HABIT-FORMING AGENTS 45 



Headache is one which is a frequent but unwelcome 

 visitor. The sufferer usually tries to get rid of it as soon 

 as possible and in any way possible, and will resort to 

 drugs from time to time instead of attempting to remove 

 the cause by living a hygienic life. For such careless 

 persons there are on the market several drugged head- 

 ache powders, which contain acetanilid, acetphenetidin, 

 antipyrin, caffeine, etc. These compounds are habit- 

 forming drugs and should never be used. Codeine and 

 morphine are also used in some powders. These remedies 

 in general simply benumb or stupefy the senses, and do 

 not remove the cause of the trouble. 



31. Cold and Cough Remedies. Colds and coughs 

 are among the most common ailments of children, and 

 many special mixtures have been prepared and placed 

 on the market for treating them. These remedies usually 

 contain one or more habit-forming drugs, and some con- 

 tain ether and chloroform. Such remedies as these 

 should not be permitted in the hands of the general 

 public, as effective cough and cold medicines can easily 

 be prepared without the use of such drugs. 



32. Soothing Sirups. A host of drugs have been 

 prepared for all the ills of early childhood. Careless 

 mothers give these remedies to their children without 

 much or any hesitation. As soon as the effects of one 

 dose pass away, the child becomes irritable and fretful. 

 Another dose is administered, the craving is met, and 

 the child is quieted. This is a condition which is 

 similar in every respect to the drug habit among grown 

 people. 



The remedy for the use of such drugs habit-forming 

 agents is education and their removal from the market. 



