THE TREATMENT OF
OPIUM-EATERS.
To the Editor of the " Indian Medical Gazette."' SIR,?In your July number Dr. Mayne has recorded his opinion, that it is a desirable and safe practice to stop the habit of opium-eating at once in necessary cases ; and that no harm arises to the patients who are thus suddenly deprived of the drug, to the consumption of which they have become accustomed. He has thus opened out a veiy interesting question ; for I believe the opinions of most other authorities are rather opposed to this view. My object in writing is to ask Dr. Mayne if he is in a position to give details concerning the symptoms presented by the patients who have been subjected to the sudden deprivation he advocates, and whether lie can furnish any statistics bearing upon the point. No one can deny the pernicious nature of the habit of opium-eating on which Dr. Mayne enlarges ; but the real question to be considered is, whether, in the interests of the patients, it is desirable to stop the habit suddenly or gradually. To decide this point we must know what the patients suffer themselves. Our views may be moral, but they must be practicable We cannot ride a hobby at the expense of others. Edwin Faikland, Surgeon-Major, A. M. 1). Pachmari, C. P., July 12th, 1880. ?
OPIUM-EATERS.
To the Editor of the " Indian Medical Gazette."' SIR,?In your July number Dr. Mayne has recorded his opinion, that it is a desirable and safe practice to stop the habit of opium-eating at once in necessary cases ; and that no harm arises to the patients who are thus suddenly deprived of the drug, to the consumption of which they have become accustomed. He has thus opened out a veiy interesting question ; for I believe the opinions of most other authorities are rather opposed to this view. My object in writing is to ask Dr. Mayne if he is in a position to give details concerning the symptoms presented by the patients who have been subjected to the sudden deprivation he advocates, and whether lie can furnish any statistics bearing upon the point. No one can deny the pernicious nature of the habit of opium-eating on which Dr. Mayne enlarges ; but the real question to be considered is, whether, in the interests of the patients, it is desirable to stop the habit suddenly or gradually. To decide this point we must know what the patients suffer themselves. Our views may be moral, but they must be practicable We cannot ride a hobby at the expense of others. Edwin Faikland, Surgeon-Major, A. M. 1). Pachmari, C. P., July 12th, 1880. ?
