Prompted by the wide variation in the published dosage of camphorated tincture of opium for infants, this study of 297 observations was made to determine, if possible, what doses are effective and safe. A distinction must be made between the amount needed to relieve a symptom—the therapeutic dose—the amount needed to produce definite observable changes in the findings—the physiologic dose—and the amount likely to produce toxic or lethal effects. Anxiety to avoid the last-mentioned effect leads to the recommendation of minute, inadequate doses, while the amount needed to relieve a symptom is often a matter of opinion, confused by such factors as a natural tendency to self-alleviation or simultaneously applied therapeutic measures.
The formula for camphorated tincture of opium is powdered opium, camphor and benzoic acid, 4 Gm. each, oil of anise, 4 cc., and an alcohol content of from 43 to 46 per cent. The opium content is 2