Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-11-23
DOCTORS OPIUM SLAVES.
A Weakness Of the Profession, Or. croth.
Or Declares HE Conclusions Based
on Data Resulting from Extended
investigation Medical VIC
Tins Of NesdIomania.

on Data Resulting from Extended
investigation = Medical Vic
Tins Of NssdIsmania.
That 10 per cent. Of all the physi-
clans in this country are victims Of
the morphine habit was the startling
estimate made by DR.. L. ID. Crothers
Of Hartford, Conn.,, In paper read
before the last session of the New
York State Medical Association.
DIR. Crothers, whose paper was en-
titled "Morphinism Among Physi-
Clans" gives this summary of his re-
searches as chairman of committee
which has been collecting and studying
statistics on opium, morphia and alco-
hol for nine years:
I'm a general history of 3,244 physi-
clans residing In the Eastern, Middle
and some Of the cities of the Western
States, p per cent. were found using
spirits or opium to excess. Six per
cent. of this number used morphia or
opium prominently. Ten per cent.
were using opium or other drugs Sc
cretly outside of this number. At
least 20 per cent, including this num-
Der, used spirits in so-called modera-
ton.
In another study of 10 physicians,
per cent. used opium or morphia and
6 per cent. were secret drug takers.
From the personal observation Of a
number of physicians who have a
large acquaintance with medical men,
from to 10 per cent. are either secret
or open drug and morphia habitues
'These figures appear to be approxi-
mately correct, and show that at least
from g to 10 per cent. of all medical
men are opium inebriates. This is I'M
doubtedly conservative statement,
considering the fact that drug takers,
and physicians in particular, are Sc
cretive and conceal their use of drugs,
particularly where il implies weak
ness and reflects on their social stand
ing.
There are many reasons for the
support of the statement Of DR.. Elain.
that n large percentage of physicians
suffer and die from drug treatment of
themselves. They begin to use spirits.
opium and other drugs for functional
and transient disturbances, and later
contract serious organic disease. the
early drug-taking having been Il con-
tributing cause.
THE physician who uses opium is
always somnolent, serene and medita-
tive in his manner. Except an in
creasingly defective memory and de-
generating ethical sense, and iregulari-
ties of conduct. with certain lividity
of face, there is little to indicate his
condition.
"On the other hand. the morphine
maniac shows great extremes of emo
ton. At times he will be very talka-
tive, and sensitive to his surroundings;
then silent, Indifferent. irritable or vio-
lent in his impulses and talk. He will
also at times be very brilliant, make
clear diagnosis. perform difficult
operation. and even deliver a lecture
with spirit and energy. The same i'm
paired memory and ethical sense APP
pears, although more concealed.
"MOrphinomania tends toward acute
mania and suicide. with the same i'm
pending danger from acute infiamma-
tons.
"A certain number of morphinists
have been wine, beer and spirit drink
ers, and while suffering from the eff
fects of excuses have found quick re-
lief from morphia. Later they have, in
part or altogether, given up spirits and
used morphia.
",rhere is pleasing fascination in
the rapid complete change and transit
ton which follows the use Of the
needle. To the psycopath, inherited or
acquired. this is a revelation, and no
other form of administering morphia
can compare with it. This actually
develops needle mania, and nearly
all morphinists are hypodermatic drug
maniacs. The withdrawal Of the NOR
phia Is unnoticed as long as the needle
is used.
I'm a certain case n physician used
the needle with water, supposing II TO
by morphia, for two years after
the withdrawal of the drug. under the
direction of his partner. 1t is the COM
mon experience to keep up the use of
the needle for its mental effect long
after the morphia is abandoned. Even
then 1t is difficult to break up the
mania for this form of drug using.
1T has been stated with some basis
of fact that the constant administra-
ton of drugs to his patients by the
needle, and particularly morphia, is a
prominent symptom of a morphine
maniac physician.
1.-THE medical morphinist may sue
coed in concealing his use of morphia
for a variable time, but its effects on
his thoughts and conduct cannot long
be covered. He will early begin to
show carelessness in conduct, neglect
Of duty, loss of personal respect and
emotional changes. Along with this
appear q childish egotism and dis
position to criticise and to expose the
weaknesses of others.
II cannot stop without calling atten-
ton to the fact that morphinism Is In
creasing among physicians. The re-
ports from private asylums and public
hospitals show that within five years
medical men form a considerable part
Of their inmates.
81 conclude with a caution that can
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