Skip to Main Content

Chapter 12. Disorders Due to Chemical Agents

Several groups of chemicals have been implicated as causes of disease.

Chemicals of Abuse

Ethyl alcohol, tobacco, and psychotropic drugs such as narcotics, cocaine, amphetamines, sedatives, marijuana, and so forth are common drugs of abuse. Drug abuse is an age-old problem (Table 12-1). The list of drugs of abuse grows as so-called designer drugs are developed in an attempt to increase the range of psychotropic effects provided by other licit and illicit drugs.

Table 12–1. Drug Abuse in Religion and Ritual.
View Table||Download (.pdf)
Table 12–1. Drug Abuse in Religion and Ritual.
Mushrooms
Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) Siberia 6000 BC; later ritual drinks of ancient Hindus (soma) and Zoroastrians (hoama).
Psilocybin mexicana Aztecs (coronation of Montezuma 1502); South and Central American Indians.
Other plants
Poppy (opium, morphine; heroin is synthetic derivative) Sumerians, Greeks, Mesopotamia 3000 BC; spread to China and East by 7th century; opium dens, opium pipes 18th century, opium wars 19th century.
Cannabis (marijuana, bhang, hashish, Kif, charas) Scythians 500 BC; Assassins (Arabic = “hashish users”) 1100–1300 AD, a fanatical Islamic sect dedicated to murder of enemies.
Peyote cactus (mescal, mescaline, peyotl) Long-term use in South and Central America (peyotl = “divine messenger”).
Choboa, yopo, parica from Piptadenia tree Snuff, reported by Columbus in West Indies.
Coca (cocaine) Long-term use in Peru, Incas; increase energy, relieve fatigue and hunger.
Kava (from species of pepper) Social and ritual drink in South Pacific.
Datura (jimson weed) Medicinal, ritual use in North and South America.
Grains (alcohol) Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, witchcraft, Roman Catholic Church; widespread social use; fraternity house rituals.
Chemicals
Amphetamines, LSD, synthetic hallucinogens Recent social use; some modern rituals.

Therapeutic Drugs

Prescribed drugs may also cause injury through adverse side effects or drug interactions, overdosage, improper use, etc.

Industrial & Agricultural Chemicals

Metals, insecticides, herbicides, and many chemicals produced as by-products of industrial processes and disposed of at toxic waste sites constitute a major public health hazard. Toxic waste has contaminated groundwater supplies and fauna in some areas. Various toxic chemicals are also present as constituents of common household products such as insecticides, cleaners, and detergents.

Voluntary Abuse

Addicts voluntarily use habituating substances because of physiologic or psychologic dependence. Psychotropic drugs are also used sporadically by nonaddicts as a means of either escaping reality or experiencing unusual sensory phenomena.

Suicide or Homicide

Drugs may be taken or surreptitiously administered with suicidal or homicidal intent. The types of drugs used for these purposes vary with locale as well as with time—eg, arsenic was commonly used for murder and suicide in Roman times, whereas insecticides, cyanide, carbon monoxide, sedatives, and acet-aminophen are more commonly used today.

...

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.

This site uses cookies to provide, maintain and improve your experience. MH Privacy Center Close