, 1888-05-20
THE VICTIMS OF MORPHINE.
What a Physician Says About It-steps
Toward n Cure.

The habitual use of opium and its de-
~rivative, morphine, is assuming vast pro
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 to contract the NOR
phine habit are of a highly nervous or
ganizaton, suffering unexpectedly 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 n
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 II, or even to 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. he cannot do without his fatal
solaoe.
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: 81 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;
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 20"
These cautions to practitioners reflect
none too severely upon a 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 portion
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 u feeling of comfort
takes its place. The barometer rises.
All things look well. That which was
lacking in the normal force Is supplied
by an artificial force. 1t resembles the
q III blc bpuI WlbIOuL Llt1T Sung.
But the sting Is sure to follow. 1t Is not
long before the victim realizes that he is
in a wretched snare, from which, IL I'M
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 com
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. 1t may be after a
few weeks or only after a lapse of months
that digestion becomes impaired. This
result more quickly follows tho use of
morphine per orem than when used by
podermically. The sleep is disturbed
with visions. Imaginary voices pursue
him-at first recognized as delusive, but
finally believed. The brain loses its
activity, and In some cases severe neu-
ralgia comes on. Still the habit Is chung
to, or more properly the snare holds its
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 TO find persons con-
Stunning 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 a 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 alb
stinence, and u 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 n degree of
well being ID experienced. The sufferer
has passed the turning point and Is be-
ginning TO mend. During the early
period it is essential that a skilled and
willing nurse be in attendance both day
and night The case should not be with
out watching for a single m
There are many al~leviations within
reach of the attending physician. Abund-
ance of snourishment, regularity of the
organic functions, and all right means
for quieting the nervous system are allie
Waiting conditions. individuals differ
greatly In their recuperative power; but
from n to 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 and resuming his
place at table, milk should be allowed
the patient abundantly and often, and
especially at night as a sleep producer.
1t must be admitted that among gen
eral practitioners there Is too little atten-
ton given to the requisite treatment of
this condition. Even among specialists
there are those who are disposed to make
Light Of it. But it were simply cruel 10
overlook ther real suffering Of this process
of abstinence, and equally unsafe. No
relief should DO denied that can con-
scientifically be given, and the progress OF
the cas- should be carefully watched to
guard against syncope or collapse
George Edward Hopkins, n. D. in New
York Herald.