Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-05-25
THE VICTIMS OF MORPHINE.
What = Physician says About It-step
Toward a Cure.

"hAt Ihyslciah says Abont lt-steps
Toward a Cure.
The habitual use of opium and its de-
riyative, morphine, is assuming vast pre-
portions. 1t 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 70 contract the NOR
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 snare
The habit is formed. The dose is pro-
gressively increased TO insure the de-
sired effect. Soon any attempt 70 relin-
quish it, or even 10 prolong the intervals
Of its use, results in a degree of physical
and mental depression which seems in
supportable The sufferer loses all self
control. H cannot do without his fatal
solace.
The ply cian is not seldom to blame
for the foi nation of this habit in his
patients. says Professor Ball. in giving
cautions N this point: Il would not
sieny me ,phine TO the ataxic patient,
racked nth pains beyond endurance:
nor to tie victim Of dyspepsia when he
begs for some assuagement Of his agony !;
In, % h..
ing is extreme. But would be remorse-
less in denying it to hysteric patients, to
hypochondriacs, 10 neuropathic subjects
of every kind. Above all. |
take care not TO let the patient make the
injection himself, nor TO put into his
hands the means of doing So"
These cautions 10 practitioners reflect
none too severely upon a professional
carelesspesS chat is far too prevalent. 1t
should be noted that they relate TO cases
of chronic ailnent. There are certain
chronic diseases, as dysentry and periJon-
tits, in which the quick subduing Of pain
is essential to the saving OF life. But in
such cases the remedy. having accom-
plished its 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 its place. The barometer rises.
All things look well. That which was
lacking in the normal force is supplied
by au artificial force. 1t resembles the
lash and the spur without their sting.
But the sting is sure to follow 1t is not
long before the victim realizes that he is
in a wretched snare, from which. if un-
aided, be Is powerless TO free himself
Even before the physical effect is
known 10 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 insensibe and knows
that he is So The character Is conf
pletely altered. Like the insane who
know that they are insane, he is The most
wretched Of beings. The consciousness
of moral peryersiOn is the nemesis that
follows him.
Equally pernicious physical effects are
presently realized. II 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 orem than when used hy-
poderrically, The sleep is disturbed
with visions. Imaginary voices pursue
him-at first recognized as delusive, but
finally believed. The brain loses lis
activity, and in some cases severe neu-
ralgia comes on. Still the habit is chung
10, OF 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.
1t Is not unusual 20 And persons con-
suming thirty, forty OF even sixty grains
daily. These quantities ara, Of course,
reached by a slow increase, else they
could not be borne.
The first requisite b a cure is submis-
sion 10 restraint. Without this any at
tempt at cure Is certain 10 result I'm 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 viii be a degree Of dis
turbance during the first period Of alb
stinence, and a degree Of illness and
petulance following. For these reasons
seclusion Is requisite, ard secluson under
restraint. Following the perturbation of
the first eight or ten days a degree Of
well being Is experienced. The sufferer
has passed the turning point and is be-
ginning 30 mend. During the early
period it is essential that skilled and
willing nurse be in attendance both day
and night. The case should not he with
out watching for a single moment.
There are many alleviations within
reach OF the attending physician. Abund-
ance Of lnourishment, regularity Of the
organic functions. and all right means
for quieting the nervous system are ale
Waiting conditions. individuals differ
greatly in their recuperative power; but
from one 70 two weeks In bed will be
requisite in all cases. In attending TO
the diet milk must not be omitted. Even
after leaving the bed aud resuming his
place at table. milk should be allowed
the patient abundantly and often, and
especially nc night as a sleep producer.