[tiamat]

I never have been convinced that she isn't aware to some extent, nor am I convinced that she can't feel pain.

Morphine is ALSO used to still the respiratory system.

Right now, I am not going to speculate as to why morphine is being given NOW.

[Texas Songwriter]

Morphine is not used as a medical indication to "still" respiration. A side effect of morphine is that it depressed the centers in the brain to depress respiration and if not reversed will result in CO2 buildup and ultimately override the autonomic impules to breath and thus yield death. I have never employed morphine to stop respiration. I know of no other physician to use morphine for legitimate indications to "depresss" respiratory activity. Now, to employ morphine, knowing that her excretory and hepatic function is compromised, will all serum level of morphine to build up and with each successive dose have a cummulative effect, if the body cannot metabolize and clear the drug. This is true of any of the opiates.