The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-17
USE OF OPIUM.
Discussed at Length by the
Royal Commission.


LONDON, juno 17.-The recent pnblica
tion by the British government of tn
Blue Books, containing the report of tn
royal commission on opium, must be 10
garded as the most important and valua
BILE contribution To the history and litera
ture Of opium and its uses which has evei
been made. II is the outcome Of an agita
tion reused by English philanthropists on
account OF the alleged decentralization
caused by the use of opium iu India and
China.
This agitation has been kept up for NOR
than 20 years by the Anti-Opium league,
which was organized by Lord Shaftesbury
In 1873 The original object Of this society
was the limitation of the growth and
manufacture of opium In British India,
and especially the suppression of the trade
In opium on the ground that IL was "a great
source Of Generalization.
80 far rs the charges by tho Anti Opium
league against the British government Ton
creating the demand for opium in China
are concerned, it is proved by abundant
evidence that the people of China had
used opium for centuries before England
had secured a foothold in India. From
the evidence before them, the commission
declined 20 recommend any action tend
ing TO the destruction Of the trade.
The commission thinks that India could
not withstand the loss of revenue which
would result from stoppage of the indus
try.
In reply To the question, Whether the
growth OF the poppy and the manufacture
and sale of opium in British India should
bo prohibited, except for medical purposes,
and whether this prohibition could be ex.
tended 10 the native stated" the commits
sion states that IL has not been shown by
the evidence 10 be demanded 10y the people
Il be necessary that prohibition should be
enforced, except for medical purposes.
The number who desire prohibition at the
risk Of it's financial and political results is
small
Hard to Draw a Distinction
The commission then goes on to state:
"Wo have made exhaustive inquiry into
the consumption of opium in India, and
its effects. We find no evidence OF exten-
sivc moral or physical degradation from
its use. Opium is extensively used for
non-mcdical and quasi-medical purposes,
in some cases with benefit, and for tho
most part without injurious consequences.
The non-medical uses are SO interviewer
practicable TO draw distinction between
them in the distribution and sale of the
drug.
1.-The habitual use Of opium as stimu-
liant by young people is generally con-
demncd Opium smoking is little prac-
ticed In India, and Is considered dis
reputable habit. The whole question of
the effects of opium rs medically consid-
cred must be worked out later in detail
upon n careful collation. of a large mass of
evidence before the commission"
In reply 10 the question, "As TO the
disposition of the people of India in regard
10 the use Of opium for non-medical pur-
poses, and their willingness 10 bear in
whole or in part the cost Of prohibitive
measures" the commission stated that the
testimony had been unanimous that the
people Of India would be unwilling to bear
the cost Of prohibitive measures.
The evidence given in this report rs to
the social evils arising from the opium
habit shows that, rs n source of social
disorder, organic disease, insanity and sui
eide, opium is not to be compared with al
cohol