Opium-Eating

IN the January, 1872, number of the Indian Medical Gazette is an article on "Opium," written by Dr. Moore, wherein that gentleman states that, from personal observation, he arrives at the conclusion, " that opium-eating when moderately indulged in?as it generally is?produces no decided or even appreciable ill effect." Moreover, that the use of opium, under certain circumstances, is beneficial. Dr. Eatwell, in his report to the Government of Bengal, on the cultivation of the poppy, 1851, while affirming that no injurious effects of the habitual use of the drug are visible on the mass of the people (Chinese), maintains that " the question can never be settled in a manner to satisfy impartial and philosophical enquirers, until the demonstrative evidence of statistics shall be brought to bear upon the subject." In the hope, therefore, of being able to contribute some further information, and to test the accuracy of Dr. Moore's conclusions, I directed my attention specially to the subject, and now venture to place on record the results of my enquiry. There is no habit, or even vice, that has been the t