Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-18
THE VICTIMS OF MORPHINE.
What PEysician Says About It-Stepl
 Toward Cure.

what PEyStctan Says ADOuS AC~SeePs
 Toward Cure.
 The habitual use of opium and it's de- rivative, morphine, is assuming vast pro portions. It will suffice here to say that the victims of this habit amount to many thousands in the United States alone. Professor Ball, of the Paris university, .reckons the number of victims the world over at hundreds of thousands
 Those predisposed to contract the mor- phine habit are of a highly nervous or ganization, suffering insupportably from exhaustion upon any unusual fatigue, or exhausted, perhaps, by any ordinary ex- ertion or distracted by long watching or by sorrow. These find in morphine a temporary solace. But the repeated re- sort to this relief soon becomes a snare. The habit is formed. The dose is pro- gressively increased to insure the de- sired effect. Soon any attempt to relin- quish it, or even to prolong the intervals of it's use, results in degree of physical and mental depression which seems in- supportable. The sufferer loses all self control. He cannot do without his fatal solace.
 The physician is not seldom to blame for the formation of this habit in his patients. Says Professor Ball, in giving cautions on this point: q would not deny morphine to the ataxic patient, racked with pains beyond endurance; nor to the victim of dyspepsia when he begs for some arrangement of his agony 1; nor in cases of neuralgia, where the suffer- ing is extreme. But would be remorse- less in denying it to hysteric patients, to hypochondriacs, to homeopathic subjects of every kind. Above all, l take care not to let the patient make the injection himself, nor to put into his hands the means of doing so."
 These cautions to practitioners reflect none too severely upon professional carelessness that is far too prevalent. It should be noted that they relate to cases of chronic ailment. There are certain chronic diseases, as dysentry and periton- its, in which the quick subduing of pain is essential to the saving of life. But in such cases the remedy, having accom- plished it's end, can be at once with drawn.
 The first effects of the morphine habit are no doubt agreeable. Depression passes away and a feeling of comfort takes it's place. The barometer rises. All things look well. That which was lacking in the normal force is supplied by au artificial force. It resembles the lash and the spur without their sting. But the sting is sure to follow. It is not long before the victim realizes that he is in wretched snare, from which, if un- aided, he is powerless to free himself.
 Even before the physical effect is known to be pernicious the moral effect is noticed as deplorable. The habituate who in his normal condition was con- scientious, high minded and sensitive, becomes morally insensible and knows that he is so. The character is con- pletely altered. Like the insane who know that they are insane, he is the most wretched of beings. The consciousness of moral perversion is the nemesis that follows him. ...-
 Equally pernicious physical effects are presently realized. It may be after few weeks or only after lapse of months that digestion becomes impaired. This result more quickly follows the use of morphine per prem than when used hy- podermically. The sleep is disturbed with visions. Imaginary voices pursue him-at first recognized as delusive, but finally believed. The brain loses it's activity, and in some cases severe neu- ralgia comes on. Still the habit is clung to, or more properly the snare holds it's victim.
 The extent to which the daily allowance is carried by those long habituated to morphine is simply amazing when we consider the potency of this toxic agent. It is not unusual to find persons con- suming thirty, forty or even sixty grains daily. These quantities are, of course, reached by a slow increase, else they could not be borne.
 The first requisite to cure is submis- sion to restraint. Without this any at tempt at cure is certain to result in fail ure. The power of self control and de- termination is not adequate to the case Moreover, if the habit has been at all prolonged there will be a degree of dis turbance during the first period of ab- stinence, and degree of illness and petulance following. For these reasons seclusion is requisite, and seclusion under restraint. Following the perturbation of the first eight or ten days degree of we'll being is experienced. The sufferer has passed the turning point and is be- ginning to mend. During the early period it is essential that skilled and willing nurse be in attendance both day and night. The case should not be with out watching for single moment.
 There are many alleviations within reach of the attending physician. Abund- ance of Enourishment, regularity of the organic functions, and all right means for quieting the nervous system are ale viating conditions. Individuals differ greatly in their recuperative power; but from one to two weeks in bed will be requisite in all cases In attending tc the diet milk must not be omitted. Even after leaving the bed and resuming his place at table, milk should be allowed the patient abundantly and often, anc especially at night as sleep producer.
 It must be admitted that among gen eral practitioners there is too little atten tion given to the requisite treatment o1 this condition. Even among specialist there are those who are disposed to mak, light of it. But it were simply cruel t overlook the real suffering of this proces of abstinence, and equally unsafe. N relief should be denied that can con scientiously be given, and the progress O the case should be carefully watched t, T