect,
however, to the best modes of correcting the operation of this remedy,
see pages 160 and 162. Dr. Porter of Bristol has introduced to our
notice a solution of opium in citric acid; his formula[593] for its
preparation is subjoined, because I am of opinion that it merits the
attention of the practitioner; I have lately submitted it to the test of
experience, and it certainly possesses the merit of a powerful anodyne,
operating with less disturbance than the more ordinary forms of this
substance. I also take this opportunity of stating, that the
_pyroligneous acid_ manufactured by Beaufoy was used as a menstruum, and
the effect of the solution was similar to that of Dr. Porter. When the
stomach rejects altogether the internal exhibition of opium it may be
successfully applied along the spine, by friction, with the camphor
liniment; a piece of solid opium introduced into the rectum, or
dissolved in some appropriate solvent, and injected as an enema, affords
also considerable relief in spasmodic affections of the bowels, and in
painful diseases of the prostate gland, or bladder, (_Form. 9._) When
thus introduced into the rectum, it cannot undergo that change which the
digestive organs produce upon it, and consequently it is more uniform in
its action than when presented to the stomach. Opium appears to be
readily absorbed into the system, when applied to the surfaces of sores;
considerable relief has been thus afforded to irritable stumps, after
amputation, on which occasions, all the characteristic effects of opium
have been produced upon the system, such as costiveness, head-ache,
nausea, &c. INCOMPATIBLE SUBSTANCES. _Oxy-muriate of mercury_; _acetate
of lead_; _alkalies_; _infusions of galls_, and _of yellow cinchona_.
Orfila states that the decoction of _Coffee_ is less energetic as an
antidote, than the infusion. When we intend the opium to act as a
sedative, we should not combine it with stimulants. The Edinburgh
College certainly erred in this respect, when they made pepper an
ingredient in their _Pilulæ Opiatæ_. In combination with vegetable
acids, its narcotic powers are increased, in consequence of the
formation of soluble salts with _morphia_.[594] When the opium however
has passed out of the primæ viæ, vinegar and acids are then the best
remedies for counteracting its effects; (see _page 136_.) _Dose_, must
be varied according to the intention of the prescriber, the constitution
of the patient, and the nature of the disease. A quarter of a grain,
frequently repeated, will keep up its exhilarating influence; (_Form.
15_) from gr. j to ij acts as a narcotic; its power on the system soon
becomes weaker; and from habitual use it is so much impaired that very
large doses are required to produce its usual effects. Russell observes
that the effects of opium on those addicted to its use, are at first
obstinate costiveness, succeeded by diarrhœa and flatulence, with loss
of appetite and a sottish appearance; the teeth decay, the memory fails,
and the unhappy sufferer prematurely sinks into the grave. OFFICINAL
PREP. Gr. j of opium is contained in _Confect. Opii_. L. grs. 36.
_Elect. Opii_. E. grs. 43. _Elect. Catechu_. E. grs. 193. (=F.=) _Elect.
Catechu. comp_. D. grs. 199. (=F.=) _Pil. Saponis cum opio_. L. grs. 5.
_Pil. Opiat_. E. grs. 10. _Pil. e Styrace_. D. grs. 5. _Pulv. Corn. ust.
cum Opio_. L. grs. 10. _Pulv. Cret. comp, cum Opio_. L. grs. 40. _Pulv.
Ipecac. comp_. L.E. grs. 10. (=H.=) _Pulv. Kino. comp_. L. grs. 20.
(=F.=) _Tinct. Opii_. L. ♏︎19. _Tinct. Camphor. comp_. L. f℥ss. _Tinct.
Opii ammon_. E. fʒj. _Troch. Glycyrr. cum Opio_. E. ʒj. _Vinum Opii_. L.
♏︎17. The Medicinal Dynameter will at once shew the quantity of opium in
any proportion of the above preparations. ADULTERATIONS. The _Turkey
Opium_, when good, is covered with leaves, and the reddish capsules of
some species of _rumex_; the inferior kinds have none of these capsules
adhering to them. It is frequently adulterated with the extract of
liquorice; it should be regarded as bad when it is very soft and
friable, of an intensely black colour, or mixed with many impurities,
when it has a sweetish taste, or marks paper with a brown continuous
streak when drawn across it, or when it melts like wax, and makes a
yellow solution in water. It frequently happens that in cutting a mass
of opium, bullets and stones have been found imbedded in it, a fraud
which is committed by the Turks, from which the retailer alone suffers.
It is also adulterated with the extract of poppy capsules, or of the
whole plant; with that of _chelidonium majus_, with gum arabic or
tragacanth, with the oil of linseed, and even with the dung of oxen.