OCR Text |
Show 526 WHITE POPPY. WHITE POPPY. and coffee, and not permitting himto yield to his desire of sleep. ing. Byhabit, the effects of opium on the body are remarkably diminished. There have been instances of four grains proving fatal to adults, while others have been known to consume as In cholera and pyrosis, it is almost the only thing trusted to. In colic, it is employed with laxatives; and often prevents ileus and inflammation, byrelieving the spasm. Eveninileus it is sometimes usedto allay the vomiting, the spasms, andthe pain. It is given to allay the pain andfavour the descent of calculi, and to give relief in jaundice and dysuria proceeding from spasm. It is of acknowledged usein the different species of tetanus ; affords relief to the various spasmodic symptoms of dyspepsia, hysteria, hypochondriasis, asthma, rabies canina, &c., and has been found useful 'in some kinds of epilepsy. In syphilis it is only useful in combating symptoms, and in counteracting the effects resulting from the improperuse of mercury, for it possesses no power of overcoming the venereal virus. It is found useful in certain cases of threatened abortion and lingering delivery, in convulsions during parturition, and in the after-pains and excessive flooding. The administration of opium to the unaccustomed is sometimes very difficult. The requisite quantity is wonderfully different in different persons, andin different states of the same person. A quarter of a grain will in one adult produce effect s which ten times the quantity will not do in another; and a dose that might prove fatal in cholera or colic, would not be percep. tible in many cases of tetanus or mania. When given in too small a dose, it is apt to produce disturbed sleep, and other disagreeable consequences ; but sometimes a small dose has the desired effect, while a larger one gives rise to vertigo and deli- many drachms daily. The habitual use of opium produces the same effects with habitual dram drinking—tremors, paralysis, stupidity, and general emaciation, and, like it, can scarcely ever be relinquished. In disease, opium is chiefly employed to mitigate pain, diminish morbid sensibility, procure sleep, allay inordinate actions, and to check diarrhoeas and other excessive discharges. It is contraindicated in gastric affections, plethora, a highly inflammatorystate of the body, and determination of the bloodto particular viscera. In intermittents, it is said to have been used with good effect in every stage. Given even in the hot stage, it has been observed to allay the heat, thirst, headach, and delirium, to induce sweat and slecp, to cure the disease with less bark, and without leaving abdominal obstructions or dropsy. In fevers of the typhoid type, accompanied with watchfulness or diarrheea, it.is extremely useful; but when not indicated by particular symptoms, it does harm, by augmenting thirst and producing constipation. Especially when combined with calomel, it has lately been much employed in inflammations from local causes, such as wounds, fractures, burns, absorption of morbid poisons, asin swelled testicle, &c.; and even in active inflammations, accom- panied with watchfulness, pain, and spasm, after blood-letting. fn small-pox, when the convulsions before eruption are frequent and considerable, or when the accompanying feveris of the typhoid type, opiumis liberally used. It is likewise given from thefifth day onwards; and is found’ to allay the pain of suppuration, to promote the ptyalism, and to be otherwiseuseful. In dysentery, after the use of gentle laxatives, or along with them, opium, independently of any effect it may have on the fever, is of consequence in allaying the tormina and tenesmus, and in obviating that laxity of bowels which so frequently remains after that disease. In diarrhoea, the discase itself generally carries off any offending acrimony, and then opium is used with great effect. Even in the worst symptomatic cases, it seldomfails to alleviate. 597 rium, and with some constitutions it does not agree in any dose orform. Its stimulant effects are most certainly produc ed by the repetition of small doses, its anodyne by the giving of a full dose at once. In some it seems not to have its proper effect till after a considerable time. The operation of a modera te doseis supposed to last in general about eight hours from the time of taking it. Externally, opium is used to diminish pain, and to remove spasmodic affections, It is found particularly serviceable in chronic ophthalmia, when accompanied with morbidly increased sensibility. Opium may be exhibited, 1. In substance, made up in the formof apill, lozenge , or electuary. Its most efficient form. 2. Dissolvedin diluted alcohol, or white wine. |