I have notes of some sixteen cases ; one of these was weak and emaciated that it would be hard to imagine one more enfeebled. From the first I gave none of these opium, and my results tend to recommend the practice of withdrawing the drug at once. In about a fortnight the opium-eater begins to perceptibly'benefit. In November last year I wrote to the Indian Medical Gazette asking of others their experience in the treatment of opium-eaters. I suggested that there appeared to be a difference of opinion as to whether the drug should
so
be
stopped at once or not. By this time the journal has been widely circulated in every Presidency, and the question asked whether extended experience shows that opium should be stopped
by degrees or at In England
once.
the effects of alcohol on the human economy have been earnestly discussed. Considering the thousands who are daily and hourly destroying themselves with this pernicious drug, the important personages, rajahs, chiefs, malguzars and others harmfully addicted to the practice of eating opium and the long list of diseases attributed by medical men to the drug, I think
we
may consider it
a
discussion, and I only hope it
subject
second to
none
for
may be treated in as fair
a
alcohol has been. expressed themselves very strongly and apparently differently in writing on the At page 222, "Manual of Medical Jurissubject. prudence for India," there is a very decided expression
way as the recent discussion Some authorities have
on
of
opinion. Dr. Chevers has the following remarks, always found in practice, that if not allowed his drug when sick, the opium-eater almost certainly dies," while Dr. Waring, in his standard work on the "? practice of therapeutics, page 449, states that the habit
"
I have
should be suddenly and completely suspended. This is infinitely more efficient and easier to the patient than the gradual diminution of the dose, and to carry it out it
requires much moral courage both practitioner and the patient."
on
the part of the
As I have said in my letter above referred to published in November last, it appears to me that it is only a medical superintendent of a jail who can really test this point whether the discontinuance of the drug suddenly is likely to hasten death. My experience as one of these superintendents is that opium can be suspended suddenly without harm to the patient, and that the opium-eater's troubles begin to disappear after the opium has been withheld for a few days.
May not opium-eating be looked upon very much spirit drinking, leading before one's eyes to- emaciation, dysentery, insanity and other complaints. An opiumTo eater appears to me to be au habitual complainer.
as
TREATMENT OF
OPIUM-EATERS.
Br Sorgeok T.
Mayne,
Civil Surgeon, Nar singpur. I have had several
patients
who have been
opium-
eaters, and I have always pursued the practice of stopping the opium completely at once. The patients have been persons undergoing sentence of imprisonment. They never suffered, as far as I can judge, from the drug being withheld. This experience appears to be
unique
in its way.
see how altered persons become who have recovered from its effects, shows the drug must have a very antagonistic effect in the economy.
the respiration and the secretions How the body loses that withered look and the intelligence its blight. How, after a discontinuance of the drug, the person becomes stout, contented and happy, when before he was emaciated, miserable and unHow become.
happy.
improved
July
1, 1880.]
I look
upon
MEDICAL HISTORY OF GOITRE.?BY SUR.-MAJOR L.
the habitual
use
destroy the moral sense and to setting the whole economy ajar. The
people
of
act
likely to foreign body
opium as
a
as
of the district of
lieve, badly given and the criminal
Narsingpur are, I betaking opium in its various forms, population, it is a common opinion, is to
increased by this cause. But whether the drug can be suspended at once?if some practitioners would take up the discussion from their own practice it would have the effect of strengthening the moral courage referred to in Waring'a work ; and with reference to the patient I venture to say something
good to him must follow from an expression of opinion from the medical profession in India and those countries where the practice of taking opium is habitual. I should be glad to know of similar experience to my own, and I hope opinions and experience wili flow into your widespread and valuable journal tending to throw a fuller and clearer light on the subject than we have at
present. 20th
April
1880.
CAMERON,
M.D.
175
so
be
stopped at once or not. By this time the journal has been widely circulated in every Presidency, and the question asked whether extended experience shows that opium should be stopped
by degrees or at In England
once.
the effects of alcohol on the human economy have been earnestly discussed. Considering the thousands who are daily and hourly destroying themselves with this pernicious drug, the important personages, rajahs, chiefs, malguzars and others harmfully addicted to the practice of eating opium and the long list of diseases attributed by medical men to the drug, I think
we
may consider it
a
discussion, and I only hope it
subject
second to
none
for
may be treated in as fair
a
alcohol has been. expressed themselves very strongly and apparently differently in writing on the At page 222, "Manual of Medical Jurissubject. prudence for India," there is a very decided expression
way as the recent discussion Some authorities have
on
of
opinion. Dr. Chevers has the following remarks, always found in practice, that if not allowed his drug when sick, the opium-eater almost certainly dies," while Dr. Waring, in his standard work on the "? practice of therapeutics, page 449, states that the habit
"
I have
should be suddenly and completely suspended. This is infinitely more efficient and easier to the patient than the gradual diminution of the dose, and to carry it out it
requires much moral courage both practitioner and the patient."
on
the part of the
As I have said in my letter above referred to published in November last, it appears to me that it is only a medical superintendent of a jail who can really test this point whether the discontinuance of the drug suddenly is likely to hasten death. My experience as one of these superintendents is that opium can be suspended suddenly without harm to the patient, and that the opium-eater's troubles begin to disappear after the opium has been withheld for a few days.
May not opium-eating be looked upon very much spirit drinking, leading before one's eyes to- emaciation, dysentery, insanity and other complaints. An opiumTo eater appears to me to be au habitual complainer.
as
TREATMENT OF
OPIUM-EATERS.
Br Sorgeok T.
Mayne,
Civil Surgeon, Nar singpur. I have had several
patients
who have been
opium-
eaters, and I have always pursued the practice of stopping the opium completely at once. The patients have been persons undergoing sentence of imprisonment. They never suffered, as far as I can judge, from the drug being withheld. This experience appears to be
unique
in its way.
see how altered persons become who have recovered from its effects, shows the drug must have a very antagonistic effect in the economy.
the respiration and the secretions How the body loses that withered look and the intelligence its blight. How, after a discontinuance of the drug, the person becomes stout, contented and happy, when before he was emaciated, miserable and unHow become.
happy.
improved
July
1, 1880.]
I look
upon
MEDICAL HISTORY OF GOITRE.?BY SUR.-MAJOR L.
the habitual
use
destroy the moral sense and to setting the whole economy ajar. The
people
of
act
likely to foreign body
opium as
a
as
of the district of
lieve, badly given and the criminal
Narsingpur are, I betaking opium in its various forms, population, it is a common opinion, is to
increased by this cause. But whether the drug can be suspended at once?if some practitioners would take up the discussion from their own practice it would have the effect of strengthening the moral courage referred to in Waring'a work ; and with reference to the patient I venture to say something
good to him must follow from an expression of opinion from the medical profession in India and those countries where the practice of taking opium is habitual. I should be glad to know of similar experience to my own, and I hope opinions and experience wili flow into your widespread and valuable journal tending to throw a fuller and clearer light on the subject than we have at
present. 20th
April
1880.
CAMERON,
M.D.
175
