Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1882 — Opium Eating. [ARTICLE]

Opium Eating.

The rapidity with which the injurious habit of opium-eating has increased during the last ten years is positively terrible. It is estimated by men up in the business that there are five hundred times ns many morphine pills sold as any other kind. Fully four-fifths of the opium eaters are women. These eaters eventually exhibit nervousness. The skin becomes shriveled and the complexion assumes a saffron hue. At times the eater has cold sweats and nausea, Desides numerous other kindred ills. At first the effect is delightfully exhilarating; but nature revenges itself at last, when cure is out of the question; for it inatters not how slight be the indulgence at first, there surely comes the time when craving overcomes discretion and the victim is lost utterly. At first opium eaters are ashamed of the habit, and procure the drug on the sly; but, as the craving increases, the shame wears off and they boldly go to the stores and get the desired article. They have regular places, and, as the clerks know their failing, are not afraid to weigh out what they want, sometimes as high as five ounces. The vice is not confined to any class of people, rich and poor indulging in it alike.