Indulgence in narcotics, opium, chloral, chlorodyne, ether, absinthe,
and all others of the class, is an entire departure from natural law.
Except under the direction of skilled opinion and for the cure of
disease, the use of these agents is subversive of the animal functions,
and is a certain means of embittering and shortening life. It is
doubtful whether the freedom of the subject ought to be permitted to
extend to the uncontrolled self-indulgence in these poisons. The
indulgence indicates an unsound reason which requires to be governed by
sound reason, temperately enforced.