254 PHYSIOL OGY. 



excesses of .all kinds, and his weakened will decreases the 

 power of resistance; the final outcome is a degraded 

 moral condition. He who was prompt in the performance 

 of duty begins to shirk that which is irksome, energy gives 

 place to indifference, truthfulness to lying, integrity to 

 dishonesty; for even with the best intentions in making 

 promises or pledges there is no strength of will to keep 

 them. In forfeiting the respect of others, respect for self 

 is lost and character is overthrown. Meanwhile the pas- 

 sion for drink grows absorbing ; no sacrifice is too costly 

 which secures it. Swift and swifter is now the downward 

 progress. A mere sot, the man becomes regardless of 

 every duty, and even incapacitated for any which momen- 

 tary shame may make him desire to perform. 



" For such a one there is but one hope, confinement 

 in an asylum, where, if not too late, the diseased craving 

 for drink may be gradually overcome, the prostrated will 

 regain its ascendency, and the man at last gain the victory 

 over the brute." 



NARCOTICS. 



Definitions of Narcotics. Gould's Dictionary of Medi- 

 cine, one of the very best authorities, thus defines narcotic : 

 " A drug that produces narcosis" and narcosis, as " the 

 deadening of pain, or the production of incomplete or com- 

 plete anesthesia by the use of narcotic agents, such as the 

 use of anesthetics, opium, and other drugs." It is common, 

 however, to treat of chloroform, ether, chloral hydrate, etc., 

 in a group by themselves under the designation Anesthetics. 



The Centiiry Dictionary thus defines narcotic : " A sub- 

 stance which directly induces sleep, allaying sensibility and 

 blunting the senses, and which, in large quantities, pro- 

 duces narcotism or complete insensibility. Opium, Canna- 



