Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-02
MOrphia Maniacs.
WOMEN WHO ARE SLAVES TO THE HYPO-
DERMIC SYRINGE.

| II is no secret. saws correspondent of
of the Ruda PeSth Zeitung, that very
many Partisan women carry about
them small ivory syringe. In this
delicate toy is contained morphia, and it
NAV often be remarked how ladies at con-
venient opportunities take out this little
trinket and give themselves prick in the
arm or wrist with it. But ere long these
little pricks no longer suffice to stimulate
the nerves of the votaries of the habit
the dose is too small. Then it is necessa-
~ to have recourse to recently estab-
lished morphine institutes, where old
women, under the name of "morphin-
euses," carry on their profession and give
the Partisan danes pricks in the arms and
breast, according to all the rules of art.
Not long since, a well known lady invited
me TO accompany her to one of these es-
Establishments; | complied with the invita-
ton and saw there some fearful revela-
tons. We drove to a distant quarter of
the city, and at the corner of a gloomy
street the lady made the coachman stop.
We got out and continued our way on
foot. On the expiration OF about ten
minutes we reached an unobtrusive house
and after long ring at the bell. we were
admitted. At the door, however, the lady
was obliged to present her card of intro
duction. At length the apartments of the
"morphineus" were thrown open to US.
We traversed long, narrow corridor and
entered spacious reception room. In
the middle OF the room stood a large stove
whose rudy glow constituted the only
illumination OF the apartment.
Around and against the walls were
placed we'll cushioned touches III observed
several women sitting or reclining upon
them. They presented, generally, a re-
pulsive appearance to me. Their eyes
were hollow, their compilations wan and
cadaverous; they looked at each other
listlessly and without smile.
and most of them were agitated by
convulsive movements, which | could
not explain to myself. One had an ex-
tinguished cigarette in her mouth, and
swung her arms about her impatiently,
while others murmured to themselves IN
ineligible words, and now and then
screamed out 50 loudly as almost to stop
the course of my blood through nv veins.
A blonde, richly dressed. had the upper
portion of her corsage open, and was
pressing her hand upon a white, emaciat-
ed bosom. Suddenly side door opened.
brilliant light streamed from the next
room into the dismal apartment, and an
extremely beautiful woman passed with
hurried and elastic step thr ugh it.
Her lips were red and pulpy, her
eyes flashed and beamed. 'Another
of these ladies in few min,
utes." whispered my companion to me,
Twill be just as beautiful" All the ladies
arose and rushed like furies to the TIRES.
hold of the adjacent room upon which an
old woman appeared, with lump in her
hand.
She was enveloped in an old Indian
shawl, and she gazed with satisfaction at
the retreating form of the beautiful woman
who was hurrying off. My turn! nv
turn ~ screamed the ladies, pushing and
elbowing each other aside. AT length the
old woman took one of The ladies by the
hand and led her into the next room. AS the
door closed behind them, heard the lat
ter exclaim, "At least, Nine Claire, at
the very least. three pricks on the arm
and bosom!''