Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-12-12

THE NARcoTIcs OF THE WoRLD.-The use
Of narcoics is common to al nations, according to
Professor Johnston. and that whether the people
are civilized or rude. In the gllded sa looms Of
Paris these dangerous stimulants are restored to-.
not less than in the hut of the Polynesan, or the
wipwam of the red Indian. The Americans, the
English, the French, and Europeans generally
use narcotics in the shape of tobacco the Turks,
the Chinese, and the Hudostanese employ opium ::
while the Persans. The Africans and the Indians
of Brazil consume the extract of hemp. The
Eastern Archipelago has lis beiel nut; the Poly
nesians, ava and New Granada the thorn apple.
intellectual men. boasting the highest culture OF
the schuos are as much addicted to narcotics as un-
letered savages, and are often guilty of exces-
ses in their use Culeridge was no less slave
To his appetite, in this respect, than the most de-
graded baroarian that tatooes his face or eats his
enemies. IL is estimated that tobacco is consumed
by eight hundred millions Of men opium by four
hundred millions hemp by nearly three hundred
millions betcl by hundred millions, and coca by
ten millions.
That men, in all ages and under the most var
ed social and intellectual conditions should invent
and use such diverse kinds of narcotics, is pre-
sunptve proof that there is something beside mere
sensual qualification. in the smoking OF tobacco,
the chewing of opium, or the inhalation of has
chisch. Pruessnr Johuston, in his excellent work
the .'Chenstry of Human Liie," explains in
| what this something consists, and shows that mar
cotics really lessen the ordinary waste of matter
| in the human frame. A writer in ''Blackwood' s
| Magazine" CUES further and points out by what
law they have this effect. He says that anything
which stimulates mems spiritual essence, be it
lea, coffee or the more perlluus narcotics, tends to
anes, corporeal and decay waste. When death
occurs, for example, all vital power leaves the
bndy, aud then The chemical forces come into un-
restrained play and consumption begins immedi-
ately. But while the budy is in full health, the
vital forces hold the chemical ones in check their
Influence decreasing as disease SETS IN, and in
creasing as new vigur. from whatever cause, Is
impaired 10 the spiritual essence.
The peril attending the emp luyment of marco
tics cunssts, therefore, more in their abuse than
in their USE Some of them Indeed ARE so potent,
as opium and haschish, for Instance, as to render
it doubtful whether they are not under all clrcum
stances, deleteri0us. But the excessive use, even
OF the simple narcotics is fatal To long life and
health for though the over stmu Iation of the
nerves will arrest the waste of tissue for awhile,
as soun as the excitement is past the waste goes
on more rapidly than ever.
Now that il is known what it is in narcotics
that is beneficial we know also when they should
be used and how There is no longer. therefore,
any excuse tor their employment.at improper times,
or in hurlul quantities. The savage may still
destroy himself with ava, because he is ignorant
but the civilized man has no excuse for initiating
the example with opium or hemp Phitadclp phia
Ledger.