Another symptom dependent on disordered nutrition of the skin is the rapid or slow falling of the hair that occurs in some patients. However much hair restorers and scalp tonics may be used in these cases, the hair, once having commenced to fall, will continue to do so until the general health improves. When the drug has been stopped a free falling out of the hair occurs, followed by a new and luxuriant growth. Indeed, sweeping out and rebuilding seems to be the rule in every tissue. Change in color of the hair has been noted in some cases.
Those affections of the skin due to the use of dirty solutions and unclean needles when the drug is given subcutaneously will be spoken of fully presently.
Sensation is variously altered. Sometimes there is a condition of hyperæsthesia, the least touch being intensely painful, the contact of the clothing causing decided irritation. Occasionally a whole limb or part of a limb or portions of the trunk or face will feel “numb or dead.” Sometimes there are a series of pricking or tickling sensations that are very aggravating, as they and the numbness are often looked upon by patients as precursors of paralysis. Sensitiveness to cold is often extreme. This and the very hard clay-colored stools are also seen in saccharine diabetes, and in every case where I have noted them sugar was found in greater or less quantity in the urine of the patient. What the connection is I cannot say, but it is worthy of further study.
THE SEXUAL ORGANS.
The continued use of opium or morphine has a decided effect upon the sexual apparatus. One of the first changes to be noticed in women is scantiness, then irregularity, and finally, total cessation of menstruation. In some cases an occasional period is observed, but as a rule, the stopping is decided and permanent until the habit is abandoned. Occasionally menstruation occurs when a change is made from one preparation to another, or from one mode of administering to another.
In one of my patients, not under treatment for that, but still an habituè, menstruation showed itself, after a three years’ cessation, on changing from the use of laudanum by the mouth to morphine by the skin. It occurred, however, but the once.
In the case of the young married lady already referred to, when a change was made from subcutaneous to rectal injections the flow was re-established and showed itself, although irregularly, for nearly a year.
Levenstein, who has made some interesting and valuable researches and experiments upon this matter, believes that this abnormal menopause is due to the inactivity of the ovaries. He says:—