Gauhati Dispensary.—Case of Opium Poisoning: Recovery

Grokool, Hindu, aged 23, swallowed 1 tola (90 grains) of opium mixed in oil at 2 o'clock on the night of the 16th September 1879. He was a personal servant of a native gentleman, and as he did not turn out to his ordinary duties in the morning, his house was searched, and he was found in a state of semi-insensibility. He was brought to the dispensary at 8 a. m., suffering from marked symptoms of poisoning by opium. The conjunctivae were injected of a pink color ; the pupils contracted to a point ; the breathing somewhat stertorous and slow ;the slcin abnormally hot; the pulse heavy, full, and quick. The stomach pump was immediately used by the Civil Surgeon ; about 12 ounces of water were introduced through it and then pumped out again. This water, when sucked out of the stomach, was stained of a brown color, and contained many particles of brown substance floating in it, together with globules of oil ; these brown particles were found, on examination, to be opium ; the oil was some of that swallowed with the opium. The stomach was again twice washed out with large quantities of cold water, which however, on these occasions, came back clear and free from any smell of opium. At 8-2P.?Pulse 108, full, strong ; temperature 10;>?; the man was in a state of deep insensibility, incapable of being roused. Relays of men walked him about the ward?one man on each side, a third to support the head ; gurralis of cold water were dashed over the head, chest and spine frequently ; and one man with a heavy towel wetted at one end flipped him sharply about the face and chest. Draughts of strong hot tea were given with some trouble, as power of swallowing was much diminished. 10 a. M.?Temperature 99?; pulse 102, still full, and heavy ; insensibility the same. 11 a. m.?Temperature 97? ; skin cold ; pulse less full, 102. 12 A. si?Much the same; temperature 97-8? ; pulse 100, and full 1 P. m.?Drowsy; insensibility less; can be roused momentarily ; temperature 97-2?; pulse 100; fairly full ; extremities cold. He was now given some hot soup, and four drams of brandy; strong hot tea and the walking exercise continued. 2 p. M.?Temperature 97'2?; pulse 98, less full. Insensibility and drowsiness less. 3 p. m.?Temperature 98? ; pulse 95 ; can be roused temporarily to speak. Desires to pass urine, but fails. 4 p. m.?Succeeded in passing one ounce of deep red urine.