ORAL USE OF STIMULANTS OBTAINED FROM INHALERS

Abstract

Amphetamine ("benzedrine") has become a popular drug among the laity as evidenced by its mention in songs, magazines and commercial advertisements. The song "Who Put the Benzedrine in Mrs. Murphy's Ovaltine?" has been popular recently. A newspaper advertisement featuring a charm bracelet with a pill box attached states the following: "For 'Benzedrine' if you're having fun and going on forever; 'aspirin' if it's all a headache." An article entitled "On a Bender With Benzedrine" appeared in the September 1946 issue of<i>Everybody's Digest</i>.¹The anonymous author discussed the oral use of the volatile base from inhalers by those in the entertainment field, its availability and its effect. The dangers in the indiscriminate use of amphetamine sulfate have been emphasized repeatedly in medical literature.²Despite an occasional report of the prolonged use without deleterious effects³such toxic manifestations as convulsions,^2apsychotic reactions,⁴hypertension,⁵habituation⁶