tiie white poppy.

1305

1 li. vv n hij i i. * -

COll sist^ C - aS ^ ur * n S the paroxysms,—a proof that the benefit obtainedin a diminution of the necessity for respiration. Thata nc] t',. 0ln SS ‘ Ues °i the system for atmospheric air vary at different periods,^ents f ( " ffercnt circumstances, is sufficiently established by the expe-rt th e ° ^ r ‘ ^ > . rout ' {Ann. of Phil. ii. 330 ; and iv. 331); and it appears,^ rc diminished during sleep, at which time, according to Dr.'teasel ^es Agens Physiq. p. 321, 1824), the transpiration is

% thj s 1 '. Moreover, the phenomena of hybemating aimals also bearfe S],j r; ? ,0lnt ’ ^ 01 during their state of torpidity, or hybernation, their

l n ls proportionally diminished.

e c °nvu!sive diseases ( chorea , epilepsy, and tetanus), opium has

Iticlej. wh' i^ >Ut w ‘ tn var iable success: in fact, the conditions of systemPosit e ' lne i ^ese affections occur, may be, at different times, of an op-Pr°p er . urc ; so that a remedy which is proper in one case is often im-tem C( j 111 another. In tetanus, opium was at one time a favouritehut it ■ an h is undoubtedly at times a remedy of considerable value,b gj remarkable that the susceptibility of the system to its influencethe eil0r y diminished during tetanus. I have already (p. 37) referred toti) igg ril0Us quantities which may, at this time, be taken with impunity.

P' ) 5 j c ases °f tetanus noticed by Mr. Curling [Treat, on Tetanus,°pi um in various forms, and in conjunction with otherf eco Ver S ’. " as employed in eighty-four cases; and of these, forty-fivei( * it s fl . ‘ Notwithstanding, however, the confidence of the profession

iastl . 1Cac y 1!i greatly diminished.

■^duc? ’ °ldum occasionally proves serviceable in several forms of

! r ) Si(j If)e <e ) es Pocialh- after loss of blood. I have seen it give great relief

°the Cas ? s °f w hat are commonly termed nervous headaches ; while

" dll apparently the same indications, it has proved injurious.

^hlte * ■ 0n d. Med. Gaz. vol. i. p. 15<>) applied, with good effect, opium

4. blistered surface of the scalp, to relieve headache.

' 6 <Jr !t;i °f ^ ie C/ icst. —In some affections of the heart and of

trr M»lrespiration opium is beneficial. I have already alluded to

fir s t°' f meilt * n catarrh, peripneumonia, and spasmodic asthma. In

p e 01 these maladies caution is often requisite in its use. “ In an

^^ S ° n > f° r example, suffering under chronic bronchitis or catarrhal

u c t ( Jrai; anc ^ gasping, it may, be under the difficulties of cough and ex-

■ c aus an opiate, by suspending these very struggles, may become

frey L danger and death. The effort here is needed for the recovery

1 bvon°)^ ra ^ ori ’ an d if suppressed too long, mucus accumulates in

te athi n C Ua * ce ds> its extrication thence becomes impossible, and

„ 5. l n ji^ eases altogether.” (Holland, op. supra cit. p. 425).

^ ase bodies of the Digestive Organs . —I have already referred to

h^* c > the °i ,:uin i n gastritis, enteritis, peritonitis, diarrhoea, dysentery,

} oj>i u •”. a ss &ge of gall-stones, and in hepatitis. With respect to the use

u a b affections, I am disposed to think with Dr. Holland,

«, duct s ,i, 10 e * ce Ption of the painful passage of a gall-stone through

W'k_ > here is scarcelv a complaint of the liver and its appendages

1 - a | lr 1