After more than 100 years morphine remains supreme as the most effective drug for severe pain such as that experienced by patients with myocardial infarction. The dose must be sufficient to secure complete relief 15 mg. (1/4 gram) being administered intramuscularly or even intravenously, as absorption from subcutaneous injection is relatively slow. This dose may have to be repeated once or even twice, but not more than 60 mg. (1 gram) should be given in all during the first 12 hours for fear of producing undue depression of the respiratory centre.
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