Drugs that enslave : $b The opium, morphine, chloral and hashisch habits

This compact volume offers a clear, factual look at the most troubling drug habits of the late nineteenth century—opium, morphine, chloral and, in rarer cases, hashish. Drawing on letters from physicians worldwide and a wealth of contemporary statistics, the author shows how the use of these substances exploded in American cities, turning a private vice into a public health crisis. The preface explains the urgent need for reliable information, and the early chapters lay out how these drugs are prepared and introduced into the body.

Listeners will be guided through the characteristic signs of each habit, from the early, almost invisible changes in mood and behavior to the severe physical consequences that follow. Practical advice on diagnosis and the range of therapeutic agents then available is presented with a calm, scientific tone, avoiding moralizing while stressing the importance of early intervention. By the end of the first part, the reader gains a solid foundation for understanding how these addictions develop and why they demand careful medical attention.