Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-05-21
THEABUSE OF OPIUM.


States has become much more preva
lent than ever before. The sales OF
the drug in its various forms have in
creased enormously, and unless some
thing is done to check the disgusting
and debasing practice, fears are enter
tanned that it will become much more
general. Close inquiry into the sub.
ject has revealed the fact that women
are more addicted to the use of opium
than men, and that IN consequence OF
the cost, its votaries are mainly among
what are known as the better classes
of society.
Various speculations are INDUCED in
regard TO the causes which have led
to the alarming growth of this danger
GUS habit. By some it is attributed to
the great influx of Chinese. BY others
it is laid at the door ofphysicians, who
lay the foundation for ii when they
administer opiates for the purpose Of
soothing pain. 1t is said that cases in
which opium eating has become fixed
habit can be almost infallibly traced
to the door of the doctor, who pre-.
scribes it in cases of nervousness, and
in such attractive forms with such
soothing effects and so perseveringly
that before the patient is aware of the
danger the desire grows into a longing
which becomes next to Unsuitable.
In view of the fact that the use of
this useful as will as pernicious drug
Tor the qualification of a morbid appe.
tite for stimulants is costly luxury,
and that, consequently, the habit of
opium-eating is almost necessarily con-
fined to the intelligent and the refined,
the question of enacting such laws as
will prevent its abuse is being seriously
a~ifai~a h-. " this. 4ipna. po.hino
ject. Once acquired, the habit is In
durable. For the drunkard there is
hope, but for the confirmed opium eater
none. Having acquired fondness for
the besotting drug, the victim must eat
or die, and hence the necessity for such
restrictions in its sale as will prevent
persons from procuring a sufficient
quantity TO create that appetite. But
Just where TO begin is the question, for
the opium eater soon learns to know
that there are variety of forms in
which it can be used TO produce the
same result 1t may be taken in its
pure state, or in the form of Munn's
elixir, or as laudanum or morphine, and
the hyperdermic injection is also used.
Under these circumstances all attempts
to control it by law must prove as
abortive as those made to reform men
by legislation. An able writer on the
subject says
"If philanthropy and law have failed
to abolish alcoholic drunkenness, law
will assuredly fail to abolish opium
eating, for law is q gauze barrier
against the attack OF money, and the
druggist who will not sell the mos
profitable article in his stock because
legislature forbids, is a man abov'
the average of tradespeople. Ii sucf
a law were passed, special policeman
would have to be placed in every drut
store to watch the druggists, and
detective to watch the policeman
but who should watch the detective
Even detectives will take money
! drink whisky and eat opium. =,
aThe spread of the habit is especial.
to be deplored because its victims are
as rule, persons whose intellect
means and position, if controlled b.
: principles Of reason and usages OF SCUM
2 morals, would be of benefit to society
0 Only the medical profession can chec
a the evil by compelling druggists, ~
!. der pain of exposure and the Will
I drawal of patronage, to cease scllln
!. it; and by exercising in their practi'
J. a caution which is alarmingly abser
y now-which, while employing opiul
Q when absolutely necessary and oml
Q tingitwhcnever possible, will gradual
l. curtail the vice"
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