The Detroit times., 1916-03-28
Autobiography Of aDrug Fiend
FTs5s isf Robinson BY Dr. John Harrison Hughes

and With the x-ray. Illuminated that
much distressed organ 80 he could
watch its Intermittent and iuttering
action. Then he decided ] was In no
condition 10 be given hyoscine. That
must rist go TO bed for three or
four weeks and increase somewhat
the amount Of morphine then being
strength and more system 20 the
hearts aciion-then. perhaps.
might stand il.
These Instructions were followed
used. IN order 10 regain some bodily
out The morphine was Increased
from the three grains had been TAX
ing TO about six grains per day. and
| maintained the recumbent position
some 90 hours out OF each "a.
Al the end OF the prescribed PERI
cd OF rest and recuperation I was
again examined. first by the original
consuliant. then by another physi.
clan he called in. These two sent
me 10 a third--one away up" In
the profession as a cardiac special
ist This latter examiner pro-
nounced the 'mitral valve of ny
heart TO be leaking badly; the apex
pushed two inches out OF position by
an enlarged spleen. and the walls
Of he heart diiated 10 such an ex-
tent that there was danger of rup-
ture from the eXertion of walking a
city block
This was no. very encouraging.
H.ut somehow. did not feel very
much depressed thereat. nor did |
experience any new sense OF impend-
ing dissolution The fact is, | had
long since quit worrying about the
antics OF that old heart. II had
served us purpose. after a fashion
for over Sc years, and. although IT.
had Snany times some on strike, il
had always repented and resumed
operations before the balance of my
physica machinery got the news
and declared a general sympathetic
strike. No, | was not scared
Won the three eonsultants were
unanimous Ia their opinions that IN
mo- then condition, It would be sui
cica for me 10 20 abruptly off Of
morphine on TO hyoscine They de-
/ clded that | must take another
months rest. mainly in the recum-
bent position but al all times free
I ON physical exertion. During this
resi- period MAS 10 Try gradually re-
ducinf my morphine, tentatively. to
see il my heart would stand IT,
This time did not literally fol.
low the instructions. did, however.
reduce my morphine allowance in
that one month from the six grains
had built up TO, 10 two grains per
day. But | took many a street car
ride, anad often walked several
blocks at time without rupturing
my heart as--to a close observer-is
evidenced by the fact that am now
writing these lines. AS a matter OF
! fact, still had considerable comb
dence in that old heart. and was
not going to become bedridden even
/ If it did 90 on a bust"
Al the end Of this second rest
period the cnnsultants again exam
med me- and decided that was still
an UNIT subject to be "bughoused"
with hyoscine. | had already made
up by mind 10 that effect. Being a
medical man and only a semi-invalid.
had been allowed a tree run Of the
sanatorium, and had closely OBJ
served and studied various patients
while they were undergoing this in
teresting experience had also
studied them after they came out
! from under the influence of tho hyo-
seine. and had decided not for ma.
Being thus in full accord with tho
consultants, on this point at least.
decided 10 take the whole matter
into my own hands, to return home
and there fight il out TO a finish,
heart or no heart
was inst two months at the sana-
torium. ard left it no better off than
when came But on account OF the
opportunity it gave me to closely OBJ
serve and study this method Of treat
ment, shall never regret the time
and expense