prophylactic against malaria in damp districts; and also as enabling men to undergo prolonged muscular exertion on a small allowance

and

as

a

That it is

of food.

other diseases

a

prophylactic

also

against

cholera, asthma, &c., was not admitted. generally 4. That it is somewhat exceptional to begin as

the habit before 30 years of age, and that in the large majority it is begun between 30 and 40. 5. That the average daily ration probably

grains in the mofussil (Vincent Richards) ; but is probably larger in towns. 45 per cent, of the cases investigated by Dr. Ram Moy Roy consumed less than twelve grains daily, and 95 per cent, less than 24 grains

does not exceed

In

daily.

seven

estimating

the effect of these

doses,

the

contained in Indian

of

morphia quantity opium must be kept in mind, namely, 1'5 to 7 per cent., against 10 to 21 per cent, in Turkey opium.

small

That the moderate daily consumption of opium is compatible with good health, bodily and mental, and do es not obviously tend to the pro6.

duction of any disea se, or to shorten life. 72 per of the cases quoted by Dr. Ram Moy Roy were over 50 years of age, and 37 per cent,

cent,

over 60.

7.

That

opium

habit

to

external

the most usual ill are

impressions, timidity,

rate ; and when the to

Dr. CROMBIE'S SUMMARY OF THE OPIUM DISCUSSION. The as

following propositions

representing 1.

That

the

opium

gist -

may be

regarded

of the discussion

eaters

death from

:?

constitute from 5

to

10 per cent, of the people of Bengal, and that in certain parts of India, especially Rajputana, Gujerat and Sirhind, &c., the proportion is pro-

bably

much

assumes

the

larger.

In some of these parts opium in social life and ceremonial

position

lon?" ?Tanted to alcohol

othei countries. for which the opium 2. That the purposes a as habit is contracted are, prophylactic against, and in the treatment of malarial fever, to alleso

in

viate rheumatic pains, to cuie chionic dysentery and diarrhoea, chronic bronchitis, asthma, dyspepsia, aud diabetes, and veiy often as an aphrodi-

siac. 3. is

of small daily doses of opium of distinct benefit in almost all the

That the

probably

diseases

use

enumerated,

but

especially

in diabetes

t o

some

a

tendeucy

to

diminution of the birth-

quantity

disorder of the

emaciation,

effects of the

hebetude, lassitude, indifference

business and

neglect

-

consumed is

bowels,

and

intercurrent disease.

large, early These

results are, however, appare ntly not of frequent It is sometimes an indirect incentive to pilfering and petty theft; but even when

occurrence.

taken in excessive

quantities,

it does not lead

perceptible tissue-changes, grave or violent crime, to insanity or to infringements of public decency or order, or frequently to domestic unto

to

happiness. That the habitual use of even very large quantities (of a drachm and upwards) is often compatible with the enjoyment of excellent 8.

health, ness,

the keen and successful an honoured old age.

and

referred for

to of men

pursuit of busiInstances were

consuming a drachm of opium

years, meanwhile accumulating of one man who died at the rein the of 106 puted age complete possession of all his faculties and iu the of au

daily huge

forty

fortunes

:

important business, who had

management uinety grains

paten

INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.

212

[July

1892.

years of his Alcohol is a potent cause of tissue-changes affectlife ; of a Sunyasi (Hindu devotee) 60 years of ing the vital organs, and its abuse leads indubitage who took the incredibly large allowance of ably to early death. Reference was made to 22 tolahs (9 ounces and 225 grains) daily with- several families which had become extinct in Calcutta through alcohol. That it is a direct out obvious ill effect. of opium

daily

for the last

sixty-six

That the

9.

morphia habit is extremely rare and is confined to large towns. ReferIndia, ence was made to a pleader who carried on his

in

business for many years

grains

of

on a

ration of 90

daily

of poverty, insanity, and domestic misery, bodily and mental weakness in the progeny. That gcinja is an excitant of the most cause

morphia.

That chundoo is the preparation used by 10. Chinese in smoking opium ; that it is universally smoked by Chinamen in Calcutta and also by a small and fairly well to do section of the -

-

community ; that the Chinamen are the healthiest, most industrious, intelligent, and orderly section of the community ; and there does native

not appear to be any reason to think that chundoo smoking is more harmful, bodily, mentally, or than tobacco

morally

and frequent cause of crime and violence ; that of 100 persons apprehended by the police in Calcutta in a condition of iutoxication over 99 per cent, are drunk with alcohol; that it is a frequent

smoking.

and of

powerful description, leading acute mania

used

natives of lower social

deprived of his daily ration, must be discounted; first, because of the theatrilargely cal modes of expressing grief and misery habitual with natives on all occasions ; and, secondeater when

ly,

because of the

ease

with which

they

can

be

deceived by substituting gentian, &c., for the habitual opium pill. The pleader referred to to 90 grains of morphia and apparent danger of imminent death when deprived of it, was completely comforted by a bolus of flour containing 10 grains of morphia on one day, and by a bolus consisting entirely of flour on subsequent days.

above, accustomed

in

That the reduction of

13.

an

opium-eater's

daily ration is neither difficult nor infrequent One of the speakers, himself an opium-eater, had without difficulty reduced his quantity from 24 to 6

grains daily.

That the substitution of

14.

toxicant for auother is not

one

form of in-

infrequent

; and that

obstacles placed in the way of those accustomed to eat

opium

would

probably

lead to

an

extended

use of alcohol and ganja. That alcohol and ganja are incompar15. ably more deleterious iu their effects on the

human

constitution

and

on

society

than

opium.

to

violent crime,

teudeucy,

to

and is the

frequent cause of chronic insanity. The figures for the lunatic asylums of Lower Bengal for the past ten years, show that of 2,202 admissions, 641 were ganja smokers, 117 spirit drinkers, and 8 only were opium-eaters. The figures for the other provinces of India show most

16.

preparation for smok- similar position. Eviby ing dence was adduced to show that madat smoking is capable of inducing deteriorated health in a considerable number of those indulging in it. That the misery evinced by the opium12. That madat is the

11.

of homicidal

results.

Dr. Crombie's Summary of the Opium Discussion.

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