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.)
Opium, which is the chief and only important medicine of this order, may be considered as the type of Narcotics. It causes in the first place a slight quickening of the pulse, and some excitement of the mental faculties. It is named from its peculiar secondary action on the latter. It produces drowsiness and sleep.
We have seen that the term intellectual function must be understood to include not only the mind itself, but also the powers of volition and sensation, by which the mind is connected with the body,—and the five senses, by which it is enabled to appreciate the external world.