Sunday, September 25, 2011

Opium and the sick man of East Asia

In the 19 centuries, Drug addiction was a very serious problem in China. The picture above showed two men were smoking opium. Because of opium, it made so many people in China addicted and lead the destruction of China. This also one of the reasons why Chinese people earned a nickname called the "Sick man of East Asia".



So how the "Sick man of East Asia"stopped the opium continued to import to China? There was a officer called Lin Zexue, he is most recognized for fighting against opium. Because of him, Britain lost lots of money in importing opium, so the British declared war to China and it known as the First Opium War.



So we talk lots of things about Opium, but what did Opium looks like and what the heck is it?"Opium is the crudest form and also the least potent of the Opiates. Opium is the milky latex fluid contained in the un-ripened seed pod of the opium poppy. As the fluid is exposed to air, it hardens and turns black in color. This dried form is typical smoked, but can also be eaten."[1] Opium is a highly addictive drug, once you try it, you will probably try it again. Also, people who ate it will have some side effect like dizziness, rash, swelling and having problem to breath.Originally, Opium was used for medical purpose because it can reduce pain like morphine. Opium were used commonly during the American Civil War.




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