The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-07-08

time overcome this difficulty, and there is no
doubt that ere long we shall be able to COM
pete successfully with the Asiatic producers.
Our domestic drug consists Of the juice ex-
pressed from the whole plant. Including the
stems, leaves and flowers instead of the ex-
uded sap obtained by scarifyiug the cap
sules. The opium thus obtained is sold in
the form of pellets. but IL Is said to be want
ing in morphia. 1t Is also ssld in a semi
liquid safe like molasses. The prospect is a
promising one for the production of
NATIVE OPIUM,
II we may Judge by the extent of the con-
sumption of the article. That produced in
Arizona and California, together with the
inferior foreign drug. finds its way to Phila-
delphis, where it is manufactured in the
various forms known to the materia medics
and sold to go all over the country. 1t
would be well If opium were confined ex-
clusively to the forms in which it is gener
ally known, but unfortunately it is not,
and herein lies the great danger.
Under the treacherous guise of
soothing syrups, elixirs, heaiing tine
lures, pain killers, nervous antidotes, and
long list OF nostrums, it creates a morbid ap-
petite that by frequent indulgence almost
inevitably ends In confirmed habit. The
insidious drug is sometimes concealed in the
form of pills, and frequently enters into the
composition of alcoholic liquors. Still
worse, 1t Is prescribed by charlatans as
remedy for the cure of persons who are adj
dlcted to opium eating. Their is no means
OF ascertaining the quantity of such nos
trums disposed of yearly, and the extent to
which opium is employed in their manu-
facture can only be coniectured. The fact
that there are so-calltd remedies for the
correction cure of the habit affords a
significant proof of the extent to which
1t prevails. One remedy" for the
eradication OF this disease consisted of a
clear solution of sulphate of morphia, col
ored and sweetened, the better TO deceive.
No definite directions as to quantity were
given, but ''s dose,'' containing about two
grains of sulphate of morphia, was to be ia
ken three times day, eff necessary" by
the patient, "when suffering from depression
and other symptoms" The substitution OF
opium for other stimulants is we'll estab
lished fact in the history OF the temperance
movement not only in this country but in
England, and particularly in Turkey,
which affords peculiarly forcible illustra-
ton. Morewood, who is regarded as trust
worthy authority on the subject, says in his
History of Undertaking Liquors, that "the
general use of opium and other exhilerating
substances may date its origin from
THE MANDATE OF THE PROPHET
forbidding wine." 1t is very certain that
so long as man will use stimulants the re-
1tably be followed by the adoption of an
other. The recognition of this fact generally
would, If acted upon, save great deal of
mlsdlrected effort on the part of social re-
formers, and do more to promote the cause
of temperance than all the legislation and
agitation of the last fifty years. Owing to
the odium attaching to the sale of opium for
other than Legitimate medicinal uses, precise
data can not be obtained. From some apoth-
ecarles and druggiscs very meager in-
formation was procured, and from
others no replies were received:
talked with several of the most in
teligent apothecaries, who told him that
"the use of opium has greatly increased, |
especially among women" The reason
given was that doctors we're prescribing it
more generally TO their patients, and that
thus the habit was acquired. Alcoholic |
stimulants being prohibited, many have re-
sorted to the use of opium" Another ply |
stefan stated his belief that the use of opium |
in its various preparations is increasing
among the people as q stimulant, and that it /
is now being consumed in this way to an |
extent. 81 believe this to be DUE"
he adds, "largely to the unpopularity |
and restricted use OF alcoholic stimulants."
In one case the physician expresses bis |
opinion that the increased consumption of |
opium in this particular sis in some degree |
to the exctements, suffering, |
ana mental ulSquletuu6 resulting from the |
late war" 81 have six habitual customers" |
frankly confesses an apothecary. "They |
each take dose of opium or morphine be- /
fore commencing daily business" As one !
OF the marked features of the habit he no.
ticed decided tendency to kleptomania |
among customers of this class. In fact, the |
pernicious influence of a persistent in.
diligence in the habit upon the moral facul- |
ties is beyond all question. Not only is the |
force OF the will seriously impaired, it not |
altogether destroyed, but the higher sensi-
bilities are almost wholly obliterated. This
is shown particularly in an utter disregard |
for truth. and the other nobler attributes of
human nature, all of which are more or less
affected by this subtle and insidious stimu-
liant. In fact, the habitual opium eater can
not be trusted upon matters in which his
veracity is involved, and in some instances
it is unsafe to leave valuable articles within
his reach.