The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-21
DEADLY COCAINE HABIT.
IL Transports Men From the Hell Of
Dependency to the Land OF Pleas


The cocane habit in the last two or three
years has spread to degree little dreamed ol
outside OF those who have become Its prey
the physicians who are largely responsible
for the vice and the druggists who cater to It.
says "Migargee," in the Philadelphia Times.
It presents today such an alarming condition
of affairs that all good physicians and all rep.
utable pharmacists are anxious tnat leSlsla'
tion shall be Invoked to curb the pracilce ana
protectits victims. In fact, this feeling has
taken practical shape in one state at least,
that Of Illinois, where the question OF prohi-
biting the sale Of the drug in any form,
stringent regulations, has already attracted
legislative attention! The Druggists Circular
and Chemical Gazette, In its Issue for the cur
rent month, speaking of this. says; "A OIL! Is
TO be- or probably already is, introduced into
the Legislature for this purpose, aud the local
govern ment OF Chicago has been considering
the matter independently"
Cocaine like morphine, Is drug capable of
most beneficial results TO manki ind, and 1t is
only its abuse and not its Intelligent use
which produces evil. 1t Is salt extracted
from coca leaves. the product Of a shrub that
grows Wild In South America, The virtues OF
the plant as a nerve stimulant have long been
known 10 the Peruvian natives, who for
many years attracted the wondering notice or
travellers by the prolonged fatigne which
they we're enabled TO endure by simply chew
ing its leaves. About fifteen years ago
young German physician called the attention
Of the medical profession 10 the fact that
soluble combination of cocaine with hydro-
chloric acid possessed remarkable properties
as a local anaesthetic. 1t was found that
when this was applied TO the tip OF the ton
que, that portion OF the organ was tempo
rarily benumLed. A similar experiment wit b
the eye led To a like result. 1t ~as found that
upon an application OF few drops of the 80
lution the delicate nerves OF sensation were
practically paralyzed and that the most
painful operations could be performed
without discontinue TO the patient. For a
while the drug was little used on account OF
a ft,nf ftt
ing pure preparations. II was then looked
upon and believed To be entirely safe. no mat
ter where applied, and entirely harmless. 10
time. however. the difficulties attending It's
manufacture were removed and 1t came into
general use TO dull the sensibil lity or the nose
and larynx during examinations and opera
tions.
Thus far We have considered the use OF CO.
caine simply as a valuable anaesthetic. used
only by the hands of intelligent and con-
scientious physicians. soon, however, lts
cost became 80 lessened that 1t was intro
duced into the wide field of patent medicines
as the basic condition OF so-called catarrh
remedies. Apparently, when thus employed,
1t produced the most marvellous cures, be,
cause the patient finding the delicate nasal
membranes deadened, and all discomfort and
annoyance removed, imagined that the evil
had passed away. not Knowing that the re-
lief WAS only temporary. Many physicians.
also, after using this agent as palliative In
treating disturbances OF the nasal passages,
placed 1t in the hands of patients to be em
DlOy6Q &L pleasure, Huu tuesS dCCIculteu iuou
of medicine are unquestiopably responsible
TO q very large extent for the spread OF what
has really become an alarming national evil.
When cocaine had come into general use by
physicians and makers OF patent medicines,
for the alev iation of nasal troubles. includ-
ing even iptiuenza, aud for toothacheS or for
the temporary suppression Of any pain or lr-
ritation where the delicate mucous mem.
brane is affected, 1t was found that craze
was created for the continued use OF the drug.
This 1t was soon learned, had It's origin not In
the mere suppression OF the pain or irrita-
tion, but by reason of the fact that applica-
tions OF cocaine, either to the nasal mem
brane or by hyperdermic injections-the
same method which morphine Is most gener-
ally introdu ed into the system-produced a
sense OF extreme exhilaration; ; in fact, con.
ditlon OF most ENJOYABLE intoxication. Those
who had once experienced this found 1t diff
ticut to abstain from renewal of the appli-
cation, and, in time, found the use Of the
drug absolutely essen tial to life. ,
But you may ask, where Is the evil OF all
this? You might AZ we'll ask where Is the
baue In the heart Of the poppy that has en-,
slaved one of the greatest nations the world
has ever known; you might as well inquire
what harm Is there In the continual, protract'
ed and inordinate use of alcoholic stimulants:
you might as well question the depths OF des-
pair Int which the hashesh fend Is thrown
when deprived OF the drug that sends him
into the land Of dreams, only to again hurl
him into the hell of dependency. The CO
came victim first betrays extreme nervous
ness when deprived OF the drug. He becomes
under It's constant use pale-faced, hollow
cheek ed and haggard-eyed. By this time his
will power is completely wrecked. He Is In
capable. OF firmly adhering to 1t. He can be
capable of the most vicious acts without be-
ing innateIy vicious In fact, he has ceased to
become responsible for his daily deeds; losing
selfrespect, losing regard for the opinion ol
his fellow men, losing al the ennoblins
qualities that generally distinguish man from
the other members of the animal creation
When he has progressed thus far in what has
now become q disease he finds himself un
able to check the craze without imperilling
his life. If he ceases to use the drug, he al
once finds that his heart ceases to act proper
ly and his kidneys refuse to perform their
functions. His whole system is disorganized
who has enslaved him, he finds himself in