MORPHIA (C,,HigN061- 2 Aq) derives its name from Morpheus, in allusion to its narcotic properties. It is the most important of the alkaloids existing in opium, of which it constitutes from one-eighth to one-sixteenth by weight. It occurs in combination with meconic, and sometimes with sulphuric acid. It is obtained in short rectangular prisms, containing two equivalents of water of crystallization, which are expelled at a gentle heat, when the morphia melts into a resinoid substance. is soluble in about 1,000 parts of cold and in 400 of boiling water; boiling alcohol dissolves it freely, but it is insoluble in ether and chloroform. Its solutions have a bitter taste, and change the yellow color of turmeric paper to brown. Morphia is not so easily detected in cases of poisoning by opium as meconie acid (q.v.). the following are the ordinary tests for It: Concentrated nitric acid,, when applied to a crystal either of morphia or of one of its salts, pry duces an orange color. A mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids colors it green.
When it is mixed with iodic acid, iodine is liberated; which may be recognized by its brown color and by the well-known starch-test. A neutral solution of perchloride of iron produces a beautifill blue color.
Morphia is the only opium-alkaloid which is soluble in lime-water, and this property affords one of the best means of extracting, it. A watery infusion of opium is boiled with milk of lime, tittered, mixed with powdered sal-ammoniac, and again boiled. By this means the lime is converted into the hydrochlorate (or, more correctly, into chloride of calcium). the ammonia is volatilized by the heat, while the morphia is precipitated in a crude form, which admits of easy purification.
3lorphia combines with acids to form crystallizable salts. which are readily soluble in water and in nil Of these, the hydrochNiate, (inuriate)and the acetate. especially the former, are much used in medicine.
The therapeutic uses of morphia and its salts are very similar to those of opium (q.v.); but the preparations of morphia are preferable to opium and laudanum in being less liable to occasion nausea and headache. ordinary dose of morphia, or its hydro chlorate or acetate, when given to an adult to allay pain or induce sleep, ranges from a quarter of a grain to half a grain.