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In moderation for those who work hard there is no harm in smoking a few pipes, the general idea is that it does good by removing feeling of fatigue and affording rest and also acting prophylactic in some diseases e.g. malaria, and a decidedly remedial agent in other diseases.
(b) It is difficult to answer this question. Asiatics are not a race addicted to excess in alcohol. It is only in those men who have been brought into contact with Europeans and have acquired some of their bad habits that the evils of alcoholism are seen.
10. Very rarely, I know personally three cases, the general opinion amongst Chinese appears to be that if they leave off the habit they will die. Even leaving it off for a day brings severe diarrhoea and I can readily understand this proving fatal if not properly treated, not to mention the "mental disquietude &c." and the other symptoms brought on by suddenly discontinuing the drug.
11. They would in all likelihood obtain Chinese opium from Yunnan, this although inferior and cheaper than Indian opium is given to understand is stronger. I am of the same opinion.