(2.) Bimeconate of morphine; (Morphiæ bimeconas, L.) C17H19NO3HC7H3O7. Meconic acid, 11 parts; morphia, 14 parts; dissolve each separately in hot water, q. s.; mix the solutions, and either gently evaporate and crystallise, or at once evaporate to dryness.
Obs. Morphia exists in opium under the form of bimeconate, and hence this preparation of that drug has been preferred by some practitioners. A solution of this salt for medical purposes may be directly prepared from opium, by treating its solution in cold water with a little animal charcoal, filtering, gently evaporating to dryness, redissolving the residuum, in cold water, filtering, and repeating the treatment with animal charcoal. The dose of the dry bimeconate is 1⁄4 gr., or more; and of the meconate rather less. “A powder is also sold, called ‘bimeconate of morphia,’ which is of the same strength as powdered opium, and is given in similar doses. It is obviously incorrect to apply this name to a powder which consists principally of foreign matter. It is to be hoped that physicians will not prescribe this powder under the above name, as such a practice might lead to fatal
results, if the prescription should be prepared with the substance which the name strictly indicates.” (Redwood.)
Morphia, Nitrate of. (A. T. Thomson.) Syn. Morphiæ Nitras. Add morphia in slight excess to very dilute nitric acid, filter, concentrate by gentle evaporation, and set aside that crystals may form.
Morphia, Phosphate of. Syn. Morphiæ phosphas. As the nitrate, substituting dilute phosphoric by nitric acid.
Morphia, Sul′phate of. Syn. Morphiæ sulphas, L. Prep. Saturate very dilute sulphuric acid with morphia, evaporate to one half, add a little animal charcoal, continue the evaporation for a short time longer at a gentle heat, filter whilst hot, and abandon it to spontaneous evaporation. It is decomposed by driving off the water of crystallisation. Sulphate of morphia is included in the Ph. U. S. According to Magendie, this salt sometimes agrees with patients who cannot bear the acetate.
Morphia, Tartrate of. (A. T. Thomson.) Syn. Morphiæ tartras. Prep. Saturate a solution of tartaric acid with morphiæ, concentrate by evaporation, and set aside that crystals may form. By using an excess of acid an acid tartrate may be formed.
MORPHIOM′ETRY. A name given to the process of determining the richness of opium in morphia. See Opium.
MORISON’S PILLS. See Patent medicines.
MORSU′LI. An old name applied to lozenges and masticatories. It is still retained in some foreign Pharmacopœias.