mixed with poppy juice was a perni- 

 cious one. Many modern mothers give 

 their sick and crying infants "soothing 

 syrups," most, if not all, of which con- 

 tain opium in some form, as tincture 

 of opium and paregoric. Too often 

 the poor, overworked mother, who 

 cannot afford to consult a physician, 

 will purchase a bottle of "soothing 

 syrup" or "cough remedy" for her 

 child because she knows it produces a 

 quieting effect, which is mistaken for 

 a cure, when in reality the incipient 

 symptoms are only masked. Only a 

 reliable physician should be permitted 

 to prescribe opium in any form. 



The harm done through the use of 

 opium by the ignorant, abetted by the 

 "inventors," manufacturers and sellers 

 of the " soothing syrups" and "cough 

 remedies," is insignificant as compared 

 with the harm resulting from the opium 

 habit, which is acquired in various 

 ways. For instance, a patient learns 

 that the opium given him relieves pain 

 and produces a feeling of well-being; 

 hence, even after recovering, he re- 

 turns to the use of the solace of his 

 sickness when he suffers mental or 

 physical pain, and in time the habit is 

 acquired. The scholar knowing its 

 properties makes use of it to deaden 

 pain and to dispel imaginary or real 

 mental troubles. Any and all classes 

 may acquire the opium habit, but the 

 majority of opium-eaters are from the 

 lower and middle classes. As with 

 other vices, the predisposing cause is 

 a lack of moral stamina. Women are 

 more addicted to the habit than men. 

 After the habit is once established it 

 is practically impossible to break away 

 from it. 



Under the influence of the narcotic 

 the opium-eater becomes mentally 

 active, hilarious, and even brilliant. 

 Thoughts flow easily and freely. In 

 time the patient loses all sense of moral 

 obligation'; he boasts and lies appar- 

 ently without the least trouble of con- 

 science. As soon as the effects of the 

 drug pass away he becomes gloomy, 

 morose, despondent, and he will resort 

 to any measure to obtain a fresh sup- 



ply. The dose of the drug must be in- 

 creased continually, until finally quan- 

 tities are taken which would prove 

 fatal to several persons not addicted 

 to its use. 



Opium victims take the narcotic in 

 various ways. The Chinese and Orient- 

 als in general prefer to smoke the crude 

 opium in special pipes. Europeans and 

 Americans usually take it internally in 

 the form of the tincture or laudanum, 

 paregoric or the powder of the sulphate 

 of morphine or codeine. Frequently 

 a solution of morphine is injected un- 

 der the skin by means of a hypodermic 

 syringe. No matter how it is taken 

 the effects are about the same. 



The treatment of the opium habit 

 consists principally in the gradual 

 withdrawal of the supply of the drug 

 and strengthening the weakened sys- 

 tem by proper exercise and diet, but, as 

 indicated, the habit, if once fully estab- 

 lished, is very difficult to cure. While, 

 as stated, most of the opium-eaters be- 

 long to the poorer and middle classes, 

 there are a number from the wealthy 

 idle classes and not a few from pro- 

 fessional classes who are slaves to the 

 habit. The brilliant and gifted De- 

 Quincy was addicted to this habit and 

 recorded his experience in his " Con- 

 fessions of an Opium-Eater." 



The capsules and seeds of the opium 

 plant are also used. The capsules are 

 collected at maturity, but while >et 

 green, usually during the month of 

 July. They are broken and dried in a 

 shaded, well-ventilated place, and 

 finally in a moderately warm place; 

 they are then broken in still smaller 

 pieces, the seeds shaken out and the 

 capsule fragments placed in well-sealed 

 glass or tin receivers. The seeds, which 

 are known as maw seeds, are collected 

 at maturity and placed in wooden 

 boxes. The seeds yield an oil which 

 is used much like sweet oil; artists also 

 use it in mixing colors. 



Description of Plate.— /^. flower- 

 ing plant, white variety; B, flower of 

 red variety; i, pistil and stamens; 

 2. stamen; 3, pollen grains; 4 and 5, 

 pistil; 6, ripe capsule; 7, 8, 9, seed. 



133 



