The Minneapolis observer., 1890-09-06
VICTIMS oE MORPHINE.
The Eneets Of the Drug Explained by =
New York Phnrmnclst.

-
New York pharmaclst.
There entered an uptown drug store
tho other night tall. slim young man,
with clothing banging in rags all over
his body. who ambled up to the counter
and asked In a low tone for some drug.
which was hastily put up by tho drug.
gist and eargerly snatchod and paid for
by the customer, who quickly with
drew, As the druggist returned TO my
side ho said:
There IL one or those poor. unfor-
tunato young mon who started In 10
play with morphine, to hnd in tho end
that morphine was playing with him.
lie has reached that condition now when
to be without the drug means hours Of
the most intense agony. have deal.
ings with many morphine aends, and
knowing as do the power of the drug
when once II gets the upper hand.
pity tho victim. Why do sell tho drug
To the tienda Well. do not know, uns
loss IL Is pity that prompts me. have
been In his condition myself, and I
know what tho intense longing for the
drug Ia, and probably on that account
moro than any other l furnish II whom
others would probably refuse IT, Aman
who is the victim of tho fatal drug soon
reaches condition where he must have
II. Then he will atoop to any crime or
subterfugo 20 obtain II. | have had
them come In here with forged or.
ders. apparently signed by reputable
physicians, which they have written
and signed themselves.
~ have tried adulteration but IL does
| no good. II tho victim finds that tho
morphine In adulterated he simply takes
more of IL They know Just as we'll ~
We do tho strength of the drug, and .
druggist who thinks to reclaim them by
giving an AdultorAted article will not
succeed
"My experience with morphine eaters
extends back for n period Of niteen
years. during which time have come
In contact With almost every variety OF
this class of peculiar beings. I have
found that morphine eaters WI lie.
steal. break up families. their own As
we'll IN any other, and do and cause all
the mischief possible. They arc apper-
emily devoid of all the fner feelings ct
humanity and have lost all self.raspect
Morphine iaa stimulant and narcotic.
Taken In small doses it Increases the
fulness and frequency Of the pulse. in
vigoratea the muscular syatoul, quickena
the sense Animates tho spirits and gives
greatly increased intellectual powers.
its operation, while extending to all
parts Of the system, acts principally on
the brain forcea, the functions OF which
IL oxeitea TO intoxication and delirium.
In few minutes this axhilaration sub
sides and the mind becomes delightfully."- v
calm and placid and the individual be-
comes inaensibla 10 all painful impress
siona, and forgetting all care and annoy
anea anhsnits hlms@if io current a
underlined unconneeted. but pleasing
fancles, and 10 conscious Of no other
feeling than quiet and vague enjoy
ment Az tho end OF short period all
consciousness In lost In sleep.
II have many customers who buy
their morphine here aud most Of them
como supplied With the necessary pre-
scription from = reputable physician.
Many physicians when they find that
the victim IL past redemption give the
prescription, knowing that tho victim
viii procure the drug anyway. This
talk OF profit leading The druggist IN
sell the drug without prescription IL
not true, for the profit In morphine is
very amall-too small TO cause him "a
take chances--bnt pity for the victim
will often lead druggist 10 sell the
drug whore money would not tempt him.
II had family. regular customers
for years. who we're all addicted 10 the
habit They we're very rich whom they
FIRST commenced 10 buy morphine, bus
! believe they have loat most Of thois
money by wild speeulations, and others
have taken advantage OF their oondl tion
to Ret goodly portion Of IL Tho son.
a Ane-looking fellow, who was six fsei
high aud weighed one hundred and
eighty pounds before he became addicted
10 the drug. died few weeks ago weigh
Ing less than one hundred pounds. The
mother and father find Ell their c9nfort
now In tho morphine habit s7uld
cite many other cases. In fact. 10 you
sit here for an hour at time y0s Stll
see the victims come In one Afte ths
other, and ail after the drug"--N. Y.
| Hnrafd