HPIT M-SMOKING is a habit that is chiefly con fined to China and the islands of the Indian Archipelago. An extract, called chomloo, is made into pills about the size of a pea. One of these pills is put into the small cup at one end of the opium pipe; the pill being lighted, the smoke is inhaled and then exhaled through the nos trils. Although the immoderate practice of opium-smoking is most destructive to those who live in poverty and distress, it does not appear that the Chinese in easy circumstances, and with the onnforts of life about them. are materi ally affected, in respect to longevity, by addic tion to this habit. The Chinese practice the habit frequently. but in moderation. while those of Western races who become addieted to it carry it to an excess and soon show its degrading effects.
The 'morphine fiend; as the victim of the mor phine habit o• morphine poisoning is called. is pale, with parc•hment-like skin. He suf fers from chronic digestive disturbance. pain in the region of the stomach, constipation, in somnia. irritability, mental and immoral weakness, itching of the skin, and other disorders. With many the temptation to lie is not confined to statements in regard to their habit. The habit may be broken by immediate withdrawal of the drug or the dose may be gradually reduced. Diarrhea is apt to occur when either plan is followed. Careful feeding and absolute control of the supply of the drug are essential.
There can be no doubt that the essential and primary operation of opium is on the nervous system. the other effects being for the most part secondary.
Opium is undoubtedly the most valuable reuoeeh• of the whole materia medica. We exhibit
it not only to mitigate pain, to allay spasm. to promote sleep, to arrest vomiting and convul sions, to relieve nervous restlessness, to produce perspiration, and to check discharges from the bronchial tubes and intestinal canal; but we also find it capable of relieving some diseases in which none of the above indications can be always distinctly perceived. It is a valuable cardiac tonic and its action is almost miraeulous in some of heart disease in which digitalis and other drugs have failed. It is a constituent of nearly all cough mixtures.
Its use is contraindicated in coma, in chronic uramia, and in chronic diseases unless necessi tated by pain which nothing else will relieve, as there is great danger of forming the habit. It is borne badly IT children and by some adults. It must be used with great caution in some af fections, and in painful abdominal conditions in NV hich its effect may hide the presence of peritoni tis or other grave affections. it may be adminis tered by mouth, by rectum. or hypodermically. The best known preparations of opium in the l'imited States Pharmacopuda in addition to the alkaloid no .rphine and codeine) are laudanum, paregoric, and the mixture of opium and ipecac known as Dover's powder. Po• hypodermic use a solution iu -water of 16 grains of morphine to the ounce is frequently employed. It is known as •Alagendie's solution! and is not official. See ANTIDOTE; CODEINE; HEROIN; MORPHINE; LAUDA NE NI. Consult Potter, handbook- of .11ateria Nedica, l'Itar•utaey, and Therapeutics (Philadel phia, 1901).