This cover was produced by the Transcriber
and is in the public domain.
iAN
ESSAY
ON THE
EFFECTS of OPIUM,
Considered as a POISON.
[Price One Shilling and Sixpence.]
iii
AN ESSAY ON THE EFFECTS of OPIUM.
Considered as
A POISON.
With the most Rational Method of Cure,
deduced from Experience.
Directing likewise the proper Means to be used when
Physical Assistance cannot be readily obtained;
Necessary to be universally known, for the Preservation of Life.
By JOHN  AWSITER,
Apothecary to the Royal Hospital at Greenwich.
—— —— Si quid novisti rectius istis,
Candidus imperti—Si non, his utere mecum.
Horat. Epist. VI. Lib. I.
LONDON:
Printed for G. KEARSLY, in Ludgate-street,
MDCCLXIII.
v
TO THE
 
President and Fellows
 
OF THE
 
Royal College of Physicians.
Gentlemen,
I Was induced to write this Essay,from a Desire of throwing a Lightupon a Subject, hitherto but triflingly,and, at best, obscurely treated. As Ihad no beaten Path to direct me,many perhaps are the Errors that maybe traced through every Page.
I do not boast an Ability to enforcemy Sentiments with that energic andexpressive Beauty of Style some areso happy to possess. I am no Author,and can therefore only rely on yourCandour, in Behalf of a simple Recitalof such Facts as I have experienced.
viWhen I consider the Novelty ofthe Subject, and the Rareness of Patientspoisoned with Opium, I aminclined to flatter myself, you will notdiscourage, but be rather inclined tocherish under your Wings, every Effort(however weak) that tends to elucidateso extensive a Branch of Science, asPhysic. I beg the Honour of subscribingmyself,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient,
Humble Servant,
J. AWSITER.
St. Margaret's Church-Yard,Westminster,January 5, 1762.
vii
PREFATORY DISCOURSE.
Among People who are unacquaintedwith the Nature of Opium, it is areceived Opinion,——That as it will, whentaken in proper Doses, lull Pain, and procureRest; so, in large Quantities, that it willterminate a Life of Cares, by an easy andquiet Death; but it is not so: this argumentis directly contrary to the Nature of our Existence,the animal Oeconomy being so formed,as not to bear a total Solution, without someAgonies. Thus, when this Drug is receivedinto the Stomach, in Quality of a Poison,easy Rest is denied, the Senses, roused by theirthreatened Solution, force the animal Powersinto immediate Conflict with the noxious Body,which produces Convulsions, and other dreadfulSymptoms, the F                        
...
                        
BU KİTABI OKUMAK İÇİN ÜYE OLUN VEYA GİRİŞ YAPIN!

                        
Sitemize Üyelik ÜCRETSİZDİR!