AN OPIUM EXPERIENCE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR,—As an old opium-eater, I have read with considerable interest "M.D.'s " letter in the Spectator of October 15th. The effects of opium vary to a considerable extent with the constitution and temperament of the consumer ; but, judging from my own case, and from one or two others of which I have a pretty accurate knowledge, I should think that your correspondent's experience is exceptional.
I began to take opium when a very young man simply to gratify intellectual curiosity, and to "burn with a hard gem- like flame "--ec la Walter Pater—and continued to do so for some twelve years, as "M.D." says, "because I liked it ; " but the evil results, though uncomfortable, were prosaic. My usual dose, though not extraordinarily large, exceeded "M.D.'s ; " but I did not find it very difficult to take it intermittently, abstaining, for instance, two, three, and four days at a time. During the last two years of my opium career, I took it more frequently, generally five days a week, but never on a Saturday or Sunday. nor when I had a holiday, long or short; the fact is, it helped me to get through much dull work. Some time ago, finding it was iirjuring my digestion and nerves, and that the bad effect increased, while the comfortable one diminished, after a little seesawing, I determined to give up the habit. I did not find it necessary to walk into the summer night, nor to sing, rave, swear, pray, or weep. I certainly cannot remember much of the night, because I was asleep in bed ; but although for several days after I had a hankering (it hardly amounted to a craving) for the drug, and felt dull and stupid, it did not require extraordinary strength of will to overcome it. Occa- sionally, especially if my system wants "tone," I have a desire for a dose ; but it is dissipated with a little effort and diversion of thought, and I never take it. It may be thought that my case is somewhat exceptional, and possibly it may be so in this respect,—that having acquired the opium habit, and deriving a good deal of sober pleasure from it, I was yet fortunate enough to have intervals of abstinence and to be able to limit the quantity, the one being probably the result of the other. I know:two men who would find it very difficult to drop the practice, but, in my opinion, because they have taken such large and frequent quantities that the body craves for it. With me, the desire seems more moral than physical.
I am not going to defend opium-eating—it is undoubtedly injurious—but I am convinced that on few subjects does there exist greater ignorance even among educated and well-informed men. We all know the terrible picture of the degraded and abandoned opium-eater. Speaking generally, he is the crea- tion of a lively imagination in the service of well-meant inten- tions. He may exist, but so do confirmed drunkards; it would be a mistake to confound the latter with the host of moderate consumers of alcohol. This is not the time for speaking of the pleasures and pains of opium ; they have both been highly exaggerated. De Quincey has accurately described their character, but in his case, owing to peculiar circumstances, I think their degree was abnormal, and, so far as my experience goes, the average man feels them to a much less extent. The truth is, opium is like other stimulants,—we are all, probably, except for medical purposes, physically better without them ; but life is sometimes dull, and it is a matter of calculation whether the possibility or even certainty of shortening it by a few days should be allowed to outweigh the pleasure caused by the occasional and discreet use of stimulants. We may burn faster, but the' flame gives more light. After all, the opium-eater will not kick his wife to death ; a comfortable arm-chair and a volume of Rossetti will afford him a less exciting but more refined pleasure. I write anonymously for the reason that has influenced " M.D."—I am, Sir, &O., AN EX-OPIUM EATER.
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