S V M A T K A. 
color, and has lefe ftrength than the Turkey opium. About an hundred 
and fifty chcfls arc confumed annually on the Weft coaft, where it is 
pur chafed, on an average, zt three hundred dollars the cheft, and fold 
ngain at five or fix. But on occafion of extraordinary fcarcity I have 
Jaiown it to fell for it's weight in fiiver, and a fingle cheft to fetch up- 
wards of three thoufand dollars. 
The method of preparing it for ufe is as foUovvs, The raw opium is 
fir ft boiled or feetbed in a copper vefTel ; then ftrained through a cloth, 
to free it from impuricks ; and then a fecond time boiled. The leaf of 
the ^acoi^^ fhred fine, is mixed with it, in a'quantity fufficient to abforb, 
the whole ; and it is afterwards made up into fmall plJls, about the fize 
of a pea, for fmoking. One of thefe being put into the fmall tube that 
projects from the fide of the opium pipe, that tube is applied to a 
lamp, and the pill being lighted, is confumed at one whifF, or inflation 
of tbe lungs. The fmoke is never emitcd by the mouth ; it ufuaily 
receives vent through the noftrils, and fometimes, by adepts, through 
the palTage of the ears and eyes. This prcparailuu of the opium is cal- 
led tm^djti and is often adulterated in the procefs, by mixing jaigree^ or 
pine fugar, with it ; as is the raw opium, by incorporating with it, the 
fruit of the pe/a?ig or plantain^ 
MB. { Theufeof opium among thefc people, as that of intoxicating liquors 
OpiuiD. among other nations, is a fpecies of luxury, which all ranks adopt ac- 
cording to their ability, and which, when once become habitual, it is 
almoft impofilble to fhake off. Being however, like other luxuries, ex- 
pen five, few only, among the lower clafs of people, can compafs the re- 
gular enjoyment of it j even where it's ufe is not reftrained, as it is among 
the pepper planters, to the times of their feftivals* That the praQ:ice of 
opium fmoking muft be in fome degree prejudicial to the health, is highly 
probable ; yet I am inclined to think that effedts have been attributed 
to it, much more pernicious to the conftitution, than it is in reality the 
caufe of* The Bugguefs foldicrs, and others in the Malay bazars, whom 
vie fee moft attached to it, and who ufe it to exccfs, commonly appear 
emaciated; 
