Narcotic deaths, parts 1 and 2
- Series Title(s):
- Clinical pathology series. Forensic medicine outlines
- Contributor(s):
- Helpern, Milton, 1902-1977 Emory University. School of Medicine. National Medical Audiovisual Center.
- Publication:
- [Atlanta] : The School : [for loan by National Medical Audiovisual Center ; Washington : for sale by National Audiovisual Center], 1970, made 1969
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Moving image
- Subject(s):
- Amphetamines Autopsy Cannabis Crime Forensic Medicine Narcotics -- poisoning Substance-Related Disorders Substance-Related Disorders -- mortality
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the types of narcotic deaths and drugs encountered by Dr. Milton Helpern in his post as Chief Medical Examiner for New York City and to describe internal and external body changes resulting from narcotism. This objective is achieved with the use of photographs of overdose victims and the equipment found and used by addicts. The importance of noting the circumstances under which the body is found and the condition of the body to aid in establishing the diagnosis of death from narcotism is stressed. According to this presentation narcotic addiction which has been a problem for many years has increased markedly within the last twenty years. The two types of narcotic deaths being encountered at the present time are those who die from the effects of the drug and those who die as a result of violence. The correlation between the violence and the society in which the addict lives is explored briefly. Dr. Helpern notes that in 1930 heroin was mixed with milk sugar, whereas recent samples checked showed a mixture of heroin, quinine and mannitol. The use of amphetamines and marijuana is discussed briefly and the equipment used by addicts is described and illustrated. Dr. Helpern then shows photographs of overdose victims and describes the circumstances under which the body was found. With the addition of information gained by his examination of the body, the diagnosis of death by narcotism is made. The program notes that toxicological test results which confirm the diagnosis are usually not available for several weeks. The skin around the puncture site is incised to demonstrate the effects of the intravenous injections on the veins and subcutaneous tissues.
- Copyright:
- The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
- Extent:
- 048 min.
- Color:
- Black and white
- Sound:
- Sound
- Credits:
- Milton Helpern.
- Technique:
- Live action
- NLM Unique ID:
- 7600368A (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/7600368A