On the other hand, a few late observers deny altogether the accuracy of these statements. To this number belongs Dr. Burnes of the Bombay army; whose opinion is worthy of notice, because he had ample opportunities of observation during his residence in Cutch and at the Court of Sinde for several years prior to 1831. From what he there witnessed, Dr. Burnes is inclined to think "it will be found in general that the natives do not suffer much from the use of opium,"—that "this powerful narcotic does not seem to destroy the powers of the body, nor to enervate the mind to the degree that might be imagined."[1] Dr. Macpherson of the Madras army who had occasion to observe the effects of the parallel practice of opium-smoking in China, coincides in opinion with Dr. Burnes. He says, "were we to be led away by the popular opinion that the habitual use of opium injures the health and shortens life, we should expect to find the Chinese a shrivelled, emaciated, idiotic race. On the contrary, although the habit of smoking opium is universal among rich and poor, we find them to be a powerful, muscular, and athletic people, and the lower orders more intelligent and far superior in mental acquirements to those of corresponding rank in our own country."[2]
The familiar effects of the medicinal use of opium in disordering the nervous system and the digestive functions 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 to be allowed too much weight; because the functions of the nervous system and of digestion may be deranged by other causes, for example by hysteria, without necessarily and materially shortening life. It is desirable therefore to appeal if possible to precise facts.
The following is a summary of twenty-five cases, the particulars of which I have obtained from various quarters. The general result rather tends to throw doubt over the popular opinion.—1. A lady about thirty, in good health, has taken it largely for twenty years, having been gradually habituated to it from childhood by the villany of her maid, who gave it frequently to keep her quiet. 2. A female who died of consumption at the age of forty-two, had taken about a drachm of solid opium for ten years, but had given up the practice for three years before her death, and led in other respects a licentious life from an early age. 3. A well-known literary author, about sixty years of age, has taken laudanum for thirty-five years, with occasional short intermissions, and sometimes an enormous quantity, but enjoys tolerable bodily health. 4. A lady, after being in the practice of drinking laudanum for at least twenty years, died at the age of fifty,—of what disease I have been unable to learn. 5. A lady about fifty-five, who enjoys good health, has taken opium many years, and at present uses three ounces of laudanum daily. 6. A lady about sixty gave it up after using it constantly for twenty years, during which she enjoyed good health; and subsequently she resumed it.
