It must be remembered that addiction-disease is a chronic condition, and that it is practically never indicated as a matter of clinical emergency, in a case of established addiction, that the opiate be immediately withdrawn. As has been previously stated, drug withdrawal is very much like an operation of election to be done when the patient is ready for it and by whatever procedure is indicated when the proper time arrives. The getting of the patient ready for it often determines, just as is the case in the operation of election, to a great measure, the success of the work and the freedom from complications and sequelae. Since the final withdrawal of drug is to be regarded as comparable to an operation of election, and the best time for its execution is a matter of arrangement and of preceding preparation, it is obvious that it should not be undertaken with expectation of satisfactory issue in the course of treatment for an ailment or condition which demands and expends much physical resistance and recuperative powers. Recuperative forces should be maintained and directed towards whatever is the indication of paramount importance at any given time. In the conduct of a surgical case or a serious medical case, the indication of paramount importance is recovery from the condition for which the patient applies to the surgeon or physician. All other conditions present should be handled in such a way as to interfere as little as possible with the successful accomplishment of the main issue. The proper control of narcotic addiction-disease mechanism and of its influences upon the patient addicted is the important problem presented by narcotic addiction as met in the field complicating surgical and general medical conditions. CHAPTER VIII LAWS, AND THEIR RELATIONS TO NARCOTIC DRUGS The first general appreciation of the widespread existence of narcotic drug use was brought about by the passage of anti-narcotic laws. The United States Federal legislation which went into effect in 1914, was what is known as the Harrison Law, still in effect and in its purpose and drafting a wise piece of legislation. It sought to limit and control the use of opiate drugs and cocaine by making their possession and distribution illegal by other than those of professional and other status designated in the law, as qualified for their intelligent application and responsible distribution. Its administration was placed in the Department of Internal Revenue under a provision which licensed responsible distributors and required a yearly tax.