The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1895-11-07
COCAiNE'S CLAVCS.
So nsations Produced o:' and the Power OF
the Drug Over Its Victims.

The cocaine habit is a compare
lively new addition TO the evils by
which humanity is beset, and it
promises to excel even morphinism
in the insidiousness of its growth,
In blasting destructivenoSs and in
the number of its victims. Under
the use Of cocaine the capacity for
labor is greatly augmented and the
need of sleep much diminished It's
use produces pleasant sensations. in
spring courage and general feel
ing of exuberant vitality, with APP
parently no unpleasant after effects.
But while the immediate action of
cocaine is more animating and
agreeable than that of morphine it
Is not nearly so enduring, and the
bitter sequels are manifested earlier
and in form far more disastrous
than in morphine intoxication. Co
caine habitues are utterly unreliable
and disregard all personal appear
ance, going about unkempt, bedrag-
gled and forlorn. The cocaine habit
is swift road to destruction and
leaves in its wake blight most ter
| rible to behold.
In some way The erroneous notion
has come to prevail that in treating
the morphine habit cocaine is of
great value, cOunteracting the effects
of the narcotic. Proceeding on this
principle, numberless quacks have
claimed ability to cure the morphine
habit. The unfortunates whom they
have succeeded in deluding are per-
haps cured of the morphine hab-
it, but i'll its stead they become
cursed with vice far more ruinous
| than all their former Ills. Cocaine
may counterfeit the effect of NOR
phine, but when the action of cocaine
is exhausted the SYSTEM demands
greatly increased quantities of NOR
phine, and this in turn produces a
desire for more and moro Cocaine.
Another class of victims comprises
those to whom cocaine has been adj
ministered in minor surgical opera
tions, and who, remembering it's ex-
hilarating effects, subsequently OBJ
tain and use the drug to their ruin.
The cocaine habit is apparently in
! durable unless the subject possesses
a powerful will and renounces the
use of the drug ere it's vicious effects
are manifest. After the habit is
once acquired the system Graves the
drug very much as the body Graves
food. When the drug hunger is not
gratified, the habitue suffers all the
consequences of natural starvation
until his system RECEIVERS it's normal
condition. With overwork or anv
mental strain the craving for the
drug returns and is repealed only
with the utmost difficulty. Each
dose creates demand for larger
dose the next time, and point is
seldom reached where constant
quantity produces uniform results.
A single incident will illustrate
the terrible possibilities of this drug.
A prosperous young lawyer, being
very much overworked and in great
demand, sought renewal of his ex-
hausted energies in cocaine. For a
long time this served him remarka-c
bly, well, stimulating his energies
and producing an appearance of re-
newed vitality. Presently his sys-
tenn failed to respond to the usual
quantities of the drug. Then he be-
gan gradual increase of the dose,
with simultaneous reduction in the
effect. Finally the drug seemed to
lose all potency, and the subject was
F completely Frustrated. Under skill
full treatment he recovered after a
time and appeared to be restored,
but with returning labor and ankle
ty came the old craving and morbid
desire for stimulus. This he resisted
with all his energy, but to no avail.
An extreme hunger prevailed in his
; system, and he could have no peace
until this was satisfied. Notwith-
standing his former experience, one
night he stole from his home and
satisfied his longing with cocaine.
Pleasant thought and blissful
dreams were the result. And thus
hesustNined himself from day today.
By stealth his wife obtained some
of the drug, and finding exhilaration
in its use continued to administer it
to herself, guarding her secret from
her husband. Today one is a raving
maniac, and the other is behind the
bars, clamorous for cocaine. -Bulle-
tin of Pharmacy.
Knighthood In SIAM