2. By acting on opium, previously exhausted by cold water, with ether.
Prop., &c. White, inodorous, fluted, or striated prisms; neutral to test paper; insoluble in cold water; sparingly soluble in boiling water; freely soluble in boiling alcohol and in ether. It is only feebly basic.
Narcotine is distinguished from morphia by its insipidity, solubility in ether, insolubility in alkalies, giving an orange tint to nitric acid, and a greasy stain to paper when heated on it over a candle. Another test for narcotina, said by Orfila to be characteristic, is to add to a little of the suspected substance a drop or two of oil of vitriol, and then to add a very small fragment of nitrate of potassium; the liquid speedily acquires a deep blood-red colour if narcotina is present. Morphia treated in the same way strikes a brown or olive-green colour.
Obs. The physiological action of narcotina is differently stated by different authorities. 1 gr. of it, dissolved in olive oil, killed a dog in 24 hours: but 24 gr. dissolved in acetic acid were given with impunity. (Magendie.) In the solid state it is inert; 120 gr. at a dose scarcely produce any obvious effects. (Bally.) Scruple doses have been given without injury.
(Dr Roots.) It has been recently proposed as a substitute for quinine in the cure of agues. For this purpose the sulphate or hydrochlorate is preferable. 200 cases of intermittent and remittent fevers have been thus successfully treated in India. (Dr O’Shaughnessy.)—Dose, 3 to 10 gr., as an antiperiodic sedative, &c.
Turkey opium contains about 1%, and East Indian opium about 3%, of narcotine.
NA′TRIUM. See Sodium.
NA′TRON. Native carbonate of soda.
NAU′SEA. See Sickness.
NAU′SEANTS. Syn. Nauseantia, L. Substances which induce an inclination to vomit, without effecting it. See Emetics.