Handbook on Opium

Dr. Vasantha K Kumar, MD is a currently a practicing anesthesiologist at Mercy Health, located in Cincinnati, OH. Board certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology (American Board of Anesthesiology), he has been practicing for 20 years and has published over 70 peer reviewed journal papers and presentations. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Spine Intervention Society, and American Society of Regional Anesthesia.

• Section 1 – History: From Cotyledons to CapsulesPart I: Plant1. Botanical Aspects Part II: History2. Pre-History3. Ancient History4. Post-Classical History5. Modern History6. Contemporary HistoryPart III. Trade7. Business of OpiumSection 2 – Basis of Opioids in Therapeutics: Receptors, Effectors and BeyondPart IV: Alkaloids8. Opiates9. OpioidsPart V: Molecular Basics10. Receptors11. EffectorsPart VI: Effects12. Biological Effects13. Mechanisms14. Clinical Uses and IssuesPart VII: The Future15. OutlookEpilogueIndex

"This book presents the history of opioids...starting with its botanical aspects, its discovery, its uses, and its problems. The authors are extremely balanced in their approach, presenting both positive and negative aspects of opioids.... The book highlights the number of individuals who served in foreign wars and returned addicted to opioids and features historical aspects throughout the book [as] hidden gems.... It provides the history of opioids across the first nine chapters, focusing on non-scientific aspects of opioids. Chapters 10-15 focus on the basic and clinical science of opioids, offering balanced information.... The final chapter discusses the advances and prospects, which prepares readers for the future directions of these medications.... The figures are liberal in each chapter and provide information that supplements the chapter.... The book is an interesting read with useful information and [gives] a comprehensive historical and clinical discussion of opioids." --Robert R. Gaiser, MD(Yale School of Medicine)