Weights and measures x -- 1 The dream of empire 1 -- 2 All the drowsy syrups of the world 13 -- 3 Cleverer than alchemists 33 -- 4 In compassion to mankind 58 -- 5 The most gentlemanlike speculation 88 -- 6 In the hands of Jews and Armenians 109 -- 7 A matter of considerably greater solicitude 137 -- 8 The most long-continued and systematic international crime 160 -- Appendix 1 The literature of the opium trade 174 -- Appendix 2 A comment on the Jardine Matheson "Opium Circulars" 179 -- Appendix 3 Englebert Kaempfer's comments on opium from his "Amoenitatum Exoticarum" 181 -- Appendix 4 The economics of Malwa opium cultivation 183
Summary
Drug epidemics are clearly not just a peculiar feature of modern life; the opium trade in the nineteenth century tells us a great deal about Asian herion traffic today. In an age when we are increasingly aware of large scale drug use, this book takes a long look at the history of our relationship with mind-altering substances. Engagingly written, with lay readers as much as specialists in mind, this book will be fascinating reading for historians, social scientists, as well as those involved in Asian studies, or economic history
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 192-201) and index
