Morphinum

Morphinum.

MORPHINUM. Morphia. An alkaloid of Opium. C17H19HO3. Trituration. Solution.

MORPHINUM ACETICUM. Acetate of Morphia. C17H19NO3C2H4O2. Trituration. Solution.

MORPHINUM MURIATICUM. Hydrochlorate of Morphia. C17H19NO3HCL. Trituration. Solution.

MORPHINUM SULPHURICUM. Sulphate of Morphia. C17H19NO3H2SO4. Trituration. Solution.

Chorea. Constipation. Convulsions. Eyes, affections of. Headache. Irritation. Jaws, clenched. Lightning-stroke. Neuralgia. Palpitation. Sleep, disordered. Strabismus, divergent. Trismus. Tympany. Vertigo. Vision, illusions of.

Morphia is the alkaloid of Opium, which contains the most characteristic properties of the drug. The alkaloid itself, the Acetate, the Muriate, and the Sulphate have all been used as pain-deadeners and sleep producers, but I do not find it practicable to attempt to distinguish between them, since the particular salt given has not always been mentioned. Alkaloids do not act in the same way as ordinary bases in their union with acids; the alkaloid does not displace any of the molecules of the acid; a molecule of acid is simply added to a molecule of alkaloid and not integrated with it.

The distinction therefore between salts of alkaloids is less than between salts of metals, &c. I have included effects of all in the Schema; it is probable that the symptoms of any one of them will be sufficient to indicate any other. Rufus L. Thurston (H.

P., xv. 563) records a short but very important proving of Morphinum on a patient who took a grain for sleeplessness. Among the symptoms was this, which he italicised: "Vertigo from the least movement of the head." Not long after, Skinner (H. P., xvi. 123) had a case of vertigo with tendency to fall forward and with this symptom: "Becomes unconscious and all becomes dark, < by movement of any kind, especially of the head, and by eating and drinking. Morph. mur. 500 (F.

C.) cured the case. C. M. Boger (H.

P., xvi. 295) cured with Morph. sulph. c.m. this case: Miss M., 22, dark, spare. Headache with sensation of being wound up tight. Sleepiness and numbness of lower extremities. Intense vertigo on least motion of head.

Thus both the Muriate and the Sulphate availed to cure a symptom produced by the plain alkaloid. In Thurston's case there was also the "wound-up" headache, which is confirmed by Boger's cure as another note of Morph. Another feature of Thurston's case was sudden faintness. The same symptom was produced, by one-eighth of a grain of the Sulphate, in a case reported by E.

V. Ross (H. P., xvi. 524): "Spells of feeling faint come on suddenly, with great anxiety; thought she was going to die." In the same case this peculiar symptom appeared: "Delusion of vision on closing eyes, sees a man standing at foot of bed. The room seems full of white and coloured babies." In my experience the Acetate has produced much more violent gastric symptoms than the Muriate, but not different in kind.

Green vomit is a constant effect. Restlessness and hyperaesthesia are prominent symptoms: restlessness of legs, wants them held; feels as if worms in them. Trembling, twitching, jerking, and convulsions; even tetanus. This is marked in the clenching of the jaws.

Morphia habitués have extreme susceptibility to pain, and Morph. is indicated in neuralgia where the pains are so violent as to threaten convulsions; pain causing twitching or jerking of limbs. Violent and sudden neuralgic pains (as well as sudden fainting). Morph. is just as susceptible emotionally as to pain; "Cannot describe symptoms for tears and sobs." The head is very heavy and hot; drowsiness.

The sleep symptoms of Morph. are not distinguishable from those of Opium. Intense drowsiness. Deep sleep. Half sleeping state: "He lay in a half-waking, half-stupid state, but with perfect ability to think of different things, though at the same time he was busy with confused phantasies; limbs stiff." On the other hand there is sleeplessness and restless sleep with starting up.

Dreams may be pleasant or frightful. The symptoms are: < By eating. < By movement. < By (slightest) movement of head.

< After sleep (head dull, vertigo as from disordered stomach, after a nap). < In morning (pain in head on waking > on moving about). < By vinegar. > By coffee.

Morph. cured nervous spasms brought on by lightning-stroke, the spasms being < by any exposure to heat, > by cold; was compelled to go to a cool place Peculiar sensations are: Tensive sensations in head as if skull too small for the brain. As if brain wound up. Something shot to head like lightning the instant the injection took place. Sight as if obscured by a fog.

Tickling of nose and tip of nose. Tongue as if thick. Teeth as if clenched. Indescribable sensation behind lower half of sternum.

As if worms in legs.

Antidote to: Electricity (Morph. acet., see ELECTRICITAS). Antidoted by: Avena, Atrop., Bell., Strong Coffee; Aco. and Ipec. especially useful for secondary effects. [Keaney (H. P., xv. 195) cured with one dose of Sul. c.m.

(Swan) a man who had taken two grains of morphine daily for fifteen years.] Inimical: Vinegar (it increases the painful symptoms, vertigo, &c.). Compare: Op., Codein., Apomorph. In excessive sensibility, Aco., Cham. Weeps in telling symptoms, Puls.

Vertigo on least movement of head, Mosch. (Mosch. has also vertigo from movement of eyelids). < By movement, Bry. (cats and other felines, and fowls, are insensible to Morph.

(H. W., xxvi. 334; xxix. 532) as rabbits are to Bell.)

Electric shock. Lightning-stroke. Thunderstorms.

Severe pain in l. ear with pain at side of l. eye all day.—Ringing; surring; roaring; tinnitus.

Tremors; twitchings; contractions; stiffness of limbs.—Violent pain in joints.

Sudden attacks of fainting.—Numb feeling all over.—Restlessness.—Convulsions.