The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-10-29
New York Opium Dives.

From the New York Star.
"There is no use in attempting To
deny that the habit of eating opium
is daily increasing among persons OF
every class in New York City," said
well-todo druggist in the course OF
conversation with Star reporter
in which the dreamy drug was the
subject. The druggist toycd with q
paper weight for few moments, as
if mentally calculating how much it
would be wise to say without danger
of compromising his customers, and
then continued:
ut is difficult to form anything like
correct estimate of the number of
persons in this city who are addicted
to the use Of opium. The habit, in
many instances, is kept close secret
by its victims, majority making
their purchases either by wholesale
or in SO many different drug stores
that it would be the work of years to
locate and enumerate them. And
then again, If pharmacists are too in
quisitive when patrons call, they run
large risks of losing such patrons.
To say, however, that one out of ev-
cry twenty use the drug in some
shape will not 60 far from the mark"
do you wish to convey the opin-
ion that five per cent of New York's
population are opium eaters
Certainly. 1t can be used in al
most any form. 1t is found to be a
large ingredient in many articles,
from patent medicines down to Gig
arettes; it is found in many brands
Of bonbons and CONNECTIONS to q con-
siderable extent; and l doubt not
that many druggists use faint dash
of morphia in their soda water foun-
tains in order to attract and retain
thirsty ladies aud gentlemen. Dur
ing the past three years the habit of
cigarette smoking by ladies' has ex-
tended to and permeated every cir
Gle of society. Young girls who are
yet in their teens consider it exceed
ingIy chic to have half dozen
packages of some favorite brand in
their trunks or writing desks, with
which to regale themselves and
friends in secret; women who have
been social bellies and leaders for half
decade, soothe their nerves before
going out or receiving calls of an af-
ternoOn with cigarette, and almost
every young sprig of boy in the eli
ty would consider himself behind his
age and day if he did not puff the
little paper bits. All brands con
tain more or less morphine in the
shape of a solution which is instilled
into the tobacco, ard some Of the
costliest grades are redolent with the
drug. 1t is this great and all con-
Stunning appetite for opium which in
duces ladies to smoke. As q rule,
women are greater slaves to the hab-
it than are men, all due to their fine
nervous temperament"
"You referred . moment ago to
opium in confectionsy
''Yes. 1t is not difficult matter
to prepare bonbons and creams in
such q manner. The persons parta-
king Of them may not exactly under
stand that they are eating decoc-
ton Of the deadly poppy in the shape
of flavor but the effect is delicious,
and they always make it point to
return TO the same caterer.
These" the druggist continued,
are the popular channels by which
the habit of opium-e eating was form
ed; the sequel is we'll known. Wom-
en- keep laudanum, morphia or gum
opium in their toilet cases, and use
daily quantities ranging from one
grain of Morphia to four drachms of
the gum"
rs it not difficult matter to pur-
chase opium and it's tincturesY'