OPIUM (U. S. P.)—OPIUM. Related Species and Product: Eschscholtzia californica

Eschscholtzia californica, Chamisso; California poppy. This papaveraceous plant, the adopted flower of the state of California, is reputed analgesic and soporific without the dangers attending opiates. Prof. G. F. Walz years ago (1844) found in it two alkaloids, one acrid, the other bitter, besides sanguinarine and some succinic acid. Bardet and Adrian, in 1888, found in it a glucosid and two alkaloids, one of which gave the reactions for morphine. According to E. Schmidt and L. Reuter (Pharm. Centralhalle, 1889, pp. 590 and 611), the morphine-like body is protopine, one of the alkaloids of opium. By some the alcoholic extract has been used to the extent of 185 grains in a day, commencing with a 12-grain dose. Its action is pronounccd valuable, quieting pain and producing calm sleep. Respiration is depressed by large doses, while toxic quantities impress the spinal cord.