Chloral Drinking

The drug called oliloral hydrate, disoovered by tlic eminent Germán chemist, Liebreich, soine yeors ago, and which goon attained a reputation as a snbstisite for opium in many cases, especially n delirium tremens, is rapidly becoming is dangerous among victinis of excitents and stimulants as alcohol or opium itself. One person who became a " ehloral drinker," as it is called, writes his experience to a medical journal as follows : "I am a man 64 years of age, and now sobered down and respectable; but I have tried at one time and another all the narcotics and stimulants known, except hasheesh, which I have never been able toobtain. In June, 1875, 1 thought ehloral hydrate rnight be something nice. I took thirty grains of it in a tuinblerful of water, which had a pleasing effect. I then took thirty grains more, which seemed to take away my memory. I followed it up for two days, every little while taking thirty grains largely diluted with water. During these two days I Kwallowed three-fourths of an ounce oí ehloral hydrate. At last I could not hold anything in my hands, which were partially paralyzed. I had to be assisted homo, and went to bed and slept most of the time for one day and two nights. I then went about my business, but oL all the sufferings I ever endured I thiuk this was the worst. I was not free from pain a moment for thirty days. The pain was greatest in my knees and legs. I would go to bed at night, get in an easy position, and lie perfectly stil!, and not stir in the least, and finally would go to sleep, The iirst thjug on awaking were those dreadful pains. The sufferings resembled those of ihe opium-eatcr when deprived of the drug. With one or two exoeptions I oannot recall anything that happened during those two days. I think I liad íi narrow escape from death. I shall not take any more ehloral hydrate. " - owiaville Medical News.