IN SINGAPORE 
s; 
so much weight as to give rise to the remarkable saying that “ the use 
of opium does not shorten man’s life, but only while there is life 
makes it miserable.” In reviewing the Modern Pythagorean’s state- 
r 
ment, you will see he contrasts the drunkard, or he who indulges to 
excess in gpiritous liquors, and the Opium Eater, (for they do not 
smoke it at home,) and gives his verdict in favour of the latter, at the 
same time he allows that he never saw a case amongst the poor, where 
the drug had been taken to excess. This reasoning is certainly “ a 
priori” and not by induction, yet in some respects he is right, for 
there is no doubt, nay it is proved by every day experience that the 
drunkard Is ready for any crime while in the state of inebriety; a strik¬ 
ing proof of which is given by Monsieur Quotelet in his work on man, 
in which he mentions, that in nine hundred and three murders, com¬ 
mitted from hatred, revenge, and other motives, four hundred and 
forty s'x had been committed during quarrels and contentions at ta¬ 
verns. 
The abuse of alcoholic liquor and opium both affect the life, and 
comfort of man, the former directly, the latter indirectly, the one 
more directly induces organic and structural changes, the other pri¬ 
marily induces functional, which subsequently leads to structural 
derangement, the one may be said to murder its victim the other 
to starve him. The drunkard in one bout may commit suicide, the 
opium smoker cannot, he can only attain insensibility. The drunk¬ 
ard during his intoxication commits his crimes, which when sober he 
loathes. The opium smoker during his ecstacy is at peace with: all 
mankind, but when unable to obtain the drug, and the fit is on him, 
he will do all that does become, a man, yea more, he will steal, and 
attempt even murder. The drunkard can give up his vice for strong 
inducements, the opium smoker has done so in so few instances as 
to entitle us to say the habit cannot be broken off. Many drink but 
do not abuse it, many smoke opium, but all abuse it. Drunkenness 
has its limits and fashion; opium smoking is without a limit and ac¬ 
knowledges no fashion, once it is introduced it is omnipotent in its 
power, and universal in its application. 
