An Essay on the Effects of Opium. Considered as a Poison

by John Awsiter

Some Authors apprehend, that common Opium is not made alone from the Head, but from the impressed Juice of the whole Plant; and indurated by the Sun's Heat, See Mathiolus, Scaliger, &c. But, if the Authority of Pliny is not thought sufficient, Geoffroy further refutes this Opinion; clearly proving, by extracting the Juice of the Leaves and Stem of the Poppy-Plant, that on the most strict Analysis, it is many Degrees inferior in Strength to the Properties of common Opium. This is also confirmed by the Examination of the Fæces, or impure Parts, remaining from the Solution of our Opium, they having no Similitude to the woody Fibres belonging to the Plant, which might pass with the Juice, by the Force of the Press, but to the light spongy Particles from the Apex or Head, with some little Grit.

We have several Instances of the fæculent Parts of inspissated Vegetable Juices increasing the Violence of their Operation; such are the Aloes of the Shops, Scammony, and grosser Juice of the wild Cucumber, called Elaterium. The Fæculæ of Opium, in the State wherein we receive it, will clog the more fine Parts, and prevent their ready Passage through the Pores of the Skin; and as the Time of its Duration in the Body, by such Means, is greatly increased, the Effects must necessarily remain longer, and the deleterious Quality have more Power over the human System. Wedelius says, id certissimum habemus nunquam ab Opio ulla timenda esse incommoda si bene sit depuratum. Lib. 1. Sect. 2. Cap. 3.

There are several Plants which have a sleeping Property, though not in so great a Degree as the inspissated Juice of the Poppy, yet more poisonous, because they are not endued with that volatile Power to carry themselves off. Thus we find the Juice of Hemlock, Mandrake, Nightshade, and several others of this Class, loaded with an acrid Salt, which, when inwardly taken, will corrode, vellicate, and cause an immediate Inflammation in the Primæ Viæ, to which the Nerves consent by a general Convulsion; and if any of these venene Powers remain long enough in the Body, to insinuate themselves into the Circulation, the debilitated Blood will become stagnant in, or lacerate, the capillary Vessels. Examples of these have been seen in Indians, who have taken Poison, which, though not of immediate Power to destroy Life, has manifested itself in Ulcers over the whole Body; and what is related of the Poison of the Seps Hæmorrhous, or Hæmorrhoid Serpent, is very extraordinary, that it will make the Blood flow out from several Parts of the Body; which can only be accounted for by an extream Fluidity of the Blood, and a consequent Velocity in Circulation, increased to such a Degree, as to lacerate the capillary Vessels, and thereby force them to part with their Contents.

From the various and violent Effects I have observed to arise from the Use of different Parcels of Opium, I am inclined to think, that the Juice of some Narcotic Plant is frequently added to that of the Poppy, in order to increase the Quantity of the Drug; and Bellonius observes, that Traders in Opium have so far adulterated it, that four Ounces of the pure Drug have sometimes been multiplied to a Pound. I myself have observed, in the Use of two different Opiums upon one Subject, that the one had a mild and proper Effect, and the other, through its Churlishness of Operation in the first Passages and Symptoms, on the following Day, had the Appearance of Poison, though in an inferior Degree. Such may always be suspected of Adulteration with the acrid Juice of some other Plant, and when a Purging ensues the taking of Opium, it most probably arises from a Mixture with the milky Juice of Spurge; there being nothing in the Principles or Effects of the pure Drug, to excite Purgation. This I apprehend to be the Reason why solid Opium sometimes purges, and the Tincture very seldom, the Menstruum used, dissolving only the finer Powers.

To judge of pure Opium in the Lump, is a great Nicety, and what the Buyer ought to be very careful of, that it may answer his Intention of easing, and not injuring his Patient, if he designs using it inwardly; for this Intent, some Authors have given Instructions; but how few are they, who are assiduous to know the different Degrees of Strength each different Lump may contain! It is thought enough, if it has the Appearance of Opium, and the stronger it is in Smell and Taste (provided it is not drossy) they think it will go furthest, and consequently is best.

This Drug is to be chosen by Colour, Smell and Taste; the best Sort is of a Reddish-Brown; that which is deepened to Blackness, being fit only for external Use, as we may expect it to be mixed with some other narcotic Extract. To the Smell it should be pungent, almost to Volatility, without Fœtidness. When it proves very powerfully acrimonious to the Tongue (which the Opium we use, too often does) the inward Use of it should be rejected. The Right Sort is very bitter, and as such will be pungent to the Tongue, but will not leave a Soreness behind, in the Manner of corrosive Bodies; it should not be chosen heavy, lest it should be mixt with Sand, to increase the Weight; nor very dry, as some of its finer Powers might be then lost; and when cut in thin Slices, it may, by holding it to the Light, be easily discovered, if drossy.

Burning it, in order to try the Purity, is recommended by some Authors; the best, emitting a clear Flame; to which let me add, that being a resinous Body, it may, if pure, be moulded by Heat into any Form, and answers the Characteristic observed of it by Pliny, Lib. 20. Cap. 18. Sed maxime mirum, Æstivo sole deprehendi. Syncerum enim sudat, & se diluit, donec succo recenti simile fiat.

All authors agree, that Opium is very volatile, which Volatility must be the Cause of its immediate action on the Stomach; this is likewise manifest, by the following simple Experiment:

"Take a Portion of Opium, either sliced or grated, place it before the Fire, near enough to dry without scorching; after remaining some time, you will find the Strength of it considerably abated."

This Process was directed by the Ancients, to deprive it of its supposed poisonous Quality, but that is left behind in the grosser Body. The effects of it, thus managed, would not be so sudden, though used in large Doses, yet would prove, for Reasons given in a former Page, more severe and permanent; by this Means, the fixt Salts and Fæculæ remain, and the volatile Spirit, which occasions the soft refreshing Sleep, is in a great Measure, evaporated.