An inaugural dissertation on opium embracing its history, chemical analysis and use and abuse as a medicine / / by William G. Smith.

  • Smith, William G., active 1832.
Date:
April 2, 1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inaugural dissertation on opium embracing its history, chemical analysis and use and abuse as a medicine / / by William G. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    umlaut. The fact appears to be, that it acts primarily by stimulating the nervous system, while its secondary ef- fect is a diminution of nervous energy, producing torpor, insensibility and sleep. Administered in a moderate dose to a man in health, it produces within a short time, gene- rally from five to twenty minutes, a marked effect oo the brain and nervous system. There is an increase of the animal spirits, or a tranquil confidence and serenity of mind; which is afterwards followed by a tendency to sleep. It diminishes the sensibility of the animal system ; and the body becomes less susceptible of annoyance, pain, or disturbance from external causes; in mode- rate doses, it lessens irritability in the various organs and textures, so that their functions are manifestly re- tarded. Primarily it operates as a powerful and very diffusible stimulus; but this primary operation is followed by narcotic and sedative effects, in a degree much greater than could be expected from the previous excitement it induces. It is not known to produce any change in the composition of the blood, but increases the aqueous exhalations from the lungs. * In moderate doses, it increases the fulness, the force, and the frequency of the pulse ; augments the heat of the body; quickens respiration, and invigorates both the corporeal and mental functions. But, by degrees, these effects are succeeded by languor, lassitude, and sleep; and, in many instances, headache, sickness, thirst, tremors, and other symptoms of debility such as usually follow the excessive use of ardent spirits, supervene. It acts on the different tissues, by lessening their natural secretions and excretions, excepting the secretion from the skin, which it promotes. Its operation is often attended with an itch- ing, or sense of pricking of the skin, which is sometimes terminated by a species of miliary eruption. All the chylopoetic viscera are rendered slower in the perform- ance of their functions; f the appetite is less keen, ami digestion slower; the peristaltic motion is lessened; the urine is diminished; and the mucous of the throat and fauces rendered thick and more sparing. It relaxes mus- cular action, and in very large doses, the primary excite- * Buidach. Arzneymittellehre, b. iii. s. 491. t The foeces of persons, says Dr, Paris, after the use of opium, is often clay-coloured