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462 DENTAL MEDICINE.

10 to 15 per cent. It is present in opium in combination with
meconic acid, and the meconate of morphia is separated by re-
peated macerations with water, after which the salt is decom-
posed by alcohol and water of ammonia, the latter precipitating
the morphine and the former taking up the coloring matter as
soon as it is freed from the alkali. The crystals of morphine
are then boiled in alcohol and the solution filtered through ani-
mal charcoal. Morphine is in the form of white, or colorless
crystals, which are inflammable and freely soluble in boiling
alcohol, scarcely soluble in cold water, and somewhat so in boil-
ing water. The salts of morphine, however, are freely soluble
in water. It is without odor, and has a very bitter taste. Mor-
phine differs somewhat in its mode of action from opium, which
may arise from the peculiar state of combination in which it ex-
ists in opium. Morphine is more insoluble than its salts, and for
this reason the latter are preferred for administration.
Medical Properties and Action.—Morphine is more powerful
than opium ; but it causes less vascular and arterial excitement,
less headache and vertigo, less subsequent depression, less con-
stipation, and often it will be retained on an irritable stomach,
when opium or its tincture (laudanum) would be rejected.
Morphine is indicated when the object is to relieve nervous
irritability and induce tranquillity. The effects of morphine
differ according to the peculiarities of nervous constitution.
The hypnotic effect may be produced and the stimulant action
be confined to the heart ; in some cases the excitant effect pre-
vails, or the two effects may be equal. The excitant effect may
counteract the hypnotic effect to a greater or less degree, result-
ing in insomnia with restlessness, or even delirium. Females
appear to be more liable to its excitant effects than males; and
if there ' is present a highly emotional, excitable and energetic
temperament, it causes great distress and dangerous effects when
hypodermically administered.
Therapeutic Uses.—Morphine, in the form of salts, is em-
ployed as an anodyne and hypnotic in neuralgic affections, dis-
eases of the heart, painful uterine affections, and in all cases of
painful affections. (See Opium.)