1308

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

Mr. Grant (op. supra cit.) applied the tincture twice a-day, in aI ?

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poultice, to irritable sores. Opiate frictions have been employ eacal anodynes, and to affect the general system. Thus, in chron p,matisrn and sprains, the opium liniment proves a useful appli catl ^y a rdmaniacal delirium, as well as some other cerebral disorders, , tfen tl>'(Med. and Phys. Journ. vol. i. p. 440, 1799) employed, with apfo^beneficial effects, opiate frictions; for example, 3ss. of opium, wh* e . - g ns,gr. iv. of camphor, 9iv. of lard, and 3j. of olive oil. In neuralgic aflf aan opiate cerate, or finely powdered hydrochlorate of morphia app 1blistered surface, occasionally gives relief. In gastrodynia, it 11applied in the same way to the epigastrium (Holland). In g° inand gleet, opiate injections have been used. In spasmodic s ^ rtC i gediseases of the prostate gland, and in gonorrhoea to prevent chor . a ]jyopiate suppository is a useful form of employing opium, eS P s1 poii cwhere it is apt to disagree with the stomach. In nervous and spa . j,,,affections (as some forms of asthma), the endermic application o r ^ e ,or morphia, applied along the course of the spine, is often singm • , e Jneficial, when all methods of depletion and counter-irritation have F^ t ], eutterly unavailing (Holland). In tooth-ache, opium is apph ed a j. s inhollow of a carious tooth. Dr. Bow (Lancet, March 18, 1837)_ s P® uII1 inthe highest terms of the efficacy of the external application of °Pinflammatory diseases, but especially bronchitis and croup. ^ jfilU

Administration. —Opium is given, in substance, in the form .powder, lozenge, or electuary. The dose is subject to great ' ^. gea ge*depending on the age and habits of the patient, the nature of the gr al

and the particular object for which we wish to employ it. I n a d.

ray, we consider from an eighth of a grain to half a grain aSm e Ato i (sfor an adult. We give it to this extent in persons unaccustomuse, when we require its stimulant effects, and in mild catarrhs an aU ilrhceas. From half a grain to two grains we term a medium .« jyoii 1employ it in this quantity as an ordinary anodyne and soporilio- jj e yctwo to five grains we denominate a full or large dose, and give itA® ^j o0 d'

excessive pain, violent spasm, in some inflammatory diseases after ' ag ti lt;letting, in tetanus, &c. These are by no means to be

limits of the use of opium. Opium pills (pilules opii) may be F ^ 0 {»either with crude or powdered opium. The latter has the advan omore speedy operation, in consequence of its more ready solutm 11 j oSg sgastric liquor. Employed as a suppository, opium is used in larg®

than when given by the stomach. Five grains, made into a

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mass with soap, may be introduced into the rectum, to allay in 1the urino-genital organs. di cl,ie ’

In noticing the preparations of the poppy employed in me ^ 0 pp)shall arrange them under three heads :—1st, Preparations of theheads; 2ndly, Of opium ; 3rdly, Of morphia, and its preparations-

a. Preparations of Poppy Heads.

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1. Dbcoctum Papaveris, L. E. D. Poppy Fomentation. li0(‘ r '

sliced, siv; Water, Oiv. [Oiij E .; Oij D].

'Boil for a quarter of a 1 ^ t pcand strain). The seeds contribute, by their oleaginous prop ertie G^o 11emollient quality of the decoction. This preparation forms a ^ offomentation, which is applied to bruised, inflamed, excoriated,