Bulletin of State Institutions (Volume 21) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919. Excerpt: ... hal a death or a serious case of collapse following the sudden withdrawal of morphine. The method of withdrawal has been opposed and pronounced inhuman but we believe it is the best and as safe as any other system. The gradual reduction treatment simply prolongs discomforts of the Case and delays reconstructive changes. There is a certain amount of discomfort attendant upon the withdrawal of drugs either by gradual or abrupt withdrawal. In the latter, the discomforts are more acute for the first three days than in the other withdrawal treatments and the phenomena of abstinence appear more marked. These are based, according to Marme, on the toxic action of oxide of morphine found in the body by the chronic misuse of that drug. Many morphinists use from fifteen to forty grains a day. When the drug is taken in more than six grains per day, it does not show a proportional stimulating effect, as the phenomena of abstinence is no greater in those cases taking large amounts of morphine than those taking smaller quantities. The most disagreeal.de phenomena of abstftience consist of vomiting, yawning, sneezing, profuse perspiration, twitching of muscles, precordial anxiety, pupils become dilated, and occasionally we find disturbances of speech, diarrhea, coughing, changeable pulse, and a subnormal temperature, patient is anxious, excited and at times there are states with hallucinations ami delusions. These conditions, however, do not last longer than three or four days. There is also a marked hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The most persistent withdrawal discomforts are the pains in the lower extremities and spasmodic contractions of the abdominal muscles. Also insomnia, which usually persists for four or five days. THE TREATMENT. At the State...