Laudanum is an alcoholic tincture of opium, sometimes sweetened with sugar and also called wine of opium. The 19th century was marked by the widespread use of laudanum as it was cheaper than a bottle of wine as it was not taxed as an alcoholic beverage. The addictive properties were not known.

Laudanum is an alcoholic tincture of opium, sometimes sweetened with sugar and also called wine of opium. The 19th century was marked by the widespread use of laudanum as it was cheaper than a bottle of wine as it was not taxed as an alcoholic beverage. The addictive properties were not known.