poisoning with opium, allusion has already been made to a remarkable
case related by Mr. Shearman, where the usual effects of opium were much
retarded in an individual who, at the time of swallowing the opium, was
in a state of excitement from intoxication. For five hours there was no
material stupor. But after that the usual narcotic symptoms supervened
and eventually proved fatal.[2559] The excitement of intoxication,
however, has not always the effect of suspending the action of opium;
for in a case which came under my notice in the Infirmary of this
city,—that of a woman, who swallowed an ounce and a half of laudanum
while much intoxicated,—the usual narcotic symptoms were fully formed in
an hour: and although the stomach-pump was applied soon afterwards, she
expired in less than five hours from the time the laudanum was
swallowed,—those who had charge of her before she was brought into the
hospital having neglected to use the proper means for keeping her
roused.