Narcotica.
Ord. 1. Inebriantia.
Ord. 2. Somnifera.
Ord. 3. Deliriantia.
These Orders are named from the secondary action of these different Narcotics on the intellectual functions. In the production of inebriation these functions are impaired and deranged; in sleep they are lulled or extinguished for a time; and in delirium they are excited and led astray. The several actions of these orders will be more minutely described presently, and the individual medicines of which they are composed will be shown to agree with the general definition of Narcotics.
Dr. A. Billing considers that Stimulants call forth nervous force, and Sedatives depress it; and that Narcotics do neither the one nor the other, but merely impede its communication. I do not consider this distinction to be quite correct. Narcotics exert in the first place a stimulant, and in the second place a sedative action; but these actions have no relation in degree, for one of them always exceeds the other, as we have just seen. Thus in the whole effect, either the stimulation must exceed the depression, or the depression must be greater than the stimulation. So that in one way or the other the quality of nervous influence must be altered.
The medicines of the first order of Narcotics resemble Stimulants so far as this, that they tend altogether to increase the amount of nervous force. Perhaps Tobacco and Lobelia are exceptions to this. The medicines of the third order, and some of those in the second, tend on the whole to diminish the quantity of nervous force, and are thus akin to Sedatives. A correct understanding of the differences in action which exist between the groups of Neurotic medicines is, I think, very essential to a right application of these remedies in the treatment of disease.
Ord. I. Inebriantia.
(Alcohol; Wine; Ethers; Chloroform; Camphor; Indian Hemp; Tobacco; Lobelia.)
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.