The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-01-12
Opium and Alcohol.


A curious array of facts is present.
ed In an essay on the opium habit by
DR.. Shearer, physician of the Liver.
pool hospital for consumptiyes. He
discusses at some length the relative
ehects OF opium and alcohol upon the
NINA and system. His views seem
to be accepted with more than usual
weight because of his experience in
1ndla and the especial study he has
given the subject. He holds that be-
yond certain point both are equally
pernlclous; that the opium habit is
decidedly the more difficult to get rid
OF, even when the desire to do so ia
strong that when opium is taken as
substitute for aiconol the sufferer
VIII usually find that he has uhiected
himself to double tyranny which is
considerably worse than the first.
Abandoning the excessive use of falco-
hol the poor creature finds temporary
solace In opium. Where the liuuor
had muddled and dlsordered his mem
tai faculties and caused brief exhil-
aratlon the opium soothes his nerves.
clears his mind and induces perfect
serenity. Soon, hoa ever, the drug
loses its first effect unless the dose is
increased. In the next stage the larger
doses fail unless supplemented by a
return to alcohol. This is generally
followed by rapid degeneration, end
ing in delirium tremens. This pic
ture applies to the excessive use of
both articles, but DR.. Shearer holds
that the use of opium in the form of
laudanum in moderation is no more
hurtfuI than that of liquors. 1t is in
support of this view that he gives
some highly interesting testimony.
He says the world at large has but q
very indistinct idea of the extent to
which opium is used.
In Manchester the factory hands,
especially women, are so addicted to,
it that on Saturday afternoon the
druggists always have prepared a
large supply of pills ready for the ex-
pected demand of the evening. A
reduction of wages or an increase in
the price of liquor is always and inn
mediateiy followed by large increase
in the sale of opium, which is taken
as cheap substitute for alcoholic
stimulants. 1t seems these people
prefer whiskey and gin and the opium
trade is very largely with those who
have contracted the habit of taking
their daily draDns. In time of want
it is often resorted to by people to
allay the cravings of hunger or drown
the gnawing sensation produced by
enforced abstinence from spirituous
liquors. Many who begin the use Of
the drug under such circumstances
are made slaves to it, but many Others
soon abandon it and return to drink,
1t Is the spread Of the opium habit
among the iab0ring classes that atten-
Vi"'i 10 C9pVCldily Cdlleu 10 dC tnlS
time, and there is abundant evidence
that the conditions referred to in Eng
land are duplicated in many manu-
featuring towns in the United States.
In many cases the use of opium be-
gins in the cradle, infants being daily
fed on laudanum to keep them quiet
where the mothers are unable to give
them proper attention. Often this Is
carried to an extent which creates the
opium appetite in the child to such
degree as to require continuance Of
the dosing. The insidious fascination
of the drug is far more dangerous
than the alurements of drink and it
could hardly be less than national
calamity should the American people
drift into the terrible habit that ex.
erts such an enthralling influence up
on Indian nations. The very great
value of opium as a medicine will
always make it an article of common
commerce easily obtained, and there
is no easy way to curtail its use.-&.
Louis Republican.
"Oh, my back ~ is A common eY-