IN SINGAPORE 
71 
iff taking himself, hut which must gradually be diminished. 
Second. From the enervating effect of the opium on the stomach, 
stimulants, and bitters must be administered, and which as the opi¬ 
um is decreased, must be increased. 
Third . As the general system of the opium smoker has been de¬ 
ranged, and every organ and function of the body interfered with, so 
as to have produced a diminished tonicity of muscle and vigour of 
mind, exercise gradually increased and fresh air are necessary, and, 
with the poor, good nourishing food. 
Fourth . As the mind is weakened, firmness, never very great in 
the native character, is much reduced. It is therefore necessary to 
keep up the hopes of the party by convincing them of the infallibility 
of the medecine, whose nature must not be disclosed to them. 
Many trifling additions will suggest themselves in each individua 
case, but with the adoption of these principles, and the steady reso¬ 
lution of the patient, a perfect cure may be expected in 6 weeks or 
two months. 
The last yet most difficult part of the subject consists in suggest¬ 
ing a general remedy for the extensive evil, or at least, the best 
means for moderating its intensity, and confining its range ; this of 
course must be a national work, which must emenate from, and be 
supported by the government, whatever aid may be derived from in¬ 
dividuals or the public., 
I cannot suppose after what has been written, not only by me, but 
by all who have touched on the subject of opium, when treating of In¬ 
dia, China and Turkey, that one individual can be found to deny the 
evil effects of the habit, the physical disease it produces, with the 
prostration of mind, and the corruption of morals. All that I have 
done is to show that in this settlement of ours there is no difference 
in the vice, no dissimilarity in its results, that it is a fascinating, cap¬ 
tivating allurement, which startles not its victim, till it has so entan¬ 
gled him. in its mazes, from which there is no escape, until the time 
when, grasping crime with one hand and poverty with the other, he 
sinks into a premature grave. 
I have endeavoured to trace the many offshoots that a question of 
