328 



numbers of the latter never returned, and their 

 decendants form still a large part of the population 

 of Habraghat and Kootaghat." But British troops 

 drove out the Burmese, the British Government 

 restored peace and security of property, aud in 

 accordance with the laws of nature, increase of 

 population and wealth should have rapidly followed. 

 Unfortunately, however, among the characteristics 

 of the people, laziness and indolence are most promi- 

 nent. They determinedly refuse to do more work 

 than will just suffice to maintain them in the 

 comfort of a rude existence. More unfortunately 

 still, they are addicted to the use of a drug which 

 heightens these characteristics by its baneful influ- 

 ence on their physical powers Opium ! This drug 

 is consumed, in quantities, by 70 per cent, of the 

 people. They give it even to their children, and 

 the results on the whole population are very 

 evident. 



"The habit" reported D. J. Long in 1853, "acts 

 very injuriously on the people: it renders them 

 listless and apathetic; weakens their digestive 

 system and produces congestions of the brain and 

 other organs, particularly of the liver and kid- 

 neys. It has before been noticed the liability to 

 severe congestive inflammation of the lungs, to which 

 opium-eaters are liable after slight labour. 



<( So long as the opium-eater is able to procure 

 good and nourishing diet, suited to his system, 



