Page:George Archdall Reid 1896 The present evolution of man.djvu/372

360 can, let him, and the means of verifying his or her statement are always, within the current generation, accessible in India."—Ibid. pp. 77–8.

Sir Joseph Fayrer wrote—

"There cannot be a doubt that, in the great cities of India, in China, and probably elsewhere in the East, the abuse of opium is carried by a certain but a limited number to a great extent, but to nothing like the extent to which the abuse of alcohol "—i. e. by the English—" is carried. It is well known that over large areas of country in India, by tens of thousands of people, opium in moderation is habitually used by the natives. . . . It is said, I believe, by its opponents, that the tendency of opium-eating is ever to increase—to induce, it may be, slow but sure degradation and destruction. I do not believe this. In the course of many years' experience in India I have known so many who have been habitual consumers of a small quantity of opium without in any way suffering from it, or without any tendency to increase the habit, that I am unable to agree with those who state otherwise."—Ibid. p. 111.

In answer to the question—

"The general effect of your evidence has been that, from your wide opportunities of observation in India, you have not seen that what is called the opium habit has produced widespread and grave moral evils among the population of India? "—Ibid. p. 108.

Sir Lepel Griffin replied—

"No, I do not think there is a single resident in India who knows anything on the subject who would possibly say so. I do not think I am singular in my opinion."—Ibid. p. 108.