The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-03-26

he was frequently guilty of the most alb
Ird actions. which at the time he con-
sidered wise and prudent. The strong
common sense which he had at one time
boosted of deserted him and he lived in
q dreamy, imaginative state. which COM
pletely disqualified him for managing his
money in Il day and then starved FOR
month. Even those who knew he was
an opium eater, not being aware of the
effect which the habitual use of it pro-
| duccd. attributed his mad conduct to
either want of principal or alteration of
intellect and he thus lost several of his
best friends and temporarily alienatcd
! many others.
EFFECT UPON THE PHYSICAL SYSTEM.
After the FIRST thrilling. exciting or
calming effects of opium have worn off
then comes the reaction. and the physi.
cal suffering is iIuliScribable All the
functions OF the body are deranged. and
as Il consequence the sufferings that en-
sue must be terrible. Nome but those
who have experienced them can ever
know their horrors and their confessions
oneht tn be enough to brighten anyone
from falling into the same direful condi-
ton. Every joint seems dislocated; the
whole system is burning with fever, and
parched with an intolerable thirst; the
digestive organs are impaired. the mucous
lining of the stomach being destroyed by
the corrosive power of the drug; food is
loathsome, violent perspiraiion starts out
from the pores of the skin, for the opium
| habit seals mp all the excretory functions
of the body. When the pores are dried
the victim must die Of blood poisoning.
There is no hope. The eyes become
dull every nerve thrills and throbs with
pain. sleep refuses to visit the sufferer.
the slightest touch often causes him t"
cry out, and yet he cannot help tossing to
and fro in his misery, "Oh. the weari-
ness of this never ending pain" sad one
of these victims tossing in his misery:
"Oh. would to God this made me tired.
healthily tired. SO that could fall into
inmates doze!'
Added to the pain there is generally
utter prostration, rendering him incapa-
OF controlling single movement. Thus
while the pain will not allow him to re-
main quiet. yet he is to feeble to make
motion for himself.
Opium paralyzes the system. The vic
tim is unable to move his limbs. or can
use them but little. His liver becomes
torpid. The lungs do not respire freely;
ne feels tired through and through; even
to walk up stairs requires all his exertion
and causes him to feel latigued. This i'll
aptitude for exertinn is the result of the
constant pain which has SO weakened bis
system. Say one who succeeded in aban
'oned this habit Chat is, he greatly re-
duced the quantity of his dose): Il call
attention to the physical weakness with
| consequent inaptitnde for continuous ex-
| ertion which forms a part of my own en-
! perence. Unable as am to refer it to
| any immediate cause. frequent and sud
| den prostration Of strength occurs, ac-
| companied by slight dizziness, impaired
| Siuht and sense of overwhelming weak
| ness. though never going to the extent OF
absolute faintness. Its recurrence seems
be guided by no rule. | can record
nothing else respecting this visitant. cx-
crpt that its presence is always acc' M
panied with singular sensation i'll the
stomach and that the entire nervous sys.
tenn is affected by its attack
There comes time to the habltual
rpium-eater WHEN the will-power is kill
ed The craving must be satisfied. Sat
sized? No, it can never he satisfied. The
victim is slave. absolutely under the
control of this craving appetite. and j;
must be fed. yet ever hun.ering.
Says one who has felt this craving:
Let no man believe he will escape; the
bond natures at last
The effects of this perniciens habit up
on the moral faculties must be left for a
second paper.