Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-29
A New Social Evil.
From fha phi'afafr,bia Ra~ar1

A medical authority in Kdcnigans Mdqazisa
calls attention to a new social evil which as ur-
gently requires attention from public legisla-
tors in this country as i'm any other. The very
extensive and habituai use OF seductive drowsY
drugs in the unObseryed undercurrents of the
domestic life OF our times is perhaps little
known, but that IL is a very extensive and daily
increasing evil there can be no doubt Gus
tom and habit known to medical men as the
''chlOral habit. the writer declares, is more en-
shaving and more fraugbt with sad results than
the habit of alcohol drinking or opium eating.
''The first dose may perhaps be prescribed In
the ordinary course OF q physicians attend
ance, and the prescription is carefully treas
ured. More frequently, however the weary
the wakefuI and heavy-laden are allured
by tempting advertisements Of the miracu-
lous effect OF government-stamped bottles
to be obtained Of all grocers, chemists.
etc. The effect Of the first dose il probably
charming: another dose on the next occasion =
equally satisfactory. No dangerous effects being
Indicated on the label, no particular danger =
suspected. and by degrees the habtue resorts .
It until 1t becomes nightly necessity. After Q
time the customary result Is not experiences.
and not unfreQuently In the middle of the might
by familiarity become bold, the habitue, aftse
hours OF weary toss'.e, with trembling han1
pours out another Tablespoonful or few moso
drops, as the label directs and drinks II Cd.
The desired effect, and more, is now produced;
coma ensues for sixteen, twenty, or even mOGo
hours. greatly to the alarm Of surroundiAg
friends, and not unfrequently the consequences
are such as to necessitate the services OF Tho
coroner, and after q short and tender deiberar
ton the final and soothing verdict Of 'misal-
venture by an overdose Of choral fe entered"
The result thus pictured is familiar TO many q
the readers Of the Record. The increasing
frequency of sudden and violent deaths, the con-
sequences OF drugs taken by accident or design,
is attracting much attention. Moral and social
influences or legislative enactments can avail
but little to restrain the deeds OF desperate
men and women, The hand OF the reckless
posoner cannot be stayed; the morbid mind a
the suicide cannot thereby be altered or averted.
But. as the authority quoted suggests, tho
number OF iuckIess and unInitiated victims 81
all shades and grades who elect TO alleviate
their sufferings with the secret nostrums of The
day may be iessened by the enactment of whole
some laws respecting the sale of this merchan-
disc. and by better and more perfect system q
labelling these dangerous compounds.
ANOTHER CoLoRsD CADEr.-Lemuel w. Layinrs-
ton, a coiored resident OF Madison county, Fla.
will shortly present himself as candidate for "a.
mission to the West Point academy, having passed
the best examination at a competitive examine.
ton arranged by Hon. Horatio BiSbee, OF the SO.
ond Florida district
A ScB0oINAsTEK of Nice has formed among
his pupils society for the protection OF yegetsr
ton. The members are to destroy injurious
Larvae and protect harmless birds. Their inter-
est in the work is kept mp BY the election a
laureates and the award Of pf1Ees In forr
months Of 1881 the chiidrea deatroyed as
belts Of moth eggs, repreee4<lng - 16Ww tkam
l,36S, 500 larve; 1o4. Rs 0ab6oND mVD. II
grzssh0ppcrs, 90 butter1tos u00u owp -
snails, 50 gruhs end q. IN ineoooB q Vuk5oD
kinds he work b beth vogy vn1nah1o 81
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