Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-11
OPIATES FOR CHILDREN.
The Present Danger and Subsequent Evil of
Quicting u Restless Child with Drugs.
written for the Dlspatch.)

CWritten Tor the DiSpatch.)
Love of stimulants Is inherent in very
few children, but is a taste inculcated
during infancy; and not alone by nurses,
but by mothers who. through ignorance
or Indifference, run terrible future risks
for sake of a little present quiet. 1t is
In the medicine that the harm lies. No
matter what the ailment a be, the
remedies are near kin, drops. cordials.
paregoric, or laudanum, given with the
intention not so much 10 cure as TO soothe
the child and induce sleep.
The prime factor OF all these compounds
is opium. Now opium itself is a WON
derful medicine, but a skilled practitioner
hesitates to give II to a child because
its results are impossible To foresee. Nhen
ten drops OF laudanum scarcely affects
one child It might and often has killed
another.
Paregoric Is laudanum and camphor,
with two or three other ingredients, ana
great possibilities for evil. Drops ana
cordials are much like paregoric, only
stronger, and soothing syrups also contain
opium III some form.
A CHILDS REMEDY.
I do not imply hat these medicines
should never be used for cnlldreh, oh ane
contrary, paresorlc especially Is essen
TALLY a chlld'S remedy. But IL taxes a.
mighty sensible mother or nurse 70 tell
when II Ii necessary 10 be taken. TO put
4 cnlldE Crying Town 10 munger OF iiiil's5
IL a tradition of the nursery that has sur
yived many a better theory, ana bidS Ialr
to outlast many more. A little disclplhe
rightly applied often effects a rapid ana
lasting cure for uneXplainable tears. "a
bies as a general thing do not need medi-
cines other than pure air. cleanliness, ana
nutritious food.
The only time q mother IS really excusa-
BILE for drugging a child Is when one
sleepleSs night has followed another Tor
weeks. Few babies sleep well until their
second year. and when a mother has no
one to relieve her. and, moreover, has
both hands full of work through me Gay.
It is no wonder she acts against her better
Judgment. Though did she but know II Il
harmless nerve sedative VIII serve the
! purpose Tar better. Bromide OF potassium
put up in tve-grain powders, dissolved one
in n wine-glass Of water and given the
child through the day and evening. VIII
insure good. healthy sleep: III the dose IS
too large the child will become languid
and break out In pimples, but no harm
will come OF It. After a. couple Of days
treatment stop. giving IL, but put the chltd
10 bed at the same hour In q cool, dark
| room. and very likely he Will fall asleep
from force Of habit.
THE KEYNOTE.
Habit IS the keynote OF successful train
ing for children. Regular hours for meals,
regular bed hours, regular exercise! n
regular bed hour strictly adhered to Will
do more to encourage sleep thln medi-
cine. a warm pain on recurring. anu b
dark. cool room are better soporifics than
oriates.
Opium taken in any form produces the
same results. A little stimulates and
seems to impart great vitality and brain
! power. The nerves are not rasped by
little things, and the system seems IN
yigorated. \ moderate dose produces
| sleep and eases pain. An overdose to
| those unaccustomed to It's use Is almost
| certain death, while to those h~abituated
| to it spasms. commissions, and like COM
plants result. Children given opiate5
continually become stupid, stolid. ana
sickly. duh In lessons. and uninteresting
in conversation. a taste for liquor seems
| to follow as a matter Of course. and the
| result in many a case Is just what Is
| enough to invelgh against this practice
| that has Slapped the strength and life OF
! many q child and killed Off many more
! whose deaths have been attributed 10
| spasms and teething complaints.
KENNETH WOOD.