OPIUM 89 



forming tendencies is sufficient to keep most people from 

 its use. The main danger in this respect comes from the 

 same practice as the forming of the alcohol habit through 

 the use of patent medicines. People suffering from head- 

 aches, or other painful maladies, sometimes seek relief in 

 medicines whose composition they do not know. These 

 may contain opium or other dangerous narcotics, and thus 

 the use becomes a habit without their realizing it. The 

 quickness with which these powerful drugs act and the 

 rapid degeneration which results, make such unknown 

 medicines a positive danger to the community. The best 

 way to avoid such evils is to never take any medicine 

 unless it is prescribed by a physician. 



