The San Francisco call., 1906-11-11
Bv Van Zandt Wheeler

10 test The physical ana nofGA s~.SlS ~
OF tho patient, as the treatment Of that
serribIe ard ever growing scouEge OF
anity-morphinissn.
Though this paper is intended TO
treat generally on the various COM
posites of opium, the writer wishes to
be most specific as regards lis danger
Gus alkaloid. Moreover. morphine is
the form enjoying the greatest pcpu-
larity in this as in all other Western
countries.
Opiate addiction depends upon
great variety OF conditions. each and all
possessing features of interest well
worth individual study
It is safe to state that very fair
proportion Of opiate users form the
addiction because the drug is too fre-
ouently prescribed for long periods of
time by physicians TO relieve pain, as
in the case Of certain diseases, such as
chronic neuralgia, sciatica, insomnia
and various other physical as well as
mental disturbances.
Morphine, the principal 3lkaioid Of
opium. is a most powerful and lasidious
narcotic. When taken hypodermically
the symptoms manifest themselves in
two 10 three minutes and in four To
seven minutes when swallowed in solu-
ton The first sensation is that OF
pleasurable exhilaration (this lasts but
a moment and in some cases is not ex-
pericnced at AID, followed shortly by
feeling OF extreme languer and an
overpowering desire TO sleep The
pupils. though at first sometimes con-
tracted, always when narcotic coma
supervenes become unduly dilated aud
insensible TO light The face loses its
color and takes on Mvid. CHASTITY
hue. The skin grows cold. followed
nearly always by the characteristic
symptoms of eopious perspiration; nau-
sea and vomiting are slmoSt inVari-
ably attendant upon recovery.
One grain Of hydrochlorate Of NOR
phine taken either hypoGermically or
swallowed has been known to cause
death in a healthy adult.
Compared to Alcohol.
Opiate addiction may. in common
with that Of alcohol. be said to possess
this similarity. viz:-the almost utter
inability on the part of the confirmed
fnebriate TO free himself unaided from
his vice. In all other phases they
differ widely. in drawing a compari-
son as to the veracity OF these dis
similar inebriates Norman Kerr, NJ. D.,
says: IN ninety eight cases of alco-
holism out of one hundred the subject
denies that he takes too much: in half
the cases the opiate addicted admits
and deplores his degrading enslave-
ment"
The writer has witnessed the arrival
OF many alcoholic eases at sanitariums.
some Of them SO far under the influence
OF liquor that they were unable to sec
or talk. Yet invariably. when eNanl-
ined the following morning. they would
deny indignantly that they had bcea
drunk. If they finally could be forced
TO admit their condition they were sure
10 lay the blame at the door of an
other, as in the case or Adam and Eve
and the apple. she tempted me and /
did eat"
The morphinist. however. viii. &c
caught, admit his addiction. but will
seldom tell the truth regarding the
amount he takes
Another popularity of the case is
this: The alcoholist is convivial; he
likes company, and as d rule hates to
drink without the accompanying.
Here's how or. Here's looking at
you" On the other hand. the drug
slave despises company. and asks moth
ing better than to be allowed to dream
his life away in solitude.
Yet a third comparison may be made
on the ground OF disturbing the peace.
Alcohol is an eScitant; morphine a de-
T-easant. The former stimulates the
passions. frequently putting Dutch
courage" into the white livered and
making the pugnacious vicious. Far
from inhaming. morphine soothes and
lulls brain and animal spirits alike.
Statistical records OF crime will bear
this assertion out. There are few GRIM
inals but have been aided in the puT-
suit of crime by that prime conscience
sO0ther. alcohol Morphine has scarce
~ ever appeared on the police blotter.
at least IN connection with deeds OF
violence.
It is, Of course without question a
fact that the drowsy god Morpheus. in
whose honor the dangerous. sleep in
ducing alkaloid OF opium is named
number Of devotees Worshiping before
his shrine This we admit and deplore
But that there are IN New York City
alone fifty thousand opium inebriates
is a matter OF extreme doubt. During
the month Of July last an article by
James Forbes was published headed
New York City's Fifty Thousand
Slaves"
The sum total of the city's population
is somewhat slightly IN excess OF three
millions Of people. That would make
an average of one in every sixty per-
sons suffering from drug addiction
With all reports and statistics upon tho
matter at hand, the writer has beer
unable to arrive at anything like SO
enc-moas a number Of cases.
T'here were admitted during the fiscal
year ended September so. 1906, to the
nine State hospitals named below
twenty cases where morphinism was
diagnosed and twenty mine cases where
morphine was considered contributors
10 the exhibited psychosis. or, in Other
words, a direct or causatiye factor OF
the insanity fouad This makes in al
forty-ninc cases. At the time OF get
ting the number Of morphine admis-
siOns from these various institutes the
writer had not had the pleasure ol
AF~ int oeff inc