Morbid craving for morphia (Die Morphiumsucht.) : a monograph founded on personal observations / by Edward Levinstein ; translated from the German by Charles Harrer.

Date:: 1878

Credit: Morbid craving for morphia (Die Morphiumsucht.) : a monograph founded on personal observations / by Edward Levinstein ; translated from the German by Charles Harrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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$appetite, pain in the abdomen, impaired urinary secretion, and complete loss of the sexual power came on. Present state : Patient is of middle size, muscles moderately developed, pupils narrow, equal, react slowly after the direct in- fluence of light. The physical examination showed wide-spread bronchial catarrh, and on this account gradual deprivation was resorted to. Augiist 26.—Two injections, each of 2^ grains of morphia, were given at night. August 2].—Patient has slept pretty well during the night. At 9 A.M. 2^ grains of morphia were injected. „ 12 A.M. I-^ „ ,, „ „ 7 P'M. I-g- ,, ,, ,, Complains of oppression of the chest and headache. August 28.—Slept only till 12 p.m. Stomachache, trembling of hands and feet. At 7 A.M. \\ grains of morphia were injected. ,, 12 A.M. I-^ ,, ,, „ „ 8 P.M. 1^ „ „ „ Appetite moderate, yawning and sneezing, rumbling in the abdomen. August 29.—Patient has slept very little. Frequent yawning and sneezing, pressure in the epigastric region. Shivering. At 7 A.M. I grain of morphia was injected. „ 12 A.M. I „ „ „ „ 7 .P.M. I „ „ „ Pains in the back; hands and feet restless, quivering of the sinews and muscles; great craving for morphia. Appetite moderate. August 2,0-—No sleep after 11 o'clock last night. Frequent sneezing, pains in the abdomen, seminal emission. At 6 A.M. I grain of morphia was injected. „ 12 A.M. \ „ „ „ „ 7 P.M. ^ „ „ „ Feels uncomfortable, craves for morphia, weakness in the limbs. Patient moves about in bed. At 9 p.m. 45 grains of chloral.$