ABSTRACT
Opium is the product of the Papaver Somniferum, and is the inspissated juice of the capsules of that plant. It has been improperly termed a gum by many authors and the error prevails. Turkey opium is of a reddish brown colour possessing a strong narcotic odour, of a solid and compact consistence, when dry has a shining and uniform fracture of a dark brown colour, producing a reddish brown powder; the best kind is generally in flat pieces. The cultivation of opium in England if pursued extensively will influence the price of the article in our market. The foeculencies and insoluble matter of opium consist chiefly of the leaves, capsules and stems of the poppy; besides these however, extraneous matters are frequently found, having been fraudulently introduced to increase its weight. Digest one ounce of coarsely powdered opium in one pound of sulphuric aether of the specific gravity.
