ENGLISH

Drugs and Narcotics in History

By Roy Porter , Mikulas Teich

Book information

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1997
ISBN
052158597X, 9780521585972, 0521431638, 9780521431637
LCC
RM301 .D789 1995
Google Books ID
I1YxRwBn5poC
Open Library ID
OL1096225M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
12 MB (12131511 bytes)
Edition
1
Pages
240\240
Orientation
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2012-03-09 12:00:00

Description

This collection of essays explores the complex and contested histories of drugs and narcotics in societies from ancient Greece to the present day. It shows that the major substances so used, from herbs of the field to laboratory-produced synthetic medicines, have a healing potential, and have been widely employed both within and outside the medical profession. Many of these substances, if taken improperly, are also highly toxic or even lethally poisonous. Some, being mood-influencing and habit-forming, are open to abuse and lead to addiction and are even objects of international contraband trade and the targets of "drug wars."

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