The medicines of this order, taking Alcohol as the type, approach more nearly to Stimulants than any other Narcotics. When given in small doses, their narcotic operation may hardly be perceived. They are then exhilarants; slightly quickening the pulse, and enlivening the mental faculties. When given in large doses, this stimulating action on the heart and mental powers occurs first, and is now more intense; but it is soon succeeded by disturbance and impairment of the intellectual functions. The secondary depression of the heart is comparatively feeble, except in the case of Tobacco and Lobelia, which are exceptional members of this order. The disturbance of the mind produced by these medicines is not of a partial, but of a general character, extending to all the intellectual functions. It is called Inebriation, or drunkenness, and may exist in various degrees. The mind itself is confused and bewildered; volition is impaired, so that the man staggers in his walk; and the powers of the senses are disordered or lost. This condition, when carried to an excess, results in stupefaction, coma, and death. These are the several degrees of the same action, which is a general impairment of all the intellectual functions. Alcohol and the Ethers produce the primary exhilaration in the greatest degree; Tobacco and Lobelia, in the least. Though varying in degree, yet, as far as the stage of inebriation, the effects of these medicines are similar in kind. Stupefaction constitutes the next stage of the action of Alcohol, Camphor, Indian Hemp, Ether, and Chloroform. Camphor and Indian Hemp exert at this period an anodyne influence; to which also, in the case of Indian Hemp, may be added a very curious imitation of Catalepsy. Ether and Chloroform have at this time a peculiar action in extinguishing the sense of Feeling. With this object they are commonly administered by inhalation in painful surgical operations. The stupefaction produced by the above medicines is not at all prominent in the case of Tobacco and Lobelia inflata. Instead of that they both exert a particular sedative action on the heart and circulation. This is accompanied with nausea, and with great relaxation of the muscular system, like that which is produced by Antimony. It may lead to syncope and death. Syncope has been known to be suddenly produced in some cases of the inhalation of Ether and Chloroform. These two medicines are also muscular relaxers, like Tobacco. The cases which demand the employment of these medicines, as also of the other Narcotics and Sedatives, will be considered at the close of the section treating of Neurotics, and again when some of them are separately described in the fourth chapter. ORD. II. SOPORIFICS. (Opium. Lactuca. Hops. Nutmegs.)