A universal formulary : containing the methods of preparing and administering officinal and other medicines the whole adapted to physicians and pharmaceutists / by R. Eglesfeld Griffith.

  • Robert Eglesfeld Griffith
Date:
[1854]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A universal formulary : containing the methods of preparing and administering officinal and other medicines the whole adapted to physicians and pharmaceutists / by R. Eglesfeld Griffith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    572/696 (page 566)
    HYOSCYAMUS — NARCOTICO-IRRITANTS. When tbe suspected fluid has been procured from the stomach, it usually contains a mixture of organic substances; these must be broken down, and the whole ren- dered sufiiciently fluid by the addition of distilled water tohen necessary, and then bo slightly acidulated with acetic acid. The liquor thus obtained, when well agitated, and filtered, must be evaporated to consistence of syrup. And, after being digested with alcohol, it must be boiled, and again concentrated to nearly the consistence of syrup. When this alcoholic extract (as it has been called) is dissolved in distilled water, the solution of ammonia, cautiously added, produces a precipitate of morphia, which acquires a deep-red color changing to yellow, when nitric acid is dropped into it, and a blue color on the addition of tincture of chloride of iron. When the last named precipitate is removed by filtration, and acetate of lead added to the superna- tant (meconate of ammonia) liquor, a (meconate of lead') deposit is aiforded ; which, when suspended in water, is decomposed by the transmission of sulphuretted hydro- gen ; a dark precipitate being thereby thrown down. The fluid remaining from this last process acquires a deep cherry-red hue on the addition of the tincture of chloride of iron. Morphia in the solid state: Is only slightly soluble in water. Nitric acid turns it first to an orange, and then to a deep orange-red color. Chloride of iron gives a blue color, which is destroyed by acids. Iodic acid is decomposed by morphia, and iodine is set free. To show this, the acid is to be mixed with starch; on the addi- tion of morphia, the iodine combines with the starch, which becomes of a blue color, if the quantity be large, or of a reddish or purplish tint, if it be small. Treatment. — The stomach to be evacuated by means of the stomach-pump, as speedily as possible. This is to be pursued until the water used no longer has the smell or taste of opium. When a stomach-pump cannot be procured, or if the patient shall have swallowed solid opium, emetics of sulphate of zinc should be administered, until the stomach is freed; strong decoctions of tea or cofiee, or other vegetable astringents, are found useful in the intervals. Cold affusions on the head, chest, and spine, have been used with great success. Flagellation and other means of arousing the patient from a state of lethargy must also be employed. Bleeding should not be resorted to until all the poison has been eliminated, as the abstraction of blood tends to promote absorption, and, even then, with much caution. The administration of vinegar is also objectionable. The best liquid that can be given is a strong decoction of coffee. The various antidotes that have been recommended are useless. [The evidence, in favor of the successful employment of artificial respiration iu cases that were apparently desperate, has become so strong and unquestionable, that no practitioner is justifiable in abandoning his case until this measure has been faithfully tried. Active stimulation is often required.] Hyoscyamus. Symptoms.—Sickness, stupor, dimness of sight, and delirium, followed by coma and much dilatation of the pupils; pulse at first hard, but becoming weak and tremulous; petechiae often making their appearance before death. Morhid Appearances.—Inflammation of the stomach, bowels, and brain. Tests.—There are no tests that can be relied upon, except a recognition of the plant, and the nature of the symptoms. Treatment.—The speedy evacuation of the poison, by means of emetics and pur- gatives, and the subsequent use of acidulous drinks. [The Editor doubts the propriety of the latter recommendation, notwithstanding the high European authority in its favor, because the use of acidulous driuks will, most certainly, result in the formation of soluble salts with the remnants of the hyoscyamia that may be in the stomach; thereby adding to the danger. He would suggest, instead, the free use of vegetable astringents in solution.] Narcotico-Irhitants.—These are very closely allied in their effects to the last clas.s, but have a more direct action on the spinal marrow and nerves, as shown bj^ the more frc<j[uent occurrence of convulsions and paralysis. They difler much from