4 
ON THE HABITUAL USE OF 0TJU3I 
Third. Egyptian Opium occurs in round flattened cakes, about 
three inches in diameter, and covered externally with the vestiges of 
some leaf. It is distinguished from the others by its reddish colour, 
resembling “ socotrine Aloes. ” The quantity of morphia in this is 
inferior to the preceding. It has one quality which, when adulterated, 
ought to be known, that is a musty smell By keeping it does not 
blacken like the other kinds. 
Fourth. English Opium is in flat cakes or balls enveloped in 
leaves. It resembles fine Egyptian Opium more than any other 
kind. Its colour is that of hepatic aloes, and in the quantity of 
morphia it is inferior to the preceding, but in the strength of the 
mass it is said by one of its most extensive cultivators to be supe¬ 
rior. 
Fifth. French , and sixth, German Opium , require no particular 
remarks. By a recent notice, I find the French are cultivating the 
Poppy in Algeria from which they get opium giving a small percen¬ 
tage of morphia. 
Seventh. Trebizond or Persian Opium, is sometimes met with of 
a very inferior quality in the form of cylindrical sticks, which by 
pressure have become angular. 
Eighth. Indian Opium , divided into four kinds, Cutch, Malwa, • 
Patna and Benares. Of these, Cutch is hut little known or cultivated. 
It occurs in small cakes covered with leaves, and its colour is much 
inferior to Smyrna. Malwa Opium is to he met with of two kinds. 
The inferior is in flattened cakes, without any external covering, dull, 
opaque, blackish brown externally, internally somewhat darker, and 
soft. Its colour is somewhat like the Smyrna, but less powerful, and 
with a slight smoky smell. Superior Malwa is in square cakes 
about three inches in length, and one inch thick. It has the appear¬ 
ance of a well prepared, shining, dry, pharmaceutical extract; its 
colour is blackish brown, its odour less powerful then Smyrna; it is 
not covered by petals as the following kinds are, but smeared with 
oil; it is then rubbed with pounded petals. 
The Behar, Patna and Benares Opium being strictly in the 
hands of Government, no adulteration can take place without a 
