Process for the Manufacture of Morphium Compounds capable of being Easily Absorbed like Mekonate.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1899
Process for the Manufacture of Morphium Compounds capable of
being Easily Absorbed like Mekonate.
I, REINHARD FICKEISEN, Kaiserstrasse, Zweibrücken, in the Empire of Germany,
Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to a process for converting morphium into a form which
is insoluble in water but easily absorbable in the presence of the secretions of the
body a condition required in the various methods of treatment of the teeth to
facilitate extraction, and consists essentially of converting morphium into a
compound similar to mekonate, in such a manner that the alkaloid is artificially
restored into its natural combination and consequently shows chemical and thera-
peutic properties differing from the salts of the alkaloid, but which are similar
to those of the natural mekonate contained in opium. In doing this any change
of the morphium into apomorphin is avoided and under the action of the natural
secretions of the body the resulting salt of morphium is locally absorbed.
For the purpose of carrying out this invention morphium chloride or sulphate
is mixed with an excess of borax or other salt having an alkaline reaction and
iodaform by which the resulting product of the alkaloid in substitution of iodine
is converted by the excess of the alkaline salt into a soluble form, so that it can then
form a compound similar to the natural mekonate with the carbolic acid then
added. Both the carbolic acid and the alkaline salt are used in excess and in
about equal proportions or in such proportions that the quantity of acid used does
not exceed that of the alkaline salt in order to prevent the formation of apomorphin
when the preparation is kept. In consequence of the large excess of a salt having
an alkaline re-action (such as borax for example) the resulting substituted
phenolate kresolate etc., is obtained in a form which is easily absorbed in the
presence of the secretions of the body, is of a solid nature convenient for the
purposes of sale, which can be easily kept and be introduced into the teeth. The
preparation does not show the same power of resistance as morphium against the
secretions of the body but on the contrary is very easily absorbed in their presence.
Iodaform is used in excess so as to enable it to combine with the morphium and so
increase its solubility. In consequence of the gradual absorption of the preparation
when used, the diseased roots of the teeth do not require to be treated several times
at considerable intervals as heretofore, but can be treated and filled at one sitting.
By this invention the hitherto usual method of making fillings for the teeth
may be simplified, as through the presence of the morphium phenolate or kresolate
or of the substituted product, slowly but continuously absorbed, a firmer holding
of the filling is ensured due to the presence of the excess of the added alkaline
salt which forms a superficial combination with the filling.
The preparation made by this process can be used as the basis for introducing
the most varied medicinal ingredients into technical dentistry as also generally
in the local treatment of affected parts of the body. It can for instance be mixed in
suitable proportions with clove or fennel oils or with curative preparations of any

page_text: The
kind which are not altered by alkaline salts and on the other hand do not cause
an alteration of the substituted morphium phenolate etc. therein present.
carbolic acid can of course be replaced in like manner to the morphium by suitable
similar preparations, such as kresole, codein etc. The use of the etherial oils such
as clove oil, which forms the subject of the second claim, is analogous to that
of phenol, as in clove oil I have only to do with an ether of a substituted pro-
tocatechou-acid. It has also been proved that the success of the operations
necessary for the manufacture of the preparation is dependent on the proportions
of the separate constituents used in making the same. It is necessary that the
iodaform should be present in about fifteen times the quantity of the morphium
whilst the phenol or its similar substitute is used in a quantity amounting to about
half that of the iodaform.
The following have been shown to be suitable proportions for making the present
preparation.
5 grammes morphium chloride is added to 10 grammes powdered borax and
10 grammes iodaform and the whole thoroughly mixed with 5 grammes carbolic
acid. The resulting mass is then moulded into any desired shape as pills, supposi-
tories or as a powder and should be kept as far as possible from contact with the
air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1
First. A process for the production of a solid, easily absorbable morphium com-
pound similar to natural mekonate and applicable as a substitute for iodine, which
consists in treating morphium salts or their homologues with iodaform and an
excess of a salt having an alkaline reaction such as borax or bi-carbonate of soda
for example, thoroughly mixing and afterwards treating with solid carbolic-acid
or its homologue, thereby forming a powder which can be moulded in any desired
form, substantially as described.
Second. A process in accordance with the first claiming clause hereof in which
morphium salt, substituted for iodine, is used as a basis with carbolic-acid or its
homologue for the introduction of medicinal ingredients for local treatments and
is made up into pharmaceutical product of any kind by mixing it with any desired
medicinal ingredients which do not cause any injurious change in the product,
such as clove or fennel oils for example, and can be made in the form of pills
or powders.
J
1000