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MORPHINE HABIT. (Morphinomania--Morphinism)

Categories: Intoxicants and Sun Strokes

This is usually acquired by
the repeated use of the hypodermic syringe for pain. It is also used by

the mouth or opium smoking.



Symptoms. At first it causes a sense of well-being and exhilaration, but

it must be gradually increased to produce the result; when the effect

wears off, the person feels weary, mentally and physically; has nausea,

slight distress in the stomach region or pain like intestinal colic.

Another dose relieves these feelings, eventually the person becomes thin,

his face is sallow, the pupils are dilated or unequal, except when he is

under the influence of the drug. His appetite is poor with indigestion.

Sometimes itching of the skin, restlessness; irritable, disturbed sleep,

and a tendency to lie about everything.



Treatment. The patient must be taken from home and friends and be

constantly watched. The drug should be withdrawn gradually and nourishing

food given at stated intervals.



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