Jenny, Doc Baker and others in “Unfinished Business”

Jenny

[about Matthew] Well, Doctor? What's wrong with him?

I think Matthew's suffering from morphinism. It's a condition that affects normal behavior due to the extended use of morphine. I saw quite a bit of it after the war.

Well, how would he have gotten that way?

My guess is that McQueen has been using his elixir to keep the boy sedated.

I'm sorry, Doc, I don't see the connection.

Isaiah, that elixir that McQueen is peddling probably has a morphine base. I'd have to test it to be sure. Anyway, all he had to do was give the boy large doses of the elixir and he was able to control his moods.

You mean, that's why the boy was acting crazy?

Exactly. When he wants the boy to go wild, all he has to do is withhold the solution, just long enough for the boy's need to bring on the violence.

Jenny

How could anybody do that to a boy?

Oh, Jenny. That and worse may have been done to him. I examined Matthew's throat. At some point in his life, he swallowed some lye, and that's why he can't speak. I hope to God it wasn't done deliberately.