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490 DENTAL MEDICINE. ;
as the chronic forms—chronic tuberculosis and fibroid lung ; but
not in acute phthisis and caseous pneumonia; also in chronic
affections of the brain and nervous system, and such skin diseases
as lupus, ecthyma, psoriasis, etc. It is also employed in sequelae
of scarlet fever, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic rheuma-
tism and rheumatic arthritis, strumous synovitis, scrofula, caries
and necrosis of bone ; scrofulous, rickety infants and chlorotic
girls derive benefit from warm baths and inunctions of the oil
also lean persons. Inunction with cod-liver oil is also useful in
rubeola, scarlatina, erysipelas, high fevers, catarrhal attacks, scrof-
ula, phthisis, chronic dysentery, etc. It builds up the tissues,
repairs waste and supplies nervous, muscular and digestive power.
It may be administered in ale, beer, coffee, lemon juice, hot
whiskey punch, compound spirits of lavender and brandy, or
washing out the mouth with whiskey or brandy, or as an emulsion
made with glycerine and yolks of eggs, and flavored. It is also
used in the preparation of bread in form of rolls ; ether added to
it promotes its digestion ; fifteen minims of ether to every half-
ounce of the oil.
Dose.—Of cod-liver oil, f5j to 5iv.
OPIUM.
Source.—Opium is obtained from the unripe capsules of the
papaver somniferum, of the natural order Papaveracea—poppy
order, in the form of a concrete juice, which exudes from in-
cisions, and which is permitted to evaporate spontaneously.
Commercial opium is in the form of irregular masses, of from a
few ounces to several pounds in weight, with a moist, brown or
chestnut surface, and a peculiar odor and nauseous taste. The
purest form should have a chestnut color, a strong aromatic flavor,
and a dense consistence, and break with a deeply notched fracture,
and when drawn across white paper leave an uninterrupted line.
The alkaloid morphine is the most important of the chemical
constituents of opium. (See Morphine.)
Medical Properties and Uses.—As an anodyne and hvpnotic
opium possesses the power of relieving pain and inducing sleep ;
it relaxes muscular spasm, and hence is a very efficient remedy in