"Arsenious Acid 19 grains
Bromine Water sufficient
Tribromide of Gold 14 grains
Distilled Water sufficient
Ten drops of this solution for injection, which equals one thirty-second
grain of gold tribromide." This is an active tonic, powerful sedative and
destroys the appetite or cravings for alcoholic stimulants; the medicine
is to be taken regularly four or five times a day for several weeks until
the alcohol is out of the system even though he may appear cured. This is
a good remedy, but should be given under the supervision of a doctor.
Treatment.--The patient must be put into a bed and carefully watched;
withdraw alcohol at once unless the pulse is too feeble. Procure rest and
sleep for the patient. How? In mild cases, thirty grains (one-half dram)
of bromide of potassium, combined with tincture of capsicum five to ten
drops, may be given every three hours. Call a doctor for the rest. One
hundredth grain hyoscine hypodermically is sometimes good; one-fourth
grain morphine hypodermically is sometimes given. For heart weakness:
Aromatic spirits of ammonia.
MORPHINE HABIT. (Morphinomania--Morphinism).--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 The drug should be withdrawn gradually and nourishing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.
COCAINE HABIT.--The drug is taken as a snuff, hypodermically, or in sprays
and often the habit is formed when given as sprays, etc., in disease.
Symptoms.--Large doses cause great excitement, sometimes convulsions,
followed by weak heart and respiratory weakness, general prostration,
convulsions and coma.
The cocaine habit causes emaciation, anemia, disturbances of the stomach,
etc., disordered heart action, weakness of the body and mind, nervous and
great depravity.
Treatment.--Same as for the morphine habit.
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CHLORAL HABIT. Symptoms.--After a slight primary exhilaration there is
depression of the mind and body; skin eruptions, bad breath, spongy gums,
poor appetite, indigestion, bad nutrition, permanent dilation of the
cutaneous (skin) blood vessels, intermittent pulse, blunting of the higher
mental faculties, restlessness, sleeplessness, irritability, sometimes
dementia.
Treatment.--Same as for morphine.
LEAD POISONING. (Plumbism-Saturnism). Causes.--It is common in lead
smelters and grinders, painters, glaziers, and plumbers, whose hands are
not washed before eating. The lead is absorbed by the mouth, skin and
lungs. It may be taken into the system by drinking water, cider, etc., in
new lead pipes, or from hair-dyes or cosmetics containing lead.
Symptoms of Acute Case.--These develop rapidly from continued exposure.
There is rapidly progressing anemia, with acute neuritis, epilepsy,
convulsions or delirium or with severe stomach and bowel symptoms.
Chronic Cases. Symptoms. 1.--Anemia, lead line on the gums, paralysis,
colic, and brain symptoms.