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
In the most extream and violent Degree, when a large Quantity of this
Poison has been taken, and gained its full Power of Action, the Symptoms
are, an Inclination, but Inability, to vomit, from the great
Inflammation of the Parts, Hickupings, heavy and dead Sleeps, unequal
Pulse, Convulsions, Contraction of the Jaw, profuse and cold Sweats,
with a total Relaxation of the extream Parts. In this State, I found a
Patient, who had taken the Poison upwards of an Hour; she was lying on
the Bed, in a profound Stupor, interrupted only with Convulsions.—She
did not exceed the Age of Eighteen, of a slender and delicate
Constitution. I ordered her immediately to be raised to a sitting
Posture in Bed, supported by Attendants on each Side; and then gave the
following Powder, mixed with warm Water, in a Spoon; as that was the
readiest Way the Medicine could be got down, some Force being requisite,
and half of it, even then, was lost, by running out at the Sides of the
Mouth; yet the Stimulus of the remaining Quantity, which reached the
Oesophagus, or Mouth of the Stomach, was sufficient to cause an
immediate Inclination to vomit, and gave Opportunity for pouring down
Fluids.
The Powder was of Ipecacuanha, and _Russia_ Castor, each half a Drachm
in fine Powder, mix them for one Dose. In the Space of ten Minutes I
might get down, I suppose, about one half of this Powder, and the warm
Water, which we forced into her at the last, in some Quantity,
occasioned her to vomit plentifully five or six different Times; her
Senses yet were in no Degree returned; her Head falling upon the
Shoulder, as if lifeless; the Convulsions, however, ceased, and she grew
warm. I caused her then to be roused as much as possible, by a continual
Movement of her Arms and Body; but to little Purpose. The following
Medicines were then given:
Take of the Powder of _Russia_ Castor, Mountain Valerian Root, each half
a Scruple, Aromatic Species, five Grains; and with a sufficient Quantity
of Sir _Walter Raleigh_'s Cordial, mix them into a Bolus, to be taken
directly, and repeated every half Hour, or oftener, as the Urgency of
the Case might require.
Take of simple Spear-Mint Water six Ounces; strong Cinnamon Water,
distilled Vinegar, each one Ounce; Syrup of Clove Gilly-Flowers six
Drams; mix them together into a Julep, of which give the Patient four
Spoonfuls with each of the above Bolusses, and between whiles, when
faint.
Assafœtida Drops were used likewise to her Nostrils and Temples, and
Blisters applied to the Arms as expeditiously as possible.
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