_Morphine and codeine compared with the action of opium._ Morphine is more anodyne and hypnotic; it causes more intense puritis (itching) is less stimulant, less convulsant, less constipating and diaphoretic. Codeine is a motor paralyzant; it exalts the spinal cord more than morphine and affects the cerebrum less, producing muscular tremors in excess of sedation; it reduces the urinary sugar in diabetes and has a selective sedative influence on the pneumogastric nerve, thus a better sedative in cough. _Indications for the use of Opium_: 1. To relieve pain and spasm. 2. To produce sleep. 3. To abort inflammation. 4. To check excessive secretions. 5. To act as a stimulant and supporting agent. 6. As a sudorific (not so active in animals as in man). Sulphuric ether administered with opium prevents its drying up effects as well as the nauseating and depressing effects. Used for pain from any cause except acute inflammation of the brain. Used in low fevers to support the system when sufficient food cannot be taken, also in irritation of bronchi, bladder, stomach and bowels, as well as the uterus. In inflammation of the serous membranes which line the abdominal walls (peritonitis) opium can be used freely; combined or alternated with aconite and diuretics is very highly recommended and tends to prevent dropsical conditions. In inflammation of the serous membrane investing lungs and lining the thorax (pleurisy) opium and aconite will often arrest its development if administered in its first stages. In diarrhoea and dysentery opium is said to be one of the best medicines we have, it can be combined with acetate of lead, prepared chalk, etc. In inflammation of the bowels, owing to its effect in binding up the bowels, belladonna alternated with aconite is preferred to opium. In colds administer Dover’s Powder, or opium, ammonium carbonate, quinine sulphate and camphor. In spasmodic colic do not use opium, but give hypodermically three to four grains of morphine sulphate; it is non-constipating; also use anodynes, such as cannabis indica, hyoscyamus, etc., are preferable. In gastritis, opium conjoined with bismuth subnitrate and hydrastis. In eversion of the rectum or uterus, administer morphine hypodermically to prevent straining. In muscular spasms opium is very effective. In cerebro-spinal meningitis opium should be administered early, before exudation has set in, with belladonna and ergot, alternated with aconite. In diabetes mellitus, codeine is said to be best, as it lessens the amount of sugar in the urine and should be administered by the mouth; if given hypodermically it exerts no influence on the sugar. In catarrhal diseases administer opium to lessen the discharge. In Thumps administer full doses of morphine subcutaneously. In inflammation of the eyes morphine sulphate is very efficient combined with zinc sulphate and distilled water.