56 
ON THE HABITUAL USE OP OPIUM 
Shikhs forbid the use of tobacco by the tenets of their religion $ 
but they find a ready substitute for it in opium, which is consumed 
in great quantities throughout the whole of the Punjaub, as well 
as among the protected Shikh states. While under the effects of 
this drug the Shikh is a very different person, to the same indivi¬ 
dual before he has taken it. In the former instance he is active and 
talkative, in the latter lazy and stupid. When the habit of eating 
opium has been once induced it is well known how difficult it is to 
throw it off, and of this fact Runjeet Sing was well aware for although 
he has been told repeatedly how pernicious the effects of opium must 
be to his complaint, still he cannot resist the daily use of it.” 
Professor Christison having satisfied himself that Dr. Bumes and 
Dr. McPhearson’s observations are more to be trusted them the mass 
of evidence on the contrary side, continues observations in suppor 
of his theory, remarking that “ the familiar effects of the medicinal use 
«* of opium in disordering the nervous system and the digestive or- 
« gans constitute a better reason than the loose statements of eastern 
“ travellers for the popular impression of the danger of its habitual 
“ and long continued use. Yet this consideration ought not be al- 
««lowed too much weight because the functions of the nervous sys- 
“ tem and digestion may be deranged by other causes, for example 
“ by Hysteria, without necessarily and materially shortening life, it 
“ is desirable if possible to appeal to precise facts.” 
*• The following is a summary of 25 cases the particulars of which 
“ I have obtained from various quarters, the general result rather 
** tends to throw doubt over the popular opinion.” 
These cases collected partly by the Professor and partly by Dr. 
Tait the Police Surgeon in Edinburgh for the purpose of establish¬ 
ing their particular doctrine, are little adapted to do so. All that 
they ought to claim is that many of the individuals lived to a good 
age, there being 15 out of the 25 that reached the age of 50 and 
some lived a little beyond it; but this is a feeble argument to esta¬ 
blish anything, it would he requisite to shew that these individuals 
would not have lived longer had they not been addicted to the habit. 
Moreover many of these Qases picked to serve their purpose do not at 
