Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-09

New York, Nov. 5.-From to 10
per cent of the physicians in the coun-
try are addicted to morphinism, ac-
cording to the assertion made by DR..
I. d. Crothers of Hartford, Conn, be-
fore the New York State Medical asso-
citation. His statements were not chal-
lenged, for he spoke as one having
authority. The doctor sounded a note
of warning by saying that the habit
was increasing.
Il was appointed in $780," said DR..
| Crothers, '"chairman of a committee to
collect and study statistics of the pre-
valence of alcohol and opium inebriety.
During this interval of nine years
large number of statistical observa-
lions and data have been gathered.
From these facts l present a prelimi-
nary report confined exclusively to the
study of morphine among physicians.
In a general history of 1924 ply
| S1clans residing in the eastern and
middle states, and some of the cities
Of the western states, twenty-one per
cent. were found using spirits or opium
to excess. Six per cent. of this num-
Der used morphia openly. Ten per cent.
were using opium or other drugs
secretly, outside of this number. At
least 20 per cent. including this num-
Der, used mOrphia openly. Ten per
cent. were using opium or other drugs
secretly, outside of this number. At
least 20 per cent including this num-
| Der, used spirits in moderation. So
| called. In another study of 10 ply
| sfcains, per cent. used opium or NOR
phia and 6 per cent. were secret drug
takers. These figures appear to be APP
proXimately correct, and show that at
| least from 6 to 10 per cent of all medi>
cal men are opium inebriates This
| is undoubtedly a conservative esti-
mate
There are many reasons for the
| support of the statement of DR.. Elain,
that large percentage of physicians
die from drug treatment of themselves.
| There is no doubt great deal of the
| individual disease and failure among
medical men is directly or indirectly
due to secret drugtaking. Morphinism
among physicians is usually associated
with the use of the drug by the needle.
The physician wha uses opium is al
ways somewhat serene and meditative
| in his manner. Except an increasing
| ly defective memory and degenerating
ethical sense and irregularities of con-
duct, with a certain lividity of face,
| there is little to indicate his condi-
| ton.
1T has been stated, with some basis
| OF fact, that the constant administra-
ton of mOrphia is prominent symp-
tom of a morphinomaniac physician.
The observation is often made that
some of the most enthusiastic defend
ers of the giving of morphine by the
needle are confirmed users of the drug
Two therapeutics and authors, who
praised this form of medication, died
from the excessive use of the drug.
Thus the needle delusionist is often his
own doctor and patient
Medical morphinists may succeed
in concealing their use of morphia for
variable time, but it's effects on
their thoughts and conduct, neglect of
duty, loss of personal respect and
ouloIloudl CHdHSeS Along WIN CnlS
appears a childish egotism and a dis
position to criticise and to expose the
weakness of others.
"A recent incident was the sudden
slanderous disposition manifested by a
quiet physician, who was previously
reticent as to faults of others For two
years he created a good deal of bad
feeling by mis- foolish criticisms and
falsehoods. He was arrested for SLAM
der, and his morphinism was dis
covered
Speaking of curing the morphine
habit, DR.. Crothers advised discon-
tinuing the use of the needle and the
substitution of some other form of
opium. Then the physician advocated
the rapid or slow withdrawal of the
drug,
Il cannot STOP" said the doctor,
without calling attention to the fact
that morphinism is increasing among
physicians. The reports from private
asylums and public hospitals show that
within five years medical men have
formed considerable part of their
inmates | conclude with a caution,
which cannot be stated too strongly
never use morphia by the needle on
yourself, and never use it except by
the counsel Of trusted medical ad-
wiser"