Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-04-21
HORRORS OF OPIUM HABIT.
Alarming Increase in the Number of
Morphine Victims.

Alarming Increase in the Number of
Morphine Victims.
That the morphine habit is increasing
among the people of this country there is
no doubt. Physicians, druggists and the
importers and dealers themselves attest
TO this, In one city 80 per cent Of the
morphine used IS purchased 10y persons
who use it without physicians order
The habit is usually acquired through
the victim first taking the drug TO allay
pain or discomfort. The fascination OF
the change from pain, distress and in
somnia to quletness, comfort and sleep
is very intense and oVprcomps all reason
and Judgment. After q short time Of
repeated use of morphine the reason is
obscured. First the higher ethical brain
succumbs and all sense of right and
wrong slowly disappears.
The failure of vcracity is the first
symptom. This goes on Ia extreme
lengths. Associated with il is cgotism.
which grows with the degeneration Of
the victim Often this is the most prom
inent symptom. Secrctiycncss and Gun,
ming also increase to an astonishing de
gree.
Some of the most dangerous among
f0rgerS and confidence men are morphine
takers. Fortunately the period of great
short duration. The unstable brain
state does not permit any continuous
line OF acts 10 be performed with equal
cunning and Judgment. While the score.
tivcness lasts, together with the low
cunning and seltishness. it is found after
time that the reasoning faculties be
come hcnumbed, SO that they cannot
originate or adapt themselves 10 now
conditions.
During it's first FIVE years the NOR
phinc habit is often practically I'M
noticed. The patient may be little odd
III some respeCts-mOTe bright or dull at
one time than at another. or PERHAPS
now sensitive and again indifferent. His
ordinary occupation may be carried On
without noticeable changes. His habits
Will deTcriOfate, and he may explain
them as due 10 some physical condition
Later, however, more marked changes
appear. The business man becomes IN
reliable aud changeablc. and the society
woman develops a taste for SANDER and
exhibits unusual emotional changes. and
hnaly retlrcs from society. The work
man becomes unfit and uncertain aud is
discharged or mHyiT detected i'm some
dishonest transaction. The failure Of
the higher brain takes away the former
consciousness Of duty and respect for
law and order. Impulses 10 steal be-
come very prominent in some cases. In.
fnuralities Of all kinds and scuSclpss in
triEG.S ll0w. hill iish lying and foot
lsh Concealment with cgotistica boast
ings. are often common.
Sometimes these faults are associated
with much acutcncss, and the writings
of some authors have been marked hv
dclirious imaginations and egOtistical
conceptions which for their gtrangeneYs
and novelty have been considered orig
Inai. Curously enough, these prodnc-
tons are not uniform and vary widely
hos 10 ty l..
the same quality and have Il decidedly in
sane tinge.
Many morphine takers, having good
constitutions, are able 10 use the drug
for many years and partially to conceal
the habit. They are likely. however, 20
become ihvalids or to seek scclusion, and
the erratic character Of their brain work
and reasoning suggests the disturbances
going on. Others become greatly broken
down or imbeciles, criminals, tramps or
paupers, and eventually die Of some in
tcrcurrent disease.
II is fact not well known that
cOHEidera bic proportion Of the crimes and
business failures which disturb the world
are the result Of the secret use Of NOR
phinc. Scandals in society, intrigue d.
vorceS, stupid, unrcasouing acts among
persons Of previously average sense, are
often due 10 this same cause. Tramp
ism. p8uperism, prostitution and many
other evils are very often associated with
the use II morphine and excuses in
ether drugs. In most cases the use Of
narcotic drugs has preceded these con
dtious. In some cases the use Of liquor
leads 30 Indulgence i'm drugs. The mar
coGsn which comes from beer and Spir-
its very often finds an increased pleasure
aaa relief in morphine aud hence turns
30 it.
Alorphinism is the most fatal and de-.
-fructive Of modern nerve diseases. ard
w' 20 once contracted is with great dif-
tcu!ty escaped from