def stats(self, topic=None, channel=None, text=False):
        """Return internal instrumented statistics.

        :param topic: (optional) filter to topic

        :param channel: (optional) filter to channel

        :param text: return the stats as a string (default: ``False``)
        """
        if text:
            fields = {'format': 'text'}
        else:
            fields = {'format': 'json'}

        if topic:
            nsq.assert_valid_topic_name(topic)
            fields['topic'] = topic

        if channel:
            nsq.assert_valid_channel_name(channel)
            fields['channel'] = channel

        return self._request('GET', '/stats', fields=fields)
Return internal instrumented statistics.

        :param topic: (optional) filter to topic

        :param channel: (optional) filter to channel

        :param text: return the stats as a string (default: ``False``)