The sun., 1902-12-11

An Explanation BY Dr. Crethers. the We'll.
Known Expert on the subject.

known Expert on the subject.
To THE EpIroR or The SUN-Sir: My
note Of Dec. 2. published in THE SUN. has
brought out many inquiries on a subject
which supposed was quite well UNDER
stood by leaders In scientific circles. One
correspondent is very anxious to have me
answer through the columns Of THE Sun
the following questions: From what facts
do we conclude that opium and drug taking
is increasing, and what are some OF the
general ca,ises2 l can only answer these
questions with few outline facts. the full
discussion Of which would fil many columns
OF THE SUN
A committee of the American Pharma-
ceutical Association appointed to inquire
into the matter of drug habits has recently
reported that the increased demand for CO.
caine in the last five years has been over 400
per cent, while the sales Of morrhia and
opium curing this time have incr, ased SO
per cent. The normal increase Of the Use
OF these drugs for legitimate purposes dur
ing this period would he less than 20per cent;
hence this enormous difference indicates a
new and unknown Use Inquiries from
physicians in all sections of the country
show that both Of these dl ugs are used with
Increasing frequency and III some circles
the Use Is quite prominent. Hospitals and
sahitariuins are called on TO treat these
cases. and in many instances they comprise
IA considerable percentage of all cases
treated. Physicians in private practice
discover these secret drug habits among
their patients and specific drugs Tor these
states are more numerous and widely ad.
vertised in the journals and magazines OF
the day. One of the self-evident causes Is
the nerve strain and exhaustion follow
ing the peculiar civilization Of our times
heener and more highly sensitive nervous
organizations appear in all departments
OF commerce, scientific and practical work
For the strains, drains and exhaustions
which follow the rivalry and competition
comes the demand for relief which calls
for narcotics, either spirits or drugs. The
exhausted man or woman who cannot
sleep finds nepenthe in opium and it's
alkaloids. and ever after seeks this source
for relief.
Spirits may supply this demand for a
time, but they disturb the brain and ner-
vo'iS system and expose the users TO risk OF
reputation. while opium and morphine
give s'eadiness and serenity and cover up
the real condition. Nervous exhaustion
from bad living, overwork, under~ork. ex-
cltement, bad nutrition, want Of training.
occupation. bad parentage, faulty growths
IN early life and 80 on, are the main causes
for drug taking and narcotism in early
and middle life. Many men and women are
born with faulty and feeble resisting pain
centres. They cannot endure suferings.
and Losses: hence they
turn to drugs and spirits for relief The
real fault IL in the family, in the parents, in
the training and surroundings. Many a
young man and woman goes out from the
home with heavy entailment of disability
and inability TO meet the losses and crosses
common to everyday life. They become
spirit and drug takers with and without
much temptation, and are early wrecked.
What We want is robustness and physical |
and moral training in the family and school;
then the drug taking in after life may be |
iverted. T. ID. CRoTHERs, NJ. d.