Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XII.djvu/664

 650 OPIUM OPOKTO into the tissue beneath the skin by a small syringe attached to a perforated needle, called the hypodermic or subcutaneous syringe. Among the other alkaloids of opium, narceia and codeia possess hypnotic powers consider- ably less than those of morphia, and but little if any anodyne effect. Papaverina is said by some observers to have similar properties, while others have seen little or no effect therefrom. Narcotina has been held responsible for some of the disagreeable after effects of opium, but subsequent investigation has shown that it has little to do with the narcotic effect. It is how- ever a bitter, and has been used in India in the treatment of intermittent fever. Thebaina or paramorphia closely resembles strychnia in its action, but is present in opium in so small quantity that its effect counts for but little in the total. Pseudomorphia is interesting as presenting some of the chemical without the physiological properties of morphia. Cryp- topia produces a peculiar delirium in the dog ; but it has been separated in such small quanti- ties that its effects on man are not known. Of porphyroxia and meconia but little is known physiologically. Opiania is probably narcotic. The use of opium as an habitual stimulant, producing exhilaration and pleasant flights of fancy or dreams, is very prevalent in many parts of the world, our own country being by no means an exception. It is a vice less easy of detection than alcoholic intoxication, which it is said to replace where law and custom have made the latter disreputable. Its evil effects are most manifest upon the nervous and diges- tive systems. Among the symptoms may be mentioned loss of appetite, vomiting," pain in the stomach, obstinate constipation alternating with diarrhoea, emaciation, loss of strength, a trembling gait, pains in the limbs, mental sluggishness, hallucinations, and a condition resembling delirium tremens. The quantity which opium eaters accustom themselves to take is enormous, often exceeding 80 grains of opium or 10 grains of morphia. The use of opium by smoking and by mastication, to produce a kind of intoxication, has existed in the East for centuries ; but it is not thought that opium smoking was much practised by the Chinese until the middle of the 17th century, though the drug was known to them medici- nally in the 9th. So rapidly did the custom spread that in 1796 an imperial edict was issued against it ; and the efforts to prevent its im- portation led to the war with the English known as the opium war, which terminated in 1842 by a treaty which allowed opium to en- ter Chinese ports. For smoking, the opium is made into an extract, and a small pill of this the size of a pea is placed in a pipe, lighted, and exhausted at a single whiff. The first effect is to make the smoker talk rapidly and laugh at slight causes ; but soon the countenance be- comes shrunken and pallid, and a deep sleep of hours follows. The most celebrated work on the effects of the habitual use of opium is De Quincey's "Confessions of an English Opium Eater " (London, 1822). See also u The Opium Habit," by Horace Day, with which is incorporated " Outlines of the Opium Cure," by Fitz Hugh Ludlow (New York, 1868), and " Opium and the Opium Appetite," &c., by A. Calkins, M. D. (Philadelphia, 1870). OPODELDOC, a name given by Paracelsus to a plaster for all external injuries; now ap- plied to a liniment which is much used as an anodyne application in sprains, bruises, and rheumatic pains. It is prepared by dissolving 3 oz. of common white soap in a pint of alco- hol by the heat of a sand bath, and adding an ounce of camphor and a fluid drachm each of oil of rosemary and oil of origanum. It becomes a soft, translucent, yellowish white mass, of the consistency of soft ointment, which lique- fies when rubbed upon the skin. OPORTO, or Porto (Port. Porto, the port), a city of Portugal, in the province of Minho, on the right bank of the Douro, about 3 m. from the sea, and 173 m. N. by E. of Lis- bon; lat. 41 8' N., Ion. 8 37' W. ; pop. (in- cluding the six suburbs) in 1864, 89,194. It is the most important emporium of Portugal, and is officially styled the " loyal and uncon- quered city of Porto." It is built partly on level ground along the river, and partly on the sides and summits of two hills, and pre- sents a fine appearance from the sea. On the land side it is protected by a small fort and an old wall flanked with towers; and the entrance to the port is commanded by the fort of Sao Joao da Foz. Along the river for about two miles extends a quay. A broad, well paved street extends to two other good streets, which join it obliquely and lead to the upper parts of the town. The other streets on the declivities are crooked and nar- row, and a portion of the E. part is accessible only by steps cut into the rock. Among the finest squares is that of Sao Ovidio. The houses are generally well built, and are white- washed. There are more than 90 churches and chapels, the most prominent of which are the cathedral and the churches of Sao Francis- co dos Congregados, Sao Ildefonso, and Dos Clerigos, the last famous for its tower, 210 ft. high. Other notable edifices are the bishop's palace, 15 convents, now used for secular pur- poses, the town hall, royal hospital, foundling hospital, exchange, and opera house. Among the principal public institutions are a library of 80,000 volumes, a mint, a museum, a medi- cal college, an academy of navigation and com- merce, a seminary, and many schools. The English factory house is a handsome building, with a library and public rooms. The city is lighted with gas, and has many gardens and fountains. A suspension bridge connects it with Villa Nova, on the opposite bank of the Douro, where, along the river, are extensive wine vaults. The summer resort of Sao Joao da Foz adjoins the city, and near it is the bar of the Douro, which prevents the ingress of