1.  MOST DEVILISH INTOXICATION.—­What is the most devilish, subtle alluring, unconquerable, hopeless and deadly form of intoxication, with which science struggles and to which it often succumbs; which eludes the restrictive grasp of legislation; lurks behind lace curtains, hides in luxurious boudoirs, haunts the solitude of the study, and with waxen face, furtive eyes and palsied step totters to the secret recesses of its self-indulgence?  It is the drunkenness of drugs, and woe be unto him that crosseth the threshold of its dream-curtained portal, for though gifted with the strength of Samson, the courage of Richard and the genius of Archimedes, he shall never return, and of him it is written that forever he leaves hope behind.

2.  THE MATERIAL SATAN.—­The material Satan in this sensuous syndicate of soul and body-destroying drugs is opium, and next in order of hellish potency come cocaine and chloral.

3.  GUM OPIUM.—­Gum opium, from which the sulphate of morphine is made, is the dried juice of the poppy, and is obtained principally in the orient.  Taken in moderate doses it acts specially upon the nervous system, deadens sensibility, and the mind becomes inactive.  When used habitually and excessively it becomes a tonic, which stimulates the whole nervous system, producing intense mental exaltation and delusive visions.  When the effects wear off, proportionate lassitude follows, which begets an insatiate and insane craving for the drug.  Under the repeated strain of the continually increasing doses, which have to be taken to renew the desired effect, the nervous system finally becomes exhausted, and mind and body are utterly and hopelessly wrecked.

4.  COCAINE.—­Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the Peruvian cocoa tree, and exerts a decided influence upon the nervous system, somewhat akin to that of coffee.  It increases the heart action and is said to be such an exhilarant that the natives of the Andes are enabled to make extra-ordinary forced marches by chewing the leaves containing it.  Its after effects are more depressing even than those of opium, and insanity more frequently results from its use.

5.  CHLORAL.—­The name which is derived from the first two syllables of chlorine and alcohol, is made by passing dry chlorine gas in a continuous stream through absolute alcohol for six or eight weeks.  It is a hypnotic or sleep-producing drug, and in moderate doses acts on the caliber of the blood vessels of the brain, producing a soothing effect, especially in cases of passive congestion.  Some patent medicines contain chloral, bromide and hyoseamus, and they have a large sale, being bought by persons of wealth, who do not know what they are composed of and recklessly take them for the effect they produce.