6
Extracted from the Dictionary of
PAPAVER
Medicinal Properties of Opium.
somniferum.
MEDICINE.
Habitual Use.
CHEMISTRY.
FOOD.
Plant.
Seeds.
the tendency to death is by coma or by apnæa, than to those which
produce death by asthenia. In the latter, as in peritonitis, it holds the
first place as a remedial agent. In fevers, especially in the advanced
stages, it is of the highest value, either alone, or in combination with
antimony, camphor, &c., allaying vascular and nervous excitement, and
procuring sleep; but, as a general rule, it is inadmissible when contrac-
tion of the pupil is strongly marked. In painful spasmodic affections,
opium in large and repeated doses often affords immediate relief. In
various morbid states of the abdominal viscera, e.g., simple or cancerous
ulceration of the stomach, chronic gastritis, gastrodynia, nervous and
sympathetic vomiting, diarrhœa, dysentery, colica pictonum, strangulated
hernia, visceral obstructions, &c., it is often given with the best results.
In diseases of the genito. urinary system, e g., cystitis, cystirrhæa, spasmo-
dic stricture of the urethra, also in menorrhagia, dysmenorrhæa, irritable
states of the uterus metritis, &c., it is a remedy of the highest value.
Tetanus, acute rheumatism, and delirium tremens are amongst the other
diseases in which opium has been employed as a sheet anchor. In cholera
it has been used but with doubtful results. In cancerous and gangrenous
ulceration, opium, by allaying constitutional disturbances, often exercises
a favourable influence on the local symptoms. As an external applica-
tion, opium proves valuable in various rheumatic, neuralgic, and other
painful affections; also in ophthalmia and other diseases of the eye."
" DOSE.—From a quarter of a grain to two grains or more according to
circumstances. In many painful affections the sole criterion for the regu-
lation of the dose is the amount of relief afforded."
Opinions differ very materially as to the effect of habitual use of small
doses of opium as a luxury or indulgence. The bulk of the medical evidence
goes to support the verdict that it is not more injurious than the moderate
use of alcohol, and that even its abusive use is less destructive to the victim
and his friends than intemperance. In tropical countries the protection it
affords against fever and other depressing influences is contended to
justify its use as almost a necessity of life. The danger lies in its greater
power to retain its victims than prevails with alcohol. But to the
people of India this feature of opium seems far less serious than in
Europe. A very large community are known to take a small amount
daily and to continue to do so throughout life, without ever showing any
tendency or desire to increase the daily allowance. It is even contended
that in China, where opium indulgence attains its greatest proportions, the
people are strong, healthy, active, and lose none of their national charac-
teristics through the daily use of opium. That, on the contrary, the majority
of the working classes manifest far less evidence of demoralisation and
physical degeneracy than occurs with the labouring classes of Europe
who participate daily in an allowance of spirits. The moral and physiolo-
gical aspects of the opium question are, however, entirely beyond the scope
of this article, which has to deal with its production, uses, and traffic, apart
altogether from party opinions as to its value or otherwise to the human
race.
CHEMISTRY.—The chemistry of opium will be found discussed in a fur-
ther paragraph in connection with the process of purification of the crude
drug and manufacture of the alkaloids.
Food.—Throughout the pages devoted below to the subject of OPIUM,
frequent mention will be found to the manner in which the poppy plant, its
seeds and narcotic, are eaten. Briefly it may be here said that sometimes
the PLANT is grown as a salad and eaten in a. young state like lettuce. In
other cases the young plants weeded from the opium fields are so eaten.
The SEEDS form a valuable article of food in the districts where poppy