364 THE PRESENT EVOLUTION OF MAN— MENTAL 



And to the question — 



" Can you give us your impressions as to the effect of 

 the use of opium upon the people with whom you were 

 brought into contact in Burmah, whether Chinese or the 

 Burmese ? " 



he said — 



^' Of the four races I found in Upper Burmah, Kach- 

 yins, Shans, Burmans, and Chinese, the Burmese were 

 the more decidedly susceptible to the influence of the 

 drug undoubtedly. The Chinese seemed to resist the 

 influence of it more than even the Hill-men, but in all 

 cases where the habit was once formed the emaciation 

 of the consumer and the deterioration of his moral 

 character alike ensued." — Ibid. p. 24. 



To the question — 



" You have been speaking thus far of the regulations 

 which were established by the native Government of 

 Burmah with reference to the suppression of the opium 

 habit. When the country passed under the rule of the 

 Government of India, what was the policy then adopted 

 with reference to opium ? " 



he replied — 



"The Government of India made a very important 

 proclamation in English, Burmese, and Chinese, to the 

 effect that her Majesty the Queen-Empress would 

 not receive a revenue from the sale of opium in Upper 

 Burmah, and a law was put upon the Statute Book, 

 making it penal to sell opium or any of its prepar- 

 ations to men of the Burmese race. At the same time, 

 the possession of opium or liquor by Burmans was not 

 an offence, but it has been made so during the last year, 

 I believe."— /Mfi. p. 25. 



