A white
crystalline alkaloid prepared from morphine by acetylation, which is administered usu. in the form of its hydrochloride as a hypnotic and
analgesic (though many countries prohibit this medical use), and which is illictly used as a powerful and addictive drug producing intense euphoric sensations
1898 Lancet 3 Dec. 1511/1 A new hypnotic, to which the name of ‘heroin’ has been given, has been tried in the medical clinic of Professor
Gerhardt in Berlin. According to a communication made by Dr.
Strube to the Berliner Klinische Wochenschrift it is a product of the di-acetic ester of morphia, and it was discovered by Professor Dreser, chief of the chemical department of the
Elberfeld Farben Fabriken.