Richland beacon., 1880-08-07
VAS 1T DEATH?

One frequently hears, nowadays, OF
the injection of medicine into the veins
by means of a hypodermic syringe, as
one Of the new-fashioned modes of cure.
My own experience in the matter,
limited rs it is, may he useful as a
warning both to physicians and suffer-
ers, and it may he interesting, first, be-
cause it is real secondly, as we must
die some time or other, 1 suppose most
of us wonder now and then how it will
feel. Now, if what went through was
not death, it was at least SO near it that
as far as physical sensation Went it was
practically the same thing.
had been i'll for some time, suffering
from frequent returns of severe pains,
which the doctors thought might be
rheumatic, or neuralgia, or might be
something else. At any rate, they could
not hit upon the medicines either to re-
lieve these pains or to prevent their
recurrence. Meanwhile, they were ex-
perimenting, and I was getting weak
and thin; so it was determined to try
and ease me of my misery, if even only
for a time. in hopes that nature would
gather little strength, and perhaps
succeed in doing what the doctors had
failed in-curing me.
had a great objection to taking
opium, on account of its well-known in
furious effects, and had borne a great
deal of pain rather than take it. The
doctors, however, overcame my Objec-
tions by assuring me that the injection
of morphine under the skin was not at
tended with the same injury to the con-
stitution, and was usually more effica-
cious in cases like mine than any other
way Of taking the drug. ..
Acoosdhsly, I was furnished with
very small syringe, which would hold Just
the right dose, to the end of which was
attached sharppointed gold tube about
the size Of a sailors needle. A small
bottle of morphine was also provided,
and I promised faithfully to use it ac-
cording to directions on the return of
severe pain. My medical attendant was
very anxious to try it then and there
himself, but, as at the time of his visit
was enjoying an interval of ease, I
would not consent to this, feeling conf
dent-as, indeed, he himself did-of nv
capacity to administer it, and being
without anxiety as to the result.
That night, before going to bed, sew.
eral severe twinges, which had been at
me for an hour or more, gave unmistak-
able warning Of another night of sleep.
less torment, unless I could find relief
somewhere. OF course I thought of the
little syringe. If had had any appre-
tensions about the effects, I certainly
should have had some assistance at
hand; but I am an unimaginative indi-
vidual, taking things as they come, SO I
said goodnight, went to my room and
locked the door as usual. When nv
preparations for the night were COM
plete took my new friend out of the
pretty little morocco case and filed the
syringe only about two-thirds full of the
solution, for such were the doctors
orders, as had never previously taken
morphine in any way it is to this pre-
caution probably owe my life. Then,
according to instruction, pinched up
piece of the calf of my leg tightly be-
tween the finger and thumb of my left
hand, inserted the point of the tube un-
der the skin with dexterity which I
pleased me at the time. as I
thought what skillfnl surgeon might
have been lost to suffering humanity by
he untoward circumstances of my early
ife, and gently introduced into my sys-
en- the magic fluid which was to relieve
no Of ill my suffering. It did it with q
andwith unexpectedrapidity,
90. If
The first sensatien was Of something
ot belonging to me crawling under my
kin, and mounting rapidly up my back
one, spreading thence all over my body
D it went, This was not ct al painful ,