JWB and Company and Atrocities Against Southern Citizens

[SSlater]

There were "Drug" problems in the Civil War Period - in the Army and in the civilian population. Mary Chestnut was a "User". The popular drug was Laudanum - an Opium derivative. In fact, it was called the "Soldier Disease' or the "Army Disease." I've seen it called the "Soldier Sickness". Apparently, Laudanum was readily available, and inexpensive. I read an original copy of one of Dr. Richard H. Stuart's "Day Books", and he gave Laudanum to his slaves as a daily fix. That was an easy way to keep them home. I don't know of anyone who has followed up on this subject. I've seen Newspaper ads (Old ones, to be sure) for cures for addiction to Opium, that used Laudanum. (I guess the Cure - was death.) I find this sickening, just to talk about it.