Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07
OPIUM AS A MEDICINE.
Institution Opened for Treating Ills by
the Pipe.
From the London Chronicle.

From the London Chronicle.
The bare announcement that an Institute
for the accommodation Of those who
would smoke opium has been established
in the prosaic neighborhood of Red Lion
square, London. IS calculated to give I'm
agination rein; the fact that 1t is dis
creetly titled THE Pyrolitic 90. P) In
sttute,' suggesting theatrical flavor to
those who are not acquainted with all the
possible meanings Of o. p, Is enough to
make imagination take the bit between her
teeth.
There would naturally be found within
the dull shell riot of luxurious elegance.
One could see mirrored, gilded rooms.
with thick oriental carpets. on which the
foot fell noiselessly; a soft. subdued light
from shaded lamps; dangerous couches
that invited ecstattc dreams. and, OF
course, beautiful hand maidens fitting to
and fro bearing light refreshments.
The reality: waiting room. like a
thousand other waiting rooms. in which
patients glare at each other before they
see the doctor. and consulting room,
rather more bare of furniture than most,
with a couple Of not very easy chairs.
small table, on which is spirit lamp.
and two three opium pipes, and If 1t
were permitted to give the name of the
doctor who receives you 1t would be that
of most distinguished physician and sur
geon. of the highest possible repute. who
has gained fame for his treatment Of one
terrible disease.
1t has long been known that the Chinese
opium pipe, so much abused In that coun-
try and elsewhere is yet Of very consid-
cradle therapeutic value. The late DR.. j.
w. Shadichum endeavored some years ago
to introduce 1t into the medical practice OF
Europe prescribing. it extensively for
chest complaints, neuralgia and other mall
aides involving pain, spasm or progressive
wasting. Although ''pyrolitfc inhalation.
as this mode of administering medicinal
I,s-fa iS la1 lie
more effectual than any other, his attempt
failed, partly on account of rooted prejudice,
partly because the medical faculty were
not conversant with the peculiar art OF
smoking the pipe.
With stringent precautions against mis-
use. there is no apparent reason, accord
ing to the eminent authority who has es-
tablished the institute in Red Lion square,
why the opium pipe should not be resorted
to in suitable cases. AS a matter of fact,
he says the effect of opium vapor is slim
ulant. not narcotic. At each Whit the
quantity Of morphta which is conveyed to
tremeIy minute. An excessive dose is ut
terly impossible. as voluntary act. for
opium smoking is slow and relatively
tedious process. The knack of accom-.
plishing 1t at all demands intelligence. and
even when this knack has been acquired
considerable time is needed for the
absorption of very tiny dose or the
opium alkaloids. 1t thus presents en-
phatfc contrast to all other methods Of
administering these substances.
Numerous distressing maladies. 1t is
contended, can be more successfully treat
ed by pyrolitic inhalation than by any
method previously known. Nervous sleep
lessness Is counteracted at once and the
most direct and useful effects are produced
in spasmodic and conyulsive affections Of
the nervous system. In cancer it has been
tried with great success not merely for
alternating pain, but with the object OF
holding the disease directly in check.