Narcotics
remedies which produce a certain point. Opium is the most ima certain point. Opium is the most important member of the group, and the type from which most descriptions of esents the action of this class of medicines have been drawn; but it includes substances of very various properties. Some, as alcohol, produce intoxication in lesser most have a primary stimulating effect; in fact, almost every one presents some peculiarity in the way in which it affects the system, and no satisfactory general description of their minor effects is possible. Their power of inducing sleep has procured for them the names of hypnotics and soporifics; while many of them are termed anodynes, from their possessing the property of alleviating pain. Next to opium, Indian hemp, chloral and cocaine may be regarded as the most important narcotics. Numerous artificially produced organic compounds have been introduced during the last few years, some of which (e.g., paraldehyde, sulphanol as hypnotics; antipyrin, exalgin-an aniline derivativeas anodynes) have taken a permanent place among useful remedies. The in- as anodynes) have taken a permanent creasing and harmful use of narcotics has resulted in stringent laws to prevent their general sale, New York and vent their general sale, New York and drug addicts on a large scale. other States have undertaken the cure of