The morning times., 1897-01-20
Dangerous Drug Which Is EX-
tenSiyely Used in This City.
OFTEN SOLD UNLAWFULLY
Its Terrible Effect Upon the Ner-
vous System Described by Leading
hysicians-Like Other Narcotics,
Its Repeated Use Necessitates
Gradual Increase of the Doses.

The progressive nature of the cocaine
habit was not apparent untilrecently, when
attention was called to the matter by GER
tain legislative enactments in Connecticut
looking To- the restriction of the sale OF
the drug in that State. II is alleged that
the condition of affairs there, as regards
the use OF cocaine is deplorable.
In Manchester especially the recognition
of the value OF the drug as a remedy for
asthma has led To a notorious indulgence
on the part of the Inhabitants Similar
reports are made as To other sections Of
the country
Five years ago cocaine was an almost
unknown quantity outside of the legit-
mate sphere OF medicine. Even iii the hos
pitfalls and among physicians it was used
but sparingly, and except in hospitals only
upon a physicians certificate.
Now, il is alleged, the drug may be OBJ
tanned at almost any pharmacy upon a
simple request OF the purchaser, and its
sale has become an evil that needs prompt
restriction. Immediate legislative action
is considered necessary TO correct it in its
incipiency-
The principal applicants for the drug are
the victims OF insomnia
IL is positively asserted nat the drug at
the outset exerts a temporary relief, but
as in the case OF all excessive stimulants
and narcotics, its after effects are disas-
trous To the mental and physical systems
Of the habitues,
II wrecks mind and body and enslaves
its victims more e:fectuslly than its kin
dred drugs. morphine, laudanum or opium.
Its sale notwithst anding, ii is said, greatly
exceeds the demand for any other sleep
producing Grug.
The horrors If the morphine habit, so
graphically described and philosophically
discussed by De Quinez in Ids ''Confes-
sions of an opium Eater" have caused
sundry silivers TO traverse the length of
many spinal column. but the widest
ina gination would fail to approximate
the reality of that purgaUory into which
the wretched victim of the cocaine habit
is plunged
Its first effects tend to wait the user
aloft on a cloud, golden tinted, rose
scented and luxurious. Dreams OF the most
exalted exhilaration flit through the weary
brain Fatigue and sorrow are lost in
maze of delightful fancies. The victim is
enveloped in an atmosphere of exquisite
poe>v and is drawn gently upward, far
from tie things that are of the earth,
earthly
But the inevitable reaction comes, and
tie dreamer is hurled downward into an
abyss in comparison with which Dante's
Inferno" is a grand opera matinee.
Cocaine is distantly related To the com
mon cocoa we drink, but its qualities are
of distinctly different nature.
1t appears at first in the shape OF white
crystals, which, on application to the
tongue produce a tingling, burning sensa-
tion. This is followed by a feeling of
numbness all over the body. The drug,
locally applied, is strong anasthetic.
In order To lay TOR confirm the suspicious
as TO the prevalence of the drug in this
city Times reporter last night interviewed
several leading druggists on the subject.
They We're unanimous in the opinion that
the use Of the drug has not reached
alarming proportions here, and that the
sale is generally restricted to the hos
pitfalls, and in a legitimate medicinal way.
Ii was, Of course, unknown TO them
whether the applications for the drug AT
their several stores We're for proper pur-
poses or not, but so far as they had OBJ
served the sale was incOnsiderable in any
way.
The insinuation rs to a sub rosa route
taken in the sale OF the stimulant re-
suited in the reply that some few years ago
pharmaceutical law was passed restrict
ing the general sale of cucaine in the Dis
triCt of Columbia. and that 4 was not
known. Of course, whether cocaine fiends
secured the drug outside of the District
Dr. John F. winter, chairman OF the
board of commissioners of pharmacy, said
that to his knowledge the drug was used
only in a limited and legitimate way, and
that there WAS no occasion for alarm in
the premises.
Il have in mind one case" remarked
leading physician, in speaking of the CO.
caine habit, that seems particularly sad.
A young doctor OF promising talents set
tied in this city, and in a few years had
accumulated an extensive and remunera-
tive practice. His skill was unquestion-
able, and patients floclled to him by scores
A few years ago a Slight change was
noticeable in his appearance and charac-
teristics- In place of the calm dfgnifie
and professional manner with which he
treated his patients as well as his friends.
his limbs were observed to undergo a
continuous perceptible tremor and his ewes
grew strange and staring. In course of
time his mind was found to be affected.
His patients began to desert him. His
condition became more and more deplor-
able, and year or so ago lie sank into "a
state OF desperate melancholy, and blew
his brains out with a revolver
'.The cause of the unfortunate mans
downfall was not far To seek. In fact, L
was not very much surprised at his sad
end, for / had observed that his indulgence
in cocaine had assumed alarming proper
tions''
With reference to the cocaine habit. a
wen-known army surgeon said to a Times
reporter that long acquaintance and hand
ling OF tie drug 10y physicians created in
them certain degree OF contempt for its
fatal qualities. While he would not say
that the habit had reached general use
among physicians, he knew it to be a
fact that many doctors use il to alleviate
tire depressing fatigue resulting from over
work
4 physician whose knowledge OF medical
matters lends emphasis to his words said
that if it were not a matter Of honor on
Iis part, he would tell the reporter of facts
connected wIth the drug that would make
lis eyes bulge out and his hair stand on
end like guiIls upon the fretful porcI-
pine
But you see how it is,'' he said; ''if
gave out information ] should lose busi-
ness However, viii say that cocaine is
used in this city more than people have any
idea off,
Inquiry at several Of the leading pharma-
cies elected the startling Information that
over some counters the drug is sold sub !
roca- over others oneDIv In spDfP (1rup