THE PERIL AND PLAGUE OF NARCOTICS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5557, 27 July 1886, Page 4

THE PERIL AND PLAGUE OF NARCOTICS.

Scarcely a week passes without some aad proof of the folly of a reckless or insufficiently careful use of narcotics. It is almost to bo regretted that there are so many agents capable of producing mimic, or poisoned, sleep. It is now the exception, instead of the rule, to find a man or ■woman of middle sge who is not mere or less addicted to the abuse of morphia, chloral, bromide of potassium, or some of the many sleep-inducera or pain-relievers which the nineteenth century has dis*

tinguished itself by evolving for the care and comfort of our less enduring and increasing sensitive and exciting humanity. It iB nothing to the purpose that the dele- ! terious effects of these potent drugs, when taken habitually, even in small quantities, have been again and again exposed j It is so pleasantly facile to prescribe a remedy which is sure to give present relief, whatever may happen in the future ; and those who have learned to purchase unconsciOUSM *s r>r ease at what seems to be a very small price are only too ready to renew the experience when any fresh causb of sleeplessness or pain arises. Sooner or later some strong measures will need to be taken with the view of arresting this really serious *' habit" of taking Bedatives, which is extending its influence and gaining strength year by year. Meanwhile we do earnestly counsel our readers to refrain from having resource to these drugs themBelveß* and to use their authority with patients in condemnation of a demoralising and disastrous practice. The victims of the abuse must not simply be counted by those who are left to drag out miserable lives, the victims of cravings, and nameless and numberless sufferings, which morphia, chloral, bromide - now cocaine — and a host of insidious poisons, are the active agents in producing. — Lancet.