MORPHINE, or MORPHIA (from Lat.
IlorphrilS, god of Ikrea ins ) , The most important of the eighteen alkaloids exist ing in opium. of which it constitutes one-eighth to one-sixteenth by weight. II was first isolated in 1816 by Sertiirner, a (+enlist of Hanover. It occurs in combination with nuteonie and some times sulphuric. avid, as colorless, shining, pris mat it- crystals, odorless, and having a bitter taste. It is soluble in 1000 parts of cold and in 400 parts of boiling water; in 20 parts of cold and in 13 parts of boiling alcohol. it is less soluble in ether and ehloroftirm,. The following are the ordinary tests for morphine: Concentrated nitric acid when applied to morphine or its salts gives an orange color. 'hanging to yellow: when it is mixed with iodie acid iodine is liberated, which may be reeognized by the well-known starch test a neutral solution of a morphine salt pro duces a blue color with in neutral solution of ferric ghlnrfdg.
3Iorphiue is 1 .s tie only opium alkaloid soluble in lime water. and this property affords one of the best means of extracting it. Morphine (9)1111)111es with acids to form crystallizable salts, which are readily soluble in water anti alcohol. Of these the sulphate hydrochlorate (or muriate) and acetate are used in medicine. Apomorphine
(q.v.), a powerful emetic, is prepared by heating morphine for some hours with an excess of hydrocialstric acid.
The therapeutic uses of morphine and its salts are similar to those of opium (q.v.). but mor phine acts more vcceaiolv and quiekly and is more readily absorbed than opiont, is more suit• able for hypodermic use, and is less apt to con ipate and canse gastric disturbances. The or dinary dose for am adult is from one-eighth to one-half a grain.
The habitual taking of morphine is not un c ttttt nom. Those addieted to this habit become de pendent for a vomfortable existence on the drug, and gradually inerease the dose until enormous amounts are taken. Their wills become utterly destroyed and their moral sense, especially ill regard to truth, lost. The bodily functions are depressed, digestion disordered, and the indi vidual becomes pale, sallow, and emaciated. Finally there is obstinate sleeplessness, a violent diarrhwa, and cramps in the muscles. The habit can be effectually treated only in institutions where the patient can be kept under constant surveillance. See OPIUM.