An Essay on the Effects of Opium. Considered as a Poison — John Shaqi
An Essay on the Effects of Opium. Considered as a PoisonAwsiter, John
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An Essay on the Effects of Opium. Considered as a Poison
Awsiter, John
Opium -- Toxicology
We certainly know, that Lixivial and Alkali Salts will disunite and
dissolve resinous Bodies, but not so expeditiously as these Cases must
require; nor are we ignorant, that such Salts are greatly corrosive; as
we experience in the Composition of Cauteries; must they not therefore
further encrease the Abrasion of the Vessels? We have read likewise, and
indeed Experience confirms, that lixivial Bodies augment the Power of
Volatiles; in that Sense, what can be expected from their Use, but
Expansion, and an Encrease of the corrosive Power? Should we not rather
endeavour to check the Activity of those Principles, by clogging and
weakening their Powers, and to strengthen the fibrous Coats of the
Stomach, against the repeated Attacks of such an active Enemy?
As the Author before us, has been very minute and prolix upon this
Subject, it may be necessary to examine his Principles, relative to the
Cure, somewhat further. The first Thing he judges most proper, and to be
given with all possible Speed, is Salt of Tartar one Scruple, in a
Spoonful or two of Brandy, or some other hot cordial Spirit, if Spirit
of Wine be too hot. Herein we find, lest the Corrosiveness of the fixt
Salt should not prove sufficient, if given separately, their Powers are
to be united; and thus to be repeated even to every two Minutes. There
is something whimsical in his directing the Person to be placed in the
very same Position as he was when he took the Opium, that the Spirit, or
rather combined Solvent, should fall immediately upon the Resin, and
thus instantaneously, as he expresses himself, dissolve and disengage it
from the Coats of the Stomach.
Why a fixed Salt is to be given in a spirituous Body, I cannot
comprehend; the Salt being, in such a Liquid, indissoluble, and
certainly more corrosive. I fear too, that if it should immediately
dissolve the Resin (which is a very improbable Supposition) it would
only encrease the Corrosiveness and Expansion of the Poison, whereby the
Stimulus would become excessive, and would inflame and contract the
Orifices of the Stomach so powerfully, as to prevent the Benefit that
might arise from Vomiting, and so throw the Party into an immediate
Convulsion; for this same Reason, I think his subsequent Direction, to
take the Alkali Salt and Spirit after every Vomiting, lest it should
return from the Stomach without any Effect, very unnecessary; for the
Inflammation of the Oesophagus and Larynx would undoubtedly prevent such
a Kind of Remedy being administered very often.
The taking the Yolk of an Egg, to sheath the Salts of the Opium, and
confine their Power, and the Sapo Tartareus, stand both recommended by
Dr. _Jones_; the Egg particularly, with this additional Assertion, "That
it will be found by Experience (which is yet much wanted, because it has
not been used) "to be the very best Help in these Cases."
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