The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-03-20
NO. 17-COCAINE HALluClNA.
TtONS.

There Is a late development in the
use Of cocaine by nasal installation
that demands serious consideration.
I refer now to the Illicit traffic in
finely powdered or easily crushable
tablets Of cocaine and of heroin and
their use by the nasal method.
think the growth of this method of
use, instead Of by hypodermic injec-
ton. is due to its convenience and
ease Of indulgence, even in public,
without much fear OF detection.
Recently I went to see moving
picture drama entitled The Drug
Terror" which has been produced
from the Atlantic to the Pacific for
the avowed purpose of showing up
this nasal method OF drug use. A
statement thrown on the screen be-
fore the play began announced the
fact that 1t had been got up under
the auspices OF medical journal and
had been carefully censored. Then a
picture of an original bottle OF hero
In. as IL comes from the manufac-
turing chemist, was thrown on the
screen, and beneath was the state
ment that This drug is identical
with cocaine in effect" How such
a statement could have got past the
editor Of a reputable medical jour
nal, or anybody else pretending 10
have any knowledge of the 'physio-
logical action of drugs, is beyond my
comprehensive. Hcroin, as have
already told you. Is simply form
Of morphine, and. used by itself, is
as different from cocaine as day Is
from night. But IL will give the
proper opium basis upon which the
euphoria of cocaine can be produc.
ed.
Then came busy scene OF nose
snifflers buying packages of cocaine
and heroin from "the villain" Of the
play. The buyers were represented
as usually buying both drugs at the
same time. Now, whatever short
comings or errors in detail that this
play possessed-and there were sew
eral that any old drug fiend could
have pointed out to you--it demon
strated the fact that both OF these
drugs were bought ard used by the
same victims. which supports my
contentious.
My conclusion Is that a cocaine
habit. proper. can only be INDUCED
In at high attitudes or In the physio-
logical presence OF opium; but that
given either OF these conditions, es-
pecially the latter, II Is the most de.
lightful, seductive and destructive
habit known to mankind.
While many things mas he said
for and against alcohol. there Is but
one side to cocaine In its effects on
both body and mind--it Is disorgan'
izing. unmoralizing. degenerating
and destructive. The morphine basis
in the victims system makes him
insensible to the ravages OF the CO
N0luC HlCnC( tuC anu tiiot
tangible thing we call the mind go
hand.in-hand with the physical body
down the happy cocaine path to de
struction. Ono thing can be said
for cocaine, however, that cannot be
said for any other agent OF destruc-
tlon. II let's its victim go down to de-
feat with his psychological hand
playing Nearer. My God, to Thee. >
Now a few words concerning the
cocaine character as know Il. And
keep In mind. please, that the co
caine character will try to de-
scribe to you Is the one developed
by the use Of the drug as a snper-
addition 10 that OF some form OF
opium know no other.
The menta! influences OF cocaine
are too optimistic. too happifying Ia
develop the criminal, sensual, or bel
ligercnt instincts or Its victim