142 A STUDY IN HEREDITY 



persons of non-Burman descent. Such a step would be an 

 unjustifiable interference with the habits of a large section of the 

 population, and would be quite impossible to enforce. It may 

 be considered to be established beyond question, that there is 

 a legitimate demand for opium among the foreign residents of 

 Burmah, which would exist whether the Government countenanced 

 the use of opium or not, that if Government decided to declare 

 the sale of or possession of opium generally illegal, the demand 

 would be supplied by illicit means, and that the result of any 

 attempt to enforce absolute prohibition of the use of opium 

 would be the loss of a large amount of revenue without any 

 commensurate benefit.' Although, as I said before, I cannot 

 say that I am satisfied that while opium is harmless or beneficial 

 to the Chinese and others, it is poisonous to the Burmese, still 

 I cannot dispute the authority by which that opinion is supported, 

 and if it be correct, I know of only one suggestion by which it 

 can be explained. I believe there is no race of men among 

 whom the demand for one form of stimulant or another does not 

 exist, and it has been held by some — perhaps correctly — that 

 while particular stimulants are harmless or beneficial to some 

 races, they are injurious to others. It is possible that opium, 

 taken even in moderation, may be injurious or a dangerous 

 temptation to a Burmese, although it may be innocent or bene- 

 ficial to Chinamen or Sikhs, and, as many have maintained is 

 the case, alcohol, taken even in moderation, may be bad for the 

 people of Southern Asia, whilst, similarly taken, it may be good 

 for Europeans. However this may be, Burmah is not India, and 

 it is not reasonable to apply to India conclusions based upon 

 observations made in a totally different country. It appears to 

 me as regards India, properly so-called, there is no evidence 

 whatever to show that in any part of the country the consumption 

 of opium is anywhere a common and crying evil. Of course, I 

 admit that the use of opium may be abused, but I entirely 

 disbelieve that this occurs to any general or dangerous extent."' 



1 " First Report, Royal Commission on Opium," pp. 66-7. 



