The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-09-04
THE OPIUM HABIT.


uuuN--BueGtA u Opluul uH FJAhch--
How the Habit 10 Acquired.
Morphine eating has increased with
wonderful rapidity, writes druggist to
an exchange. Ounces are sold now to
where grains wero sold when went into
the drug business. A great many per.
sons use it habitually. Especially
among what are termed the better
classes it is used to iPaiful extent.
Generally speaking, the habit is first
begun through the prescription OF a
physician. The soothing, lulling effect
It has upon the physical pain first ut
tracts the attention Of the sufferer, and
when tho pain recurs, morphine Is re-
sorted to without the prescription or ad-
vico Of q physician. 1tgrows upon
what it feeds, and the habit is soon
formed. Once fixed, it is impossible to
break it up, aud tho poor victim drags
out miserable existence, alternating
between the pleasures OF elysium when
under the influence OF the customary
dose and the horrors OF hadeS when de-
prived OF it. Sulphate Of morphia il
the preparation generally used, though
some use green opium, and others tine
turo OF upinm or laudanum. The daily
quantity varies greatly. With some but
small quantity only is necessary to get
up TO the opium caters heaven, while
others take enough 10 kill dozen peo-
pie.
The largest quantity l ever knew n
person to take at dose was an ounce OF
solid opium. a man came into my store
Quo day and purchased IN ounce Of
green opium. I wrapped it in paper
md he paid for it and started oat. Be-
fore he got fairly outside the door, he
unwrapped it and put it in his mouth,
thought he was trying to commit sui.
eide, and l ran out and took him by the
throat andcompelled him 10 disgorge.
AS soon rs he recovered sufficiently
from the effects OF tho choking (and
did not handle him very gently he
confessed that he was MI opium eater,
End that an ounce wns his regular daily
dose. Further observation convinced
MO that le was telling the trnth. BE
WIS teAustcr, and had been wounded
III scufile with colnmde. His physi
clans gave him opium to relieve the
paiu apd kept him undur the influence
Of it for some time. When his wound was
healed the habit was firmly fixed. &c
could not sleep without il, and continued
TO use it in increased quantities until
ho had reached tho enormous dose oi
one ounce per day.
Not long aiterward 1 saw him on an
extremely cold day without coat. So
terrible had been his appetite for opium
that he had pawned bis coat to get money
10 buy opium. The rigorsof temperd.
tnre below zero were less painful than
tho horrors Of deprivation OF his daily
desc. He realized his condition and de-
sired to be cured, for in his case it was
Il disease, md I succeeded in getting
him into a hospital, and tho last heard
OF him lie was improving, with hopes oi
recovery. The medicinal dose OF NOR
phia is IRON one.eighth to oneouarter Of
grain, and OF opium from ono TO two
grains. At first it produces q scdative
effect, and dries up all the secrctions.
After taking it little while it ceases to
affect tho bowels. A person in the habit
Of using it, when deprived oi.it, be.
comes nervous, restless md unable 10
remain in ono position any length Of
time. II the deprivation is continued,
this extreme nervousness continues till
it amounts to delirium. l never SOW
my one who took morphine or opium
for the taste. 1t is always for the effect.
1t soothes pain, and puts person in q
dreamy, comfortable state. When undel
tho influence Of the drug, they have nc
desire for food, and il they work it is in
mechanical sort Of IL why. The habit
robs them of all energy and ambition,
If they can only get their daily dost
they care for nothing else. 1t is really
moro demoralizing than liquor in it.
ELECTS, II blunts tho moral sensibili
ties. A person usually honest and truth
ful in other matters will lie ard steal te
get morphine. l never knew q NOR
phine eater who got morphine on credi
to pay for it.