The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-01

terribly. l believe that there is no danger
from the proper use of cocaine as an anaes-
thetic, but there is danger from its con-
tinued use as a spray for nose or throat
and from hypodermic injections. 1t is
usually taken hypodermically by physicians
who know its tonic properties, a cure
for some other drug or liquor habit. In
these cases it is simply made substitute
for morphine or whisky, with the result
that a new appetite is created which is
worse than those il sought to relieve, and
the victim soon reaches his end. From my
own personal observation / should say that
four out Of five of the cocaine fiends that
have known were morphimaniacs first. 1t
is a startling fact that a large number of
doctors are given to the drug habit in one
form or another. They are led into ii by
the physical strain to which they are often
subjected. and by their knowledge of the
exhilarating effects of certain drugs, in
which respect cocaine doubtless ranks first.
Now that the dangers of the drug are
recognized, doctors are exceedingly care
full about administering it, and few reput-
able physicians ever give a prescription
for it. When 1 find it necessary to do so
1 write upon the prescription. To be filled
States have strict laws regarding the sell
ing of this and similar drugs. but it is not
always possible to regulate these matters
by law. Prescriptions can be purchased.
and the best that a law can do is to forbid
the sale of such drugs except on prescrip-
tons. Any doctor can, of course. secure the
drug in any quantity he wishes. There are
certain snuffs and coca preparations on the
+as,,
caine, and these doubtless add some vic
tins to this habit but to the general
cry that the habit is rapidly increasing, l
do not think the claim can be substan-
tiated."
OTHER OBJECTIONS.
A conservative physician and surgeon of
high standing says: II have never taken
kindly to the drug. In my own practice l
have treated patients who were suffering
from the i'll effects of having cocaine ad-
minstered in dental opera ions. When CO.
caine is injected hypodermically into the
gums it has a bad effect some persons,
producing numbness and dizziness. A To-
cal application is less Objectionable. since
less of the drug is absorbed and the effects
wear off more quickly than when injected.
1t is used the most successfully by dentists
and oculists, however, but in my opinion
it should not be extensively used by the
general practitioner. The administration
of cocaine followed by chloroform is All
especially dangerous procedure.
THE greatest abuse of the drug is un-
doubtedly by physicians, many of whom
alternate cocaine, morphine and whisky.
Cocaine has a very stimulating effect.
Everything looks roseate and the subject
feels a ceaseless activity, does not for
sleep, indeed often cannot sleep, but feels
no need of it. OF course this effect is fol-
lowed by a period of depression which is
so extreme as to demand a repetition of
the dose. The action of the drug is rapid
and its victim speedily becomes insane or
dies.
Medical students have been known to
take cocaine in order to pass brilliant
examination, and more than one has thus
contracted the habit. These seductive
drugs have a fascination for certain stu
dents, who like to experiment with them
in order to test their effects. careful
report of these cases among students
proves that the larger part of them die
at an early age from some disease, or
commit suicide
Another physician connected with the
medical and surgical department of a large
| university says: Cocaine is a dangerous
drug a horrible poison, whose final place
is not determined. The results of its
have led to an investigation of the an
aesthetic effects of nontoxic fluids injected
beneath the skin This investigation has
shown that much of the deadening effect
even with cocaine is due to mechanical
pressure on nerve terminals How much
remains is as yet an open question.
THE MORAL EFFECT.
THE mental and moral effect of the drug
on it's victims is peculiar. While morphine
makes a man a liar, cocaine makes him
secretive, and he tries to hide himself, his
| thoughts and his individuality from his
fellow-men. The end is a fatal effect on
certain nerve centers, the function gives
way and the end comes.