610 The Philosophy of Drunkenness. [JUNE, 



disposition. They also produce sickness and vomiting more readily than either 

 spirits or wine." 



The various inebriating agents unconnected with alcohol are alluded to, 

 and their effects described. The first is opium : 



" Opium acts differently on different constitutions. While it disposes some to 

 calm, it arouses others to fury. Whatever passion predominates at the time, it 

 increases; whether it be love, or hatred, or revenge, or benevolence. LordKames, 

 in his Sketches of Man, speaks of the fanatical Faquirs who, when excited by this 

 drug, have been known, with poisoned daggers, to assail and butcher every Euro- 

 pean whom they could overcome. In the century before last, one of this nation 

 attacked a body of Dutch sailors, and murdered seventeen of them in one minute. 



" Some minds are rendered melancholy by opium. Its usual effect, however, is 

 to give rise to lively and happy sensations. The late Duchess of Gordon is said to 

 have used it freely, previous to appearing in great parties, where she wished to 

 shine by the gaiety of her conversation and brilliancy of her wit. A celebrated 

 pleader at the Scotch bar is reported to do the same thing, and always with a happy 

 effect. 



" In this country opium is much used, but seldom with the view of producing 

 intoxication. Some, indeed, deny that it can do so, strictly speaking. If by in- 

 toxication is meant a state precisely similar to that from over-indulgence in vinous 

 or spirituous liquors, they are undoubtedly right ; but drunkenness merits a wider 

 latitude of signification. The ecstacies of opium are much more entrancing than 

 those of wine. There is more poetry in its visions, more mental aggrandisement, 

 more range of imagination. Wine invigorates the animal powers and propensities 

 chiefly, but opium strengthens those peculiar to man, and gives for a period, 

 amounting to hours, a higher tone to the thinking faculties. Then the dreams of 

 the opium-eater they are the creations of a highly-excited fancy, rich and un- 

 speakably delightful. But when the medicine has been continued too long, or 

 operates on a diseased constitution, these feelings wear away. The sleep is no 

 longer cheered with its former visions of happiness. Frightful dreams usurp their 

 place, and the person becomes the victim of an almost perpetual misery." 



The operation of tobacco is extremely different : 



" Tobacco, when used to excess, may produce a species of intoxication. It does 

 not give rise to pleasurable ideas. Its effect is principally upon the body, and 

 differs widely from that of any other inebriating agent. Instead of quickening, it 

 lowers the pulse, and produces a general langour and depression of the whole system. 

 Persons often reel and become giddy, as in liquor, from smoking and chewing, and 

 even from snuffing to excess. Excessive sickness and vomiting are consequences of 

 an over-indulgence in tobacco." 



The oil of tobacco, which is used by some dentists to check that horrible 

 pain, the tooth-ache, produces all these sensations in the most violent 

 degree. 



The gas called nitrous oxide is also mentioned by Mr. Macnish, but 

 with some caution as to the ' theatrical attitudes," " stampings on the 

 ground," and immoderate laughter, in which it causes those who inhale it 

 to indulge. Mr. Macnish seems to think its reported effects, " in many 

 cases, have been brought about by the influence of imagination." We go 

 beyond Mr. Macnish : as far as our own experience has extended, we take 

 the "possession" to be, in nine cases out of ten, pure humbug. In the 

 madness of the loups-garoux where persons imagined themselves to be 

 wolves, and were violent and troublesome, accordingly, to their neighbours 

 we recollect an old French author records, that, after every other course 

 of remedy had failed, the vigorous application of a broomstick never failed 

 to restore the afflicted party immediately. We say nothing : but'' a 



