Laudanum was measured in drops. A slug of it to a first time user could be fatal. 3 to 4 drops to start. If in constant pain after six months you would become tolerant and probably work your way up to a teaspoon. Strong stuff. really potent almost as potent as heroin.
Otherwise it seems to give a fair portrayal of the capitol city of Nevada. Nevada became a state during the civil war.
Hey Alpha,
The laudanum given to Wayne by Stewart was not pure laudanum. It was a combination of laudanum, some form of alcohol, and who knows what else. Stewart mentions to Wayne that it is a compound rather than straight laudanum, and he also tells him that it tastes rather bad. As you suggested, laudanum like heroin (and alcohol) is toxic when taken in a large enough amount. As one uses opiate based drugs and some other drugs, the body develops a tolerance to the drug, and the user has to take more and more of the drug to get the same relief.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile