The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-04-15
ICOMNUNICATED.l

DESARcoTrzED LAUBAsUM. A preparation Of
opium bearing this title is now very rapidly
aking the place Of ordinary laudanum, as we'll
tor common use, as in the practice Of the first
physicians, both in Europe and America.
The peculiar medicinal virtues of this
preparation over those possessed by common
audanum, and by which its preiensions to
preference are sustained, are not so much its
superiority in aleviating pain and procuring
repose, as its power Of producing these effects
equally as roeH, while it leaves the system
generally, and the head and stomach in par
tlcular, free IN q Dery grea, measure from
those unpleasant feelings and Injurious con-
sequences, which almost universally attend
the habitual use of either crude opium, or its
common preparations. In the preparation a
bove mentioned, opium is deprived of narco-
tine (the principle which produces the stupor,
head ache and unpleasant effects) by treating
1t IN proper manner with highly rectifed
sulphuric ether; after this is extracted the o.
plum remaining (Which now consists Of NOR
phine mingled with several other matters)
is to be so combined with alchol as TO ensure
to the mixture sedatve power, about equal
to that possessed by common laudanum.
There arc indeed few discoveries in the an
mails of Modern Medicine which seen, to excite
more interest and attention, or which appear
Healing Art, than those which have been de-
veloped by the French chemists, and Pharma-
ciens, within few years, in regard to the ac-
tive medicinal principles contained in many
ofthe most important and powerful articles Of
the Materia Medica, and On which their solo
power and efficacy depend.
The great end of medical science is at all
times to prolong life, and increase human hap.
piness by preserving health, and to suppress
and alleviate human misery by conquering dis.
ease. But to accomplish this highly useful and
important end it is evident that the Physician
must have regard to tho nature and proper.
ties Of the remedies he employs, as we'll as to
the particular diseased condition OF the part,
or system, to which such remedies are to be
applied.
The French physicians and chemists were
the first to recognise the Importance, and act
in accordance with the demands of the above
mentioned position and it is to them that tho
medical world is principally indebted for much
useful information concerning the ac i've prin-
ciples Of many Of our most servcable medi-
cines, as we'll as, for de6nitive instructions in
regard to the best methods Of separating them
from the foreign substances with which they
are naturally combined, and for practical di-
rections in regard to their safe and successful
Among the names Of those
who have contributed largely TO improve this.
branch Of science, M. M Magendie, Pelletier,
Derosne. Sertuerner, Dublane, Rob-
met, and Robiquet, hold the most conspicuous
place.
The principal new remedies with the ma
ture and tical usss Of which their research
cs and observations have made us acquainted
are those Of strychnine, the active principle
Of nuI vomica; b.ucine, the active element Of
the brucea antidysenteriea; morphine, the Sc.
dative principle Of opium; narcotine, the mar.
cot and supplying principle Of opium; hydro
cyanic, or prussic acid kinine and cinchon.
inc, the active elements Of Peruvian barks;
eme,ine, the emetie principle ofipecacuhana;
iodine, simple elementary substance; piper:
inc, the pungsnt principle Of common pepper:
the chlorurets Of lime & soda; tho salts gold
and platina; digltaline, the active principle Of
fox glove; lupulne, the active principle Of
common hops (humulus lupulus); rhubarbins,