Against the effects of opium

Cover of publication entitled: The last days of the poppyThe Opium Wars were fought between Britain and China in the mid-19th century over issues of trade, diplomatic relations and the importing of Indian-produced opium.

Britain did much to encourage the consumption of opium in China, mostly for economic reasons, but by the end of the 19th century attitudes were changing and groups such as the Anti-Opium League, made up largely of missionaries, were vocal in their opposition to the drug.

The two-part publication shown here is by the Anti-Opium League.

The smaller part, entitled The last days of the poppy, is printed with interleaved blank pages, a technique often undertaken to give the book’s owner a chance to make notes.

Cover of publication entitled: The greater year of Anti-Opium, with frontispiece photographs showing the destruction of opium-smoking utensilsThe larger Annual report, left, is printed on silk and the opening shows some images, opposite the title page, felicitous to the League’s ideals: the destruction of opium and its related paraphernalia.

Fruits of the earth which affect the mental state of their users are often a cause of tension and dichotomy between those who enjoy their effects and those who oppose their use for religious, moral or medical reasons.

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