An Essay on the Effects of Opium. Considered as a PoisonAwsiter, John
History
An Essay on the Effects of Opium. Considered as a Poison
Awsiter, John
Opium -- Toxicology
Doctor _Jones_ mentions Acids in a secondary Degree, recommending the
fixed and unfermented to be used, "when the Resin is not at Stomach," as
he phrases it. That is, in other Words (as he places the whole noxious
Power inherent in the Resin) when the Patient is not in Danger.
Nervous and cardiac Medicines have a known Property of comforting the
Stomach; the former, by a soft balsamic Power, sheathing the Acrimony,
such are Valerian and Castor; and the other, by a warm stimulating
Nature, including Volatiles and Aromatics——The Antients were very
industrious in the Use of Simples, and attributed many Cures to certain
specific Properties of Individuals, which saved them much Trouble in
Ratiocination of Time, Place, and other accidental Circumstances, that
might arise; of these there are numerous Instances, and among the
Number, some are distinguished as _Specifics_, for the Cure of those
poisoned with Opium; the best of which, are Camphire, Castor, and
Coffee; the former two are recommended by many Authors; the latter, by
Doctor _Willis_, as is the Semen Elephantiasis by _Pliny_.
I think, according to what has been said of the Action of Opium on the
Stomach and nervous System, that the Evacuations by Vomit, Sweat, and
Stool, with the Use of Acids and Cardiacs, become indispensably
necessary to expel the Virus, and prevent an after Relaxation. Can any
one nervous Principle produce all these combined Effects? I think
neither of the abovementioned can; Nor do I know of any other that is
singly capable of it. The strong Power of Castor upon the Womb is so
well known, especially where the Party is pregnant, (which is generally,
I presume, the Case, when Women take this Poison) that the Use of it
ought to be rejected; and I may almost venture to affirm, that, where a
person recovers by taking one kind of Medicine only, the Cure cannot
rationally be accounted for, but through the native Strength of the
Constitution; and, whoever depends upon that alone, must often fail of
Success.
By the Method laid down for the Cure of the milder Effects of this
Poison, the rational Means of treating the most inveterate is
discovered, it being requisite only to encrease the Strength of the
Medicines, in proportion to the opposing Power of the Poison, the
Constitution of the Party, or other concomitant Circumstances.
These being premised; in the second Degree of Symptoms, and in the most
violent, I cannot do better (as I have happily experienced Success in
both) than recite the manner of Cure, as Circumstances occurred to me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account