How Heroin turned hero How Heroin turned hero

基醫所基醫所 :: 博二 博二 姓名姓名 :: 蘇翔蘇翔

學號學號 :S58921484:S58921484

A hundred years ago Heinrich Dreser made a fortunA hundred years ago Heinrich Dreser made a fortune from the discovery of heroin and aspirin - but he e from the discovery of heroin and aspirin - but he

may have ended his days as an addict. may have ended his days as an addict.

Here weHere we reports on a chemist who prescribed reports on a chemist who prescribed heroin for coughsheroin for coughs

Professor Heinrich DreserProfessor Heinrich Dreser(1860 - 1924)(1860 - 1924)

Between 1897 and 1914, Dreser worked for BaBetween 1897 and 1914, Dreser worked for Bayer, Germany. yer, Germany.

Head of Bayer's pharmacological laboratory, rHead of Bayer's pharmacological laboratory, responsible for the launch of two drugs : aspirin,esponsible for the launch of two drugs : aspirin, the world's most successful legal drug; and he the world's most successful legal drug; and heroin, the most successful illegal one. roin, the most successful illegal one.

Heroin was launched in November 1898 but wHeroin was launched in November 1898 but was registered as a trademark in various countrias registered as a trademark in various countries from June that year, most lucratively in the es from June that year, most lucratively in the US in August. US in August.

Born in 1860, in Darmstadt, the son of a Born in 1860, in Darmstadt, the son of a physics professorphysics professor

Received doctorate from Heidelberg Received doctorate from Heidelberg UniversityUniversity

Became professor at Bonn University in Became professor at Bonn University in 1893.1893.

Four years later he joined the Bayer Four years later he joined the Bayer Company, where he was in charge of testing Company, where he was in charge of testing the efficacy and safety of new drugs. the efficacy and safety of new drugs.

In 1897 the Bayer chemist FIn 1897 the Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann, discovered elix Hoffmann, discovered a new process for modifyina new process for modifying salicyclic acid to produce g salicyclic acid to produce acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA). acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA).

This compound, later to be This compound, later to be named Aspirin, had been isnamed Aspirin, had been isolated before and the healiolated before and the healing powers of salicylates (dng powers of salicylates (derived from willow bark) haerived from willow bark) had been known for centuries.d been known for centuries.

Eichengruen recommended ASA to Dreser in 1Eichengruen recommended ASA to Dreser in 1898. 898.

Dreser rejected it. His objection was that ASA Dreser rejected it. His objection was that ASA would have an "enfeebling" action on the hearwould have an "enfeebling" action on the heart. t.

But the real problem was almost certainly that But the real problem was almost certainly that he had another product on his mind whose imhe had another product on his mind whose impending success he was anxious not to jeoparpending success he was anxious not to jeopardise. This was heroin. dise. This was heroin.

D i a c e t y l m o r p h i n eD i a c e t y l m o r p h i n e The drug that Bayer launched under The drug that Bayer launched under

the trademark Heroin in 1898 was nthe trademark Heroin in 1898 was not an original discovery. ot an original discovery.

Diacetylmorphine, a white, odourlesDiacetylmorphine, a white, odourless, bitter, crystalline powder deriving s, bitter, crystalline powder deriving from morphine, had been invented ifrom morphine, had been invented in 1874 by an English chemist, C R Wrn 1874 by an English chemist, C R Wright.ight.

But Dreser was the first to see its coBut Dreser was the first to see its commercial potential. mmercial potential.

Scientists had been looking for somScientists had been looking for some time for a non-addictive substitute e time for a non-addictive substitute for morphine, then widely used as a for morphine, then widely used as a painkiller and in the treatment of repainkiller and in the treatment of respiratory diseases. If diacetylmorphispiratory diseases. If diacetylmorphine could be shown to be such a prone could be shown to be such a product, Bayer - and Dreser - would hit duct, Bayer - and Dreser - would hit the jackpotthe jackpot

The Opium Poppy

According to one tradition, opium poppies sprung from the tears

of Aphrodite when she mourned for her beloved Adonis.

Adonis Aphrodite

The Opium Poppy:The Opium Poppy: Papaver Somniferum Papaver Somniferum Common names: White Poppy, Opium PoCommon names: White Poppy, Opium Po

ppy, Mawseed, Herb of Joy, Mohn, Klappeppy, Mawseed, Herb of Joy, Mohn, Klapper-Rosen, Mago, Magesamen, Weismagen, r-Rosen, Mago, Magesamen, Weismagen, wilder Magen, Magensaph, Rosule, Adormiwilder Magen, Magensaph, Rosule, Adormidero, Hashas, Kheshkhash Abu Al Noum, dero, Hashas, Kheshkhash Abu Al Noum, O Fang, O Fu Jung, O P'Ien, Tengkoh, Ya O Fang, O Fu Jung, O P'Ien, Tengkoh, Ya P'Ien, Yu Mi.P'Ien, Yu Mi.

"If opium-eating be a sensual pleasure, and if I "If opium-eating be a sensual pleasure, and if I am bound to confess that I have indulged in it am bound to confess that I have indulged in it to an excess, not yet recorded of any other mato an excess, not yet recorded of any other man, it is no less true, that I have struggled againn, it is no less true, that I have struggled against this fascinating enthralment with a religious st this fascinating enthralment with a religious zeal, and have, at length, accomplished what I zeal, and have, at length, accomplished what I never yet heard attributed to any other man - never yet heard attributed to any other man - have untwisted, almost to its final links the achave untwisted, almost to its final links the accursed chain which fettered me."cursed chain which fettered me." (from (from ConfesConfessions of an English Opium Eater)sions of an English Opium Eater)

English essayist and critic, best-known for English essayist and critic, best-known for his autobiography CONFESSIONS OF AN Ehis autobiography CONFESSIONS OF AN ENGLISH OPIUM EATER, which appeared firNGLISH OPIUM EATER, which appeared first in 1821 in st in 1821 in London MagazineLondon Magazine. De Quince. De Quincey was addicted to opium from his youth foy was addicted to opium from his youth for the rest of his life. r the rest of his life.

"Among the remedies which it has pleased Almighty Godto give to man to relieve his sufferings, none is

so universal and so efficacious as opium."Thomas Sydenham

(1624 - 1689)

Papaver Somniferum

By early 1898, Dreser was testing it on stiBy early 1898, Dreser was testing it on sticklebacks, frogs and rabbits. cklebacks, frogs and rabbits.

He also tested it on some of Bayer's worHe also tested it on some of Bayer's workers, and on himself. The workers loved ikers, and on himself. The workers loved it, some saying it made them feel "heroit, some saying it made them feel "heroic" (heroisch).c" (heroisch).

This was also the term used by chemists This was also the term used by chemists to describe any strong drug (and diacetyto describe any strong drug (and diacetylmorphine is four times stronger than mlmorphine is four times stronger than morphine). orphine).

In November 1898, Dreser presented the In November 1898, Dreser presented the drug to the Congress of German Naturalidrug to the Congress of German Naturalists and Physicians, claiming it was 10 tists and Physicians, claiming it was 10 times more effective as a cough medicine mes more effective as a cough medicine than codeine, but had only a tenth of its than codeine, but had only a tenth of its toxic effects. toxic effects.

It was also more effective than morphinIt was also more effective than morphine as a painkiller. It was safe. It wasn't hae as a painkiller. It was safe. It wasn't habit-forming. In short, it was a wonder drbit-forming. In short, it was a wonder drug - the Viagra of its day. ug - the Viagra of its day.

HEROIN HEROIN A powerful remedy for coughsA powerful remedy for coughs

Advertisement from 1903 medical journal "To our surprise we have not been able to locate even

one scientific study on the proved harmful effects of addiction"Dr George H Stephenson

University of British Columbia, 1956

Heroin seemed a godsend Heroin seemed a godsend

Tuberculosis and pneumonia were the leading causes Tuberculosis and pneumonia were the leading causes of death at that time, and even routine coughs and colof death at that time, and even routine coughs and colds could be severely incapacitating.ds could be severely incapacitating.

Heroin, depresses respiration and, as a sedative, gives Heroin, depresses respiration and, as a sedative, gives a restorative night's sleep, seemed a godsend a restorative night's sleep, seemed a godsend

Dreser wrote about the drug in medical journals, and sDreser wrote about the drug in medical journals, and studies had endorsed his view that heroin could be effetudies had endorsed his view that heroin could be effective in treating asthma, bronchitis, phthisis and tuberctive in treating asthma, bronchitis, phthisis and tuberculosis. culosis.

Mailshots and free samples were sent out by the thousMailshots and free samples were sent out by the thousand to physicians in Europe and the US. and to physicians in Europe and the US.

Medical fashions come and go "Opium teaches only one thing, which is that

aside from physical sufffering, there is nothing real"André Malraux(1901-1976)MAN'S FATE

Heroin: the cure for asthma?

By 1899, Bayer was producing about a ton of heroin a year, and eBy 1899, Bayer was producing about a ton of heroin a year, and exporting the drug to 23 countries.xporting the drug to 23 countries.

The country where it really took off was the US, where there was The country where it really took off was the US, where there was already a large population of morphine addicts, a craze for patenalready a large population of morphine addicts, a craze for patent medicines, and a relatively lax regulatory framework. Manufactt medicines, and a relatively lax regulatory framework. Manufacturers of cough syrup were soon lacing their products with Bayer urers of cough syrup were soon lacing their products with Bayer heroin.heroin.

There were heroin pastilles, heroin cough lozenges, heroin tabletThere were heroin pastilles, heroin cough lozenges, heroin tablets, water-soluble heroin salts and a heroin elixir in a glycerine solus, water-soluble heroin salts and a heroin elixir in a glycerine solution. tion.

Bayer never advertised heroin to the public but the publicity matBayer never advertised heroin to the public but the publicity material it sent to physicians was unambiguous. One flyer described erial it sent to physicians was unambiguous. One flyer described the product thus: "Heroin: the Sedative for Coughs . . . order a suthe product thus: "Heroin: the Sedative for Coughs . . . order a supply from your jobber." pply from your jobber."

Ayer's Cherry Pectoral

Just what the doctor ordered?

AYER'S CHERRY PECTORAL"Cures Colds, Coughs and all

Diseases of the Throat and Lungs"

Prons and ConsProns and Cons "It possesses many "It possesses many

advantages over advantages over morphine," wrote the morphine," wrote the Boston Medical and Boston Medical and Surgical Journal in Surgical Journal in 1900. "It's not 1900. "It's not hypnotic, and there's hypnotic, and there's no danger of acquiring no danger of acquiring a habit.“a habit.“

1899, researchers began 1899, researchers began to report patients develto report patients developing "tolerance" to the oping "tolerance" to the drug,drug,

A German researcher deA German researcher denounced it as "an extrenounced it as "an extremely dangerous poison".mely dangerous poison".

By 1902 - French and AmBy 1902 - French and American researchers were erican researchers were reporting cases of "heroireporting cases of "heroinism" and addiction. nism" and addiction.

Between 1899 and 1905, at least 180 clinical works on Between 1899 and 1905, at least 180 clinical works on heroin were published around the world, and most weheroin were published around the world, and most were favourable, if cautious. re favourable, if cautious.

In 1906, the American Medical Association approved hIn 1906, the American Medical Association approved heroin for medical use, though with strong reservations eroin for medical use, though with strong reservations about a "habit" that was "readily formed". about a "habit" that was "readily formed".

But with the accumulation of negative reports and the But with the accumulation of negative reports and the steady encroachment on the market by other manufasteady encroachment on the market by other manufacturers, it was clear heroin would never deliver the riccturers, it was clear heroin would never deliver the riches that Dreser had yearned for. hes that Dreser had yearned for.

"That individuals may take morphine or some other opiate for20 years or more without showing intellectual or moraldeterioration is a common experience of physicians"

Dr Lawrence Kolb, US Assistant Surgeon General, 1925

H IS FOR HEROIN

In 1913, Bayer decided to stop making heroin. In 1913, Bayer decided to stop making heroin. There had been an explosion of heroin related There had been an explosion of heroin related admissions at New York and Philadelphia admissions at New York and Philadelphia hospitals, and in East Coast cities a substantial hospitals, and in East Coast cities a substantial population of recreational users was reported population of recreational users was reported (some supported their habits by collecting and (some supported their habits by collecting and selling scrap metal, hence the name "junkie"). selling scrap metal, hence the name "junkie").

Prohibition seemed inevitable and, sure enough, Prohibition seemed inevitable and, sure enough, the next year the use of heroin without the next year the use of heroin without prescription was outlawed in the US. (A court prescription was outlawed in the US. (A court ruling in 1919 also determined it illegal for ruling in 1919 also determined it illegal for doctors to prescribe it to addicts.) doctors to prescribe it to addicts.)

"All penalties for drug users should be dropped...Making drug abuse a crime is useless and even dangerous...Every

year we seize more and more drugs but the quantity available still increases...Police are losing the drug battle

worldwide"Raymond Kendall

Secretary General of Interpol 1994

When war broke out Dreser moved to DuWhen war broke out Dreser moved to Dusseldorf as honorary, unsalaried professosseldorf as honorary, unsalaried professor of his own pharmacological institute at tr of his own pharmacological institute at the new Medical Academy. he new Medical Academy.

Thereafter, the record becomes indistinct.Thereafter, the record becomes indistinct.

There were rumours that he was addicted There were rumours that he was addicted to heroin himself. to heroin himself.

In 1924, the US banned the use and manufacture of heIn 1924, the US banned the use and manufacture of heroin altogether, even for medical purposes.roin altogether, even for medical purposes.

In Britain, the medical use of heroin continues to this In Britain, the medical use of heroin continues to this day, accounting for 95 percent of the world's legal herday, accounting for 95 percent of the world's legal heroin consumption.oin consumption.

The same year, four days before Christmas, Dreser dieThe same year, four days before Christmas, Dreser died. d.

The cause of death was given as a cerebral apoplexy, The cause of death was given as a cerebral apoplexy, or stroke. If the rumours of addiction were true, the iror stroke. If the rumours of addiction were true, the irony is doubled: Dreser, incorrigible in his misjudgmenony is doubled: Dreser, incorrigible in his misjudgment, had spent his twilight years taking a daily dose of tht, had spent his twilight years taking a daily dose of the wrong wonder drug. e wrong wonder drug.

In 1898, there were an estimated In 1898, there were an estimated 250 000 morphine addicts in the US - 250 000 morphine addicts in the US - a per capita rate roughly twice as a per capita rate roughly twice as high as today's.high as today's.

In Britain, opium use was In Britain, opium use was widespread, especially in East Anglia, widespread, especially in East Anglia, where it was a more or less where it was a more or less necessary antidote to the malaria necessary antidote to the malaria endemic in the Fens. It was also used endemic in the Fens. It was also used as a sedative for babies. as a sedative for babies.

"For children teething. Greatly facilitates the process of Teething, by softening the gums, reducing all inflammation; will allay ALL PAIN and spasmodic action, and is SURE TO

REGULATE THE BOWELS. Depend on it, Mothers, it will give rest to yourselves and RELIEF AND HEALTH TO YOUR INFANTS. Sold by all chemists, at 1s 1/2d per bottle." "Oh, jab me

with your needle a hundred timesAnd a hundred times I will bless you, Saint Morphine"

Jules Verne(1828 - 1905)

Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup

Pharmacologically, heroin has the same effect as morPharmacologically, heroin has the same effect as morphine. But you need only about a quarter as much to gphine. But you need only about a quarter as much to get the same effect.et the same effect.

It is also cheaper, quicker and easier to use. As nationIt is also cheaper, quicker and easier to use. As national and international legislation against opiates gatheral and international legislation against opiates gathered force after 1914, addicts who wished to continue thed force after 1914, addicts who wished to continue their habit inevitably switched to heroin. eir habit inevitably switched to heroin.

By 1924, 98 percent of New York's drug addicts were tBy 1924, 98 percent of New York's drug addicts were thought to be heroin addicts. hought to be heroin addicts.

With legal channels of supply closed, criminal gangs - fWith legal channels of supply closed, criminal gangs - first Jewish, then Italian - began to monopolise the trairst Jewish, then Italian - began to monopolise the trade. By the end of the 30s, the Mafia was inextricably inde. By the end of the 30s, the Mafia was inextricably involved. volved.

A New York Opium Den

"Nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium: its pleasures even are of a grave and solemn complexion."

Thomas de Quincey(1785 - 1859)

Confessions of an English Opium-Eater

Manila Opium Den

"I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgement in all human affairs."

Albert Einstein(1879-1955)

"There were opium dens where one could buy oblivion, dens of horror where the memory of old sins could be destroyed by the madness of sins that were new"

Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891)

"Narcotics have been systematically scapegoated and demonized. The idea that anyone can use drugs and escape a horrible fate is an anathema to these idiots. I predict that in the near future right-wingers will use drug hysteria as a pretext to set up

an international police apparatus." William S. Burroughs

(1914 - 1997)

Heroin use in Britain and the US is Heroin use in Britain and the US is increasing faster than at any time since increasing faster than at any time since the 60s: heroin seizures rose by 135 the 60s: heroin seizures rose by 135 percent between 1996 and 1997. percent between 1996 and 1997.

There are thought to be between 160 000 There are thought to be between 160 000 and 200 000 heroin addicts in the UK, who and 200 000 heroin addicts in the UK, who spend almost R30-billion a year on heroin. spend almost R30-billion a year on heroin. And the British government spends R14-And the British government spends R14-billion a year on drug-related policies. billion a year on drug-related policies.

In 1898, the typical morphine addict in In 1898, the typical morphine addict in Britain or the US was a middle-class Britain or the US was a middle-class woman in her forties, whereas today's woman in her forties, whereas today's typical addict is an 18-year-old male. typical addict is an 18-year-old male.

Opium-Pipe Smoking

THE OPIUM-SMOKER "I am engulfed, and drown deliciously

Soft music like a perfume, and sweet lightGolden with audible colours exquisite,

Swathe me with cerements for eternity. Times is no more. I pause and yet I flee.A million ages wrap me round with night.

I drain a milion ages of delight.I hold the future in my memory.

Also, I have this garret which I rent, This bed of straw, and this that was a chair,

This worn-out body like a tattered tent,This crust, of which the rats have eaten part,This pipe of opium; rage, remorse, despair;This soul at pawn and this delirious heart."

Arthur Symons(1865-1945)

"There is always a need for intoxication: China hasopium, Islam has hashish, the West has woman."

André Malraux(1901-1976)MAN'S FATE

ReferencesReferences

http://opioids.com/index.hthttp://opioids.com/index.htmlml

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