The Conversion Of Opium Concept In The 19th Century Britain

Opium has the dual characteristics of medicine and drug.For a long time,Chinese historians have done a lot of analysis on opium,but mostly base on political diplomacy,economic trade,and military aggression.And Britain,as the originator of the Opium War and the largest exporter of opium trade to China,is often be neglected.Through the changes of the opium attitude of the 19 th century British society represented by the Literary,Medical and the Government,it is also possible to analyze the change throughout the British.The first part briefly reviews the medicinal history of opium and states that British has highly praised the efficacy of opium and its circulation is not restricted since modern times.The second part starts with the social issues by unrestricted opium.It discusses the Literary and Medical concern about the use of opium.The government promulgated the Pharmacy Act in 1868,which for the first time restricted opium.This is also the Britain society change the understanding of opium preliminary.The third part mainly sorts out the complete transformation of the concept of opium,and it’s the beginning of the international community control opium commonly.What needs special attention is that the missionary groups join the opposition of opium trade,which propel the change of opium in the whole Britain greatly.Through combing the evolution of opium recognition in the 19 th century Britain,it is not difficult to see that the process of recognizing the side effects of opiates in Britain is overlapping with the time of the two Opium Wars.Therefore,Britain has not implemented the double standards of prohibiting opium in Britain but exporting to China on opium.Therefore,under the guidance of historical materialism and the attitude of seeking truth from facts,a comprehensive view of the opium issue will help us to clarify some misunderstandings of historical understanding.