1879 *] Opium Smoking among the Celestials . 349 
one sitting, this being from 10 to 100 pipefuls of the extra<5t. 
The whole process is done in the most methodical manner. 
The veriest coolie or wealthiest merchant proceeds to arrange 
his lamp and extract and pipe with a solemn gravity ludi- 
crous to behold. In this grave affair of state, perhaps five, 
ten, or even fifteen minutes are consumed ; then follows an 
interval of placidity in those unaccustomed to smoking, to 
be followed by another and another smoke. But we begin 
to feel almost like opium smokers ourselves breathing so long 
the atmosphere De Quincy called “ the mephitic regions of 
carbonic acid gas,” so we ascend to the upper regions of the 
street, and realise, as we never have before, the fresh, 
invigorating influence of the brisk midnight air of the ocean 
coast. 
The above is taken from the “ American Journal of Phar- 
macy.” The effects of opium-smoking have been recently 
tested by N. von Miklucho Maclay during his stay in Hong 
Kong. The experiment was made at the Chinese Club, 
where every convenience for smoking opium is to be found. 
Dr. Clouth, of Hong Kong, took the necessary observations, 
and his notes are summarised as follows in the “ Chemist 
and Druggist ” : — Herr Maclay was in normal health, and 
had fasted 18 hours before commencing the experiment. He 
had never smoked tobacco. Twenty-seven pipes, equivalent 
to 107 grs. of the opium used by the Chinese, were smoked 
in two and three-quarter hours, at tolerably regular intervals. 
The third removed the feeling of hunger caused by his long 
fast, and his pulse rose from 72 to 80. The fourth and fifth 
caused slight heaviness and desire for sleep, but there was 
no hesitation in giving correct answers, though he could not 
guide himself about the room. After the seventh pipe the 
pulse fell to 70. The twelfth pipe was followed by singing 
in the ears, and after the thirteenth he laughed heartily, 
though without any cause that he can remember. Questions 
asked at this time were answered only after a pause, and not 
always correctly. He had for some time ceased to be con- 
scious of his actions. After the twenty-fifth pipe, questions 
asked in a loud tone were not answered. After the last pipe 
had been smoked he remarked, “ I do not hear well.” Forty 
minutes later there was a slight return of consciousness, 
and he said, “ I am quite bewildered. May I smoke some 
more ? Is the man with the pipe gone already?” Fifteen 
minutes later (4.55 p.m.) he was able to go home, and then 
retired to bed. He woke the next morning at 3 a.m. and 
made a hearty meal, after his fast of 33 hours. During the 
VOL. ix. (n.s.) 2 a 
