nausea, and dryness of the tongue and fauces, but had completely recovered from his narcotism. I have but few remarks to make on this case. It simply supplies another example of the antagonistic effect of the two drugs, and a further proof that belladonna may be given, in considerable doses, in opium poisoning, without danger. The quantity of opium taken was believed to be grains viij. The quantity of atropine injected into the rectum was grain | ; of course it in no way interfered with the application of other remedies by the mouth, the stomach pump, emetics, and large Should the effect of atropine, however, quantities of tea. become eventually established as an antidote to opium, the tea would be better omitted, as it is probably antagonistic, to a ce^ain extent, to both narcotics.

head-ache,

CASES FROM PRACTICE. BELLADONNA AN ANTIDOTE TO OPIUM. By Surgeon Principal,

J. B.

Sceite:n,

Lahore Medical School.

In the September number of the Indian Medical Gazette, I published a case of recovery from opium poisoning, under the influence of atropine. Another similar case will probably be interesting to the Profession. of intemperate and dissolute habits, had, months ago, been accustomed to take small doses of opium for dysentery. On the evening of December 18th, it appears, he determined to take a full dose, to relieve the pain of fistula in ano. At about 9| p.m. he swallowed what he believed to be grains viij of solid opium, but he did not weigh it. At midnight it was discovered that he was sleeping so soundly that he could Dr. C. M. Smith saw him three-quarters of not be awaked. an hour later, viz., at a quarter to one on the morning of the 19th. lie was then perfectly insensible, his pupils were contracted to the size of a pin's head, and his breathing sterterous. Dr. Smith gave him an emetic of sulphate of zinc, and applied the stomach pump, with which a quantity of warm water was injected, but there was difficulty in getting it up again. Soon after 2 a. m. I saw him with Dr. Smith. Just as I reached the house, the man vomited freely, and brought up several pieces of solid meat, which doubtless had been the obstruction to the stomach pump. He was still comatose, and his pupils contracted ; his pulse was full and 108. He could not be roused by any ordinary means, but upon applying a cane very smartly to the naked buttock, he gave slight indications of pain, opening his eyes slowly, and putting his hand to the part. We immediately injected into the rectum a quarter of a grain of sulphate of atropia, in about 5ij of warm water,; this was done at a.m., the condition of the pupils being carefully noted at the time. Some friends of the patient now arrived, and, getting him between them, marched him briskly round the room. He moved his legs in the action of walking, but frequently, the somnolence completely overcoming him, be sank down, relaxed and helpless upon the ground. When this happened, he was roused by pouring a stream of cold water on his face, immediately after which we generally found it possible to administer At 3| a.m. it appeared that he walked better, the some tea. somnolence was somewhat less deep, and, after dropping on the floor, he would, when roused, use his limbs slightly to raise himself. There was no distinct alteration in the pupils. Another j grain of atropine was now administered in the same Immediately after this improvement was way as before. obvious. From lying on his back on the ground, he rose into the sitting posture when the water was poured on his face. The running about the room was repeated with decidedly more effect, and at 4 his pupils were Jth inch in diameter. He now kept his limbs very stiff, and rolled about on the floor, groaning and occasionally answering "yes," when roughly roused and asked if he was better. At 4?, dry clothes were put on him, and he was laid in his bed. We now left him, giving instructions to the friends not to let him sleep, to feed him frequently with tea, and to prepare some soup. His pulse, at this time, was exceedingly rapid?140?but of fair volume: the rapidity of course was partly duo to the violent exercise. After this The pupils did not dilate beyond improvement continued. the natural dimensions. At 1 p.m. he was suffering from A

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European,- aged 45,

Belladona an Antidote to Opium.

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