International Journal of History

Today we have 16 AIIMS and many other multi-speciality advanced hospitals. We have advanced medical facilities at district headquarters and even at block headquarters. Medical facilities are also provided by many private hospitals in cities and towns. In most of the states, it is easily available. Prime Minister‟s Ayushman Bharat scheme also ensures the health facilities to poor, lower section of the society and the vulnerable population. Apart from these facilities, we have also a first aid box (Medical Kit) in most of our homes for day to day remedies. We also use some kitchen herbs to get rid of minor medicinal problems. But nobody can think of such medicinal facilities and medical aid in colonial period. They had their own medical kit, known as opium or goli. Surprised, you are right. Yes it was opium, the most dangerous drug. Can anybody think that opium may be used or prescribed as medical aid for household remedies? Due to lack of medical facilities, colonial inhabitants were dependent on this dangerous intoxicating drug. It was used not only for household remedies but also prescribed for malaria like epidemics disease. This paper will give an image of colonial medical facilities and the use of opium in household remedies.