Morphine is one of the most important and powerful analgesics known to man. Named after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, it is well known for its ability to effectively suppress pain. The source of morphine, the opium poppy, has been used since around 4000 B.C. by the Ancient Sumerians, One document called the Ebers Papyrus, circa the sixteenth century B.C., 'instructs Egyptian mothers to use opium to quiet their babies' (Beatty 4). Throughout the Ancient World, opium was used to cure coughing and severe pain. It was used widely in Europe during the Middle Ages. Sir Thomas Sydenham - often called "The English Hippocrates" - claimed in 1608 that: "Among the remedies which it was pleased almighty God to give to man to relieve his sufferings, none is so universal and so efficacious as opium" (Taylor 212). Surprisingly, it was only in 1803 that the main alkaloid compound in opium was isolated. This discovery was morphine.
It was a young pharmacist by the name of Frederich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner who first isolated morphine from opium in 1803. Before Sertürner's discovery, research for plant alkaloids was virtually ignored- "He thus laid the cornerstone of alkaloidal chemistry, which would make it possible in time to prescribe a precise dose for a specific disease" (Aikman 92). Morphine's isolation paved the way for the discovery of several other very mportant plant alkaloids, including strychnine, quinine, caffeine, nicotine, atropine, and cocaine. To have, "discovered the nature of an alkaloid and to have isolated morphine in the process would have entitled him to the Nobel Prize - if it had existed then" (Taylor 212).
Other than morphine, the opium poppy contains two other important alkaloids, codeine and papaverine. Since the percentage of codeine in opium is very minimal (0.5%), it is necessary for it to be derived from the morphine molecule. Morphine is found in quantities of 10% to 20% in raw opium. It is also used to form many other semi-synthetic opiods including thebaine and oxycodone.
One of the major uses of morphine was during the American Civil War (1861-1863). With the invention of the hypodermic syringe, injected morphine could relieve the pain faster than by oral intake. It proved to be a very effective anaesthetic as well as an excellent pain reliever for the injured soldiers. Since then, morphine has had numerous medicinal uses. The most imporant reason for its choice is that it alleviates pain while still leaving the patient intectually alert. This makes morphine ideal for use during childbirth. In fact, morphine's uses are extensive. It is one of the few substances that will help patients with severe diarrhea and dysentery. Morphine is helpful in relieving the pain of patients who have suffered third degree burns or those requiring cleft palate operations. It is used as an anaesthetic in major surgeries, to relieve severe pain in cancer patients, and even to help patients with heart failure: "Morphine may be used to quiet the victim's apprehension and slow down his frantic breathing efforts" (Nourse 581). In some severe cases, it may even be administered in veterinary medicine.
Morphine primarily affects the central nervous system of the body. Within the brain there lies specific opiod pain receptors - primarily mu-, kappa-, delta-, and sigma-receptors. Normally the body produces its own chemicals which bind with these receptors and indicate than the body is suffering intense pain. Morphine inhibits these chemicals from binding and takes their place in the receptors. It blocks the pain sensation. The body still recognizes the pain and tries to heal itself, but does not relay the actual sensation.
Presently, "morphine is legally available only in the form of water-soluble salts. Most common are morphine sulfate and morphine hydrochloride. Both are fine white powders, bitter to the taste. Both are soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol" (FAQ Opiod). It is either administered (injected) sub-cutaneously, intra-muscularly, intravenously, or taken orally in the form of tablets.
Most governments do not consider the fact that morphine "has plenty of scientific research to support its medical use. Few drugs work better and with fewer side-effects than morphine on the chronic pain of cancer, AIDS and [other] serious medical conditions" (Morphine). It is often ignored that the possibility for morphine addiction is very minimal if there is proper doctor supervision. Consequently, one of the most potent pain relievers known to humans is unable to help the patients who require it the most.
Morphine has been used unknowingly for thousands of years. It relieves severe pain and helps patients lead normal lives vithout the fear of being hindered by their injuries or illnesses. Without its isolation by Sertürner, many people would have died from their pain. As well, many other important alkaloids may never have discovered. The discovery of morphine has helped show mankind that nature holds the cures for many diseases. These natural chemicals may in time reveal hints for discoveries that will change the future of medicine. Without a doubt, Sir William Osler, renowned Canadian physician of the late 1800's, was justified by remarking that morphine was "God's own Medicine" (Taylor 215).
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