LAUDANUM AS A "DRAM."

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2962, 13 August 1878, Page 3

LAUDANUM AS A "DRAM."

The attention of the European Mail has been called to the practice of laudanum drinking which prevails to an alarming extent in many districts. We are by no means ignorant of the deadly mischief at work. The unantity of laudanum consumed by persons taking it habitually, the Lancet says, would scarcely he credited by those who are not familiar with the facts. The system seems to acquire tolerance for tho dru^, which net* more as a stimulant than as a narcotic, or even what is understood by a " sedative." This last mentioned circumstance may possibly point to the measures requisite to promote the recovery of the organism from the state of irritability and impending exhaustion which compels the iudividual accustomed to laudanum drinking to continue a practice known to be injurious. There must needs be the temporary substitution of some stimulant which can itaelf be withdrawn and which, while in action will rather impair the functions of digestion. Such -a remedy may perhaps be found in capsicum. Ten to fifteen drops of the tincture taken in some bland fluid three or, in extreme cases, four times a day, will it is believed, in most cases I render it possible to withdraw the drug instantly and permanently. The gradual dissuse of the remedy .will occasion little difficulty.