The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-11
THE DRUG HABIT.
Recent Court Cases in England Which
show Its Dire Progress.


London Daily News
Public attention has recently been drawn
to the drug habit by cases in the courts.
Some time ago a man and woman were
placed in the dock together Their condi-
ton of nervous distress was pitiable and
they implored the ma gistrate to allow them
to have morphia. Their sufferings were so
acute that the request was eventually
agreed to, and the immediate result was
marvellous. Their misery and detection
disappeared and, for a time at least they
seemed perfectly restored. More recently
a man charged with dishonest dealing told
the magistrate that he was a victim TO
cocaine, and while under the influence of
the drug did not know what happened. In
qurieS show that the vice is much more
common than is generally imagined. Nat
urally, 1t Is intended to be a secret sin,
but the victim of the habit quickly becomes
mentally and physically demoralized to an
extent which renders the services of the
doctor imperative.
On this subject Dr. Forbes Winslow
speaks with the authority of one who has
made close study of the disease for many
years. To a reporter he entered into the
matter at some length, and during the inter-
view quoted from number of works which
he has written on the subject. I'm my
opinion" he said, lone Of the chief causes
of degenerate in the human race is indul-
there are upward of three millions of
opium eaters, and the number is gradually
which was sent into England was over
44OO.OO0. One curious thing in reference to
| the drug is that it takes hold of the indi-
| vidual absolutely; it degenerates him, and
makes him quite unfit for the ordinary
duties of life The first symptoms feel
| ings of content and slight excitement, fol-
lowed by laughter OF an involuntary nature.
/ At the first stage the smoker has feelings
A tomDpratIlrP
| creased. Circumstances which happened
| long ago present themselves. in all their
| originality, and the future appears bright.
| AS the habit increases this feeling of ex-
altation is followed by depression. At first
the complexion, and particularly the eyes,
present brilliant appearance. but after
ward the face becomes intensely pale, and
Il generally insenSibility supervenes.
do these conditions apply also to those
| who are addicted to cOcaine?'
| Eyes. entirely. When L was in New York
| some time ago spent good deal of time
/ in the Chinese quarter, and it was a most
| ordinary thing to see European women
| there who had become fascinated by the
| habit hanging out of the windows. They
1 had become it's victims TO such an extent
| that: they were incapable of leaving the
i quarter. Many of them were ladies'
| Does the drug habit assume serious pro-
| portions here in England?' Yes, it is a
very common thing, chiefly among ladies.
/ Usually ii is taken in the beginning to all
4 lay pain Without doubt large amount of
/ laudanum is consumed by the upper classes
| in conjunction with alcohol. 1t is a hard
| and fast rule that a dpsomaniac is also
/ addicted to the morphine habit, but not
/ vice versa.
You mean that dipsomaniac who is
| deprived of drink would try TO get drugs
| but that a victim of the drug habit does
not care about alcoholic Exactly"
| us the habit increasing in this country?
| Every much AS long ago as 1872 no less
/ than 1921 pounds of opium were imported
| into England, and if the indulgence was
| measured by this standard the decline and
| fall of the social system might be conf
| IDENTIFY predicted.
| what about the effects?' WELL they
are many. AS have already stated, in the
| early stages the drug produces beautiful
/ feelings and visions The feelings of the
| eater are not merely pleasurable; he ex-
periences great delight and brilliant fancies
| which transcend all real and healthy i'm
pressions. Without doubt many painters
| have done fine work under the influence OF
/ opium. At first only small quantity Is
taken, but the fascination takes hold
| of the victim the size of the dose is in
| creased, and among the most frequent eff
fects Authorizations of hearing. The
/ idea of being in communication with Satan
Is most common in these cases. But event
ually the victim becomes degraded in mind
physically demoraliZed and mentally dis
| eased. In some asylums In America IS pei
| cent of the patients were opium eaters
| There is no doubt also that 1t stimulates
| TO crime. Frequently IL happens that th(
victims of drugs will steal things wher
| there is no inducement to do so. In Singa'
| pore so per cent. of those confined in the
| House of Correction were opium smokers
| anu the offenses of which they were guilty
| We're nearly all against property.
| And the cure?' THE usual method takeI
by doctors is to reduce the amount of the
| dose by a sliding scale. The victim de
| prived of the drug is often i'm a state %
| mania. and without relief would frequently
| lose his reason. 1t is a well-reeognized fac
by all the leading authorities that mas
| much as inebriety can be dealt with By
| suggestion, so the same applies to the drut
| habit. That is the only effective treatInen
for what is really an incurable disease
| 'How do these people manage to get holC
| of the drugs? They make all sorts O
excuses. OF course, they have TO get ;
doctors order, but they reveal very grea
| cunning and resoUrcefulness in securing
| their ends