/
Correspcritbeiue. TREATMENT OF OPIUM-EATERS. To the Editor of the
"
Indian Medical Gazette.1''
treatment of patients addicted to appears to me that medical opinion is
Sir,?In the
eating some
it
recommending that the
use
opiumdivided,
of opium should be
gradually, while others would stop it at once. Opium-eaters are a peculiar class of persons : although knowing, it may be, that their constitution is being undermined by the drug, and wishing to be restored to health and strength, they are still unwilling to secure discontinued
this result by giving up opium. " The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak." Medical men have not always the means in their power to carry out their views and prevent the use of tha
\^J
November 1,
1870.]
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE ADVERTISER.
drug. Residence in a dispensary is in itself.no guarantee that the patient does not get opium. On the other hand medical superintendents of jails have from time to time opportunities of testing the effect of suddenly and completely" suspending the use of the drug.
Asa Jail Superintendent my experience in such cases tends to show that the use of opium can be suspended at once and entirely, compatibly with the recovery of the patient. I shall be glad to know what is the experience of others, Your obedient servant, Thomas Matne, Civil Surgeon 7th September 1879. C.
Nursingpore,
P,
Correspcritbeiue. TREATMENT OF OPIUM-EATERS. To the Editor of the
"
Indian Medical Gazette.1''
treatment of patients addicted to appears to me that medical opinion is
Sir,?In the
eating some
it
recommending that the
use
opiumdivided,
of opium should be
gradually, while others would stop it at once. Opium-eaters are a peculiar class of persons : although knowing, it may be, that their constitution is being undermined by the drug, and wishing to be restored to health and strength, they are still unwilling to secure discontinued
this result by giving up opium. " The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak." Medical men have not always the means in their power to carry out their views and prevent the use of tha
\^J
November 1,
1870.]
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE ADVERTISER.
drug. Residence in a dispensary is in itself.no guarantee that the patient does not get opium. On the other hand medical superintendents of jails have from time to time opportunities of testing the effect of suddenly and completely" suspending the use of the drug.
Asa Jail Superintendent my experience in such cases tends to show that the use of opium can be suspended at once and entirely, compatibly with the recovery of the patient. I shall be glad to know what is the experience of others, Your obedient servant, Thomas Matne, Civil Surgeon 7th September 1879. C.
Nursingpore,
P,
