latter. Miscible in all proportions with alcohol, ether, and fixed and volatile oils.

Dose.-- fluidrachm (1.0-4.0 Cc.).

Unofficial Preparation.

Elixir Paraldehydi-Elixir Paraldehydi-Elixir of Paraldehyde.-Dose, 12 fluidrachms (4.0-8.0 Cc.).

Synergists.-Opium and the hypnotics aid its action.

Physiological Action.-Externally and Locally.-Antiseptic, antifermentative.

Internally.-Digestive System.-Paraldehyde has no action upon the digestive tract.

Circulatory System.-It differs from chloral in affecting the circulatory system favorably in medicinal doses, tending rather to slow and strengthen the pulse. Toxic doses weaken the heart and lower arterial pressure, the heart's action ceasing in diastole.

Nervous System.-Its influence upon the brain and spinal cord is similar to that of chloral. The sleep it induces, however, is not so prolonged as that caused by the latter drug, more frequent doses being required for continued soporific effects. The sequela of paraldehyde are not unpleasant.

Respiratory System.-Its action resembles that of chloral, although it is not so powerful a respiratory depressant. In toxic doses death usually ensues from paralysis of the respiratory center. Absorption and Elimination.-Paraldehyde is eliminated by the lungs and kidneys.

Temperature. Like chloral, it lowers the temperature, but in less degree.

Untoward Action.-It occasionally causes irritation of the mucous membranes and erythematous eruption.

Poisoning.-The symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of chloral. Fatty degeneration of the heart and liver have been found, together with disorganization of the red corpuscles.

Treatment of Poisoning.-The same as in poisoning from chloral. Therapeutics.-Like those of chloral. Paraldehyde is more hypnotic than anodyne, appearing to be best adapted to relieve socalled idiopathic insomnia. It is a better diuretic than chloral, and in certain degenerated conditions of the heart and arteries, where a diuretic as well as hypnotic is desirable, paraldehyde serves as a valuable remedy.

Cervello has recommended it highly in strychnine-poisoning, and several cases of its successful use in tetanus are reported.

Administration.-It may be given in capsules, or, when otherwise administered, its unpleasant taste may be disguised by giving it in an emulsion flavored with orange or bitter almond. Glycerin also renders it quite palatable, yet it is always more disagreeable to the taste than chloral, besides lending to the breath an offensive and persistent odor.

GROUP V.-NARCOTICS.

Opium-Ōpii-Opium. U. S. P.

Origin. The concrete, milky exudation obtained by incising the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum (L.), the substance in its normal moist condition yielding not less than 9 per cent. of crystallized morphine when assayed.

The poppy from which opium is derived is indigenous in Western Asia and cultivated in Egypt, Persia, Asia Minor, the elevated plains of India, and in some parts of Europe.

Description and Properties.-Opium appears in irregular or subglobular cakes-with the remnants of poppy-leaves and the fruit of a species of Rumex adhering to their surfaces-plastic or of a harder consistence, chestnut-brown or darker, and somewhat shining internally, showing tears, and fragments of vegetable tissue. It has a sharp, narcotic odor and a peculiar, bitter taste. This description applies to the Smyrna, Levant, Turkey, and Constantinople opium. There are, however, five other varieties-viz. 1. Egyptian, flattened, roundish cakes; 2. Persian, black, cylindrical sticks, or small cakes or balls, wrapped in paper; 3. Indian, flat squares covered with mica and wax or an oiled paper wrapper; 4. Chinese, oblate-spheroidal masses wrapped in white paper; 5. European.

Opium contains about twenty different alkaloids, either in a free state or in combination with some acids. The principal alka loids, in the order of their medical importance, are morphine, codeine, narceine, and thebaine; others are narcotine, papaverine, cryptopine, pseudomorphine, protopine, hydrocotarnine, laudanine, cadamine, rheadine, meconidine, laudanosine, lanthopine, gnoscopine, and oxynarcotine.

The following constituents of opium are in some respects important: Meconic acid, meconin, meconoiosin, and porphyroxin.

In addition to the above, opium contains these substances, making it one of the most complex drugs in Materia Medica: Mucilage, resin, fats, essential oil, glucose, caoutchouc, ammonium, calcium, and magnesium salts, and odorous and coloring matters, besides certain impurities and adulterants, such as stones, fruits, leaves, starch, water, lead, etc.

Dose.-2 grains (0.015-0.12 Gm.).

Official Preparations.

Ōpii Pulvis-Ōpii Pulveris-Powdered Opium.-Dose, 4-2 grains (0.0150.12 Gm.).

Powdered opium should yield not less than 13 nor more than 15 per cent. of crystallized morphine.

Acētum Ōpii (10 per cent.)-Acēti Ōpii-Vinegar of Opium.-Dose, 3-15 minims (0.18-1.0 Cc.).

Extractum Ōpii (18 per cent. of morphine)—Extrăcti Ōpii-Extract of Opium. -Dose, 1-1 grain (0.01-0.06 Gm.).

Emplǎstrum Ōpii (6 per cent. of extract of opium)—Emplăstrum (acc.) Ōpii— Opium Plaster. For external use.

Formula: Extract of Opium, 60; Burgundy Pitch, 180; Lead Plaster, 780; Water, So.

Opium Deodorātum (13 to 15 per cent. of morphine)-Ōpii Deodorāti-Deodorized Opium (DENARCOTIZED OPIUM).—Dose, 1-2 grains (0.015-0.12 Gm.).

Pilulæ Ōpii (1 grain, or 0.06 Gm., in each pill)-Pílulas (acc.) Ōpii-Pills of Opium.-Dose, 1 or 2 pills.

Pulvis Ipecacuǎnhæ et Ōpii-Pulveris Ipecacuănhæ et Õpii-Powder of Ipecac and Opium (DOVER'S POWDER).-Dose, 5-10 grains (0.3-0.6 Gm.).

Formula: I grain (0.06 Gm.) Opium, 1 grain (0.06 Gm.) Ipecac, 8 grains (0.5 Gm.) Sugar of Milk, in every 10 grains (0.6 Gm.).

Tinctura Ōpii (10 per cent.)-Tincturæ Õpii-Tincture of Opium (LAUDANUM). -Dose, 5-15 minims (0.3-1.0 Cc.).

13 minims (0.78 Cc.) represent about 1 grain (0.06 Gm.) of Opium. Tinctura Ōpii Camphorata-Tincturæ Ōpii Camphoratæ-Camphorated Tincture of Opium (PAREGORIC).—Dose, 1-4 fluidrachms (2.0-15.0 Cc.).

Formula Powdered Opium, 4; Benzoic Acid, 4; Camphor, 4; Oil of Anise, 4; Glycerin, 40; Diluted Alcohol, to 1000. Prepared by maceration and percolation. 4 fluidrachms (15.0 Cc.) represent about I grain (0.06 Gm.). of Opium.

Tinctura Ōpii Deodorāti (10 per cent.)-Tincturæ Ōpii Deodorāti-Tincture of Deodorized Opium.-Dose, 5-15 minims (0.3-1.0 Cc.).

Tinctura Ipecacuănhæ et Ōpii-Tincturæ Ipecacuănhæ et Ōpii-Tincture of Ipecac and Opium (TINCTURE oF Dover's POWDER).-Dose, 5-15 minims (0.31.0 Cc.).

10 minims (0.6 Cc.) contain 1 grain (0.06 Gm.) each of Opium and Ipecac. Trochisci Glycyrrhizæ et Ōpii-Trochiscos (acc.) Glycyrrhizæ et Ōpii—

Troches of Liquorice and Opium.-Dose, I to 3 troches.

Each troche contains about grain (0.005 Gm.) of Opium.

Vinum Ōpii (10 per cent.)—Vīni Opii-Wine of Opium.-Dose, 5-15 minims (0.3-1.0 Cc.).

The Description and Properties of the official alkaloids of opium and their salts are as follows:

Morphina-Morphine-Morphine.-Colorless or white, shining, prismatic crystals, or fine needles, or a crystalline powder, odorless, having a bitter taste, permanent in the air. Soluble in 4350 parts of water, in 300 parts of alcohol, in 455 parts of boiling water, and in 36 parts of boiling alcohol. Dose, grain (0.008-0.015 Gm.).

Morphinæ Acētas-Morphinæ Acetātis-Morphine Acetate.-A white or faintly yellowish-white, crystalline or amorphous powder, having a faint, acetous odor and a bitter taste. Soluble in 2.5 parts of water and in 47.6 parts of alcohol. On protracted exposure to the air the salt gradually loses some acetic acid, becoming less soluble. It should be kept in dark amber-colored, well-stoppered bottles. Dose, grain (0.008-0.015 Gm.).

Morphine Hydrochlōras-Morphine Hydrochlorātis-Morphine Hydrochlorate.-White, feathery needles, of a silky luster, or minute, colorless, cubical crystals, odorless, having a bitter taste, permanent in the air. Soluble in 24 parts of water and in 62 parts of alcohol. Dose, grain (0.008-0.015 Gm.).

Morphinæ Sulphas—Morphinæ Sulphātis—Morphine Sulphate.—White, feathery, acicular crystals, of a silky luster, odorless, of a bitter taste, permanent in air. Soluble in 21 parts of water and in 702 parts of alcohol. Dose, grain (0.0080.015 Gm.).

Codeina-Codeīna — Codeine. -White or nearly translucent, orthorhombic prisms, or octahedral crystals, odorless, having a faintly bitter taste, and slightly efflorescent in warm air. Soluble in 80 parts of water and in 3 parts of alcohol. Dose, 1-2 grains (0.03-0.12 Gm.).

Various salts of codeine are in use, the sulphate being the most important.

Official Preparations of Morphine Sulphate.

Pulvis Morphinæ Compositus-Pulveris Morphinæ Compositi-Compound Powder of Morphine (TULLY'S POWDER).—Dose, 5–15 grains (0.3–1.0 Gm.). Formula: Morphine Sulphate, I; Camphor, 19; Glycyrrhiza, 20; Precipitated Calcium Carbonate, 20; Alcohol, q. s. to 60.

Trochisci Morphinæ et Ipecacuănhæ―Trochiscos (acc.) Morphinæ et Ipecacuanha-Troches of Morphine and Ipecac.-Dose, I to 5 troches.

Formula: Morphine Sulphate, 0.16; Ipecac, 0.50; Sugar, 65; Oil of Gaultheria, 0.2; Mucilage of Tragacanth, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. Each troche contains about grain (0.0015 Gm.).

Antagonists and Incompatibles of Opium and its Alkaloids. -The physiological antagonists are atropine, strychnine, coffee or caffeine. Quinine antagonizes some of the cerebral effects of the drug, while tartrate of antimony and potassa (tartar emetic) and digitalis oppose its action on the intracranial circulation. The incompatibles are alkalies, tannic acid and infusions containing it, and salts of lead, iron, copper, mercury, and zinc.

The following are incompatible with morphine and its salts: iodine and iodides, bromine and bromides, Fowler's solution, and sodium borate.

Synergists.-The hypnotic action of opium is aided by the hypnotics; its anodyne influence is enhanced by belladonna and cocaine, and its sudoriferous effects by ipecacuanha.

The Physiological Action of opium differs in some respects from that of morphine or codeine, and will therefore be described first.

Externally and Locally.—Applied to the unbroken skin, opium possesses feeble analgesic properties, and from mucous membranes or raw surfaces it is readily absorbed, producing marked anodyne effects.

Internally-Digestive System.—Its prominent action is upon the secretions-checking that from the salivary glands, causing great dryness of the mouth and consequent thirst-largely diminishing those from the stomach, and reducing the bile and pancreatic juice secreted. In fact, every secretion in the body is lessened except the perspiration, the cause being the depressing influence of the drug upon the secretory centers in the medulla. It may be added that the peristaltic movements of the digestive apparatus are reduced, which, together with diminished secretions, impairs digestion and produces constipation.

The action upon the intestines, however, varies with the dose administered, moderate or full medicinal doses checking peristalsis and promoting constipation. On the other hand, very large or very small doses increase peristalsis, the former augmenting this effect, and producing violent movement of the bowels through the drug's paralyzing action upon the splanchnic inhibitory fibers of the intestine, so that inhibition is removed and peristalsis reinforced. Very small doses act as purgatives when by some reflex disturbance, such as a tender ovary, the peristalsis is inhibited. Minute quantities, by partially benumbing the inhibitory nerves or diverting the stimulus from them to the stimulating fibers, relieve constipation. This action is rendered serviceable in the similar constipation accompanying lead-poisoning, the metal constipating the patient not only by its astringent action, but also by the tetanic spasm of the intestines caused by the irritating action of the lead upon their mucous membrane. The feces are held by spasmodic intestinal contraction, relief of which by a small dose of opium, sufficient to induce peristalsis, will be followed by evacuation.

Circulatory System.-Small doses accelerate the pulse, rendering it fuller and firmer, and dilate the arterioles, though increasing arterial tension. This action is due to stimulation of the vaso