The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-10-05
Am OpIuM.FATER,s MIsERY.
now thc slaves Of the Poppy are Lured {,
Destrnction.


A quarter Of a century ago an opium
eater-by which is meant q person who
habitually uses opium or It's prepara-
tions as a stimulant--was q rarity; to-
day opium-eaters are counted by the
thousand. Medical books written twenty
years ago mention the subject briefly or
not at all while in all recent works on
therapeutics IL forms an important
chapter. Until recently the principal
source Of information possessed by the
public upon this subject were the writ
ings of De Quincy, a confirmed opium
eater, whose famous "Confessions" we're
composed under the malign influence Of
the drug; who whited the walls of the
deadly habit with the beautiful tints Of
rhetoric Of hand always mastery but
occasionally deceptive. The extraordi-
nary headway which the opium habit
has made in this country is not appRr-
ent to the general public for many and
sufficient reasons; but the large number
of cases met by physicians in private
practice, the institutions springing up
in which its treatment is made spe-
cialty, and the horde OF charlatans who
advertise nostrums guaranteed to effect
= speedy and painless cure, show how
widespread and far-reaching is the evil,
which is met in all conditions and walks
of life, from the laborer to the gentle
man of elegant leisure, and in both
sexes.
The facilities for indulging in opium
stimulation explain the prevalence of
the habit among the better classes.
The gentleman who would not be seen
in barroom, however respectable, or
who would not purchase liquor and use
it at home, lest the odor might be de-
tected upon his person, procures his
supply of morphia and has it in his
pocket ready for instantaneous use. 1t
is odorless and occupies but little space,
while its use is only made manifest in
its effects, which are rarely recognized
by any but the initiated. He zealously
guards his secret from his nearest friend
for popular wisdom has branded as
disgrace that which he regards as a mis-
fortune-thus cutting him off from the
advice and aid of friends who would en-
courage him to abandon the habit;
making, perhaps, spasmodic efforts to
fight the unequal contest alone, to meet
with repeated reverses and to fall still
deeper into the abyss from which he
would escape.
The careless manner in which physi-
clans prescribe opiates, and the prevail
ing custom among druggists of dupli-
eating prescriptions, are prolific sources
of the evil. The physician prescribes
morphia for a patient suffering from
painful disease, and relief is obtained.
Moreover, the sensations experienced
under the influence of the medicine are
peculiarly pleasureable. he goes back
to the drug store and has the medicine
renewed without the physicians advice
or direction. He finally learns that it
is morphia he has been taking, pur-
chases a quantity, and finds that by its
use he can relieve his pain or watt him
self into Elysium at pleasure. Finally
he ascertains that his life is being in
jured or is otherwise warned of the
danger, and attempts to give up its use.
Suddenly his eyes are opened to his
folly and he realizes the startling fact
that he is in the tolls of serpent as
merciless as the boa-constrictor and as
relentless as fate. With a firm deter
mination TO free himself he discontinues
its use. Now his sufferings begin and
steadily increase until they become un-
bearable. The tortures of Dives are
his but, unlike that miser, he has only
to stretch forth his hand to find oceans
with which to satisfy his thirst. That
human nature is not often equal to SC
extraordinary a self-denial affords little
cause for establishment. At length he
surrenders, but with bad grace
determined to renew the contest at nc
distant day, under more favorable
circumstances returns to the drug, anG
is again happy-happier than ever il
contrast with the misery lately endured
but far from satisfied.
In a medicinal dose the effects o.
opium on person not habituated to its
use are of the most pleasing character
though, like other powerful drugs, there
are persons on whom it produces un
usual and unpleasant effects. A few
minutes after taking an ordinary dose &
tingling sensation is felt over the entire
body; the hearts action is increased
the muscular system invigorated, tht
spirits are animated and the intellectual
faculties are stimulated to an unusua
extent. The eyes shine with q new
born light, the face is flushed, body anC
mind evincing signs of unusual excita
tion. In the lower animals the spina
cord is especially affected, but in maj
the force of the drug is chiefly expend
ed on the brain. The body seems Il
lose sensibility and weight, while tn,
mind enjoys a continuous round o
pleasure, detached from earthly cares anC
living in a superior world of its own. 1
is the human conception of Valhalla
elysium, and the happy hunting ground
combined. Ali sources of care anC
anxiety are forgotten for tho time being
and the most pleasing but extrsvagan
fancies are indulged in. This condition
gradually merges into inconsistencies
and sleep, followed on awaking b,
lassitude and nausea, bearing stronl
resemblance to the after effects of