Treatment.—­In acute alcoholic cases special measures are seldom required, as the patient sleeps off the effect of his “spree.”  If there is deep profound alcoholic coma, it may be proper to wash out the stomach and if symptoms of collapse occur, the limbs should be rubbed, and hot applications made to the body.

[Intoxicants and sun strokes 373]

Chronic Alcoholism.—­This is different; withdraw the alcohol and substitute strychnine, one-thirtieth of a grain three or four times a day, nourishing food, confinement in a sanitarium if necessary.  Give the bromides for the restlessness and sleeplessness.  Drugging of the liquor with apo morphine or tartar emetic.

Mother’s remedy.  Drunkenness. 1.  Effective as Cure for.—­

“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.