Page 466 - My FlipBook

DENTAL MEDICINE.
464:
ture. Upon cooling the sulphate is deposited in the form of
white, feathery, acicular crystals, of a silky lustre, odorless, with
a bitter taste and a neutral reaction. It is soluble in water and
alcohol.
Medical Properties and Action of the Salts of Morphine.—The
salts of morphine possess anodyne, hypnotic and antispasmodic
properties, and are less stimulating, less convulsant, and more
hypnotic and anodyne than opium, and they also produce less
constipation, and less diaphoretic action than opium. After the
administration or insertion of the ordinary dose, which is one-
sixth to one-fourth of a grain, there is experienced a sense of
heat and flushing of the face, which may be preceded by some
pallor, a fulness of the head, giddiness, noise in the ears, and
frequently nausea, sometimes epigastric pain. The vertigo may
cause a staggering walk and inability to maintain an upright po-
sition. Injection of the conjunctiva and contraction of the
pupils occur at the same time that the cerebral effects are felt.
The lips have a bluish appearance, the mouth and tongue dry,
deglutition is painful and the voice becomes husky. During
these symptoms the anodyne effects are manifested by the relief
of pain and spasm, with perfect calmness of mind and tranquil-
lity. While the effect is generally hypnotic, yet in some cases
there is extreme wakefulness, with great jnental activity, and
when sleep occurs, instead of its being calm, the respirations are
slow, noisy and labored, the patient being disturbed by dreams
and visions. While the action of the heart is diminished in fre-
quency, there is a considerable rise in the arterial tension. When
a hypodermic injection of morphine has been made, there is ex-
perienced an itching of the nose, which may extend to the entire
cutaneous surface. The skin, which is at first dry, becomes
moist, from diaphoresis, which is sometimes profuse. The secre-
tions of the mucous surface are also arrested as a primary effect.
If morphine is administered after a full meal, its effect is to
suspend digestion for some time, and also to temporarily arrest
the intestinal movements and diminish the urinal discharge, and
make its emission difficult on account of the temporary loss of
contractile power of the bladder and of the ejaculatory muscles.