What Does Dr. Frankenstein Have To Do With Opium?

The use of opium was widespread during the Victorian era and because of this some of the popular books that have lasted through the years also depict the use of the opium and one of these is Frankenstein.

Dr. Victor Frankenstein used laudanum, which was a tincture using opium, this was a mixture of approximately 10% of the opium 90% alcohol and were and flavored with cinnamon or saffron. This mixture was used during the Victorian time as a painkiller, a tranquilizer or sleeping tonic; the use of this tincture was not out of place during the writing of this book. In fact it was so widespread that it was completely plausible for Dr. Victor Frankenstein to have used laudanum.

While this book was written to thrill and excite the reader, it also used facts and fantasy to make this book one that has been read through the years. With the same results for the reader the only change is that the use of laudanum is no longer legal. During the writing in this book London was not only the location laudanum was used, it in most households for family members of every age including the use of it on babies teething.

Yet for Dr. Victor Frankenstein it was used for completely different purpose and one that today can even be an ominous thrill while reading the book. It was during this time with the widespread use no one realized what the effects of this could be including the addiction factor.