The Indiana State sentinel., 1875-04-22
THE DEADLY DRUG.
STOW BUr CERTAIN DEATH.

SLOW BCr CERTAIN DEA1h.
sArAN's OWN MAN-KILLEE-A DRUG THAT
oUTRIvALs ALCOHOL IN ITS WORK OF bN bNll- /
STARTLING FACTS EEGARDlN6 OFlOM
CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
Among the follies that afl;ct mankind, |
none are so universal and destructive as the
use of stimulus. The New York Sun shows
the evil and extsnt OF the use OF the great
est of these: The fact that 200 tons OF
opium have been imported in one year alone
into the United States, and that not more
than one fifth ofthis amount is used for neei- |
cinal purposes exclusively, may well create
alarm. Quietly aud insidiOusly this vice
is making its way among all classes, strik- !
Ing down its victims by thousands, u1- |
known or uuheaded by our phiianthropic |
societies, while the public ears are deafened
by the clamor of temperance and prohibitOry |
movements Not only in drug stores but in |
groceries, in temples OF fashion, and IN still
less likely places is this pernicious stimulaut
sold-sold ia utter defiance otlaw, and with
full knowledge OF the purpose TOR which IL is
used. The last place to which any one would
look for the sale of opium would be
an umbrella store. but it is q fact that a we'll
known umbrella store in broadway IS doing
profitable business in opium. IL has many
customers, who receive their daily supply
from clerk or clerks specially appointed for
this particular purpose, and who are ac-
quainted with the habitues OF the store. OF
course the opium is not sold to all who ask
for il. as only druggists and apothecaries are
permitted by law to dispose of the drug in
its various forms. During the war
immense quantities were disposed of in
Washington to the soldiers, and
A LIVELY AND LUCRATIVE BUSINESS
was done in opium by liquor dealers, sut-
lers, cigsr vendors, and the army's other
CAMP followers, To such an alarming ex-
tent was this business carried that it forced
itself upon the attention of the superior
officers, aud finally upon that of the gov
erument ITSELF Measures were at onco
taken to suppress the trade, but the evil
was only partially abated, for the opium
vendors contrived TO elude the authorities.
The opium was easily concealed, and the
soldier when entering battle took sufh-
GENTLY large dose not only to quiet his
nerves, bus to render him utterly indif-
ferent to the terrors OF the con-
fict. While, however, it proved pow
erful stimulant, inspiring all who
were under its potent influence with an arti
fetal courage, IL made them wholly inca
pable of understanding the orders of the su-
perior officers and of performing their duty
intelligently or efficiently. DIR. Alexander
Mott was interviewed. He stated, among
other things that tee use of this drug leads
to the use of other stimulants. The effect
upon the secretiOns produced an Unsuitable
thirst and a depression of the nervous sys-
tenn, and creates desire tor alcoholic stimu-
lants. The majority OF opium eaters aad
laudanum drinkers are addicted to the use
of spirituous liquors. One Is natural con-
sequence of the other.
OPIUM CREATES A DESIRE FOR DRINK.
The doctor also says that large quantities are
sold in the form of tincture of opium OF
laudanum. have known persons addicted
to this habit to take a wine glass full o
laudauum three or four times a day. hav,
seen them enter drug store and take TIVE
ounces OF laudanum at one dose. This the
would do on their way down town in th'
morning 10 their place of business, and or
their return home in the afternoon thel
would stop at the same place and repeat tn
dose. A supply WAS also obtained for US
during business hours and 20 prevent TIT
prostratiou of the mental energies at tim
when they were in constant reQulsition
But morphine Is much stronger than tn
LIQUID form. 1t is the salts of opInm-sI
alkaloid. In comparative strength, 1t bear
the propoi ton OF one grain to about 90 drop
OF laudanum. These doses of the tw
forms are of about equal strength. Tier
are ladies VINO use drachm OF morphin
every two days-shat is 90 grains. You Cal
understand the strength of this quautit
when tell you that six grains of morphini
taken by a strong man 10 full health, woul
prove fatal unless remedies were immsd
ately applied. l am speaking now OF person
IA
Besides laudanum th9re are the acetate an
the sulphate OF morphine. The sulphate
most frequently used. The quantity
morphia Obtained from gum opium is fror
nine to fourteen psr cent. The India opiul
is inferior, sffOrding about six per cen
One sixth of grain of the acetate OF mo
phia is equivalent TO a grain of opium. Tt
usual or ordinary dose of either of the torn
of morphia Is from all eighth to aquar.eP OF
grain; this is a dose for adults. In my ow
practice have had TO treat large numo
of persons who were the victims of ia
habit. As a general thing, can tell fro
the peculiar appearances and expression
the face that they are
THE SLAVE OF THIS vIoR
Their skin has an unhealthy whitene
and bloated look, resembling the effect Or
duced by the frequent use of alcoholic stil
ulants. Wien under the potent infiuen
of this drug the eyes assume an unnatul
briQhgness, the action of the brain is qLic
ened, and while the spell lasts the convers
ton is marked by vivacity and spright
ness. This condition of the mental organ
zation is followed by a terrible reactio
which produces languor OF both mind a.
body, and in some cases there is q gre
mental depression and physical sufferir
oblging this unhappy victims to renew I
dose for the purpose of maintaining q
stimulating effsc. aud so il proceeds ire
day to dav, from week to week, from bad
worse. The sleep OF opium eaters
fretiul aud restless unless they
under ths infiuence of the dru
The use OF hypodermics has become OF Il
very common ruis is tne process Of eje'
ing morphine under the skin, and its
sorption into the system. Patients hs
now got 50 much into the habit OF using
Their own use. It Is no uncommon thing
see persons whosa arms and bodies