2l8 EFFECTS OF OPIUM ON HEALTH. 



This is succeeded by unnatural sleep, disturbed by fan- 

 tastic dreams. 



On awaking, there is great depression of mind and 

 body: often associated with defective memory, and a 

 feeling that something terrible is about to happen. 

 There is muscular weakness; distaste for food, without 

 actual nausea; and an almost irresistible craving for an- 

 other dose. 



If the habit be continued further, mental and physical 

 changes occur. Distaste and inaptitude for any kind of 

 exertion; weakened digestion; not enough secretion of 

 bile; slow action of the muscles of the bowels, causing 

 constipation. The voluntary muscles waste, the skin 

 shrivels, and the person gets the appearance of old age 

 prematurely. The pulse is quick, the body feverish; 

 the eye dull, except just after taking a dose of the drug. 



Next comes failure of the nervous system. The legs 

 are partly paralyzed, and then the muscles of the back. 

 The victim crawls along, bent like an old man. Death 

 finally results from starvation, due to complete failure in 

 the working of the digestive organs. 



5. Morphia or Morphine. When morphia is used, a 

 solution of it is usually injected under the skin by a 

 sharp-pointed syringe. Continued use of it in this or any 

 other way is followed by all the symptoms of opium- 

 poisoning above described, and has the same fatal ending. 

 The digestive organs are not so quickly injured; but, on 

 the other hand, the repeated punctures of the skin cause 

 inflammation and sores. 



dition of the person on awaking ? What results follow continuance 

 of the habit ? How does opium affect the nervous system ? 



5. How is morphia usually given ? Results of its continued use? 

 Compare its effects with those of opium. 



