[8] This is a narcotic vegetable poison; and although large quantities
have been occasionally given to the horse without apparent injury,
experience teaches us that poisons in general--notwithstanding the
various modes of their action, and the difference in their symptoms--all
agree in the abstraction of vitality from the system. Dr. Eberle says,
"Opiates never fail to operate perniciously on the whole organization."
Dr. Gallup says, "The practice of using opiates to mitigate pain is
greatly to be deprecated. It is probable that opium and its preparations
have done seven times the injury that they have rendered benefit on the
great scale of the civilized world. Opium is the most destructive of all
narcotics."
[9] This is a perfect seesaw between efforts to kill and efforts to
cure.
[10] Then it ought not to be used.