The morning call., 1890-07-14
SLAVE OF THE POPPY.
The Sad Confession of a Female
Morphine Victim.
How Shadow Was Cast Over Happy Home
Physicians Opinion Regarding the
Unrestricted Sale of the Drug

'Und0u DteQly III mas uOne Hucn 10 pre-
vent the indiscriminate and reckless sales
of the drug which were carried on prior to
the passage of the law. Still, the beneficial
effects Of that law cannot be felt in any
marked degree for many months to come
IF any one supposes that the ordinance
has succeeded in preventing one genuine
fend' from purchasing the wherewithal to
satisfy his raging appetite, it is great
mistake. There is an old saying that
Love laughs at locksmiths,' but the con-
frmed victim of the opium or morphine
habit snaps his fingers in derision at the
law which tries to cut off his supply of the
drug as long as he has his liberty and
supply of that potent open sesame called
money 1t is only the angel of death that
can call time upon the fiend in this re-
spect."
" In what manner is the law beneficial,
then?"
FEW NEW RECRUITS.
I'm tell you. The number of new re-
cruits TO the vast army of wretched slaves
to the habit are very few in comparison
with what they would be if the drug was
sold Unfortunately, and at even high
price. If the drug was placed at an eX-
orbitant figure, it would make little differ
ence as regards the sales. But when the
stuff can only be procured in limited Quanti-
ties and only upon prescription oil phySl-
clans, it is another matter.
There is great difference between the
novice in the habit or even those in the
secondary stages and the confirmed user OF
the drug A person Just beginning to use
it is attracted by the eXhilarating effects
which is produced upon them. A majority
of them are not aware of the deadly nature
of the decoction which gives them such pleas
ing dreams and ecStatc sensations. They
are led, bound by chains of roses, and think
not that in few years the chains Will be
changed for those made of the toughest OF
wrought iron. 1t is easy for the novice to
break loose, and when he or she cannot pro-
cure the stimulant without the weakness
being discovered it is frequently broken eli.
INDUCED IN SECRET.
"Others have been INDUCING In the vice
in secret, and have not formed the acqualnt-
ance of any fiends who could put them IN
the ways of getting around the law. They
also break their chains of roses, and, find
ing it impossible to indulge, soon come to
realization Of their position.
Again, the difficulty of getting the drug
and consequent reaction OF abStaining from
it often makes the victim i'll for day or o.
A physician is called in, and If he be the
right kind OF man he discovers his pa
TENTS ailment and can prescribe accord
iDgly and also bestow some timely words OF
advice which will cause the patient TO look
with loathing upon the habit. | do not
doubt that the new law has saved many
persons in just such ways as ! have men
toned. In That way II is blessing, and as
one by one Of the old fends drop out OF the
army of victims the place Is not filed by
recruit and the law will be all the more eff
fective."
How do the hends evade the lave"
Oh, in thousand different ways. 1t
would be impossible for Il London street
arab TO emuiate fend in cunning when
after some of the drug. A tiend is lost to
all sense Of honor, selI-respect or the re-
spect Of any one Else He will or she will
lie, steal or do anything.
EVERYTHING CAST ASIDE.
ut does not matter what one may have
been-whether carefully trained by Chris
tian parents and endowed with intellect,
bright hopes and noble aspirations All,
everything is cast aside as soon as the
chains of roses have been displaced by
those of iron. The clanking of these chains
is the only music which keeps time to the
heart beats of the poor, miserable wretch"
l. Are confirmed opium or morphine fiendS
ever cured of their habit?"
seldom, if ever, are they the same per-
sons they were before using the drugs.
There is always hepe, though, until the
third Stage of the habit is reached.
l have under my treatment now very
sad case. 1t is that of a young woman who
had well-nigh wrecked her lite and the
happiness Of her relatives and all who were
dear 10 her through using opium III various
forms. Her case is peculiar as well sad
because it shows how the habit may be
formed unconsciously and humored before
it is discovered in its true form. For
obvious reasons 1 can mention no names in
connection with the facts in the case. She
told me frankly the story Of how she be-
came addicted to opium.
SHE WAS \ CHILD.
"' was only child of u years she
said, when | first learned what opium
was as regards its effects | was often
troubled with neuralgia and suffered fear
full agony, until one day lady who was
great friend Of my mother, and lived in
our house, gave me dose Of decoctlon Of
poppy, which she was in the habit of using
occasionally for similar pains. That she
was not used to taking the drug regularly |
am certain, and she did not dream Of its
possible baneful effects.
I" AT any rate the mixture sent me to
sleep, and then | experienced the most de-
lightful sensations of perfect ease and
sweet content. l fonnd my mind running
riot among the most delightful dreams and
thing which arose in my imagination
seemed to be Hinged by the golden sunlight
OF a glorious summer day.
PLEASING SENSATIONS.
as The pain left me as if by magic, and
on awakening in the morning experienced
a dreamy sense Of pleasure which lasted
me all day. That WAS my fist introduce
ton to the drug, and it was SO pleasing that
after that whenever | had the slightest
pain in my head l went to the lady and
procured some Of her mixture. Finally she
hesitated about giving 1t to mel went so
frequently, often feigning pain that did
not exist. Then got to taking it from her
bottle on the quiet
"'No one suspected me Of using the drug,
and the only visible effect it Dad upon me
was to create certain listlessneSs and in
difference to outside influences OF worry or
trouble upon myself or others.
"'When 1 was 10 years old l found it al
most impossible to do without the pleasing
draught and kept supply always near me.
Yet | did not think but what l could do
without it if | tried hard, but | saw no
reason for trying, as it gave me such enjoy
ment / had never heard Of the horrors Of
the opium habit.
A HAPPY HOME.
"'At IS ] was married and a happier
home than my husband gave me no bride
ever had. In my new-fOund happiness |
would sometimes forget my drug for day
or two, and then l would feel The longing |
for it come over me and would indulge my |
desire. | need not say that l kept my |
weakness from my husband, as | knew that |
respect and love Tor me. Then | might |
have broken loose from the habit, | think, |
but / could not bring myself TO even think |
Of doing so.
"'Oh, 1 cannot tell of the many devices to |
which 1 resorted in order to keep the mat |
ter secret from my husband / was in |
constant fear of detection, and | had to |
make one of our trusted servants go out |
and purchase the drug at various places |
and bring it into the house and give it to
me by stealth Then l was taken i'll and
could not get any drug. l was in dire |
agony. The doctor prescribed laudanum, |
and oh, how eagerly ! took it, as it relieved |
me in a measure OF my pangs caused by the
want of opium.
LAUDANUM BY PRESCRIPTION.
"'FrOm that time on | used laldanum in |
stead OF the other mixture of opium, as | |
could do SO easily under the excuse that it |
was by the doctors orders. Finally / pur- |
chased the laudanum in such large guam
hat Inc Ia ~