Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-28
CHICAGO MoRPHlNe-FlENDS.
The Number of "slavcs" Is Constantly
Increasing, Especially Along the Levee.

Chicago HerdldD
Morphine, opium. and cocaine slaves are
becoming more numerous every day. That
IS the story told by number of druggists
in different parts Of the city. As the sale
Of the drugs named is prohibited. except
in certain eases. none of them would al
low the mention of their names.
The druggists in the vicinity Of the
'1eyee" district. in State, Clark, and
Dearborn streets. have noticed the
marked increase in the traffic. The pro-
prietor OF one Of the stores in the heart
Of the State-strcet tough district yes
terday said.
The morphine habit among the women
Is growing at an alarming rate Where
three or four years ago We sold only small
quantities, and those at long intervals,
we now sell more than an ounce a day.
In fact we leave the morphine bottle
standing on the rear counter. The calls
for the drug are so frequent that We leave
the bottle there 10 save reaching up after
IL. our customers are mostly fallen wo-
men, and they are nearly all young.
IL don't know how they get into the
habit. but when they once begin using
the drug they soon take II in large doses.
The dose for those who are not accus-
toned to taking morphine Is from one
eighth to one fourth OF a grain. More
than that is dangerous. one grain usually
produces coma. The habltue begins with
the small dose, but I'm very short time
they take from one 10 three grains. From
that IL increases up 70 fifteen grains.
There are a number who tell me that
they take fifteen grains at time. one
girl comes in trembling all over. She
screams for the drug | give her y cents
worth. and she swallows II at a gulp
'"They tell me that Before they take II
they feel nervous and III AZ ease. No
thing satisfies them. But as soon as they
take their accustomed dose they at once
feel normal | sell the most Of II after
supper. After O'Clock and until o'clock
there IS a steady stream OF morphine
fiends.
MANY young women come in and
beg me to give them something 10 cure
them Of the terrible habit. / have quite
A number whom | am treating now.
Morphine looks exactly like quinine and
has the same bitter taste. Few can tell
the difference between the two. Ofter
when young persons whom / think stu
unaddicted 10 the use OF the drug come
IL, | give them quinine Instead or NOR
phne. know several whom have pre-
vented from becoming mOrphine-eaters ~
this deception.
Il notice, too that many young men
are becoming addicted to the drug
They seem to use il in smaller quantities
than the women. They tell US they can
not stand the steady grind OF business
without some stimulant.
Cocaine is used by few. 1t has about
the same effect az opium, but II Is usually
hypodermcally injected. Opium IS USED
still less"
This is substantially the story told by
five or six pharmacists in State street
from Van Buren, street To the viaduct.
Drugstore men In the fashionable parl
of the city tell Of the increase or she
morphine habit among the higher classes.
They say that the women use II 80 that
they won't worry, and the men use II To
quiet their nerves. But the increase IN
these districts IL much smaller than down
town.
Custom-house authorities say that the
Importation OF opium and morphine IL
increasing steadily. The Chinese. espe-
cially, seem 10 get large quantities OF II.
Not long ago the Collector sold large
number OF uncalied-for or seized pack
ages, nearly all OF which contained
opium. The Chinese were present. and
bid high for the stun. The police say
that opium joints are increasing In
number. Several who are acquainted
with the levee district say that the use
OF the drugs IL largely traceable to the
Chinese. Men and women OF low eharac-
ter go To the Chinese resorts to try IL.
After that they are slaves. t-s %