The poisonous Effects of Opium, whether in a solid or fluid State, may be considered in the same Light, as Ebriety from spirituous Liquors; a very small Quantity will overcome a weak Constitution, while a strong one will require much more; nevertheless, a weak Constitution, used to Opium, will bear as much, uninjured, as the strongest, if unaccustomed to the Use of it. In a general Sense, however, even in the most robust, a Dose, exceeding three Grains, may be truly pronounced to be of dangerous and poisonous Consequence; and in some Cases, half that Quantity will prove sufficient. It operates sooner in a liquid, than in a solid Form; in the former, admitting the Doses are too large, in half an Hour, and often in fifteen, or ten Minutes, unless Exercise intervenes; In the latter, in two Hours, sometimes in one, sometimes in half an Hour; the Injury produced by the Liquid, being more sudden and transient, that of the Solid, more slow and lasting. The Liquid, by a speedy Expansion, is frequently, and almost instantly, rejected by the Stomach, the other not; by which it is easily discoverable, that though the Effects of Opium, in a liquid State, are more immediate, they are sooner counteracted, and more easily overcome; for which Reason, every Vender of Medicines ought to be extreamly cautious to whom he sells this Drug, that it may not be converted to a wrong Use. However it is seldom known that a Person attempts to poison himself with solid Opium, though frequently with the Tincture. The general Effects of Opium, are as follow, _viz._ Upon almost immediate taking, the first Symptoms are a Heat and Weight at the Stomach, succeeded by an Extravagance of Spirits, even to violent Laughter, Listlesness of the Limbs, Giddiness, Head-ache, Loss of Memory, dead Look of the Eyes, imperfect Speech, Drowsiness, slow and full Pulse, short and quick Breathing, Nauseas, and an extream florid Complexion. These Symptoms are the common Consequences of Drunkenness, as well as Opium, though not all at the same Time in one and the same Object, the Symptoms varying according to the Strength of the Constitution. The more violent and extream Effects are Itchings of the Skin, Madness, Vertigoes, Vomitings, Hickups, heavy and dead Sleeps, unequal Pulse, Contraction of the Jaw, Convulsions, profuse Sweats, universal Relaxation, Faintings, Coldness of the extreme Parts; and lastly, a cold Breath, a certain Indication of Death. Before we treat of the Cure of these too violent and, too frequently, fatal Effects, it will be requisite to explain the Cause of this Poison's Power in the Primæ Viæ, or Stomach. First then, let us consider the component Parts, which, when examined by a chemical Analysis, are found to contain a very large Portion of volatile Salt and Spirit; a fœtid; corrosive, and sulphureous Oil; some little of a fixed Salt; and a small Quantity of indolent Earth. Vide _Lemery_, _Mead_, _Geoffroy_, &c.