[1650] Syrop of white poppies was, till recently, known as sirop of diacodium. Opium is now universally regarded as one of the most important ingredients of the Materia Medica.
[1651] Poppy-seed, in reality, is not possessed of any soporific qualities whatever. This discovery, however, was only made in the latter part of the last century, by the French chemist, Rosier.
[1652] “Collyriis.”
[1653] “Lexipyretos,” “pepticas,” and “cœliacas”—Greek appellations.
[1654] The type of the cultivated poppy is the Papaver somniferum of Linnæus.
[1655] This, Fée says, is a matter of doubt.
[1656] From μήκων, a “poppy.” Tournefort has described this kind of opium obtained by decoction; it is held in little esteem.
[1657] Fée remarks, that this account of the tests of opium is correct in the extreme.
[1658] In B. xix. c. 53. The Papaver rhœas of Linnæus: the field poppy, corn poppy, or corn rose.
[1659] Theophrastus says that it has just the taste of wild endive. Fée remarks that the peasants of Treves eat the leaves of this poppy while young.